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Mid-Infrared Photometry of Mass-losing Asymptotic Giant Branch Stars
We present ground-based mid-IR imaging for 27 M-, S-, and C-typeasymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars. The data are compared with those ofthe database available thanks to the IRAS, Infrared Space Observatory,Midcourse Space Experiment, and Two Micron All Sky Survey catalogs. Ourgoal is to establish relations between the IR colors, the effectivetemperature Teff, the luminosity L, and the mass-loss rateM˙, for improving the effectiveness of AGB modeling. Bolometric(absolute) magnitudes are obtained through distance compilations and byapplying previously derived bolometric corrections; the variability isalso studied, using data accumulated since the IRAS epoch. The mainresults are as follows: (1) Values of L and M˙ for C stars fitrelations previously established by us, with Mira variables being onaverage more evolved and mass-losing than semiregular variables. (2)Moderate IR excesses (as compared to evolutionary tracks) are found forS and M stars in our sample: they are confirmed to originate from thedusty circumstellar environment. (3) A larger reddening characterizesC-rich Mira variables and post-AGB stars. In this case, part of theexcess is due to AGB models overestimating Teff for C stars,as a consequence of the lack of suitable molecular opacities. This has alarge effect on the colors of C-rich sources, and sometimesdisentangling the photospheric and circumstellar contributions isdifficult; better model atmospheres should be used in stellarevolutionary codes for C stars. (4) The presence of a long-termvariability at mid-IR wavelengths seems to be limited to sources withmaximum emission in the 8-20 μm region, usually Mira variables(one-third of our sample). Most of the semiregular and post-AGB starsstudied here have remained remarkably constant in the mid-IR over thelast 20 years.
| Correlations between Lithium and Technetium Absorption Lines in the Spectra of Galactic S Stars
Correlations between the presence of the 6707 Å line of lithiumand the resonance lines of technetium (4238 and 4262 Å) in a largesample of Galactic S stars are analyzed. Half of the sample stars areintrinsic S stars (those exhibiting technetium in their spectra), and1/3 of these stars also have strong lithium lines in their spectra.Stars having both lithium and technetium in their spectra areinterpreted as intermediate-mass thermally pulsating asymptotic giantbranch (TP-AGB) stars in which lithium is produced by the Cameron-Fowlermechanism. The production of lithium is predicted to occur inhigh-luminosity (Mbol<=-6) TP-AGB stars by the hot-bottomburning (HBB) mechanism. Data on the carbon isotope ratios of stars inour sample agree with the predictions of HBB; however, oxygen isotoperatios in these stars do not agree with the predictions of HBB.Furthermore, the available luminosities for our sample stars are belowthe minimum value necessary for HBB to occur in available models.Cool-bottom processing (CBP) is one possible explanation for thepresence of lithium in the spectra of these stars. Intrinsic S starshaving technetium but no lithium in their spectra are interpreted aslower mass (1.5-3 Msolar) thermally pulsating AGB stars thathave not undergone CBP. Extrinsic S stars constitute the remaining halfof the sample. Carbon and oxygen isotope ratios, as well as the lack oftechnetium and lithium in the spectra of these stars, are consistentwith these being low-mass red giant branch stars (1-2Msolar), with mass transfer from a now extinct thermallypulsating AGB star being responsible for the enhanced abundance ofs-process elements.
| Two Micron All Sky Survey, Infrared Astronomical Satellite, and Midcourse Space Experiment Color Properties of Intrinsic and Extrinsic S Stars
We attempt to select new candidate intrinsic and extrinsic S stars inthe General Catalogue of Galactic S Stars (GCGSS) by combining data fromthe Two Micron All Sky Survey, the Infrared Astronomical Satellite, andthe Midcourse Space Experiment. Catalog entries are cross-identified,yielding 528 objects, out of which 29 are known extrinsic S stars and 31are known intrinsic S stars. Their color-color diagrams,(H-[12])-(K-[12]) and (K-[12])-(J-[25]), are drawn and used to identifya new sample of 147 extrinsic and 256 intrinsic S star candidates, whilethe nature of 65 stars remains identified. We infer that about 38%+/-10%of the GCGSS objects are of extrinsic type. Moreover, we think thatcolors such as J-[25] can be used to split off the two categories of Sstars, while single colors are not appropriate. The color-colordiagrams, such as (H-[12])-(K-[12]) and (K-[12])-(J-[25]), are proven tobe powerful tools for distinguishing the two kinds of S stars.
| Mirasterne als Einstiegsobjekte in der Veraenderlichenbeobachtung.
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| Secular Evolution in Mira Variable Pulsations
Stellar evolution theory predicts that asymptotic giant branch (AGB)stars undergo a series of short thermal pulses that significantly changetheir luminosity and mass on timescales of hundreds to thousands ofyears. These pulses are confirmed observationally by the existence ofthe short-lived radioisotope technetium in the spectra of some of thesestars, but other observational consequences of thermal pulses are subtleand may only be detected over many years of observations. Secularchanges in these stars resulting from thermal pulses can be detected asmeasurable changes in period if the star is undergoing Mira pulsations.It is known that a small fraction of Mira variables exhibit largesecular period changes, and the detection of these changes among alarger sample of stars could therefore be useful in evolutionary studiesof these stars. The American Association of Variable Star Observers(AAVSO) International Database currently contains visual data for over1500 Mira variables. Light curves for these stars span nearly a centuryin some cases, making it possible to study the secular evolution of thepulsation behavior on these timescales. In this paper we present theresults of our study of period change in 547 Mira variables using datafrom the AAVSO. We use wavelet analysis to measure the period changes inindividual Mira stars over the span of available data. By making linearfits to the period versus time measurements, we determine the averagerates of period change, dlnP/dt, for each of these stars. We findnonzero dlnP/dt at the 2 σ significance level in 57 of the 547stars, at the 3 σ level in 21 stars, and at the level of 6 σor greater in eight stars. The latter eight stars have been previouslynoted in the literature, and our derived rates of period change largelyagree with published values. The largest and most statisticallysignificant dlnP/dt are consistent with the rates of period changeexpected during thermal pulses on the AGB. A number of other starsexhibit nonmonotonic period change on decades-long timescales, the causeof which is not yet known. In the majority of stars, the periodvariations are smaller than our detection threshold, meaning theavailable data are not sufficient to unambiguously measure slowevolutionary changes in the pulsation period. It is unlikely that morestars with large period changes will be found among heretoforewell-observed Mira stars in the short term, but continued monitoring ofthese and other Mira stars may reveal new and serendipitous candidatesin the future.
| Ubernahme der AFOEV Daten in die Einzelbeobachtungsdatenbank der BAV.
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| Letter to the Editor: Brighter Maxima of 30 Selected Mira-Type Variable Stars for the Period 1978-1977
Letter to the Editor
| Beobachtungsergebnisse Bundesdeutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Veranderlichen Serne e.V.
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| An Abundance Analysis of Two S Stars at High Galactic Latitude
We present abundances of Ti, Fe, and Ni as well as 10 post-iron-peakelements in two Galactic S stars, S UMa and Stephenson 1303. Based uponthe presence or absence of Tc in their spectra, S UMa is an intrinsic Sstar and Stephenson 1303 is an extrinsic S star. Both stars are slightlymetal-poor and at high Galactic latitude; they thus make an interestingcomparison as well as a further test of current models ofnucleosynthesis in low-mass stars. In addition, the abundance ratio ofheavy to light s-process elements, [hs/ls], correlates with themetallicities of Stephenson 1303 and S UMa as expected if the13C neutron source drives the s-process.
| Hipparcos red stars in the HpV_T2 and V I_C systems
For Hipparcos M, S, and C spectral type stars, we provide calibratedinstantaneous (epoch) Cousins V - I color indices using newly derivedHpV_T2 photometry. Three new sets of ground-based Cousins V I data havebeen obtained for more than 170 carbon and red M giants. These datasetsin combination with the published sources of V I photometry served toobtain the calibration curves linking Hipparcos/Tycho Hp-V_T2 with theCousins V - I index. In total, 321 carbon stars and 4464 M- and S-typestars have new V - I indices. The standard error of the mean V - I isabout 0.1 mag or better down to Hp~9 although it deteriorates rapidly atfainter magnitudes. These V - I indices can be used to verify thepublished Hipparcos V - I color indices. Thus, we have identified ahandful of new cases where, instead of the real target, a random fieldstar has been observed. A considerable fraction of the DMSA/C and DMSA/Vsolutions for red stars appear not to be warranted. Most likely suchspurious solutions may originate from usage of a heavily biased color inthe astrometric processing.Based on observations from the Hipparcos astrometric satellite operatedby the European Space Agency (ESA 1997).}\fnmsep\thanks{Table 7 is onlyavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/397/997
| Near-infrared observations of candidate extrinsic S stars
Photometric observations in the near infrared for 161 S stars, including18 Tc-rich (intrinsic) stars, 19 Tc-deficient (extrinsic) ones and 124candidates for Tc-deficient S stars, are presented in this paper. Basedon some further investigations into the infrared properties of bothTc-rich and Tc-deficient S stars, 104 candidates are identified as verylikely Tc-deficient S stars. The large number of infrared-selectedTc-deficient S stars provides a convenient way to study the physicalproperties and the evolutionary status of this species of S stars.
| Zirconium to Titanium Ratios in a Large Sample of Galactic S Stars
The [Zr/Ti] ratio for a large sample of Galactic S stars has beendetermined using high-quality, high-resolution spectra. The pattern ofZr enhancements in intrinsic and extrinsic S stars is found to differ,and the [Zr/Ti] ratio in the extrinsic S stars clearly links them to thestrong barium stars. In addition, the pattern of [Zr/Ti] ratios seems toindicate that the progression of spectral type M to MS to S to SC is duelargely to an increase in the abundance of s-process elements and notsolely to a changing C/O ratio as claimed by some investigators (such asScalo and Ross).
| Envelope tomography of long-period variable stars III. Line-doubling frequency among Mira stars
This paper presents statistics of the line-doubling phenomenon in asample of 81 long-period variable (LPV) stars of various periods,spectral types and brightness ranges. The set of observations consistsof 315 high-resolution optical spectra collected with the spectrographELODIE at the Haute-Provence Observatory, during 27 observing nights atone-month intervals and spanning two years. When correlated with a maskmimicking a K0III spectrum, 54% of the sample stars clearly showed adouble-peaked cross-correlation profile around maximum light, reflectingdouble absorption lines. Several pieces of evidence are presented thatpoint towards the double absorption lines as being caused by thepropagation of a shock wave through the photosphere. The observation ofthe Balmer lines appearing in emission around maximum light in thesestars corroborates the presence of a shock wave. The observed velocitydiscontinuities, ranging between 10 and 25 km s-1, are notcorrelated with the brightness ranges. A comparison with thecenter-of-mass (COM) velocity obtained from submm CO lines originatingin the circumstellar envelope reveals that the median velocity betweenthe red and blue peaks is blueshifted with respect to the COM velocity,as expected if the shock moves upwards. The LPVs clearly exhibitingline-doubling around maximum light with the K0III mask appear to be themost compact ones, the stellar radius being estimated from theireffective temperatures (via the spectral type) and luminosities (via theperiod-luminosity relationship). It is not entirely clear whether or notthis segregation between compact and extended LPVs is an artefact of theuse of the K0III mask. Warmer masks (F0V and G2V) applied to the mostextended and coolest LPVs yield asymmetric cross-correlation functionswhich suggest that line doubling is occurring in those stars as well.Although a firm conclusion on this point is hampered by the largecorrelation noise present in the CCFs of cool LPVs obtained with warmmasks, the occurrence of line doubling in those stars is confirmed bythe double CO Delta v = 3 lines observed around 1.6 mu m by Hinkle etal. (1984, ApJS, 56, 1). Moreover, the Hdelta line in emission, which isanother signature of the presence of shocks, is observed as well in themost extended stars, although with a somewhat narrower profile. This isan indication that the shock is weaker in extended than in compact LPVs,which may also contribute to the difficulty of detecting line doublingin cool, extended LPVs. Based on observations made at Observatoire deHaute Provence, operated by the Centre National de la RechercheScientifique, France. Table 3 is only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org and at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/379/305
| Polarimetry of 167 Cool Variable Stars: Data
Multicolor photoelectric polarimetry is presented for 167 stars, most ofwhich are variable stars. The observations constitute a data set thatfor some stars covers a time span of 35 yr. Complex variations are foundover time and wavelength and in both the amount of polarization and itsposition angle, providing constraints for understanding the polarizingenvironments in and around these cool stars.
| Long period variable stars: galactic populations and infrared luminosity calibrations
In this paper HIPPARCOS astrometric and kinematic data are used tocalibrate both infrared luminosities and kinematical parameters of LongPeriod Variable stars (LPVs). Individual absolute K and IRAS 12 and 25luminosities of 800 LPVs are determined and made available in electronicform. The estimated mean kinematics is analyzed in terms of galacticpopulations. LPVs are found to belong to galactic populations rangingfrom the thin disk to the extended disk. An age range and a lower limitof the initial mass is given for stars of each population. A differenceof 1.3 mag in K for the upper limit of the Asymptotic Giant Branch isfound between the disk and old disk galactic populations, confirming itsdependence on the mass in the main sequence. LPVs with a thin envelopeare distinguished using the estimated mean IRAS luminosities. The levelof attraction (in the classification sense) of each group for the usualclassifying parameters of LPVs (variability and spectral types) isexamined. Table only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/374/968 or via ASTRIDdatabase (http://astrid.graal.univ-montp2.fr).
| Stars with the Largest Hipparcos Photometric Amplitudes
A list of the 2027 stars that have the largest photometric amplitudes inHipparcos Photometry shows that most variable stars are all Miras. Thepercentage of variable types change as a function of amplitude. Thiscompilation should also be of value to photometrists looking forrelatively unstudied, but large amplitude stars.
| Infrared colours for Mira-like long-period variables found in the (Mȯ<~10-7 Msolar yr-1) Hipparcos Catalogue
Near-infrared, JHKL, photometry is presented for 193 Mira andsemi-regular variables that were observed by Hipparcos; periods,bolometric magnitudes and amplitudes are derived for 92 of them. Becauseof the way in which the Hipparcos targets were selected, this group ofstars provides a useful data base of Miras with low mass-loss rates(Mȯ<~10-7Msolaryr-1).Various period-colour relationships are discussed in detail. The colour,particularly BCK = 10.86 - 38.10 K (J - K)0 +64.16(J - K)20 - 50.72(J -K)30 + 19, K-L, at a given period is found todepend on the pulsation amplitude of the star. A comparison with modelssuggests that this is a consequence of atmospheric extension, in thesense that large-amplitude pulsators have very extended atmospheres andredder Mȯ<10-7Msolaryr-1, K-L and H-K but bluerJ-H than their lower amplitude counterparts. The stars with veryextended atmospheres also have higher values of K-[12] and hence highermass-loss rates. This finding provides further evidence for the causalconnection between pulsation and mass loss. Two sequences are identifiedin the Hp-K versus logP diagram (where Hp is the Hipparcos broad-bandmagnitude) at short periods (logP<2.35). At a given period these twogroups have, on average, the same pulsation amplitude, but differentJHKL colours and spectral types. The short-period stars in the bluersequence have similar near-infrared colours to the Miras found inglobular clusters. Long-term trends in the infrared light curves arediscussed for stars that have sufficient data.
| H2 in the 2 micron infrared spectra of long period variables. I. Observations
Up to seven lines in the S branch of molecular hydrogen have beendetected in the 2 μm infrared absorption line spectra of long periodvariables. The H2 lines show very strong phase dependentchanges in velocity, equivalent width, and line profile, with thestrongest lines near minimum light. The strength of the H2lines also depends on variable type with Mira variables having deeplines (at minimum light), SRa variables generally having detectablelines, and the SRb and non-variables having weak to non-detectablelines. In addition H2 line strengths depend on period and onC/O abundance, with long period (i.e. cool), pure S-type Miras havingH2 lines with central depths of up to 80%. The appearance ofH2 lines in the spectra of cool giants is linked withgeometrical extension of the atmosphere. The greatly increased strengthof the H2 lines in Mira variables is observational evidenceof the role of stellar pulsation in greatly extending these stellaratmospheres. Weak emission is seen in H2 near maximum lightin Miras. We suggest this is resonant scattering in the sphericallyextended stellar atmosphere. The significant role of H2opacity in the blue is noted.
| Mira kinematics from Hipparcos data: a Galactic bar to beyond the Solar circle
The space motions of Mira variables are derived from radial velocities,Hipparcos proper motions and a period-luminosity relation. Thepreviously known dependence of Mira kinematics on the period ofpulsation is confirmed and refined. In addition, it is found that Miraswith periods in the range 145-200d in the general Solar neighbourhoodhave a net radial outward motion from the Galactic Centre of75+/-18kms-1. This, together with a lag behind the circularvelocity of Galactic rotation of 98+/-19kms-1, is interpretedas evidence for an elongation of their orbits, with their major axesaligned at an angle of ~17° with the Sun-Galactic Centre line,towards positive Galactic longitudes. This concentration seems to be acontinuation to the Solar circle and beyond of the bar-like structure ofthe Galactic bulge, with the orbits of some local Miras probablypenetrating into the bulge. These conclusions are not sensitive to thedistance scale adopted. A further analysis is given of the short-period(SP) red group of Miras discussed in companion papers in this series. InAppendix A the mean radial velocities and other data for 842 oxygen-richMira-like variables are tabulated. These velocities were derived frompublished optical and radio observations.
| Trend analysis of 51 carbon long-period variables.
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| Spectra of Cool Stars in the J Band (1.0-1.3 μm) at Medium Resolution
A spectroscopic survey of 103 cool S-, C-, and M-type stars wasundertaken with the Kitt Peak cryogenic spectrograph on the 1.3 mtelescope to make a detailed search for new molecular bands in the1.0-1.3 μm J-band region. While the spectra have high signal-to-noiseratios and good repeatability, no strong new features were found. Higherresolution spectra of a small sample of representative stars observedwith the 4 m Fourier transform spectrometer were invoked in order toidentify the features in these spectra. With few exceptions, the detailsof these spectra are well understood. Laboratory spectra were obtainedto aid in the identification of some weak features. Spectral featuresfrom dominant lines of Ti, Fe, Al, Si, Mn, Na, and K, and molecularbands due to TiO, TiS, ZrO, ZrS, VO, H_2O, and CN, have been identifiedin the spectra. Several weak unidentified bands are found.
| CO observations and mass loss of MS- and S-stars
We present (12) CO J = 1-0 and 2-1 observations of 14 S-stars, andreport 6 new detections. Two stars were observed in the (13) CO J = 1-0and 2-1 lines, and one tentative 2-1 detection is reported. Acompilation is presented of all CO observations of S-stars. The stars inthis sample are separated into ``intrinsic'' and ``extrinsic'' S-stars,based on direct observation of the Technetium line, or infraredproperties. The dust mass loss rate per unit distance is derived fromIRAS 60 mu m data taking into the fact that for small mass loss ratesthe observed flux is an overestimate of the excess emission due to dust.The gas mass loss rate per unit distance is derived from CO data.Distances and luminosities are estimated, partly from hipparcos parallaxdata. The largest mass loss rate derived is that for W Aql with(0.8-2.0) x 10(-5) {Msun} yr(-1) , and the lowest is that foro Ori with <1.2 x 10(-9) {Msun} yr(-1) . The S-starswithout Tc have smaller mass loss rates, than those with Tc. Diagramsshowing mass loss rate, dust-to-gas ratio and expansion velocity versuspulsation period are presented, and compared to similar data for carbon-and oxygen-rich Miras. The S-Miras stand not out in any way from the C-or O-Miras in these diagrams. In the diagram with expansion velocityversus pulsation period, the S-SRs span the same range in velocity asthe S-Miras, but they have periods which are about a factor of 2.5shorter. This was previously noted for O-rich SRs. As in that case, themost straightforward explanantion is that the SRs among the S-starspulsate in a higher order pulsation mode. Based on data from the ESAhipparcos astrometry satellite.
| A CORAVEL radial-velocity monitoring of giant BA and S stars: Spectroscopic orbits and intrinsic variations. I.
With the aim of deriving the binary frequency among Ba and S stars, 56new spectroscopic orbits (46 and 10, respectively) have been derived forthese chemically-peculiar red giants monitored with the \coravel\spectrometers. These orbits are presented in this paper (38 orbits) andin a companion paper \cite[(Udry et al. 1998,]{Udry} Paper II; 18orbits). The results for 12 additional long-period binary stars (6 and6, respectively), for which only minimum periods (generally exceeding 10y) can be derived, are also presented here (10) and in Paper II (2). Theglobal analysis of this material, with a few supplementary orbits fromthe literature, is presented in \cite[Jorissen et al.(1998).]{Jorissen98} For the subsample of Mira S, SC and (Tc-poor) Cstars showing intrinsic radial-velocity variations due to atmosphericphenomena, orbital solutions (when available) have been retained if thevelocity and photometric periods are different (3 stars). However, it isemphasized that these orbit determinations are still tentative. Threestars have been found with radial-velocity variations synchronous withthe light variations. Pseudo-orbital solutions have been derived forthose stars. In the case of RZ Peg, a line-doubling phenomenon isobserved near maximum light, and probably reflects the shock wavepropagating through the photosphere. Based on observations obtained atthe Haute-Provence Observatory (France) and at the European SouthernObservatory (ESO, La Silla, Chile).
| Infrared study of the two categories of S stars
Photometric observations of 20 Tc-deficient and 24 Tc-rich S stars inthe near infrared are presented in this paper. With the IRAS data,infrared two color diagrams, IRAS low-resolution spectra and energydistributions are discussed to summarize the way to segregate Tc-richstars from Tc-deficient ones.
| On the Variability of S Stars as Observed by the Hipparcos
The Hipparcos photometry of S type stars shows that they are allvariable. The intrinsic S stars show a larger range of amplitudes thando the extrinsic S stars.
| Insights into the formation of barium and Tc-poor S stars from an extended sample of orbital elements
The set of orbital elements available for chemically-peculiar red giant(PRG) stars has been considerably enlarged thanks to a decade-longCORAVEL radial-velocity monitoring of about 70 barium stars and 50 Sstars. When account is made for the detection biases, the observedbinary frequency among strong barium stars, mild barium stars andTc-poor S stars (respectively 35/37, 34/40 and 24/28) is compatible withthe hypothesis that they are all members of binary systems. Thesimilarity between the orbital-period, eccentricity and mass-functiondistributions of Tc-poor S stars and barium stars confirms that Tc-poorS stars are the cooler analogs of barium stars. A comparative analysisof the orbital elements of the various families of PRG stars, and of asample of chemically-normal, binary giants in open clusters, revealsseveral interesting features. The eccentricity - period diagram of PRGstars clearly bears the signature of dissipative processes associatedwith mass transfer, since the maximum eccentricity observed at a givenorbital period is much smaller than in the comparison sample of normalgiants. be held The mass function distribution is compatible with theunseen companion being a white dwarf (WD). This lends support to thescenario of formation of the PRG star by accretion of heavy-element-richmatter transferred from the former asymptotic giant branch progenitor ofthe current WD. Assuming that the WD companion has a mass in the range0.60+/-0.04 Msb ȯ, the masses of mild and strong barium starsamount to 1.9+/-0.2 and 1.5+/-0.2 Msb ȯ, respectively. Mild bariumstars are not restricted to long-period systems, contrarily to what isexpected if the smaller accretion efficiency in wider systems were thedominant factor controlling the pollution level of the PRG star. Theseresults suggest that the difference between mild and strong barium starsis mainly one of galactic population rather than of orbital separation,in agreement with their respective kinematical properties. There areindications that metallicity may be the parameter blurring the period -Ba-anomaly correlation: at a given orbital period, increasing levels ofheavy-element overabundances are found in mild barium stars, strongbarium stars, and Pop.II CH stars, corresponding to a sequence ofincreasingly older, i.e., more metal-deficient, populations. PRG starsthus seem to be produced more efficiently in low-metallicitypopulations. Conversely, normal giants in barium-like binary systems mayexist in more metal-rich populations. HD 160538 (DR Dra) may be such anexample, and its very existence indicates at least that binarity is nota sufficient condition to produce a PRG star. This paper is dedicated tothe memory of Antoine Duquennoy, who contributed many among theobservations used in this study
| Heavy-element abundances in seven SC stars and several related stars
We employ spectra of resolution 20-35,000 of seven SC stars, four Sstars, two Ba stars, and two K-M stars to derive abundances of a varietyof elements from Sr to Eu relative to iron. Special attention is paid toRb and Tc, and to the ratio of the heavy s-process species to the lights-process elements. Abundances are derived in LTE, both by using modelatmospheres in which the carbon and oxygen abundances are nearly equaland by using curves of growth. Spectrum synthesis is used for criticallines, such as the 5924-A line of Tc and the 7800-A line of Rb. For mostof the heavy-element stars, the enhancement of the s-process elements isabout a factor of 10. The ratio of the heavy to light s-process speciesis not far from solar, except for RR Her, for which the same ratio is +0.45 dex. For Tc the blending by other lines is severe. While we haveprobably detected the 5924-A line, we can only present abundances in theless-than-or-equal-to category.
| The HIPPARCOS Hertzsprung-Russell diagram of S stars: probing nucleosynthesis and dredge-up
HIPPARCOS trigonometrical parallaxes make it possible to compare thelocation of Tc-rich and Tc-poor S stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell (HR)diagram: Tc-rich S stars are found to be cooler and intrinsicallybrighter than Tc-poor S stars. The comparison with the Genevaevolutionary tracks reveals that the line marking the onset of thermalpulses on the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) matches well the observedlimit between Tc-poor and Tc-rich S stars. Tc-rich S stars are, asexpected, identified with thermally-pulsing AGB stars of low andintermediate masses, whereas Tc-poor S stars comprise mostly low-massstars (with the exception of 57 Peg) located either on the red giantbranch or on the early AGB. Like barium stars, Tc-poor S stars are knownto belong exclusively to binary systems, and their location in the HRdiagram is consistent with the average mass of 1.6+/-0.2 Msb ȯderived from their orbital mass-function distribution (Jorissen et al.1997, A&A, submitted). A comparison with the S stars identified inthe Magellanic Clouds and in the Fornax dwarf elliptical galaxy revealsthat they have luminosities similar to the galactic Tc-rich S stars.However, most of the surveys of S stars in the external systems did notreach the lower luminosities at which galactic Tc-poor S stars arefound. The deep Westerlund survey of carbon stars in the SMC uncovered afamily of faint carbon stars that may be the analogues of thelow-luminosity, galactic Tc-poor S stars. Based on data from theHIPPARCOS astrometry satellite
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Grande Ourse |
| Right ascension: | 12h43m56.67s |
| Declination: | +61°05'35.5" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 9.078 |
| Distance: | 1587.302 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | -13.1 |
| Proper motion Dec: | -4.5 |
| B-T magnitude: | 11.911 |
| V-T magnitude: | 9.312 |
Catalogs and designations:
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