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High-precision photometry with the WIRE satellite .
Around 200 bright stars (V<6) have been monitored with the two-inchstar tracker on the WIRE satellite since observations started in 1999.Here we present new results for the solar-like star Procyon A, the twodelta Scuti stars Altair and epsilon Cephei, and the triple systemlambda Scorpii which consist of two B-type stars - one of which we findto be an eclipsing binary.

The chemical composition of δ Scuti*
We present chemical abundances in the photosphere of δ Scuti(δ Sct) - a prototype of the class of pulsating variables -determined from the analysis of a spectrum obtained by using the 2-mtelescope at the Peak Terskol Observatory and a high-resolutionspectrometer with R= 52000, a signal-to-noise ratio 250 and fromInternational Ultraviolet Explorer spectra. The abundance pattern ofδ Sct consists of 49 chemical elements. The abundances of 19elements have not been investigated previously. The abundances of Pr andNd obtained from the lines of the second and third spectra are equal.The abundances of heavy elements indicate the overabundances withrespect to the solar system values up to 1 dex. The abundance pattern ofδ Sct is similar to the abundance patterns of Am-Fm or δ Deltype stars.A splitting of the cores of all clean lines is observed for the spectraof δ Sct and HD 57749. This can signify evidence of non-radialpulsations in these stars.

Can Life Develop in the Expanded Habitable Zones around Red Giant Stars?
We present some new ideas about the possibility of life developingaround subgiant and red giant stars. Our study concerns the temporalevolution of the habitable zone. The distance between the star and thehabitable zone, as well as its width, increases with time as aconsequence of stellar evolution. The habitable zone moves outward afterthe star leaves the main sequence, sweeping a wider range of distancesfrom the star until the star reaches the tip of the asymptotic giantbranch. Currently there is no clear evidence as to when life actuallyformed on the Earth, but recent isotopic data suggest life existed atleast as early as 7×108 yr after the Earth was formed.Thus, if life could form and evolve over time intervals from5×108 to 109 yr, then there could behabitable planets with life around red giant stars. For a 1Msolar star at the first stages of its post-main-sequenceevolution, the temporal transit of the habitable zone is estimated to beseveral times 109 yr at 2 AU and around 108 yr at9 AU. Under these circumstances life could develop at distances in therange 2-9 AU in the environment of subgiant or giant stars, and in thefar distant future in the environment of our own solar system. After astar completes its first ascent along the red giant branch and the Heflash takes place, there is an additional stable period of quiescent Hecore burning during which there is another opportunity for life todevelop. For a 1 Msolar star there is an additional109 yr with a stable habitable zone in the region from 7 to22 AU. Space astronomy missions, such as proposed for the TerrestrialPlanet Finder (TPF) and Darwin, that focus on searches for signatures oflife on extrasolar planets, should also consider the environments ofsubgiants and red giant stars as potentially interesting sites forunderstanding the development of life. We performed a preliminaryevaluation of the difficulty of interferometric observations of planetsaround red giant stars compared to a main-sequence star environment. Weshow that pathfinder missions for TPF and Darwin, such as Eclipse andFKSI, have sufficient angular resolution and sensitivity to search forhabitable planets around some of the closest evolved stars of thesubgiant and red giant class.

Statistical Constraints for Astrometric Binaries with Nonlinear Motion
Useful constraints on the orbits and mass ratios of astrometric binariesin the Hipparcos catalog are derived from the measured proper motiondifferences of Hipparcos and Tycho-2 (Δμ), accelerations ofproper motions (μ˙), and second derivatives of proper motions(μ̈). It is shown how, in some cases, statistical bounds can beestimated for the masses of the secondary components. Two catalogs ofastrometric binaries are generated, one of binaries with significantproper motion differences and the other of binaries with significantaccelerations of their proper motions. Mathematical relations betweenthe astrometric observables Δμ, μ˙, and μ̈ andthe orbital elements are derived in the appendices. We find a remarkabledifference between the distribution of spectral types of stars withlarge accelerations but small proper motion differences and that ofstars with large proper motion differences but insignificantaccelerations. The spectral type distribution for the former sample ofbinaries is the same as the general distribution of all stars in theHipparcos catalog, whereas the latter sample is clearly dominated bysolar-type stars, with an obvious dearth of blue stars. We point outthat the latter set includes mostly binaries with long periods (longerthan about 6 yr).

Instabilities in the excitation of non-radial pulsation modes in the δ Scuti star BV Circini
High resolution spectroscopic observations obtained in 1995 of theδ Scuti star BV Circini are analyzed and the results compared withthose obtained by Mantegazza et al. (\cite{Mantegazza02}) fromspectroscopic observations in 1996 and 1998. Non-radial pulsation modesboth of low and high degree have been observed. Most of them are thesame detected in the other two campaigns, however the strongesthigh-degree one (14.62 cd-1) is different from that observedin 1996 (13.85 cd-1), which in turn is different from thatobserved in 1998 (17.28 cd-1). The 13.85 cd-1smode is the only one of these independently detected in the threeseasons, in which it kept about the same amplitude. One high-degreeretrograde mode at 1.48 cd-1s has been independently detectedin the three campaigns. The mode amplitude variations are discussed andit is shown that large variations can occur from one year to the next.The mode identifications performed on the three datasets by means of thefit of line profile variations supply results in good agreement amongthemselves. The high degree prograde modes have azimuthal orders between12 and 14, while the retrograde one is about 7. Finally the stellarpulsation spectrum as derived from all the available spectroscopic andphotometric data, and which consists of about 20 terms, is discussed.Based on observations collected at ESO-La Silla.

Characteristics and classification of A-type supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud
We address the relationship between spectral type and physicalproperties for A-type supergiants in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC).First, we construct a self-consistent classification scheme for Asupergiants, employing the calcium K to Hɛ line ratio as atemperature-sequence discriminant. Following the precepts of the `MKprocess', the same morphological criteria are applied to Galactic andSMC spectra, with the understanding that there may not be acorrespondence in physical properties between spectral counterparts indifferent environments. Then we discuss the temperature scale,concluding that A supergiants in the SMC are systematically cooler thantheir Galactic counterparts at the same spectral type, by up to ~10 percent. Considering the relative line strengths of Hγ and the CH Gband, we extend our study to F- and early G-type supergiants, for whichsimilar effects are found. We note the implications for analyses ofluminous extragalactic supergiants, for the flux-weightedgravity-luminosity relationship and for population synthesis studies inunresolved stellar systems.

Improved Astrometry and Photometry for the Luyten Catalog. II. Faint Stars and the Revised Catalog
We complete construction of a catalog containing improved astrometry andnew optical/infrared photometry for the vast majority of NLTT starslying in the overlap of regions covered by POSS I and by the secondincremental Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) release, approximately 44%of the sky. The epoch 2000 positions are typically accurate to 130 mas,the proper motions to 5.5 mas yr-1, and the V-J colors to0.25 mag. Relative proper motions of binary components are measured to 3mas yr-1. The false-identification rate is ~1% for11<~V<~18 and substantially less at brighter magnitudes. Theseimprovements permit the construction of a reduced proper-motion diagramthat, for the first time, allows one to classify NLTT stars intomain-sequence (MS) stars, subdwarfs (SDs), and white dwarfs (WDs). We inturn use this diagram to analyze the properties of both our catalog andthe NLTT catalog on which it is based. In sharp contrast to popularbelief, we find that NLTT incompleteness in the plane is almostcompletely concentrated in MS stars, and that SDs and WDs are detectedalmost uniformly over the sky δ>-33deg. Our catalogwill therefore provide a powerful tool to probe these populationsstatistically, as well as to reliably identify individual SDs and WDs.

The association of IRAS sources and 12CO emission in the outer Galaxy
We have revisited the question of the association of CO emission withIRAS sources in the outer Galaxy using data from the FCRAO Outer GalaxySurvey (OGS). The availability of a large-scale high-resolution COsurvey allows us to approach the question of IRAS-CO associations from anew direction - namely we examined all of the IRAS sources within theOGS region for associated molecular material. By investigating theassociation of molecular material with random lines of sight in the OGSregion we were able to construct a quantitative means to judge thelikelihood that any given IRAS-CO association is valid and todisentangle multiple emission components along the line of sight. Thepaper presents a list of all of the IRAS-CO associations in the OGSregion. We show that, within the OGS region, there is a significantincrease ( ~ 22%) in the number of probable star forming regions overprevious targeted CO surveys towards IRAS sources. As a demonstration ofthe utility of the IRAS-CO association table we present the results ofthree brief studies on candidate zone-of-avoidance galaxies with IRAScounterparts, far outer Galaxy CO clouds, and very bright CO clouds withno associated IRAS sources. We find that ~ 25% of such candidate ZOAGsare Galactic objects. We have discovered two new far outer Galaxystar-forming regions, and have discovered six bright molecular cloudsthat we believe are ideal targets for the investigation of the earlieststages of sequential star formation around HII regions. Finally, thispaper provides readers with the necessary data to compare othercatalogued data sets with the OGS data.Tables 1, 2 and A1 are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to\ cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via\http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/399/1083

Automated spectroscopic abundances of A and F-type stars using echelle spectrographs. II. Abundances of 140 A-F stars from ELODIE
Using the method presented in Erspamer & North (\cite{erspamer},hereafter Paper I), detailed abundances of 140 stars are presented. Theuncertainties characteristic of this method are presented and discussed.In particular, we show that for a S/N ratio higher than 200, the methodis applicable to stars with a rotational velocity as high as 200 kms-1. There is no correlation between abundances and Vsin i,except a spurious one for Sr, Sc and Na which we explain by the smallnumber of lines of these elements combined with a locally biasedcontinuum. Metallic giants (Hauck \cite{hauck}) show larger abundancesthan normal giants for at least 8 elements: Al, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Niand Ba. The anticorrelation for Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Fe and Ni with Vsin isuggested by Varenne & Monier (\cite{varenne99}) is not confirmed.The predictions of the Montréal models (e.g. Richard et al.\cite{richard01}) are not fulfilled in general. However, a correlationbetween left [(Fe)/(H)right ] and log g is found for stars of 1.8 to 2.0M_sun. Various possible causes are discussed, but the physical realityof this correlation seems inescapable.Based on observations collected at the 1.93 m telescope at theObservatoire de Haute-Provence (St-Michel l'Observatoire, France) andCORALIE.Based on observations collected at the Swiss 1.2 m Leonard Eulertelescopes at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile).Tables 5 and 6 are 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/398/1121

Dating the Almagest star catalogue using proper motions : a reconsideration.
Not Available

Rotational velocities of A-type stars in the northern hemisphere. II. Measurement of v sin i
This work is the second part of the set of measurements of v sin i forA-type stars, begun by Royer et al. (\cite{Ror_02a}). Spectra of 249 B8to F2-type stars brighter than V=7 have been collected at Observatoirede Haute-Provence (OHP). Fourier transforms of several line profiles inthe range 4200-4600 Å are used to derive v sin i from thefrequency of the first zero. Statistical analysis of the sampleindicates that measurement error mainly depends on v sin i and thisrelative error of the rotational velocity is found to be about 5% onaverage. The systematic shift with respect to standard values fromSlettebak et al. (\cite{Slk_75}), previously found in the first paper,is here confirmed. Comparisons with data from the literature agree withour findings: v sin i values from Slettebak et al. are underestimatedand the relation between both scales follows a linear law ensuremath vsin inew = 1.03 v sin iold+7.7. Finally, thesedata are combined with those from the previous paper (Royer et al.\cite{Ror_02a}), together with the catalogue of Abt & Morrell(\cite{AbtMol95}). The resulting sample includes some 2150 stars withhomogenized rotational velocities. Based on observations made atObservatoire de Haute Provence (CNRS), France. Tables \ref{results} and\ref{merging} are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.125.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/393/897

On the Period-Luminosity-Colour-Metallicity relation and the pulsational characteristics of lambda Bootis type stars
Generally, chemical peculiarity found for stars on the upper mainsequence excludes delta Scuti type pulsation (e.g. Ap and Am stars), butfor the group of lambda Bootis stars it is just the opposite. This makesthem very interesting for asteroseismological investigations. The groupof lambda Bootis type stars comprises late B- to early F-type,Population I objects which are basically metal weak, in particular theFe group elements, but with the clear exception of C, N, O and S. Thepresent work is a continuation of the studies by Paunzen et al.(\cite{Pau97}, \cite{Pau98}), who presented first results on thepulsational characteristics of the lambda Bootis stars. Since then, wehave observed 22 additional objects; we found eight new pulsators andconfirmed another one. Furthermore, new spectroscopic data (Paunzen\cite{Pau01}) allowed us to sort out misidentified candidates and to addtrue members to the group. From 67 members of this group, only two arenot photometrically investigated yet which makes our analysis highlyrepresentative. We have compared our results on the pulsationalbehaviour of the lambda Bootis stars with those of a sample of deltaScuti type objects. We find that at least 70% of all lambda Bootis typestars inside the classical instability strip pulsate, and they do sowith high overtone modes (Q < 0.020 d). Only a few stars, if any,pulsate in the fundamental mode. Our photometric results are inexcellent agreement with the spectroscopic work on high-degree nonradialpulsations by Bohlender et al. (\cite{Boh99}). Compared to the deltaScuti stars, the cool and hot borders of the instability strip of thelambda Bootis stars are shifted by about 25 mmag, towards smaller(b-y)_0. Using published abundances and the metallicity sensitiveindices of the Geneva 7-colour and Strömgren uvbybeta systems, wehave derived [Z] values which describe the surface abundance of theheavier elements for the group members. We find that thePeriod-Luminosity-Colour relation for the group of lambda Bootis starsis within the errors identical with that of the normal delta Scutistars. No clear evidence for a statistically significant metallicityterm was detected. Based on observations from the Austrian AutomaticPhotoelectric Telescope (Fairborn Observatory), SAAO and Siding SpringObservatory.

The Physical Basis of Luminosity Classification in the Late A-, F-, and Early G-Type Stars. I. Precise Spectral Types for 372 Stars
This is the first in a series of two papers that address the problem ofthe physical nature of luminosity classification in the late A-, F-, andearly G-type stars. In this paper, we present precise spectralclassifications of 372 stars on the MK system. For those stars in theset with Strömgren uvbyβ photometry, we derive reddenings andpresent a calibration of MK temperature types in terms of the intrinsicStrömgren (b-y)0 index. We also examine the relationshipbetween the luminosity class and the Strömgren c1 index,which measures the Balmer jump. The second paper will address thederivation of the physical parameters of these stars, and therelationships between these physical parameters and the luminosityclass. Stars classified in this paper include one new λ Bootisstar and 10 of the F- and G-type dwarfs with recently discoveredplanets.

uvby photometry of the CP stars HR 5341, HD 142070, HR 6967, and HR 8434
Differential Strömgren uvby observations from the Four CollegeAutomated Photoelectric Telescope (FCAPT) are presented for the mCPstars HD 142070, HR 6967, and HR 8434 and the CP star HR 5341. Thelatter star is found to be constant. Improved periods were derived forHD 142070, 3.37189 d, HR 6967, 3.91227 d, and HR 8434, 1.43237 d. urtherobservations of HD 142070 are needed to phase the magnetic data with thephotometry, of HR 6967 to settle minor discrepancies between y andscaled Geneva V photometry, and of HR 8434 to resolve smalldiscrepancies between two uvby photometric data sets. Tables 2, 3, 4 and5 are only available 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/368/225

Catalogue of Apparent Diameters and Absolute Radii of Stars (CADARS) - Third edition - Comments and statistics
The Catalogue, available at the Centre de Données Stellaires deStrasbourg, consists of 13 573 records concerning the results obtainedfrom different methods for 7778 stars, reported in the literature. Thefollowing data are listed for each star: identifications, apparentmagnitude, spectral type, apparent diameter in arcsec, absolute radiusin solar units, method of determination, reference, remarks. Commentsand statistics obtained from CADARS are given. The Catalogue isavailable 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/qcar?J/A+A/367/521

A revised catalogue of delta Sct stars
An extensive and up-dated list of delta Sct stars is presented here.More than 500 papers, published during the last few years, have beenrevised and 341 new variables have been added to our last list, sixyears ago. This catalogue is intended to be a comprehensive review onthe observational characteristics of all the delta Sct stars known untilnow, including stars contained in earlier catalogues together with othernew discovered variables, covering information published until January2000. In summary, 636 variables, 1149 references and 182 individualnotes are presented in this new list. Tables 1 and 2 will be accessibleonly in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

Photometric Measurements of the Fields of More than 700 Nearby Stars
In preparation for optical/IR interferometric searches for substellarcompanions of nearby stars, we undertook to characterize the fields ofall nearby stars visible from the Northern Hemisphere to determinesuitable companions for interferometric phase referencing. Because theKeck Interferometer in particular will be able to phase-reference oncompanions within the isoplanatic patch (30") to about 17th magnitude atK, we took images at V, r, and i that were deep enough to determine iffield stars were present to this magnitude around nearby stars using aspot-coated CCD. We report on 733 fields containing 10,629 measurementsin up to three filters (Gunn i, r and Johnson V) of nearby stars down toabout 13th magnitude at V.

Spectroscopy of Pre-Main-Sequence Candidates of Spectral Type AF in the Young Galactic Cluster IC 4996
We present the results of a spectroscopic analysis of thepre-main-sequence (PMS) candidates in IC 4996, proposed by Delgado etal. Spectral types and heliocentric radial velocities are calculated for16 stars in the field observed by these authors, 13 of them located inthe region of the color-magnitude diagram where their proposed PMS starsare located. The estimated heliocentric radial velocity of the clusteris centered around -12+/-5 km s^-1. From the radial velocitydistribution, six stars are rejected as cluster members, one of themshowing spectral features characteristic of an Am star. The remaining 10stars are confirmed as cluster members: three B-type stars and seven PMSstars of spectral types A4-F0 (six stars) and early G (one star). One ofthe proposed PMS members clearly shows radial velocity and spectral typevariations, as well as relatively broad Hα absorption. The G-typecluster member is a weak-lined T Tauri star with strong Li Iλ6708 absorption [W_λ(Li I)~=0.26 Å]. These resultsstrongly support the presence in the cluster of a populated sequence ofPMS stars of AF spectral type.

A Second Catalog of Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 Filter Photometry: Ultraviolet Photometry of 614 Stars
Ultraviolet photometry from the Wisconsin Experiment Package on theOrbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO 2) is presented for 614 stars.Previously unpublished magnitudes from 12 filter bandpasses withwavelengths ranging from 1330 to 4250 Å have been placed on thewhite dwarf model atmosphere absolute flux scale. The fluxes wereconverted to magnitudes using V=0 for F(V)=3.46x10^-9 ergs cm^-2 s^-1Å^-1, or m_lambda=-2.5logF_lambda-21.15. This second catalogeffectively doubles the amount of OAO 2 photometry available in theliterature and includes many objects too bright to be observed withmodern space observatories.

Photometry from the HIPPARCOS Catalogue: Constant MCP Stars, Comparison and Check Stars
Photometry from the Hipparcos catalogue is used to verify the constancyof four magnetic CP stars, as well as the comparison and the check starsused for variability studies of normal and chemically peculiar B and Astars with the Four College Automated Photoelectric Telescope;variability in these stars can produce spurious results. A few of thecomparison stars are found to be variable and should be replaced forfuture differential photometric studies.

X-Ray Activity in the Open Cluster IC 4665
We present the results of a joint ROSAT High Resolution Imager (HRI) andoptical investigation of the open cluster IC 4665. The ROSAT datacontains detections for 28 stellar sources in the field, including 22cluster members and candidate members spanning the color range -0.18<= (B-V)0 <= 1.63 (~B3-M3). Upper limits are given for theremaining members (or candidate members) in the HRI field. Keck HIRESspectra have been obtained that yield radial and rotational velocitymeasures, respectively, for faint, low-mass candidate members locatedwithin the field of the ROSAT HRI observation. In addition, photometryof possible optical counterparts to previously uncataloged X-ray sourcesin the HRI field is presented. The trends in X-ray properties with B-Vcolor in IC 4665 are found to be quite similar to that for other, morenearby young clusters such as the Pleiades and alpha Persei. Inparticular a maximum in normalized X-ray luminosity of log (LX/Lbol) ~=-3 is observed, beginning in the color range of (B-V)0 = 0.7-0.8. Thisis similar to the corresponding color range among Pleiades members, inagreement with the earlier estimate by Prosser & Giampapa that theage of IC 4665 is similar to the age of the Pleiades. The correlation ofrotation and X-ray emission levels is consistent with that in otheryoung clusters. Among the high-mass stars in IC 4665, five B stars aredetected as X-ray sources. Of these, one is a spectroscopic binary whilethe remaining objects are apparently single stars. The level ofintrinsic X-ray emission observed in the rapidly rotating (v sin i >200 km s-1), single B stars is consistent with an origin due to shockheating of the ambient medium by radiatively driven, rotationallyenhanced winds. On the basis of these observations and the results forother clusters, we argue that observed levels of X-ray emission inhigh-mass stars of log (LX/Lbol) > -6.0 are likely due to intrinsicemission associated with the B star itself rather than emission from alate-type secondary. Finally, our results suggest that the initialangular momentum distributions and the subsequent evolution of rotation,LX, and (LX/Lbol) occur in practically identical fashions in clusterswith ages <~100 Myr.

Delta a and Stroemgren photometry of stars in the Renson-catalogue of AP and AM stars
We have observed 131 stars of \cite[Renson's (1991)]{re91} catalogue ofAp and Am stars both in the Stroemgren & Maitzen's (1976) Delta asystem as a contribution to the photometric studies of the lambda 5200broad band flux depression feature in chemically peculiar stars. Withfew exceptions the probability grouping of Renson for membership in theCP2 group of peculiar stars is nicely reflected by peculiar values ofDelta a. Comparison with already available Delta a values yieldsslightly larger values due to a minor shift in the filter g_1 samplingthe depression. As found by \cite[Maitzen & Vogt (1983)]{ma83} theGeneva system peculiarity parameters correlate well with Delta a. Thisstudy demonstrates the advantageous performance of a photoelectricphotometer with a rapidly rotating filter wheel moving in a stop and gomode. Tables 3 and 4 are also available in electronic form at the CDSvia anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html

The absolute magnitude of the early type MK standards from HIPPARCOS parallaxes
We analyse the standards of the MK system with the help of Hipparcosparallaxes, using only stars for which the error of the absolutemagnitude is <= 0.3 mag. We find that the main sequence is a wideband and that, although in general giants and dwarfs have differentabsolute magnitudes, the separation between luminosity classes V and IIIis not clear. Furthermore, there are a number of exceptions to thestrict relation between luminosity class and absolute magnitude. Weanalyse similarly the system of standards defined by Garrison & Gray(1994) separating low and high rotational velocity standards. We findsimilar effects as in the original MK system. We propose a revision ofthe MK standards, to eliminate the most deviant cases. Based on datafrom the ESA Hipparcos astrometry satellite

The Pulkovo spectrophotometric catalog of bright stars in the range from 320 to 1080 NM - A supplement
The Pulkovo spectrophotometric catalog was published in Baltic AstronomyVol. 5, No. 4 (1996). Here we present a supplement of the catalogcontaining the flux distribution data for 77 stars in the wavelengthrange from 320 to 735 nm. Actually, this is a direct continuation ofTable 6 of the catalog.

Chromospheric Activity in Dwarf and Evolved Late A- and Early F-Type Stars
Chromospheric activity in late A- and early F-type field stars ofluminosity classes III through V has been investigated using the heliumD3 absorption feature. This feature shows a detection boundary near b -y = 0.19 (B - V = 0.29). This color index corresponds to a dividing linein activity levels as determined from the C II lambda 1335 chromosphericemission line. On the red side of this boundary, stars exhibit strong ormoderately strong C II emission and strong or moderately strong D3absorption. However, on the blue side, D3 absorption does notconclusively appear, while several stars show moderately strong C IIemission. The data suggest that D3 is sensitive to the boundary at B - V= 0.29, but they also suggest limitations in the use of D3 as anactivity indicator in the late A-type stars. To within observationalerrors, the D3 boundary appears at the same color index for the fullrange of luminosity classes explored, in contradiction with someacoustic energy calculations. In addition, the strength of D3 absorptionshows no significant trend with luminosity class or the Stromgren deltac1 index, with a wide range of activity levels at a given luminosity orsurface gravity.

Convection, Thermal Bifurcation, and the Colors of A Stars
Broadband ultraviolet photometry from the TD-1 satellite andlow-dispersion spectra from the short wavelength camera of IUE have beenused to investigate a long-standing proposal of Bohm-Vitense that thenormal main-sequence A and early-F stars may divide into two differenttemperature sequences: (1) a high-temperature branch (and plateau)comprised of slowly rotating convective stars, and (2) a low-temperaturebranch populated by rapidly rotating radiative stars. We find noevidence from either data set to support such a claim, or to confirm theexistence of an "A-star gap" in the B-V color range 0.22 <= B-V <=0.28 due to the sudden onset of convection. We do observe, nonetheless,a large scatter in the 1800--2000 A colors of the A--F stars, whichamounts to ~0.65 mag at a given B-V color index. The scatter is notcaused by interstellar or circumstellar reddening. A convincing case canalso be made against binarity and intrinsic variability due topulsations of delta Sct origin. We find no correlation with establishedchromospheric and coronal proxies of convection, and thus nodemonstrable link to the possible onset of convection among the A--Fstars. The scatter is not instrumental. Approximately 0.4 mag of thescatter is shown to arise from individual differences in surface gravityas well as a moderate spread (factor of ~3) in heavy metal abundance andUV line blanketing. A dispersion of ~0.25 mag remains, which has noclear and obvious explanation. The most likely cause, we believe, is aresidual imprecision in our correction for the spread in metalabundances. However, the existing data do not rule out possiblecontributions from intrinsic stellar variability or from differential UVline blanketing effects owing to a dispersion in microturbulentvelocity.

Spectroscopic survey of delta Scuti stars. I. Rotation velocities and effective temperatures
Projected rotational velocities and effective temperatures for 68 deltaSct stars as well as 41 non-variable stars of similar spectral type andluminosity are presented here. The rotational velocities have beencalculated following the method developed in \cite[Gray (1992)]{ref38}and effective temperatures have been derived using the Balmer lineprofiles. The temperatures obtained from this method are shown to be inreasonable agreement with those calculated using the Infrared FluxMethod (IRFM) or spectrophotometric methods. This result has allowed usto use our temperatures to compare different uvby beta photometriccalibrations. We find that the calibration given by \cite[Moon \&Dworetsky (1985)]{ref72} is the most consistent. In the second part ofthis paper we have studied the relation between the pulsationalproperties (periods and amplitudes) and the physical parameters (v sin iand Teff). Where pulsation modes have been determined, thelow amplitude $\delta$ Scutis tend to be multimode (radial andnon-radial) pulsators, consistent with the theory that non-linearcoupling between modes acts to limit the amplitude in these stars. Wehave compared the distribution of v sin i for low amplitude $\delta$Scutis and non-variable stars. This shows the $\delta$ Scutis have abroader distribution in v sin i suggesting that a high rotation velocitymay favour pulsation. We find that the large amplitude delta Scuti starstend to have longer periods, cooler temperatures and lower rotationvelocities. Given that the large amplitude stars are also relativelyrare all the above are consistent with the hypothesis that these starsare more evolved (sub-giants) than the low amplitude delta Scutis (mainsequence or early post-main sequence).

Luminosity and related parameters of δ Scuti stars from HIPPARCOS parallaxes. General properties of luminosity.
The absolute magnitudes of δ Scuti stars derived from parallaxesmeasured by the Hipparcos astrometric satellite are discussed andcompared with the previous estimates based on photometric uvbyβindices. There are significant differences which are related tophotometric effects of metallicity and rotational velocity, but thepossible effect of a close companion on the measured apparent magnitudeshould be also taken into account. The possibility of differentgroupings of δ Scuti stars based on the absolute magnitudes isbriefly discussed. Some high amplitude δ Scuti stars withintermediate or normal metallicity and small and uncertain parallax haveapparently a very low luminosity; this could be a systematic effectrelated to the observational errors.

The Oscillation Modes of epsilon CEP and tau Peg
Asteroseismology of delta Scuti stars offers an attractive prospect fordetermining the interior properties of main sequence and slightly moreevolved A- and F-type stars. Here we present detailed identifications ofoscillation modes in the rapidly rotating delta Scuti stars epsilon Cepand tau Peg based on extensive observations carried out at two NorthAmerican sites. Using cross-correlation and Fourier techniques weanalyze the line-profile variations and the variations in theline-profile moments. A solution to the mode spectrum is sought using agenetic-based search algorithm and a line profile simulation model toreproduce the observed variations.

The Pulkovo Spectrophotometric Catalog of Bright Stars in the Range from 320 TO 1080 NM
A spectrophotometric catalog is presented, combining results of numerousobservations made by Pulkovo astronomers at different observing sites.The catalog consists of three parts: the first contains the data for 602stars in the spectral range of 320--735 nm with a resolution of 5 nm,the second one contains 285 stars in the spectral range of 500--1080 nmwith a resolution of 10 nm and the third one contains 278 stars combinedfrom the preceding catalogs in the spectral range of 320--1080 nm with aresolution of 10 nm. The data are presented in absolute energy unitsW/m(2) m, with a step of 2.5 nm and with an accuracy not lower than1.5--2.0%.

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Observation and Astrometry data

Constellation:Kepheus
Right ascension:22h15m02.00s
Declination:+57°02'37.0"
Apparent magnitude:4.19
Distance:25.733 parsecs
Proper motion RA:0
Proper motion Dec:0
B-T magnitude:4.515
V-T magnitude:4.208

Catalogs and designations:
Proper NamesEpsilon Cephei
  (Edit)
Bayerε Cep
Flamsteed23 Cep
HD 1989HD 211336
TYCHO-2 2000TYC 3990-2431-1
USNO-A2.0USNO-A2 1425-13073933
BSC 1991HR 8494
HIPHIP 109857

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