scholarly journals Hipparcos and Primary Distance Scale Indicators

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 576-577
Author(s):  
C. Turon
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Relative Accuracy ◽  
Distance Information ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Trigonometric Parallaxes ◽  
Nearby Stars ◽  
Better Than

The Hipparcos data are providing a dramatic increase, qualitatively and quantitatively, of the basic available distance information. For example, the numbers of stars for which a relative accuracy better than 10 % is available from Hipparcos data and from ground-based data are respectively 22 396and about 1000. Moreover, the range of spectral types and luminosity classes for which precise parallaxes are available is considerably enlarged, including many stars in open clusters and a small number of Cepheids and RR Lyrae. The bottom of the main sequence is populated down to absolute Hpmagnitude 14, including a number of subdwarf stars essential to derive globular clusters distances and ages (Pont et al, 1997a). Finally, the Hipparcos data show how difficult are the calibration of photometric distances and the transformation of relative trigonometric parallaxes to absolute parallaxes. This is illustrated by the comparison of distances given in the last edition of the Catalogue of Nearby Stars (CNS3, Gliese & Jahreiß 1991), which is the best available compilation of stars said to be closer than 25 pc from ground-based data. About a third of them are found by Hipparcos to be (much) further than this limit (Perryman et ai, 1995). A second example is given by the study of (Binney et al, 1997).

scholarly journals Recalibration of the uvbyβ photometry-based distance scale of OB-type stars using the revised Hipparcos parallaxes

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S289) ◽  
pp. 382-385
Author(s):  
A. K. Dambis
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Fitting Procedure ◽  
Average Accuracy ◽  
Trigonometric Parallaxes ◽  
The Absolute

AbstractThe absolute visual and infrared magnitudes of moderately evolved OB-type stars are directly calibrated as a function of Stroemgren four-color and Hβ photometric indices using the trigonometric parallaxes from the new reduction of Hipparcos data. The resulting calibrations have an average accuracy of ~ 0.4 mag and, when applied to members of young open clusters, yield distances that are fairly consistent with those determined using the MV–(B − V) zero-age main-sequence fitting procedure.

scholarly journals The LMC Globular Cluster Hodge 11 (=SL 868)

1984 ◽  
Vol 108 ◽  
pp. 43-44
Author(s):  
L. L. Stryker ◽  
J. M. Nemec ◽  
J. E. Hesser ◽  
R.D. McClure
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Star Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Rr Lyrae Stars ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Magnitude Diagram ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Lyrae Stars ◽  
Termination Point

The age of the star cluster H11 has been controversial for a number of years. The color-magnitude diagram (CMD) of Walker (1979) to V=21.5 was interpreted as an “…evolved main-sequence, whose termination point corresponds to an age of about 0.6 Gyr, but with a giant branch which is displaced blueward by about Δ (B-V)o=0.4 from the positions of the giant branches of open clusters of similar age in our Galaxy.” On the other hand, the integrated colors are similar to those of metal-poor globular clusters in the Galaxy (Freeman and Gascoigne 1977, and references therein), and “…incompatible with an age of say 0.3 Gyr.” Searle, Wilkinson and Bagnuolo (1980) classify it as Group VII, the oldest group. The system has no RR Lyrae stars (Graham and Nemec 1984).

scholarly journals On the Existence of Luminosity Differences between HB Field and Cluster Stars

2000 ◽  
Vol 176 ◽  
pp. 265-265
Author(s):  
E. Carretta ◽  
R. G. Gratton ◽  
G. Clementini
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Absolute Magnitude ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Horizontal Branch ◽  
Rr Lyrae Stars ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Intrinsic Difference ◽  
General Field ◽  
Lyrae Stars

AbstractThe discrepancy between the long distance scale as derived, e.g., from Hipparcos-based distances to globular clusters via main sequence fitting to local subdwarfs, and the short distance scale as derived, e.g., from the absolute magnitude of field RR Lyrae stars via statistical parallaxes and the Baade–Wesselink method, could be accounted for if an intrinsic difference in luminosity of about 0.1−0.2 mag were found to exist between horizontal branch (HB) stars populating the sparse general field and the dense globular clusters.

scholarly journals Luminosity of δ Scuti Stars After Hipparcos Satellite

1998 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 567-567
Author(s):  
E. Antonello ◽  
L. Mantegazza ◽  
E. Poretti
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Rotational Velocity ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Empirical Dependence ◽  
Trigonometric Parallaxes ◽  
Nearby Stars ◽  
Observational Errors ◽  
Absolute Magnitudes ◽  
Scuti Stars ◽  
Δ Scuti Stars

The absolute magnitudes of δ Scuti stars derived from parallaxes measured by the Hipparcos satellite were compared with the previous estimates based on photometric uvby² indices, and significant differences were found which are related to photometric effects of metallicity and rotational velocity. A reliable calibration of Mv in terms of the photometric indices shall include an estimate of these effects. It is important also to take into account the possible presence of unresolved close companions in order to fully exploit the accuracy of Mv of nearby stars derived from the trigonometric parallaxes. The Mv of few bright SX Phe stars support the period-luminosity relation obtained with ground based observations of globular clusters, while it does not seem to confirm the empirical dependence of this relation on the metallicity. Some high amplitude δ Scuti stars with intermediate or normal metallicity and small and uncertain parallax have apparently a very low luminosity. Simulations of Mv determinations from observed parallaxes based on the discussion of observational errors by Lutz and Kelker (1973) have shown that the low luminosity could be an effect related to these errors.

scholarly journals Recent improvements to the Cepheid distance scale

1993 ◽  
Vol 139 ◽  
pp. 61-71
Author(s):  
Wendy L. Freedman ◽  
Barry F. Madore
Keyword(s):  
Near Infrared ◽  
Hubble Space Telescope ◽  
Systematic Difference ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Nearby Galaxy ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Cepheid Variables ◽  
Level Of Significance ◽  
Extragalactic Distance Scale ◽  
Better Than

AbstractIn the course of the last decade significant advances have been made in the observations of Cepheid variables and in their successful application to the extragalactic distance scale. Much of this progress has come about as a result of new CCD and near-infrared photometry. These recent improvements are discussed, and a comparison is given of Population I Cepheids and Population II distances. The correspondence is good, with the zero points agreeing at a level of better than 15% in distance. At this same level of significance, a systematic difference between these distances scales may exist, in the sense that the RR Lyrae distances appear to be smaller than the Cepheid distances (if it is assumed, as has generally been done for extragalactic studies of RR Lyraes, that Mv(RR) = 0.77 mag, independent of [Fe/H]). However, several recently-published calibrations of Mv(RR) significantly reduce this discrepancy. Finally, new Cepheid data for the nearby galaxy M81 are presented based on recent Hubble Space Telescope observations.

scholarly journals Pulsating Stars and the Distance Scale - II

1995 ◽  
Vol 155 ◽  
pp. 209-220
Author(s):  
Michael Feast
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Zero Point ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Age Difference ◽  
Distance Modulus ◽  
Pulsating Stars ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Galactic Globular Clusters

AbstractThe current Cepheid zero-point is equivalent to an LMC distance modulus of 18.57 ± 0.10. The zero-point from corrected Baade-Wesselink data is probably not significantly different from this. A reexamination of the Baade-Wesselink data for RR Lyrae variables leads to an LMC modulus of 18.51, an age difference between β- and α-group galactic globular clusters of +1.46±0.70 Gyr, and an Mv - [Fe/H] slope in agreement with theory. Other questions discussed include; Avoiding bias in using the Cepheid PL relation; Metallicity spread amongst Cepheids; Cepheids and Ho.

scholarly journals Observations of low mass stars in clusters: Some constraints and puzzles for stellar evolution theory

1984 ◽  
Vol 105 ◽  
pp. 123-138
Author(s):  
R.D. Cannon
Keyword(s):  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Variable Stars ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Low Mass Stars ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Red Giant

This review will attempt to do two things: (i) discuss some of the data which are available for testing the theory of evolution of low mass stars, and (ii) point out some problem areas where observations and theory do not seem to agree very well. This is of course too vast a field of research to be covered in one brief review, so I shall concentrate on one particular aspect, namely the study of star clusters and especially their colour-magnitude (CM) diagrams. Star clusters provide large samples of stars at the same distance and with the same age, and the CM diagram gives the easiest way of comparing theoretical predictions with observations, although crucial evidence is also provided by spectroscopic abundance analyses and studies of variable stars. Since this is primarily a review of observational data it is natural to divide it into two parts: (i) galactic globular clusters, and (ii) old and intermediate-age open clusters. Some additional evidence comes from Local Group galaxies, especially now that CM diagrams which reach the old main sequence are becoming available. For each class of cluster I shall consider successive stages of evolution from the main sequence, up the hydrogen-burning red giant branch, and through the helium-burning giant phase.

scholarly journals A preliminary color-magnitude diagram for late-type stars in the solar neighborhood

1959 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 39-40
Author(s):  
O. C. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Main Sequence ◽  
Star Clusters ◽  
Solar Neighborhood ◽  
Late Type ◽  
Main Sequence Stars ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Magnitude Diagram ◽  
Trigonometric Parallaxes ◽  
Nearby Stars ◽  
The Mean

Modern photoelectric techniques yield magnitudes and colors of stars with accuracies of the order of a few thousandths and a few hundredths of a magnitude respectively. Hence for star clusters it is possible to derive highly accurate color-magnitude arrays since all of the members of a cluster may be considered to be at the same distance from the observer. It is much more difficult to do this for the nearby stars where all of the objects concerned are at different, and often poorly determined, distances. If one depends upon trigonometric parallaxes, the bulk of the reliable individual values will refer to main sequence stars, and while the mean luminosities of brighter stars are given reasonably well by this method, the scatter introduced into a color-magnitude array by using individual trigonometrically determined luminosities could obscure important features. Somewhat similar objections could be raised against the use of the usual spectroscopic parallaxes which also should be quite good for the main sequence but undoubtedly exhibit appreciable scatter for some, at least, of the brighter stars.

scholarly journals Cepheid distances from the Baade–Wesselink method

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (S289) ◽  
pp. 138-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Gieren ◽  
Jesper Storm ◽  
Nicolas Nardetto ◽  
Alexandre Gallenne ◽  
Grzegorz Pietrzyński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Excellent Agreement ◽  
Surface Brightness ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Near Infrared ◽  
Open Cluster ◽  
Open Clusters ◽  
Distance Scale ◽  
Systematic Uncertainties ◽  
Classical Cepheids

AbstractRecent progress on Baade–Wesselink (BW)-type techniques to determine the distances to classical Cepheids is reviewed. Particular emphasis is placed on the near-infrared surface-brightness (IRSB) version of the BW method. Its most recent calibration is described and shown to be capable of yielding individual Cepheid distances accurate to 6%, including systematic uncertainties. Cepheid distances from the IRSB method are compared to those determined from open cluster zero-age main-sequence fitting for Cepheids located in Galactic open clusters, yielding excellent agreement between the IRSB and cluster Cepheid distance scales. Results for the Cepheid period–luminosity (PL) relation in near-infrared and optical bands based on IRSB distances and the question of the universality of the Cepheid PL relation are discussed. Results from other implementations of the BW method are compared to the IRSB distance scale and possible reasons for discrepancies are identified.

scholarly journals The Absolute Magnitudes of RR Lyrae Stars and the Age of the Galaxy

1989 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 121-140
Author(s):  
Allan Sandage
Keyword(s):  
Globular Cluster ◽  
Globular Clusters ◽  
Main Sequence ◽  
Absolute Magnitude ◽  
Cluster System ◽  
Apparent Magnitude ◽  
Rr Lyrae ◽  
Globular Cluster System ◽  
The Absolute ◽  
Absolute Magnitudes

AbstractIt is shown that the intrinsic spread in the absolute magnitudes of the RR Lyrae variables in a given globular cluster can reach 0.5 magnitudes at a given period or at a given color, due to luminosity evolution away from the zero age horizontal (ZAHB). The size of this intrinsic luminosity spread is largest in clusters of the highest metallicity.The absolute magnitude of the ZAHB itself also differs from cluster to cluster as a function of metallicity, being brightest in clusters of the lowest metallicity. Three independent methods of calibrating the ZAHB RR Lyrae luminosities each show a strong variation of MV(RR) with [Fe/H]. The pulsation equation of P<ρ>0.5 = Q(M,Te, L) used with the observed periods, temperatures, and masses of field and of cluster RR Lyraes gives the very steep luminosity-metallicity dependence of dMv(RR)/d[Fe/H] = 0.42. Main sequence fitting of the color-magnitude diagrams of clusters which have modern main-sequence photometry gives a confirming steep slope of 0.39. A summary of Baade-Wesselink MV(RR) values for field stars determined in four independent recent studies also shows a luminosity-metallicity dependence, but less steep with a slope of dMV(RR)/d[Fe/H] = 0.21.Observations show that the magnitude difference between the main sequence turn-off point and the ZAHB in a number of well observed globular clusters is independent of [Fe/H], and has a stable value of dV = 3.54 with a disperion of only 0.1 magnitudes. Using this fact, the absolute magnitude of the main sequence turn-off is determined in any given globular cluster from the observed apparent magnitude of the ZAHB by adopting any particular MV(RR) = f([Fe/H]) calibration.Ages of the clusters are shown to vary with [Fe/H] by amounts that depend upon the slopes of the MV(RR) = f([Fe/H]) calibrations. The calibrations show that there would be a steep dependence of the age on [Fe/H] if MV(RR) does not depend on [Fe/H]. No dependence of age on metallicity exists if the RR Lyrae luminosities depend on [Fe/H] as dMV(RR)/d[Fe/H] = 0.37. If Oxygen is not enhanced as [Fe/H] decreases, the absolute average age of the globular cluster system is 16 Gyr, independent of [Fe/H], using the steep MV(RR)/[Fe/H] calibration that is favored. If Oxygen is enhanced by [O/Fe] = – 0.14 [Fe/H] + 0.40 for [Fe/H] < –1.0, as suggested from the observations of field subdwarfs, then the age of the globular cluster system decreases to 13 Gyr, again independent of [Fe/H], if the RR Lyrae ZAHB luminosities have a metallicity dependence of dMV(RR)/d[Fe/H] = 0.37.

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