arXiv subjects

D. L. Pollacco

Publications and source records attributed to D. L. Pollacco.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2002

What are the Hot R Coronae Borealis Stars?

We investigate the evolutionary status of four stars: V348 Sgr, DY Cen and MV Sgr in the Galaxy and HV 2671 in the LMC. These stars have in common random deep declines in visual brightness which are characteristic for R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. RCB stars are typically cool, hydrogen deficient supergiants. The four stars studied in this paper are hotter (T$_{\rm eff}$ = 15-20 kK) than the majority of RCB stars (T$_{\rm eff}$ = 5000-7000 K). Although these are commonly grouped together as the \emph{hot RCB stars} they do not necessarily share a common evolutionary history. We present new observational data and an extensive collection of archival and previously-published data which is reassessed to ensure internal consistency. We find temporal variations of various properties on different time scales which will eventually help us to uncover the evolutionary history of these objects. DY Cen and MV Sgr have typical RCB helium abundances which excludes any currently known post-AGB evolutionary models. Moreover, their carbon and nitrogen abundances present us with further problems for their interpretation. V348 Sgr and HV 2671 are in general agreement with a born-again post-AGB evolution and their abundances are similar to Wolf-Rayet central stars of PN. The three Galactic stars in the sample have circumstellar nebulae which produce forbidden line radiation (for HV 2671 we have no information). V348 Sgr and DY Cen have low density, low expansion velocity nebulae (resolved in the case of V348 Sgr), while MV Sgr has a higher density, higher expansion velocity nebula.

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arXiv2002

The Local Group Census: planetary nebulae in Sextans B

Five planetary nebulae (PNe) have been discovered in the nearby dwarf irregular galaxy. Emission line images were obtained using the Wide Field Camera of the 2.5m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) at La Palma (Spain). The candidate PNe were identified by their point-like appearance and relatively strong [OIII] emission-line fluxes. They are located within a galactocentric distance of 2.8 arcmin, corresponding to 1.1 kpc at the distance of Sextans B. Luminosities are in the range 1800--5600Lsolar. Sextans B is one of the smallest dwarf irregular galaxies with a PN population. The number of PNe detected suggest an enhanced star formation rate between 1 and 5 Gyr ago.

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arXiv2000

An Early-Time Infrared and Optical Study of the Type Ia Supernova 1998bu in M96

We present first-season infrared (IR) and optical photometry and spectroscopy of the Type Ia Supernova 1998bu in M96. We also report optical polarimetry of this event. SN1998bu is one of the closest type Ia Supernovae of modern times and the distance of its host galaxy is well-determined. We find that SN1998bu is both photometrically and spectroscopically normal. However, the extinction to this event is unusually high, with Av=1.0 +/-0.11. We find that SN1998bu peaked at an intrinsic Mv=-19.37 +/-0.23. Adopting a distance modulus of 30.25 (Tanvir et al. 1999) and using Phillips et al.'s (1999) relations for the Hubble constant we obtain Ho=70.4 +/-4.3 km/s/Mpc. Combination of our IR photometry with those of Jha et al. (1999) provides one of the most complete early-phase IR light curves for a SN Ia published so far. In particular, SN 1998bu is the first normal SN Ia for which good pre-maximum (in the B band) IR coverage has been obtained. It reveals that the J, H and K light curves peak about 5 days earlier than the flux in the B-band curve.

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arXiv2000

WR146 - observing the OB-type companion

We present new radio and optical observations of the colliding-wind system WR146 aimed at understanding the nature of the companion to the Wolf-Rayet star and the collision of their winds. The radio observations reveal emission from three components: the WR stellar wind, the non-thermal wind-wind interaction region and, for the first time, the stellar wind of the OB companion. This provides the unique possibility of determining the mass-loss rate and terminal wind velocity ratios of the two winds, independent of distance. Respectively, these ratios are determined to be 0.20+/-0.06 and 0.56+/-0.17 for the OB-companion star relative to the WR star. A new optical spectrum indicates that the system is more luminous than had been believed previously. We deduce that the ``companion'' cannot be a single, low luminosity O8 star as previously suggested, but is either a high luminosity O8 star, or possibly an O8+WC binary system.

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arXiv1999

The Ever Changing Circumstellar Nebula Around UW Centauri

We present new images of the reflection nebula surrounding the R Coronae Borealis Star, UW Cen. This nebula, first detected in 1990, has changed its appearance significantly. At the estimated distance of UW Cen, this nebula is approximately 0.6 ly in radius so the nebula cannot have physically altered in only 8 years. Instead, the morphology of the nebula appears to change as different parts are illuminated by light from the central star modulated by shifting thick dust clouds near its surface. These dust clouds form and dissipate at irregular intervals causing the well-known declines in the R Coronae Borealis (RCB) stars. In this way, the central star acts like a lighthouse shining through holes in the dust clouds and lighting up different portions of the nebula. The existence of this nebula provides clues to the evolutionary history of RCB stars possibly linking them to the Planetary Nebulae and the final helium shell flash stars.

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arXiv1998

56Ni dredge-up in the type IIp Supernova 1995V

We present contemporary infrared and optical spectra of the plateau type II SN 1995V in NGC 1087 covering four epochs, approximately 22 to 84 days after shock breakout. The data show, for the first time, the infrared spectroscopic evolution during the plateau phase of a typical type II event. In the optical region P Cygni lines of the Balmer series and of metals lines were identified. The infrared (IR) spectra were largely dominated by the continuum, but P Cygni Paschen lines and Brackett gamma lines were also clearly seen. The other prominent IR features are confined to wavelengths blueward of 11000 Åand include Sr II 10327, Fe II 10547, C I 10695 and He I 10830 Å. We demonstrate the presence of He I 10830 Åon days 69 and 85. The presence of this line at such late times implies re-ionisation. A likely re-ionising mechanism is gamma-ray deposition following the radioactive decay of 56Ni. We examine this mechanism by constructing a spectral model for the He I 10830 Åline based on explosion model s15s7b2f of Weaver & Woosley (1993). We find that this does not generate the observed line owing to the confinement of the 56Ni to the central zones of the ejecta. In order to reproduce the He I line, it was necessary to introduce additional upward mixing of the 56Ni, with 10^{-5} of the total nickel mass reaching above the helium photosphere. In addition, we argue that the He I line-formation region is likely to have been in the form of pure helium clumps in the hydrogen envelope.

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