arXiv subjects

T. Ak

Publications and source records attributed to T. Ak.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A Comprehensive Study of Czernik 41 and NGC 1342 Using CCD UBV and Gaia DR3 Data

In this study, the structural, astrophysical, kinematic, and Galactic orbital parameters of the open clusters Czernik 41 and NGC 1342, as well as their dynamical evolution, are investigated using CCD UBV photometry and Gaia data. By applying the UPMASK algorithm to Gaia astrometric data for the estimation of cluster membership probabilities, we have determined that 382 stars in Czernik 41 and 111 stars in NGC 1342 exhibit the highest statistical likelihood of being cluster members. Fundamental parameters (including reddening, metallicity, distance, and age) were derived using both classical methods, where parameters are determined separately, and Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods, where parameters are estimated simultaneously. The results obtained from both approaches are in agreement, confirming the reliability of the derived parameters and demonstrating their robustness against potential degeneracies. The distances to Czernik 41 and NGC 1342 were determined as 2485$\pm$151 pc and 645$\pm$42 pc, respectively, while their ages were estimated to be 69$\pm$10 Myr and 1000$\pm$50 Myr. The metallicity values ([Fe/H]) were found to be 0.07$\pm$0.09 dex for Czernik 41 and -0.14$\pm$0.07 dex for NGC 1342. The stellar mass functions for both clusters were derived, yielding slopes of $\Gamma$=1.67$\pm$0.23 for Czernik 41 and $\Gamma$ =1.56$\pm$0.41 for NGC 1342. Kinematic orbit analysis indicates that Czernik 41 originated within the Solar circle, whereas NGC 1342 formed outside it.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

A Multi-Data Approach to Open Clusters: Roslund 3 and Ruprecht 174 in CCD UBV and Gaia DR3 Context

A detailed analysis of the structural, astrophysical, kinematic, and dynamical properties of the open clusters Roslund 3 and Ruprecht1 74 is carried out using CCD UBV photometry in conjunction with astrometric and photometric data from Gaia DR3. Membership probabilities were computed via the UPMASK algorithm applied to Gaia proper motions and trigonometric parallaxes, leading to the identification of 198 likely members for Roslund 3 and 397 for Ruprecht 174. Astrophysical parameters were derived using both the classical approach, where parameters are independently determined, and a MCMC technique, which estimates them simultaneously. The agreement between the results from both methods confirms their reliability and highlights the robustness of the classical method. The reddening values were determined as $E(B-V)=0.410\pm 0.046$ mag for Roslund 3 and $E(B-V)=0.615\pm 0.042$ mag for Ruprecht 174. The estimated distances are $d=1687 \pm 121$ pc for Roslund 3 and $d=2385 \pm 163$ pc for Ruprecht 174. Both clusters exhibit metallicities close to the solar value, with [Fe/H] = $0.030 \pm 0.065$ dex for Roslund 3 and [Fe/H] = $0.041 \pm 0.064$ dex for Ruprecht 174. The corresponding ages were found to be $\tau=60\pm 6$ and $\tau=520\pm 50$ Myr, respectively. The present day mass function slopes were found to be $1.18 \pm 0.13$ for Roslund 3 and $1.53 \pm 0.30$ for Ruprecht 174, consistent with the canonical Salpeter value within uncertainties. Galactic orbital analyses indicate that both clusters are thin-disk members confined within the Solar circle. Additionally, relaxation times and spatial distributions of stars suggest that both clusters have reached dynamical relaxation and exhibit clear signs of mass segregation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Kinematics of Cataclysmic Variables in the Solar Neighborhood in the Gaia Era

Using high-precision astrometric data from Gaia DR3 and updated systemic velocities from the literature, kinematical properties of cataclysmic variables (CVs) were investigated. By constraining the data according to the total space velocity error and Galactic population class, a reliable sample of data was obtained. Non-magnetic CVs located in the thin disk have been found to have a total space velocity dispersion of $\sigma_{\nu} = 46.33\pm4.23$ km s$^{-1}$, indicating that the thin disk CVs with a mean kinematical age of $\tau = 3.95\pm0.75$ Gyr are much younger than the local thin disk of the Galaxy with $\tau\sim$6-9 Gyr. Total space velocity dispersions of non-magnetic CVs belonging to the thin disk component of the Galaxy were found to be $\sigma_{\nu}=47.67\pm3.94$ and $\sigma_{\nu}=44.43\pm4.33$ km s$^{-1}$ for the systems below and above the orbital period gap, respectively, corresponding to kinematical ages of $\tau=4.19\pm0.71$ and $\tau=3.61\pm0.74$ Gyr. $\gamma$ velocity dispersions of the thin disk CVs below and above the gap were obtained $\sigma_{\gamma} = 27.52\pm2.28$ and $\sigma_{\gamma} = 25.65\pm2.44$ km s$^{-1}$, respectively. This study also shows that the orbital period is decreasing with increasing age, as expected from the standard theory. The age-orbital period relation for non-magnetic thin disk CVs was obtained as $dP/dt=-2.09\pm0.22\times10^{-5}$ sec yr$^{-1}$. However, a significant difference could not be found between the $\gamma$ velocity dispersions of the systems below and above the gap, which were calculated to be $\sigma_{\gamma} = 27.52\pm2.28$ and $\sigma_{\gamma} = 25.65\pm2.44$ km s$^{-1}$, respectively.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2024

Transformation relations for UBV photometric system of 1m telescope at the T\"{U}B\.{I}TAK National Observatory

UBV CCD observations of standard stars selected from Landolt (2009, 2013) were performed using the 1-meter telescope (T100) of the T\"{U}B\.{I}TAK National Observatory equipped with a back-illuminated and UV enhanced CCD camera and Bessell UBV filters. Observations span a long time from the years 2012 to 2024, 50 photometric nights in total. Photometric measurements were used to find the standard transformation relations of the T100 photometric system. The atmospheric extinction coefficients, zero points and transformation coefficients of each night were determined. It could not be found time dependence of the secondary extinction coefficients. However, it was determined that the primary extinction coefficients decreased until the year 2019 and increased after that year. It could not be found a strong seasonal variation of the extinction coefficients. Small differences in seasonal median values of them were used to attempt to find the atmospheric extinction sources. We found calculated minus catalogue values for each standard star, $\Delta(U-B)$, $\Delta(B-V)$ and $\Delta V$. Means and standard deviations of $\Delta(U-B)$, $\Delta(B-V)$ and $\Delta V$ were estimated to be 1.4$\pm$76, 1.9$\pm$18 and 0.0$\pm$36 mmag, respectively. We found that our data well matched Landolt's standards for $V$ and $B-V$, i.e. there are no systematic differences. However, there are systematic differences for $U-B$ between the two photometric systems, which is probably originated from the quantum efficiency differences of the detectors used in the photometric systems, although the median differences are relatively small ($|\Delta(U-B)|$< 50 mmag) for stars with $-0.5<U-B~{(\rm mag)} <1.6$ and $0.2<B-V~{(\rm mag)} <1.8$. As an overall result, we conclude that the transformation relations found in this study can be used for standardized photometry with the T100 photometric system.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2024

Radial Metallicity Gradients for the Chemically Selected Galactic Thin Disc Main-Sequence Stars

{We present the radial metallicity gradients within the Galactic thin disc population through main-sequence stars selected on the chemical plane using GALAH DR3 accompanied with Gaia DR3 astrometric data. The [Fe/H], [$\alpha$/Fe] and [Mg/H] radial gradients are estimated for guiding radius as $-0.074\pm 0.006$, $+0.004\pm0.002$, $-0.074\pm0.006$ dex kpc$^{-1}$ and for the traceback early orbital radius as $-0.040\pm0.002$, $+0.003\pm 0.001$, $-0.039\pm 0.002$ dex kpc$^{-1}$ for 66,545 thin-disc stars, respectively. Alteration of the chemical structure within the Galactic disc caused by the radial orbital variations complicates results for the radial metallicity gradient. The effect of radial orbital variations on the metallicity gradients as a function on time indicates the following results: (i) The presence of a gradient along the disc throughout the time for which the model provides similar prediction, (ii) the radial orbital variations becomes more pronounced with the age of the stellar population and (iii) the effect of radial orbital variations on the metallicity gradients is minimal. The effect of radial orbital variations is found to be at most 6\% which does not statistically affect the radial gradient results. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the chemical evolution within the Galactic disc and provide an important basis for further research.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

CCD UBV and Gaia DR3 Analyses of Open Clusters King 6 and NGC 1605

A detailed analysis of ground-based CCD UBV photometry and space-based Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3) data for the open clusters King 6 and NGC 1605 was performed. Using the pyUPMASK algorithm on Gaia astrometric data to estimate cluster membership probabilities, we have identified 112 stars in King 6 and 160 stars in NGC 1605 as the statistically most likely members of each cluster. We calculated reddening and metallicity separately using UBV two-color diagrams to estimate parameter values via independent methods. The color excess $E(B-V)$ and photometric metallicity [Fe/H] for King 6 are $0.515 \pm 0.030$ mag and $0.02 \pm 0.20$ dex, respectively. For NGC 1605, they are $0.840 \pm 0.054$ mag and $0.01 \pm 0.20$ dex. With reddening and metallicity kept constant, we have estimated the distances and cluster ages by fitting PARSEC isochrones to color-magnitude diagrams based on the Gaia and UBV data. Photometric distances are 723 $\pm$ 34 pc for King 6 and 3054 $\pm$ 243 pc for NGC 1605. The cluster ages are $200 \pm 20$ Myr and $400 \pm 50$ Myr for King 6 and NGC 1605, respectively. Mass function slopes were found to be 1.29 $\pm$ 0.18 and 1.63 $\pm$ 0.36 for King 6 and NGC 1605, respectively. These values are in good agreement with the value of Salpeter (1955). The relaxation times were estimated as 5.8 Myr for King 6 and 60 Myr for NGC 1605. This indicates that both clusters are dynamically relaxed since these times are less than the estimated cluster ages. Galactic orbit analysis shows that both clusters formed outside the solar circle and are members of the young thin-disc population.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Galactic Model Parameters and Space Density of Cataclysmic Variables in Gaia Era: New Constraints to Population Models

The spatial distribution, Galactic model parameters and luminosity function of cataclysmic variables (CVs) are established using re-estimated trigonometric parallaxes of {\it Gaia} DR3. The data sample of 1,587 CVs in this study is claimed to be suitable for Galactic model parameter estimation as the distances are based on trigonometric parallaxes and the {\it Gaia} DR3 photometric completeness limits were taken into account when the sample was created. According to the analysis, the scale height of All CVs increases from 248$\pm$2 to 430$\pm$4 pc towards shorter periods near the lower limit of the period gap and suddenly drops to 300$\pm$2 pc for the shortest orbital period CVs. The exponential scale heights of All CVs and magnetic systems are found to be 375$\pm$2 and 281$\pm$3 pc, respectively, considerably larger than those suggested in previous observational studies. The local space density of All CVs and magnetic systems in the sample are $6.8^{+1.3}_{-1.1}\times$10$^{-6}$ and $2.1^{+0.5}_{-0.4}\times10^{-6}$ pc$^{-3}$, respectively. Our measurements strengthen the 1-2 order of magnitude discrepancy between CV space densities predicted by population synthesis models and observations. It is likely that this discrepancy is due to objects undetected by CV surveys, such as the systems with very low $\dot{M}$ and the ones in the period gap. The comparisons of the luminosity function of white dwarfs with the luminosity function of All CVs in this study show that 500 times the luminosity function of CVs fits very well to the luminosity function of white dwarfs. We conclude that the estimations and data sample in this study can be confidently used in further analysis of CVs.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Multiwavelength observations of MAXI J1820+070 during its outburst decay and subsequent mini-outburst

We present results from quasi-simultaneous multiwavelength observations of the Galactic black hole X-ray transient MAXI J1820$+$070 during the decay of the 2018 outburst and its entire subsequent mini-outburst in March 2019. We fit the X-ray spectra with phenomenological and Comptonizaton models and discuss the X-ray spectral evolution comparing with the multiwavelength behaviour of the system. The system showed a rebrightening in UV/Optical/NIR bands 7-days after the soft-to-hard transition during the main outburst decay while it was fading in X-rays and radio. In contrast, the mini-outburst occurred 165-days after the hard state transition of the initial outburst decay and was detected in all wavelengths. For both events, the measured timescales are consistent with those observed in other black hole systems. Contemporaneous hard X-ray/soft $\gamma$-ray observations indicate a non-thermal electron energy distribution at the beginning of the UV/Optical/NIR rebrightening, whereas a thermal distribution can fit the data during the hard mini-outburst activity. The broadband spectral energy distributions until the rebrightening are consistent with the irradiated outer accretion disc model. However, both the SEDs produced for the peak of rebrightening and close to the peak of mini-outburst provided good fits only with an additional power-law component in the UV/Optical/NIR frequency ranges which is often interpreted with a jet origin.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

A photometric and astrometric study of the open clusters NGC 1664 and NGC 6939

This study calculated astrophysical parameters, as well as kinematic and galactic orbital parameters, of the open clusters NGC 1664 and NGC 6939. The work is based on CCD UBV and Gaia photometric and astrometric data from ground and space-based observations. Considering Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) astrometric data, we determined membership probabilities of stars located in both of the clusters. We used two-color diagrams to determine $E(B-V)$ color excesses for NGC 1664 and NGC 6939 as $0.190 \pm 0.018$ and $0.380 \pm 0.025$ mag, respectively. Photometric metallicities for the two clusters were estimated as [Fe/H] = $-0.10 \pm 0.02$ dex for NGC 1664 and as [Fe/H] = $-0.06 \pm 0.01$ dex for NGC 6939. Using the reddening and metallicity calculated in the study, we obtained distance moduli and ages of the clusters by fitting PARSEC isochrones to the color-magnitude diagrams based on the most likely member stars. Isochrone fitting distances are $1289 \pm 47$ pc and $1716 \pm 87$ pc, which coincide with ages of $675 \pm 50$ Myr and $1.5 \pm 0.2$ Gyr for NGC 1664 and NGC 6939, respectively. We also derived the distances to the clusters using Gaia trigonometric parallaxes and compared these estimates with the literature. We concluded that the results are in good agreement with those given by the current study. Present day mass function slopes were calculated as $\Gamma=-1.22\pm0.33$ and $\Gamma=-1.18\pm0.21$ for NGC 1664 and NGC 6939, respectively, which are compatible with the Salpeter (1955) slope. Analyses showed that both of clusters are dynamically relaxed. The kinematic and dynamic orbital parameters of the clusters were calculated, indicating that the birthplaces of the clusters are outside the solar circle.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2021

A study of the Czernik 2 and NGC 7654 open clusters using CCD UBV photometric and Gaia EDR3 data

We analysed the open clusters Czernik 2 and NGC 7654 using CCD UBV photometric and Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) photometric and astrometric data. Structural parameters of the two clusters were derived, including the physical sizes of Czernik 2 being r=5 and NGC 7654 as 8 min. We calculated membership probabilities of stars based on their proper motion components as released in the Gaia EDR3. To identify member stars of the clusters, we used these membership probabilities taking into account location and the impact of binarity on main-sequence stars. We used membership probabilities higher than $P=0.5$ to identify 28 member stars for Czernik 2 and 369 for NGC 7654. We estimated colour-excesses and metallicities separately using two-colour diagrams to derive homogeneously determined parameters. The derived $E(B-V)$ colour excess is 0.46(0.02) mag for Czernik 2 and 0.57(0.04) mag for NGC 7654. Metallicities were obtained for the first time for both clusters, -0.08(0.02) dex for Czernik 2 and -0.05(0.01) dex for NGC 7654. Keeping the reddening and metallicity as constant quantities, we fitted PARSEC models using colour-magnitude diagrams, resulting in estimated distance moduli and ages of the two clusters. We obtained the distance modulus for Czernik 2 as 12.80(0.07) mag and for NGC 7654 as 13.20(0.16) mag, which coincide with ages of 1.2(0.2) Gyr and 120(20) Myr, respectively. The distances to the clusters were calculated using the Gaia EDR3 trigonometric parallaxes and compared with the literature. We found good agreement between the distances obtained in this study and the literature. Present day mass function slopes for both clusters are comparable with the value of Salpeter (1955), being X=-1.37(0.24) for Czernik 2 and X=-1.39(0.19) for NGC 7654.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

A Study of Open Clusters Frolov 1 and NGC 7510 using CCD UBV Photometry and Gaia DR2 Astrometry

We present reddening, photometric metallicity, age and distance estimates for the Frolov 1 and NGC 7510 open clusters based on CCD UBV photometric and Gaia data. Photometric observations were collected using the 1-m telescope of the T\"UB\.ITAK National Observatory. Gaia DR2 proper motion data in the direction of two groupings were used to identify cluster membership. We determined mean proper motion values ($ \mu_{\alpha}\cos\delta, \mu_{\delta}$) = ($-3.02\pm 0.10$, $-1.75 \pm 0.08$) and ($-3.66 \pm 0.07$, $-2.17 \pm 0.06$) mas yr$^{-1}$ for Frolov 1 and NGC 7510, respectively. We used two-colour diagrams to obtain $E(B-V)$ colour excesses for Frolov 1 and NGC 7510 as $0.65\pm0.06$ and $1.05\pm0.05$ mag, respectively. We derived the photometric metallicity of Frolov 1 as [Fe/H] = 0.03$\pm$0.03 dex and adopted a solar metallicity for NGC 7510. Based on these reddening and metallicities we determined the distance moduli and ages of the clusters via fitting PARSEC isochrones to the cluster colour-magnitude diagrams. Isochrone fitting distances for Frolov 1 and NGC 7510 are $2864 \pm 254$ and $2818 \pm 247$ pc, respectively, which correspond to the ages $35\pm 10$ Myr and $18\pm 6$ Myr. We also calculated mean Gaia distances and compared them with those given in the literature and in this study, concluding that our results are in good agreement with previous work. Finally, we calculated the mass function slopes as being $X=-1.21\pm0.18$ for Frolov 1 and $X=-1.42\pm0.27$ for NGC 7510.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2020

Bridging the Ultraviolet and Optical Regions: Transformation Equations between {\it GALEX} and {\it UBV} Photometric Systems

We derive transformation equations between GALEX and UBV colours by using the reliable data of 556 stars. We present two sets of equations; as a function of (only) luminosity class, and as a function of both luminosity class and metallicity. The metallicities are provided from the literature, while the luminosity classes are determined by using the PARSEC mass tracks in this study. Small colour residuals and high squared correlation coefficients promise accurate derived colours. The application of the transformation equations to 70 stars with reliable data shows that the metallicity plays an important role in estimation of more accurate colours.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Metallicity and absolute magnitude calibrations for F-G type main-sequence stars in the Gaia era

In this study, photometric metallicity and absolute magnitude calibrations were derived using F-G spectral type main-sequence stars in the Solar neighbourhood with precise spectroscopic, photometric and Gaia astrometric data for UBV photometry. The sample consists of 504 main-sequence stars covering the temperature, surface gravity and colour index intervals $5300 4$ (cgs) and $0.3<(B-V)_0<0.8$ mag, respectively. Stars with relative trigonometric parallax errors $\sigma_{\pi}/\pi\leq0.01$ were preferred from Gaia DR2 data for the estimation of their $M_V$ absolute magnitudes. In order to obtain calibrations, $(U-B)_0$ and $(B-V)_0$ colour indices of stars were preferred and a multi-variable second order equation was used. Calibrations are valid for main-sequence stars in the metallicity and absolute magnitude ranges $-2<{\rm [Fe/H]}<0.5$ dex and $2.5<M_V<6$ mag, respectively. The mean value and standard deviation of the differences between original and estimated values for the metal abundance and absolute magnitude are $\langle\Delta {\rm[Fe/H]}\rangle=0.00\pm0.11$ dex and $\langle\Delta M_V \rangle=0.00\pm0.22$ mag, respectively. In this work, it has been shown that more precise iron abundance and absolute magnitude values were obtained with the new calibrations, compared to previous calibrations in the literature.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

CCD UBV photometric and Gaia astrometric study of eight open clusters- ASCC 115, Collinder 421, NGC 6793, NGC 7031, NGC 7039, NGC 7086, Roslund 1 and Stock 21

In this study, we carried out CCD UBV photometry of eight open clusters, ASCC 115, Collinder 421, NGC 6793, NGC 7031, NGC 7039, NGC 7086, Roslund 1, Stock 21, and determined their reddening, metallicity, distance, age, and mass functions. We used new Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2) astrometric data to separate cluster member stars from the field stars and obtain precise structural and astrophysical parameters. To identify cluster member stars we utilized an unsupervised membership assignment code (UPMASK), which is based on the photometric and astrometric data. The density distributions for the open clusters show good fits with the empirical King model except for Roslund 1 and Stock 21 not having central concentration. The colour excesses and metallicities were derived separately using U-B vs B-V two-colour diagrams. Keeping these parameters as constants, we simultaneously calculated distance moduli and ages of the clusters from V vs B-V and V vs U-B colour-magnitude diagrams using PARSEC theoretical isochrones. Taking into account Gaia DR2 proper motion components and parallaxes of the member stars, we also calculated mean proper motions and distances for the clusters. Distances derived both from isochrone fitting to colour-magnitude diagrams of the clusters and Gaia DR2 trigonometric parallaxes are compatible with each other. Slopes of the mass functions of the eight open clusters are in good agreement with Salpeter (1955) value of 1.35.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2018

CCD UBV photometric study of five open clusters - Dolidze 36, NGC 6728, NGC 6800, NGC 7209 and Platais 1

In this study, we present CCD UBV photometry of poorly studied open star clusters, Dolidze 36, NGC 6728, NGC 6800, NGC 7209, and Platais 1, located in the first and second Galactic quadrants. Observations were obtained with T100, the 1-m telescope of the TUBITAK National Observatory. Using photometric data, we determined several astrophysical parameters such as reddening, distance, metallicity and ages and from them, initial mass functions, integrated magnitudes and colours. We took into account the proper motions of the observed stars to calculate the membership probabilities. The colour excesses and metallicities were determined independently using two-colour diagrams. After obtaining the colour excesses of the clusters Dolidze 36, NGC 6728, NGC 6800, NGC 7209, and Platais 1 as $0.19\pm0.06$, $0.15\pm0.05$, $0.32\pm0.05$, $0.12\pm0.04$, and $0.43\pm0.06$ mag, respectively, the metallicities are found to be $0.00\pm0.09$, $0.02\pm0.11$, $0.03\pm0.07$, $0.01\pm0.08$, and $0.01\pm0.08$ dex, respectively. Furthermore, using these parameters, distance moduli and age of the clusters were also calculated from colour-magnitude diagrams simultaneously using PARSEC theoretical models. The distances to the clusters Dolidze 36, NGC 6728, NGC 6800, NGC 7209, and Platais 1 are $1050\pm90$, $1610\pm190$, $1210\pm150$, $1060\pm 90$, and $1710\pm250$ pc, respectively, while corresponding ages are $400\pm100$, $750\pm150$, $400\pm100$, $600\pm100$, and $175\pm50$ Myr, respectively. Our results are compatible with those found in previous studies. The mass function of each cluster is derived. The slopes of the mass functions of the open clusters range from 1.31 to 1.58, which are in agreement with Salpeter's initial mass function. We also found integrated absolute magnitudes varying from -4.08 to -3.40 for the clusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Metallicity Calibration and Photometric Parallax Estimation: II. SDSS photometry

We used the updated [Fe/H] abundances of 168 F-G type dwarfs and calibrated them to a third order polynomial in terms of reduced ultraviolet excess, $\delta_{0.41}$ defined with $ugr$ data in the SDSS. We estimated the $M_g$ absolute magnitudes for the same stars via the re-reduced Hipparcos parallaxes and calibrated the absolute magnitude offsets, $\Delta M_g$, relative to the intrinsic sequence of Hyades to a third order polynomial in terms of $\delta_{0.41}$. The ranges of the calibrations are $-2<$[Fe/H]$\leq$0.3 dex and $4 18$ mag).

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Local Stellar Kinematics from RAVE data - VII. Metallicity Gradients from Red Clump Stars

We investigate the Milky Way Galaxy's radial and vertical metallicity gradients using a sample of 47,406 red clump stars from the RAVE DR4. This sample is more than twice the size of the largest sample in the literature investigating radial and vertical metallicity gradients. The absolute magnitude of Groenewegen (2008) is used to determine distances to our sample stars. The resulting distances agree with the RAVE DR4 distances Binney et al. (2014) of the same stars. Our photometric method also provides distances to 6185 stars that are not assigned a distance in RAVE DR4. The metallicity gradients are calculated with their current orbital positions ($R_{gc}$ and $Z$) and with their orbital properties (mean Galactocentric distance, $R_{m}$ and $z_{max}$), as a function of the distance to the Galactic plane: d[Fe/H]/d$R_{gc}=$-$0.047\pm0.003$ dex/kpc for $0\leq |Z|\leq0.5$ kpc and d[Fe/H]/d$R_m=$-$0.025\pm0.002$ dex/kpc for $0\leq z_{max}\leq0.5$ kpc. This reaffirms the radial metallicity gradient in the thin disc but highlights that gradients are sensitive to the selection effects caused by the difference between $R_{gc}$ and $R_{m}$. The radial gradient is flat in the distance interval 0.5-1 kpc from the plane and then becomes positive greater than 1 kpc from the plane. The radial metallicity gradients are also eccentricity dependent. We showed that d[Fe/H]/d$R_m=$-$0.089\pm0.010$, -$0.073\pm0.007$, -$0.053\pm0.004$ and -$0.044\pm0.002$ dex/kpc for $e_p\leq0.05$, $e_p\leq0.07$, $e_p\leq0.10$ and $e_p\leq0.20$ sub-samples, respectively, in the distance interval $0\leq z_{max}\leq0.5$ kpc. Similar trend is found for vertical metallicity gradients. Both the radial and vertical metallicity gradients are found to become shallower as the eccentricity of the sample increases. These findings can be used to constrain different formation scenarios of the thick and thin discs.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

CCD UBV Photometry and Kinematics of the Open Cluster NGC 225

We present the results of CCD $UBV$ photometric and spectroscopic observations of the open cluster NGC 225. In order to determine the structural parameters of NGC 225, we calculated the stellar density profile in the cluster's field. We estimated the probabilities of the stars being physical members of the cluster using the existing astrometric data. The most likely members of the cluster were used in the determination of the astrophysical parameters of the cluster. We calculated the mean radial velocity of the cluster as $V_{r}=-8.3\pm 5.0$ km s$^{-1}$ from the optical spectra of eight stars in the cluster's field. Using the U-B vs B-V two-colour diagram and UV excesses of the F-G type main-sequence stars, the reddening and metallicity of NGC 225 were inferred as $E(B-V)=0.151\pm 0.047$ mag and $[Fe/H]=-0.11\pm 0.01$ dex, respectively. We fitted the colour-magnitude diagrams of NGC 225 with the PARSEC isochrones and derived the distance modulus, distance and age of the cluster as $\mu_{V}=9.3\pm 0.07$ mag, d=585$\pm$20 pc and $t=900\pm 100$ Myr, respectively. We also estimated the galactic orbital parameters and space velocity components of the cluster and found that the cluster has a slightly eccentric orbit of $e=0.07\pm 0.01$ and an orbital period of $P_{orb}= 255\pm 5$ Myr.

astro-ph.GA↗