Variable Stars in the 50BiN Open Cluster Survey.Ⅲ.NGC 884

Open clusters are the basic building blocks that serve as a laboratory for the study of young stellar populations in the Milky Way.Variable stars in open clusters provide a unique way to accurately probe the internal structure,temporal and dynamical evolutionary stages of individual stars and the host cluster.The most powerful tool for such studies is time-domain photometric observations.This paper follows the route of our previous work,concentrating on a photometric search for variable stars in NGC 884.The target cluster is the companion of NGC869,forming the well-known double cluster system that is gravitationally bound.From the observation run in 2016 November,a total of 9247 B-band CCD images and 8218Ⅴ-band CCD images were obtained.We detected a total of 15 stars with variability in visual brightness,including five Be stars,three eclipsing binaries,and seven of unknown types.Two new variable stars were discovered in this work.We also compared the variable star content of NGC 884 with its companion NGC 869.

Revise Thermal Winds of Remnant Neutron Stars in Gamma-Ray Bursts

It seems that the wealth of information revealed by the multi-messenger observations of the binary neutron star(NS)merger event,GW170817/GRB 170817A/kilonova AT2017gfo,places irreconcilable constraints to models of the prompt emission of this gamma-ray burst(GRB).The observed time delay between the merger of the two NSs and the trigger of the GRB and the thermal tail of the prompt emission can hardly be reproduced by these models simultaneously.We argue that the merger remnant should be an NS(last for,at least,a large fraction of 1 s),and that the difficulty can be alleviated by the delayed formation of the accretion disk due to the absorption of high-energy neutrinos emitted by the NS and the delayed emergence of effective viscosity in the disk.Further,we extend the consideration of the effect of the energy deposition of neutrinos emitted from the NS.If the NS is the central object of a GRB with a distance and duration similar to that of GRB 170817A,thermal emission of the thermal bubble inflated by the NS after the termination of accretion may be detectable.If our scenario is verified,it would be of interest to investigate the cooling of nascent NSs.

GRB 200612A:An Ultralong Gamma-Ray Burst Powered by Magnetar Spinning Down

GRB 200612A could be classified as an ultralong gamma-ray burst due to its prompt emission lasting up to~1020 s and the true timescale of the central engine activity t_(burst)≥4×10^(4) s.The late X-ray light curve with a decay index ofα=7.53 is steeper than the steepest possible decay from an external shock model.We propose that this X-ray afterglow can be driven by dipolar radiation from the magnetar spindown during its early stage,while the magnetar collapsed into the black hole before its spindown,resulting in a very steep decay of the late X-ray light curve.The optical data show that the light curve is still rising after 1.1 ks,suggesting a late onset.We show that GRB 200612A’s optical afterglow light curve is fitted with the forward shock model by Gaussian structured off-axis jet.This is a special case among GRBs,as it may be an ultralong gamma-ray burst powered by a magnetar in an off-axis observation scenario.

Spin Evolution of the Magnetar SGR J1935+2154

Fast radio bursts(FRBs)are short pulses observed in radio frequencies usually originating from cosmological distances.The discovery of FRB 200428 and its X-ray counterpart from the Galactic magnetar SGR J1935+2154suggests that at least some FRBs can be generated by magnetars.However,the majority of X-ray bursts from magnetars are not associated with radio emission.The fact that only in rare cases can an FRB be generated raises the question regarding the special triggering mechanism of FRBs.Here we report long time spin evolution of SGR J1935+2154 until the end of 2022.According to v and v,the spin evolution of SGR J1935+2154 could be divided into two stages.The first stage evolves relatively steady evolution until 2020 April 27.After the burst activity in2020,the spin of SGR J1935+2154 shows strong variations,especially for v.After the burst activity in 2022October,a new spin-down glitch with△v/v=(-7.2±0.6)×10^(-6)is detected around MJD 59876,which is the second event in SGR J1935+2154.At the end,spin frequency and pulse profile do not show variations around the time of FRB 200428 and radio bursts 221014 and 221021,which supply strong clues to constrain the trigger mechanism of FRBs or radio bursts.

A Possible γ-Ray Pulsation from PSR J1740-5340B in the Globular Cluster NGC 6397

Recently, a new radio millisecond pulsar(MSP) J1740-5340B, hosted in the globular cluster(GC) NGC 6397,was reported with a 5.78 ms spin period in an eclipsing binary system with a 1.97 days orbital period. Based on a modified radio ephemeris updated by tool tempo2, we analyze the ~15 yr γ-ray data obtained from the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope and detect PSR J1740-5340B's γ-ray pulsation at a confidence level of ~4σ with a weighted H-test value of ~26. By performing a phase-resolved analysis, the γ-ray luminosity in on-pulse interval of PSR J1740-5340B is L_(γ)~ 3.8 × 10^(33) erg s^(-1) using NGC 6397's distance of 2.48 kpc. And γ-rays from the on-pulse part of PSR J1740-5340B contribute ~90% of the total observed γ-ray emissions from NGC 6397. No significant γ-ray pulsation of another MSP J1740-5340A in the GC is detected.Considering that the previous four cases of MSPs in GCs, more data in γ-ray, X-ray, and radio are encouraged to finally confirm the γ-ray emissions from MSP J1740-5340B, especially starving for a precise ephemeris.

The RFI Fast Mitigation Algorithm Based on Block LMS Filter

The radio telescope possesses high sensitivity and strong signal collection capabilities.While receiving celestial radiation signals,it also captures Radio Frequency Interferences(RFIs)introduced by human activities.RFI,as signals originating from sources other than the astronomical targets,significantly impacts the quality of astronomical data.This paper presents an RFI fast mitigation algorithm based on block Least Mean Square(LMS)algorithm.It enhances the traditional adaptive LMS filter by grouping L adjacent time-sampled points into one block and applying the same filter coefficients for filtering within each block.This transformation reduces multiplication calculations and enhances algorithm efficiency by leveraging the time-domain convolution theorem.The algorithm is tested using baseband data from the Parkes 64 m radio telescope's pulsar observations and simulated data.The results confirm the algorithm's effectiveness,as the pulsar profile after RFI mitigation closely matches the original pulsar profile.

Variable stars in the 50BiN open cluster survey.Ⅱ.NGC 869

This work presents a time-series photometric variability survey of the young open cluster NGC 869.More than 13000 CCD frames in the BV filters were collected on 19 nights between 2014 November 6 and 2014 December 24.In a 20’×20’field centered on the cluster,we detected a total of 28 stars showing photometric variability,12 of which are new discoveries.The classifications and memberships of the variable stars are discussed according to the behaviors and periods of the light curves as well as their positions on the H-R diagram.These results conclude that 22 variable stars are probable members of the cluster while six other stars belong to the field star population.They are categorized as 18 pulsating variable stars(fourβCep,seven SPB,oneβCep/SPB,four Be stars,and twoδSct/γDor candidates),seven eclipsing binaries(five EA and two EB)and three unknown type stars.

Observational characteristics of SiO masers around VX Sgr

SiO maser VLBA observations toward VX Sgr are performed at five epochs, and lots of maser spots are obtained. We make a statistical analysis on these spots. It is shown that the apparent sizes and the fluxes of maser spots decrease with increasing the distance from the central star. In addition, the similarity between the v = 1,2(J =1–0) spectrums increases with epochs, consistent with the full width at half maximum(FWHM), while the total fluxes increase. The results may be related to the changeable pumping mechanisms.

Searching for Variable Stars in the Field of NGC 7789

We present the results of a time-series CCD photometric survey ofvariable stars in the field of the open cluster NGC 7789. In a field of about onedegree centering on the cluster, a total of 28 new variable stars are discovered(14 W UMa systems, nine EA-type eclipsing binaries, one RR Lyr star, and fourunclassified). In addition, we recovered 11 old variables previously discovered byother authors. Preliminary parameters are given for some of these variables.

p-capture reaction cycles in rotating massive stars and their impact on elemental abundances in globular cluster stars: A case study of O, Na and Al

Elemental abundance patterns of globular cluster stars can provide important clues for understanding cluster formation and early chemical evolution.The origin of the abundance patterns,however,still remains poorly understood.We have studied the impact of p-capture reaction cycles on the abundances of oxygen,sodium and aluminium considering nuclear reaction cycles of carbon-nitrogenoxygen-fluorine,neon-sodium and magnesium-aluminium in massive stars in stellar conditions of temperature range 2×10~7 to 10×10~7K and typical density of 10~2gm cc^(-1).We have estimated abundances of oxygen,sodium and aluminium with respect to Fe,which are then assumed to be ejected from those stars because of rotation reaching a critical limit.These ejected abundances of elements are then compared with their counterparts that have been observed in some metal-poor evolved stars,mainly giants and red giants,of globular clusters M3,M4,M13 and NGC 6752.We observe an excellent agreement with[O/Fe]between the estimated and observed abundance values for globular clusters M3 and M4 with a correlation coefficient above 0.9 and a strong linear correlation for the remaining two clusters with a correlation coefficient above 0.7.The estimated[Na/Fe]is found to have a correlation coefficient above 0.7,thus implying a strong correlation for all four globular clusters.As far as[Al/Fe]is concerned,it also shows a strong correlation between the estimated abundance and the observed abundance for globular clusters M13 and NGC 6752,since here also the correlation coefficient is above 0.7 whereas for globular cluster M4 there is a moderate correlation found with a correlation coefficient above 0.6.Possible sources of these discrepancies are discussed.

Resonant cyclotron scattering in pulsar magnetospheres and its application to isolated neutron stars

Resonant cyclotron scattering(RCS) in pulsar magnetospheres is considered.The photon diffusion equation(Kompaneets equation) for RCS is derived.The photon system is modeled three dimensionally.Numerical calculations show that there exist not only up scattering but also down scattering of RCS,depending on the parameter space.RCS's possible applications to spectral energy distributions of magnetar candidates and radio quiet isolated neutron stars(INSs) are pointed out.The optical/UV excess of INSs may be caused by the down scattering of RCS.The calculations for RX J1856.5-3754 and RX J0720.4-3125 are presented and compared with their observational data.In our model,the INSs are proposed to be normal neutron stars,although the quark star hypothesis is still possible.The low pulsation amplitude of INSs is a natural consequence in the RCS model.

Searching for Variable Stars in and around Open Clusters

We present a snapshot of our recent results of a variable star survey in1 degree fields around three open clusters: NGC 188, NGC 7789 and M67. A totalnumber of 39 variable stars are newly discovered, including 22 W UMa stars, 10EA (Algol) type binaries, one RR-lyr and one RRd pulsator, and five unclassifiedvariables.

Long-term BV RI photometric light curves of 15 PMS stars in the star-forming region IC 5070

This paper reports results from the multicolor photometric observations of 15 pre-main sequence stars collected in the period September 2010-October 2017. The stars from our study are located in the star-forming HII region IC 5070. These objects were previously detected as either emission line stars, flare stars, T Tauri variables or Herbig Ae/Be stars. Photometric observations, especially concerning the long-term behavior of the objects, are missing in the literature. We present the first photometric monitoring for all stars from our study. The analysis of the obtained BV RI photometric data allows us to draw the conclusion that all investigated objects are variable stars. In the case of LkHα 146,we identified previously unknown periodicity in its photometric variability.

Long-term photometric behavior of the PMS stars V977 Cep and V982 Cep in the vicinity of NGC 7129

Long-term BV RI photometric light curves of the pre-main sequence stars V977 Cep and V982 Cep during the period from 2000 October to 2016 August are presented. The stars are located in the vicinity of the reflection nebula NGC 7129. Our photometric data show that both stars exhibit strong photometric variability in all optical passbands, which is typical for Classical T Tauri stars. Using our observational data we analyze the reasons for the observed brightness variations. In the case of V977 Cep we identify previously unknown periodicity in its light curve.

Absolute parameters of the three totally-eclipsing W UMa stars NSVS 2443858,NSVS 780649 and V1098 Her

We present the first photometric analysis of three totally-eclipsing W UMa binaries,NS VS2443858,NSVS 780649 and V1098 Her.The absolute astrophysical parameters of the stellar components were determined by means of Gaia distances and light curve solutions.The results show that:(ⅰ)Two of the systems,NSVS 2443858 and V1098 Her,are of A subtype while the obtained temperature of the secondary component of NSVS 780649 indicates that it is a W-subtype system;(ⅱ)The estimated mass ratios approach the lower limit of the mass ratio assumed by researchers in recent years so our targets could be classified as extreme mass ratio binary(EMRB)systems;(ⅲ)All the systems have deep contact configurations,so they also are deep low mass ratio(DLMR)systems;(ⅳ)The components of our systems are stars of F and G spectral type and undergo total eclipses;(ⅴ)The sum 0.871 M⊙of the component masses of NSVS 780649 is below the mass limit of 1.0-1.2 M⊙assumed for the known contact binary stars.

Long-term V(RI) CCD photometry of pre-main-sequence stars in the association Cepheus OB3

Results from optical CCD photometric observations of 13 pre-main-sequence stars collected during the period from February 2007 to November 2020 are presented.These stars are located in the association Cepheus OB3,in the field of the young star V733 Cephei.Photometric observations,especially concerning the long-term variability of the stars,are missing in the literature.We present the first longterm V(RI)c monitoring for them,that cover 13 years.Results from our study indicate that all of the investigated stars manifest strong photometric variability.The presented paper is a part of our program for the photometric study of pre-main-sequence stars located in active star-forming regions.

Measuring the Distance of VX Sagittarii with SiO Maser Proper Motions

We report on 43GHz v=1, J=1-0 SiO maser proper motions in the circumstellar envelope of the M-type semi-regular variable star VX Sgr, observed by Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) at 3 epochs during 1999 April-May. Applying the statistical parallax analysis to these proper motions, we estimated a distance of VX Sgr of 1.57±0.27kpc, which is consistent with that based on the proper motions of H2O masers, or on the assumption that VX Sgr belongs to the Sgr OB1 association. At this distance, VX Sgr can be classified as a red supergiant. Comparing the statistical parallax method with those of model fitting and annual parallax, we think that the statistical parallax method may be a good way of estimating SiO maser distances at present.

Searching for the brightest stars in galaxies outside the Local Group

This paper introduces a technique for searching for bright massive stars in galaxies beyond the Local Group.To search for massive stars,we processed the results of stellar photometry from the Hubble Space Telescope(HST)images using the DAOPHOT and DOLPHOT packages.The results of such searches are demonstrated with examples of the galaxies DDO 68,M94 and NGC 1672.In the galaxy DDO 68,the LBV star changes its brightness,and massive stars in M94 can be identified by excess in the Ha band.For the galaxy NGC 1672,we measure the distance for the first time by the TRGB method,which enabled determining the luminosities of the brightest stars,likely hypergiants,in the young star formation region.So far,we have performed stellar photometry on HST images of 320 northern sky galaxies located at a distance less than 12 Mpc.This allowed us to identify 53 galaxies with probable hypergiants.Further photometric and spectral observations of these galaxies are planned to search for massive stars.

Absolute parameters of young stars:PU Pup

We present combined photometric and spectroscopic analyses of the southern binary star PU Pup.High-resolution spectra of this system were taken at the University of Canterbury Mt.John Observatory in the years 2008 and again in 2014-2015.We find the light contribution of the secondary component to be only 2%of the total light of the system in optical wavelengths,resulting in a single-lined spectroscopic binary.Recent TESS data revealed grazing eclipses within the light minima,though the tidal distortion,examined also from Hipparcos data,remains the predominating light curve effect.Our model shows PU Pup to have the more massive primary relatively close to filling its Roche lobe.PU Pup is thus approaching the rare‘fast phase’of interactive(Case B)evolution.Our adopted absolute parameters are as follows:M_(1)=4.10(±0.20)M_(⊙),M_(2)=0.65(±0.05)M_(⊙),R_(1)=6.60(±0.30)R_(⊙),R_(2)=0.90(±0.10)R_(⊙);T_(1)=11500(±500)K,T_(2)=5000(±350)K;photometric distance=186(±20)pc,age=170(±20)Myr.The less-massive secondary component is found to be significantly oversized and overluminous compared to standard main sequence models.We discuss this discrepancy referring to heating from the reflection effect.

An investigation of planetary nebulae accompanying PG 1159 central stars,based on Gaia DR2 measurements

This article discusses the physical and kinematical characteristics of planetary nebulae accompanying PG 1159 central stars.The study is based on the parallax and proper motion measurements recently offered by the Gaia space mission.Two approaches were used to investigate the kinematical properties of the sample.The results revealed that most of the studied nebulae arise from progenitor stars in the mass range 0.9-1.75 M⊙.Furthermore,they tend to live within the Galactic thick disk and move with an average peculiar velocity of 61.7±19.2 km s^(-1) at a mean vertical height of 469±79 pc.The locations of the PG 1159 stars on the H-R diagram indicate that they have an average final stellar mass and evolutionary age of 0.58±0.08 M⊙and 25.5±5.3×103 yr,respectively.We found a good agreement between the mean evolutionary age of the PG 1159 stars and the mean dynamical age of their companion planetary nebulae(28.0±6.4×103 yr).