First Light Curve Analysis of NSVS 8294044,V1023 Her,and V1397 Her Contact Binary Systems

The first photometric light curve investigation of the NSVS 8294044,V1023 Her,and V1397 Her binary systems is presented.We used ground-based observations for the NSVS 8294044 system and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data for V1023 Her and V1397 Her.The primary and secondary times of minima were extracted from al the data,and,by collecting the literature,a new ephemeris was computed for each system.Linear fits for the O-C diagrams were conducted using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method.Light curve solutions were performed using the PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs Python code and the MCMC approach.The systems were found to be contact binary stars based on the fillout factor and mass ratio.V1023 Her showed the O’Connell effect and a cold starspot on the secondary component was required for the light curve solution.The absolute parameters of the system were estimated based on an empirical relationship between orbital period and mass.We presented a new T–M equation based on a sample of 428 contact binary systems and found that our three target systems were in good agreement with the fit.The positions of the systems were also depicted on the M–L,M–R,q–L_(ratio),and M_(tot)–J_(0)diagrams in the logarithmic scales.

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.

Supernova 1987A's Keyhole:A Long-lived Jet-pair in the Final Explosion Phase of Core-collapse Supernovae

I further study the manner by which a pair of opposite jets shape the“keyhole”morphological structure of the core-collapse supernova(CCSN)SN 1997A,now the CCSN remnant(CCSNR)1987A.By doing so,I strengthen the claim that the jittering-jet explosion mechanism accounts for most,likely all,CCSNe.The“keyhole”structure comprises a northern low-intensity zone closed with a bright rim on its front and an elongated low-intensity nozzle in the south.This rim-nozzle asymmetry is observed in some cooling flow clusters and planetary nebulae that are observed to be shaped by jets.I build a toy model that uses the planar jittering jets pattern,where consecutive pairs of jets tend to jitter in a common plane,implying that the accreted gas onto the newly born neutron star at the late explosion phase flows perpendicular to that plane.This allows for a long-lived jet-launching episode.This long-lasting jet-launching episode launches more mass into the jets that can inflate larger pairs of ears or bubbles,forming the main jets'axis of the CCSNR that is not necessarily related to a possible pre-collapse core rotation.I discuss the relation of the main jets'axis to the neutron star's natal kick velocity.

Analysis of the Impact of the Blazhko Effect Both on the Van Hoof Effect and Radial Velocity Amplitude in the Star RR Lyr

The Van Hoof effect is a phase shift existing between the radial velocity curves of hydrogen and metallic lines within the atmosphere of pulsating stars.In this article,we present a study of this phenomenon through the spectra of the brightest pulsating star RR Lyr of RR Lyrae stars recorded for 22 yr.We based ourselves,on the one hand,on 1268 spectra(41 nights of observation)recorded between the years 1994 and 1997 at the Observatory of Haute Provence(OHP,France)previously observed by Chadid and Gillet,and on the other hand on 1569 spectra(46nights of observation)recorded at our Oukaimeden Observatory(Morocco)between 2015 and 2016.Through this study,we have detected information on atmospheric dynamics that had not previously been detected.Indeed,the Van Hoof effect which results in a clear correlation between the radial velocities of hydrogen and those of the metallic lines has been observed and analyzed at different Blazhko phases.A correlation between the radial velocities of different metallic lines located in the lower atmosphere has been observed as well.For the first time,we were able to show that the amplitude of the radial velocity curves deduced from the lines of hydrogen and that of FeⅡ(λ4923.921?)increases toward the minimum of the Blazhko cycle and decreases toward the maximum of the same Blazhko cycle.Furthermore,we found that the Van Hoof effect is also modulated by the Blazhko effect.Thus,toward the minimum of the Blazhko cycle the Van Hoof effect is more visible and at the maximum of the Blazhko cycle,this effect is minimal.We also observed the temporal evolution of the amplitudes of the radial velocities of the lower and upper atmosphere.When observed over a long time,we can interpret it as a function of the Blazhko phases.

GRB 210323A:Signature of Long-lasting Lifetime of Supra-massive Magnetar as the Central Engine from the Merger of Binary Neutron Star

Theoretically,a supra-massive neutron star or magnetar may be formed after the merger of binary neutron stars.GRB210323A is a short-duration gamma-ray burst(GRB)with a duration of lasting~1 s.The light curve of the prompt emission of GRB 210323A shows a signal-peaked structure and a cutoff power-law model can adequately fit the spectra with E_p=1826±747.More interestingly,it has an extremely long-lasting plateau emission in the X-ray afterglow with a duration of~10^(4)s,and then follows a rapid decay with a decay slope~3.2.This temporal feature is challenging by invoking the external shock mode.In this paper,we suggest that the observed long-lasting X-ray plateau emission is caused by the energy injection of dipole radiation from supra-massive magnetar,and the abrupt decay following the longlasting X-ray plateau emission is explained by supra-massive magnetar collapsing into a black hole.It is the short GRB(SGRB)with the longest X-ray internal plateau emission powered by a supra-massive neutron star.If this is the case,one can estimate the physical parameters of a supra-massive magnetar,and compare with other SGRBs.We also discuss the possible gravitational-wave emission,which is powered by a supra-massive magnetar and its detectability,and the possible kilonova emission,which is powered by r-process and magnetar spin-down to compare with the observed data.

BSN:The First Light Curve Analysis of the Total Eclipse Binary System EL Tuc

We conducted the first light curve study of the binary star EL Tuc within the Binary Systems of South and North project's framework.The photometric observations were made using standard multiband BVR_cI_c filters at an observatory in Argentina.We presented a new ephemeris for EL Tuc and a linear fit to the O–C diagram,utilizing our extracted times of minima and additional literature.We employed the PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs Python code and the Markov chain Monte Carlo approach for the system's light curve analysis.The target system's light curve solution required a cold starspot on the hotter component.We conclude that EL Tuc is a total contact binary system with a low mass ratio of q=0.172±0.002,an orbital inclination of i=83°.74±0°.40,and a fillout factor of f=53.7%±1.6%.We used the P-a relationship and the Gaia Data Release 3 parallax method to determine the absolute parameters of EL Tuc to compare the precision of our results.This system was classified as W-type based on the mass and effective temperature of the companion stars.The positions of the systems were depicted on the M-L,M-R,T-M,and q-Lratiodiagrams.The relationship between the spectroscopic and photometric mass ratios of binaries was discussed.

GRB 210610B:The Internal and External Plateau as Evidence for the Delayed Outflow of Magnetar

After launching a jet,outflows of magnetar were used to account for the achromatic plateau of afterglow and the early X-ray flux plateau known as“internal plateau”.The lack of detecting magnetic dipole emission together with the energy injection feature in a single observation poses confusion until the long gamma-ray burst(GRB)210610B is detected.GRB 210610B is presented with an optical bump following an early X-ray plateau during the afterglow phase.The plateau followed by a steep decline flux overlays in the steadily decaying X-ray flux with indexα_(X,1)~2.06,indicating an internal origin and that can be fitted by the spin-down luminosity law with the initial plateau luminosity log_(10)L_(X)~48.29 erg s~(-1)and the characteristic spin-down timescale T~2818 s.A subsequent bump begins at~4000 s in the R band with a rising indexα_(R,1)~-0.30 and peaks at~14125 s,after which a decay indexα_(R,2)~0.87 and finally transiting to a steep decay withα_(R,3)~1.77 achieve the closure relation of the external shock for the normal decay phase as well as the magnetar spin-down energy injection phase,provided that the average value of the photon indexΓ_γ=1.80 derived from the spectral energy distributions(SEDs)between the X-ray and optical afterglow.The closure relation also works for the late X-ray flux.Akin to the traditional picture of GRB,the outflow powers the early X-ray plateau by dissipating energy internally and collides with the leading decelerating blast burst as time goes on,which could interpret the exotic feature of GRB 210610B.We carry out a Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulation and obtain a set of best parameters:■.The artificial light curve can fit the afterglow data well.After that,we estimated the average Lorentz factor and the X-ray radiation efficiency of the later ejecta are 35%and 0.13%,respectively.

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.

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.

V0405 Dra:A New Deep and Low Mass Ratio Contact Binary with Extremely Fast Decrease in the Orbital Period

V0405 Dra is a W UMa-type binary star.Based on the TESS data,we have conducted an orbital period study and performed a light curve analysis for the system.The orbital period study reveals that the O-C curve for V0405 Dra exhibits secular decrease at an extremely high rate of d P/dt=-2.71×10^(-6)day year^(-1),along with periodic variations characterized by an amplitude of A_(3)=0.0032 day and a period of P_(3)=1.413 years.The orbital periodic change is possibly due to the light-travel time effect resulting from an additional third body in the system,for which we estimate a minimum mass of M_(3)=0.77M_(⊙).By employing the 2013 version of the Wilson-Devinney(W-D)method to synthesize a light curve,we derived photometric solutions indicating that V0405 Dra is a new deep(f=68.7%)and low-mass ratio(q=0.175)contact binary.The fast decrease in its orbital period is likely caused by mass transfer from the more massive primary star to the less massive secondary star,or due to angular momentum loss.With further mass transfer and loss of angular momentum,the binary will gradually evolve into a tighter contact configuration,eventually leading to a merger into a single star,following the evolutionary paths suggested for such deep and low mass ratio contact binaries.

BSN:Photometric Light Curve Analysis of Two Contact Binary Systems LS Del and V997 Cyg

The light curve analyses and orbital period variations for two contact binary stars,LS Del and V997 Cyg,are presented in this work which was conducted in the frame of the Binary Systems of South and North project Ground-based photometric observations were performed at two observatories in France.We used the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite(TESS)data for extracting times of minima and light curve analysis of the targe systems.The O-C diagram for both systems displays a parabolic trend.LS Del and V997 Cyg’s orbital periods are increasing at rates of dP/dt=7.20×10^(-08)days yr^(-1)and dP/dt=2.54×10^(-08)days yr^(-1),respectively Therefore,it can be concluded that mass is being transferred from the less massive star to the more massive component with a rate of dM/dt=-1.96×10^(-7)M_(⊙)yr^(-1)for the LS Del system,and dM/dt=-3.83×10^(-7)M_(⊙)yr-1for V997 Cyg.The parameters of a third possible object in the system are also considered.The PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs Python code was used to analyze the light curves.The light curve solutions needed a cold starspot due to the asymmetry in the LS Del system’s light curve maxima.The mass ratio fill-out factor,and star temperature all indicate that both systems are contact binary types in this investigation.Two methods were applied to estimate the absolute parameters of the systems:one method relied on the parallax of Gaia DR3,and the other used a P-M relationship.The positions of the systems are also depicted on the M-L,M-R q-L_(ratio),and logM_(tot)-logJ_(0)diagrams.We recommend that further observations and investigations be done on the existence of a fourth body in this system.

Fast Two-dimensional Positioning Method of Crab Pulsar Based on Multiple Optimization Algorithms

In the two-dimensional positioning method of pulsars, the grid method is used to provide non-sensitive direction and positional estimates. However, the grid method has a high computational load and low accuracy due to the interval of the grid. To improve estimation accuracy and reduce the computational load, we propose a fast twodimensional positioning method for the crab pulsar based on multiple optimization algorithms(FTPCO). The FTPCO uses the Levenberg–Marquardt(LM) algorithm, three-point orientation(TPO) method, particle swarm optimization(PSO) and Newton–Raphson-based optimizer(NRBO) to substitute the grid method. First, to avoid the influence of the non-sensitive direction on positioning, we take an orbital error and the distortion of the pulsar profile as optimization objectives and combine the grid method with the LM algorithm or PSO to search for the non-sensitive direction. Then, on the sensitive plane perpendicular to the non-sensitive direction, the TPO method is proposed to fast search the sensitive direction and sub-sensitive direction. Finally, the NRBO is employed on the sensitive and sub-sensitive directions to achieve two-dimensional positioning of the Crab pulsar. The simulation results show that the computational load of the FTPCO is reduced by 89.4% and the positioning accuracy of the FTPCO is improved by approximately 38% compared with the grid method. The FTPCO has the advantage of high real-time accuracy and does not fall into the local optimum.

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.

Isochrone Fitting of Galactic Globular Clusters—Ⅵ.High-latitude Clusters NGC 5024 (M53),NGC 5053,NGC 5272 (M3),NGC 5466,and NGC7099 (M30)

We fit various color–magnitude diagrams(CMDs) of the high-latitude Galactic globular clusters NGC 5024(M53),NGC 5053,NGC 5272(M3),NGC 5466,and NGC 7099(M30) by isochrones from the Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database and Bag of Stellar Tracks and Isochrones for α–enrichment [α/Fe] = +0.4.For the CMDs,we use data sets from Hubble Space Telescope,Gaia,and other sources utilizing,at least,25 photometric filters for each cluster.We obtain the following characteristics with their statistical uncertainties for NGC 5024,NGC 5053,NGC 5272,NGC 5466,and NGC 7099,respectively:metallicities [Fe/H] =-1.93 ± 0.02,-2.08 ± 0.03,-1.60 ± 0.02,-1.95 ± 0.02,and-2.07 ± 0.04 dex with their systematic uncertainty 0.1 dex;ages 13.00 ± 0.11,12.70 ± 0.11,11.63 ± 0.07,12.15 ± 0.11,and 12.80 ± 0.17 Gyr with their systematic uncertainty 0.8 Gyr;distances(systematic uncertainty added) 18.22 ± 0.06 ± 0.60,16.99 ± 0.06 ± 0.56,10.08 ± 0.04 ± 0.33,15.59 ±0.03 ± 0.51,and 8.29 ± 0.03 ± 0.27 kpc;reddenings E(B-V) = 0.023 ± 0.004,0.017 ± 0.004,0.023 ± 0.004,0.023 ± 0.003,and 0.045 ± 0.002 mag with their systematic uncertainty 0.01 mag;extinctions AV= 0.08 ± 0.01,0.06 ± 0.01,0.08 ± 0.01,0.08 ± 0.01,and 0.16 ± 0.01 mag with their systematic uncertainty 0.03 mag,which suggest the total Galactic extinction AV= 0.08 across the whole Galactic dust to extragalactic objects at the North Galactic Pole.The horizontal branch morphology difference of these clusters is explained by their different metallicity,age,mass-loss efficiency,and loss of low-mass members in the evolution of the core-collapse cluster NGC 7099 and loose clusters NGC 5053 and NGC 5466.

NSVS 2569022:a peculiar binary among W UMa stars with extremely small mass ratios

Photometric observations of the W UMa binary NSVS 2569022 are presented. The light curve solution reveals that both components are of F spectral type （temperatures T1 = T2 = 6100 K）. NSVS 2569022 undergoes a total eclipse of W subtype and the mass ratio is well-determined. Its extremely small value of only 0.077 implies that the target will probably experience instability and a possible merger. This value ranks NSVS 2569022 in sixth place among binaries with the smallest mass ratio. Based on an empirical relation of ＂period - total mass＂ for low mass-ratio binaries, we estimate the global parameters of NSVS 2569022： masses M1 = 1.17 M⊙ and M2 = 0.09 M⊙; radii R1 = 1.19 R⊙ and R2 = 0.38 R⊙; luminosities L1 = 1.73 L⊙ and L2 = 0.17L⊙. An analysis of the characteristics of binaries with extremely low-mass ratios is made. NSVS 2569022 turns out to be a peculiar binary among W UMa stars with extremely small mass ratios due to its unexpectedly small fill-out factor of only 0.014 （slightly overcontact configuration）.

The pairwise velocity difference of over 2000 BHB stars in the Milky Way halo

Models of hierarchical galaxy formation predict that the extended stellar halos of galaxies like our Milky Way show a great deal of sub-structure, arising from disrupted satellites. Spatial sub-structure is directly observed, and has been quantified, in the Milky Way＇s stellar halo. Phase-space conservation implies that there should be sub-structure in position-velocity space. Here, we aim to quantify such position-velocity sub-structure, using a state-of-the art data set having over 2000 blue horizontal branch （BHB） stars with photometry and spectroscopy from SDSS. For stars in dynamically cold streams （＂young＂ streams）, we expect that pairs of objects that are physically close also have similar velocities. Therefore, we apply the well-established ＂pairwise velocity difference＂ （PVD） statistic （｜ △Vlos ｜） （△r）, where we expect （｜ △Vlos ｜） to drop for small separations At. We calculate the PVD for the SDSS BHB sample and find 〈｜ △Vlos ｜〉（△r） ≈ const., i.e. no such signal. By making mock-observations of the simulations by Bullock ＆ Johnston and applying the same statistic, we show that for individual, dynamically young streams, or assemblages of such streams, （｜ △Vlos ｜） drops for small distance separations At, as qualitatively expected. However, for a realistic complete set of halo streams, the pair-wise velocity difference shows no signal, as the simulated halos are dominated by ＂dynamically old＂ phase-mixed streams. Our findings imply that the sparse sampling and the sample sizes in SDSS DR6 are still insufficient to use the position-velocity sub-structure for a stringent quantitative data-model comparison. Therefore, alternate statistics must be explored and much more densely sampled surveys, dedicated to the structure of the Milky Way, such as LAMOST, are needed.

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 2×107to 10×107K and typical density of 102gm 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.

The metallicity of K giant stars along the Sagittarius streams

The Large Sky-Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope （LAMOST） Data Release 3 provided 341 691 K giant stars with stellar parameters. Based on the models of Law ＆ Majewski, we identified 252 K giant stars in the leading stream associated with the Sagittarius （Sgr） dwarf galaxy. We obtained 132 K giant stars belonging to the trailing arm of Sgr using the model of Belokurov et al. We studied the metallicity distribution of member stars along the streams and found a fiat gradient in the first wrap of the leading stream, -（0.88±0.3） × 10^-3 dex/（°） in the second wrap of the leading stream and -（1.2±0.3） × 10^-3 dex/（°） in the first wrap of the trailing stream. Moreover, we obtained a combined metallicity gradient with our sample and data from the literature. We also analyzed the properties of an overdensity, which is located in the leading stream of the Sgr.

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.

Optical/IR studies of Be stars in NGC 6834 with emphasis on two specific stars

We present optical and infrared photometric and spectroscopic studies of two Be stars in the 70-80-Myr-old open cluster NGC 6834. NGC 6834（1） has been reported as a binary from speckle interferometric studies whereas NGC 6834（2） may possibly be a γ Cas-like variable. Infrared photometry and spectroscopy from the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope （UKIRT）, and optical data from various facilities are combined with archival data to understand the nature of these candidates. High signal-to-noise near-IR spectra obtained from UKIRT have enabled us to study the optical depth effects in the hydrogen emission lines of these stars. We have explored the spectral classification scheme based on the intensity of emission lines in the H and K bands and contrasted it with the conventional classification based on the intensity of hydrogen and helium absorption lines. This work also presents hitherto unavailable UBV CCD photometry of NGC 6834, from which the evolutionary state of the Be stars is identified.