Messenger No. 12 (March 1978)

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1-1 (PDF)
ESO
La Silla Anno 19xx?

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....1.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
2-3 (PDF)
ESO
Forthcoming ESO Workshops

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12Q...2.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Two ESO workshops have been planned du ring 1978 on the subjects of astronomical photography and infrared astronomy. As in the case of earlier ESO workshops, attendance is limited and by invitation only.
2-2 (PDF)
ESO
Proceedings of Conference Optical Telescopes of the Future

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12R...2.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Proceedings of Conference Optical Telescopes of the Future
2-2 (PDF)
R.N. Wilson
ESO Conference on Optical Telescopes of the Future

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12S...2.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Wilson, R.N.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
This conference took place in Geneva between 12 and 15 December 1977. The time seemed ripe for a conference on this subject, for many ideas are in the air and certain projects in the United States which deviate markedly from the conventional telescope are al ready completed or in active study.
3-4 (PDF)
S. van Agt
The Sculptor dwarf spheroidal galaxy.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....3V
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
van Agt, S.
AA(Astronomical Institute of the Nijmegen University, the Netherlands)
Abstract:
The first visiting astronomer to use the 3.6 m telescope in Gctober 1977 was Dr. Steven van Agt from the Astronomical Institute of the Nijmegen University, the Netherlands. At that time the object for his study, the Sculptor dwarf galaxy, passed close to the zenith of La Silla at midnight. He obtained prime-focus photographie plates for the study of variable stars in this nearby galaxy. A very large reduction work is connected with this kind of astronomical research, and it is therefore not yet possible to give detailed results, but Dr. van Agt here discusses the reasons for investigating the Sculptor dwarf galaxy.
3-3 (PDF)
ESO
The ESO Council

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....3.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
5-6 (PDF)
J. Bergeron
Quasars and BL Lac objects as active nuclei of giant galaxies.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....5B
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Bergeron, J.
AA(ESO Scientific Group in Geneva)
Abstract:
Are we beginning to understand the nature of the quasars and the equally mysterious BL Lacertae objects? Are they nothing but extraordinarily bright galaxy nuclei? Dr. Jacqueline Bergeron, now with the ESO Scientific Group in Geneva, summarizes the most recent findings in this exciting field.
6-6 (PDF)
ESO
Chiron: a new planet in the solar system.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....6.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Last October, Charles T. Kowal of the Haie Observatories in Pasadena, California, found a new planet in the solar system. Comparing two plates from the 48-inch Palomar Schmidt telescope in a blink microscope, he noticed a small trail of a moving 18th-magnitude object. From these plates and others wh ich were obtained on the following nights, it soon became obvious that the new planet had an exceptionally slow motion. At opposition the motion of a planet is inversely proportional to the distance and a first estimate put 1977 UB (as it was designated) at about the distance of Uranus, almost 3,000 million kilometres away.
7-9 (PDF)
E. H. Geyer
Morphological studies of the Large Magellanic Cloud on ESO Schmidt plates.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....7G
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Geyer, E. H.
AA(Observatorium Hoher List, Fed. Rep. of Germany)
Abstract:
This article, by Dr. Edward H. Geyer of Observatorium Hoher List, Fed. Rep. of Germany, touches upon a somewhat controversial subject in contemporary astronomy. The structure of the Large Magellanic Cloud is the focus of much research with southern telescopes. Originally classified "irregular", it now appears that it may be possible to break down the LMC into two components, a central ellipsoidal and a somewhat offset spiral structure. Dr. Geyer discusses the problems of identifying the various stellar components (the populations) in the LMC, by means of Schmidt plates from La Silla.
9-9 (PDF)
ESO
New Publications from ESO

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12....9.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Most seientifie papers by ESO statt astronomers and visiting seientists to the ESO Seientifie Group in Geneva are now available as preprints before publieation in the journals. The "European Southern Observatory Seientifie Preprints" are sent at regular intervals to all major observatories. Individual eopies may be obtained by writing to:
10-11 (PDF)
ESO
Dust in the Milky Way

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12...10.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Large clouds of dust shroud the light of distant stars in the plane of the Milky Way. The clouds can be perceived directly when theyare very dense (cf. the Messenger No. 10, page 5) but in most cases we only know they are there because the stars behind them are reddened. This is because they absorb much more blue than red light.
11-11 (PDF)
ESO
Personnel Movements

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12Q..11.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
11-11 (PDF)
ESO
Another Very Distant Comet Found at ESO

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12R..11.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
1977 turned out to be a record year for comet discoveries and recoveries. Not less than 20 comets were found and most of the letters of the alphabet had to be used (the latest was Comet Lovas 1977t).
12-13 (PDF)
K. Hunger
The helium variable HD 64740 - an X-ray binary?

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12...12H
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Hunger, K.
AA(director of the Kiel Institute)
Abstract:
Professor Kurt Hunger is a frequent user of the couda spectrograph at the 1.5 m telescope on La Silla. His work has mainly concentrated on highdispersion spectral investigations of stars with the aim of determining their physical parameters and chemical abundances. However, as is sometimes the case in fundamental research, unexpected discoveries may result from other (unrelated) programmes. The following article is a beautiful example of such an event. Professor Hunger recently lett the Technical University in Berlin to succeed Prof. A. Unsöld as director of the Kiel Institute.
13-16 (PDF)
J. Melnick
The N119 complex in the Large Magellanic Cloud.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12...13M
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Melnick, J.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
One of the most striking objects seen in blue photographs of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is a spiral-shaped H II region situated almost at the very centre of the so-called "bar" of the LMC. This H II region is generally referred to as N 119, since it is the one hundred and nineteenth entry in a catalogue of emission nebulae in the LMC prepared in 1956 by the American astronomer Karl Henize.
16-16 (PDF)
ESO
Comet Bradfield (1978c)

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12Q..16.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Comet Bradfield (1978c)
16-16 (PDF)
ESO
Visiting Astronomers - April 1-0etober 1, 1978

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12R..16.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Visiting Astronomers - April 1-0etober 1, 1978
17-18 (PDF)
A. C. Danks, P. A. Shaver
How stars are born.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12...17D
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Danks, A. C.; Shaver, P. A.
AA(ESO, Chile) AB(Kapteyn Astronomical Institute, University of Groningen, the Netherlands)
Abstract:
There is a vivid interest among astronomers in the early phases of star formation. In the last issue of the Messenger (No. 11, p. 14) a catalogue of stellar birth places was introduced. The present article discusses radio, infrared and optical observations of a particularly interesting object. The authors are Drs. Anthony C. Danks (ESO-Chile) and Peter A. Shaver (Kapteyn Astronomicallnstitute, University of Groningen, the Netherlands).
References:
Cochran, W.D., Dstriker, J.P., 1977, Ap. J. 211,392.
; Genzel, R., Downes, D., 1977, A&A. Suppl., 30, 145.
; Habing, H.J., Israel, F.P., de Jong, T., 1972, A&A 17,329.
; Kahn, F.D., 1974, A&A 37, 149.
; Mezger, P.G., Altenhoff, W., Schraml, J., Burke, B.F., Reifenstein, E.C., Wilson, T.L. 1967. Ap. J. 150, L157.
; Pipher, J.L., Sharpless, S., Savedoff, M.P., Krassner, J., Varlese, S., Soifer, B.T., Zeilik II, M. 1977 A&A 59, 215.
; Sibille, F., Bergeat, J., Lunel, M., Kandel, R. 1975. A&A 40,441.
18-19 (PDF)
R. Zurbuchen
A magic eye for astronomical spectrophotometry.

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12...18Z
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Zurbuchen, R.
AA(ESO enginee, Geneva group)
Abstract:
Times when astronomers forgot their numb fingers, whilst gazing through the eyeplece of a telescope and admiring celestial objects are definitely over. Today's astronomy and the use of its large optical telescopes require less subjective and much more powerful eyes. In many astronomical applications electronic detectors are more and more taking over from the photographic plate. One of them, planned to be used with the instruments of the ESO 3.6 metre telescope, is described here. The actual hardware and software system is presently being developed bya team of ESO's Instrument Development Group and will be the subject of a subsequent article.
19-19 (PDF)
ESO
Move to Munich Delayed

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12Q..19.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The Max Planck Society has informed ESO that there will be some delay in the construction of the ESO Headquarters Building in Garching. This is mainly due to new legal provisions in Germany imposing stricter regulations on the thermal insulation of buildings. As a consequence, it has been necessary to review the technical specilications of the ESO building.
19-19 (PDF)
ESO
Garden Party at ESO Guesthouse

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12R..19.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The Director-General invited the participants of the IAU meeting, held in Santiago from January 16 to 19, to a garden party in the ESO Guesthouse.
20-20 (PDF)
ESO
1978 CA

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12Q..20.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
A new minor planet of Apollo type was found by H.-E. Schuster on February 8, 1978. Observations continued through the full-moon period and it is now (24.2) known that it will pass within 18 million kilometres from the Earth in the early morning of March 8. The orbit is slightly larger than that of the Earth and the orbital period is 436 days. The discovery of an Apollo planet betore the closest encounter is a rare event.
20-20 (PDF)
ESO
Algunos Resumenes

ADS BibCode:
1978Msngr..12R..20.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Otro cometa muy distante tue descubierto en ESO; CHIRON: Un nuevo planeta en el sistema solar; Recepci6n en los jardines de la Casa de Huespedes de ESO