Messenger No. 18 (September 1979)

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1-3 (PDF)
E. L. van Dessel
Radial velocities of visual binaries

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18....1V
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
van Dessel, E. L.
AA(Observatoire Royale de Belgique, Brussels, Belgium)
Abstract:
In addition to the initial chemical composition, the mass of a star is a fundamental parameter; it determines the life of the star from its birth, through its long or short period of luminous glory and to its inevitable end as a compact object. And yet, few stars have actually had their mass accurately measured. The programme that has recently been undertaken by Dr. Edwin van DesseI of the Royal Observatory in Brussels, Belgium, is therefore of particular importance. By obtaining precise measurements of radial velocities of stars in double or multiple systems, Dr. van DesseI expects soon to add new, welldetermined stellar masses to the present, all to short list.
4-7 (PDF)
C. Moellenhoff
H II regions in NGC 5128

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18....4M
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Moellenhoff, C.
AA(Koenigstuhl, Landessternwarte, Heidelberg, West Germany)
Abstract:
Among the many mysteries which nature has graciously presented to us in the southern hemisphere, the giant galaxy NGC 5128 is one of the greatest. It is a prodigious emitter of X-rays and radio waves and the origin of all this energy appears to be the nuclear region. In order to better understand this galaxy and the reason(s) for its peculiarity, many studies have recently been undertaken. One of these deals with the regions of ionized hydrogen, and the investigator, Dr. Claus Möllenhoff from Landessternwarte HeidelbergKönigstuhl, Fed. Rep. of Germany, here presents some of the most recent results.
8-9 (PDF)
A. A. E. Wallenquist
Dark Matter in Southern Open Clusters

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18....8W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Wallenquist, A. A. E.
AA(Uppsala Observatory, Sweden)
Abstract:
Is there dark matterin open star clusters? How is it distributed in the cluster? Is this distribution dependent upon the age of the cluster? These are all-important questions, but they are difficult to answer. On the basis of extensive star counts near southern open clusters, Professor Ake Wallenquist of the Uppsala Observatory, Sweden, has found a possible age effect. The result is not fully conclusive, but it opens very interesting perspectives in cluster research.
9-11 (PDF)
H. G. Walter, R. M. West
Astrometry of the Optical Images of Some Southern Radio Sources

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18....9W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Walter, H. G.; West, R. M.
AA(Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Heidelberg) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
Radio interferometry has enriched positianal astronomy with extremelyaccurate celestial coordinates of extragalactic sources. As these objects are ideal points for an inertial reference frame, the problem of measuring the positions of optical counterparts with high accuracy is of central importance. Drs. H. G. Walter, Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Heidelberg, Fed. Rep. of Germany, and R. M. West, ESO, recent/y measured 41 objects in the southern sky with the ESO S-3000 measuring machine. Several new identifications and improved optical positions resulted from this undertaking.
11-11 (PDF)
H. E. Schuster, O. Pizarro et al.
Minor Planet Discovered by ESO Night-Assistants

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...11S
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Schuster, H. E.; Pizarro, O.; Pizarro, G.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
During arecent visit to Europe by the astronomer-in-charge, H.-E. Schuster, the smooth running of the ESO Schmidt telescope was assured by night assistants Oscar and Guido Pizarro. Checking through a night's plates they came upon a comparatively bright planet trail. They marked the trail and were able to find trails ofthe same planet on further plates that were taken for the same programme the foliowing nights.
12-14 (PDF)
D. Alloin, G. Tenorio-Tagle
Observational tests for H II region models - A 'champagne party'

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...12A
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Alloin, D.; Tenorio-Tagle, G.
AA(European Southern Observatory, Geneva, Switzerland), AB(European Southern Observatory, Geneva, Switzerland)
Abstract:
The theoretical model outlined in this article being referred to as the "champagne" model (rather than the "coca-cola ", the "ginger-ale ", etc.) is not just a question of country of origin or even style: what happens when one or more stars in a molecular cloud start to ionize the gas is not too different from what you would experience if you-with a singular lack of common sense and respect-would place your "Dom Perignon" in an oven. ors. oanielle-Marie Alloin and Guillermo Tenorio- Tagle of the ESO Scientific Group in Geneva have just observed an H 11 region at the edge of a molecular cloud with the 3.6 m telescop'e. Here are some preliminary results and further details about the sparkling theory.
References:
Bedijn, P., Tenorio-Tagle, G., 1979, Astron. Astrophys. submitted.
; Bodenheimer, P., Tenorio-Tagle, G. Yorke, H. W., 1979, Astrophys. J. (in press).
; Cullum, M., Fosbury, R., 1979, ESO Internal Report.
; Neckei, T., 1978, Astron. Astrophys. 69, 51.
; Peimbert, M., Review talk, 1979, A. A. S. Mexico.
; Spitzer, L., Jr., 1968, Diffuse Matter in Space. Ed. John Wiley and Sons Inc.
; Tenorio-Tagle, G., 1979, Astron. Astrophys. 71, 59.
14-14 (PDF)
R. West
The Supernova that Was'nt - 268 Adorea

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...14W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
West, R.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The ESO 1 m Schmidt telescope is a major supplier of observational material to many European astronomers. The plates are taken by the ESO observers on La Silla, sent by diplomatie bag to the Sky Atlas Laboratory in Geneva, registered and checked and then forwarded to the astronomer who asked for the plates to be taken.
14-14 (PDF)
M. J. Cullum
Eso/src Conference on Applications of CAMAC to Astronomy

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...14C
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Cullum, M. J.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The Proceedings of this conference, held in Geneva in September 1978, are now available. Copies can be obtained, free of charge, from:
15-15 (PDF)
A. Danks, G. Schnur et al.
17TH IAU General-Assembly - Montreal

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...15D
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Danks, A.; Schnur, G.; Lindblad, P. O.; Ulrich, M. H.; Pedersen, H.; Pakull, M.; Woltjer, L.; West, R.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(ESO) AD(ESO) AE(ESO) AF(ESO) AG(ESO) AH(ESO)
Abstract:
The triennial general assembly of the International Astronomical Union took place in Montreal, Canada, from August 13 to 23. More than 2,000 astronomers and specialists from more than 40 countries were present and about 770 new members were admitted to the Union, bringing the membership to about 4,600. One new country, Indonesia, joined the IAU.
15-15 (PDF)
ESO
A Strange Galaxy - 215-G?14

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18Q..15.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
More than 10,000 new galaxies have been discovered on the ESO (B) Atlas of the Southern Sky and catalogued in the ESO/Uppsala lists that are regularly published in Astronomy and Astrophysics Suppl. Series. Many of these objects are highly peculiar.
15-15 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Users Manual Now Available!

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18R..15.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
ESO is pleased to announce the availability of the ESO Users Manual. It has recently been distributed to astronomical institutes and contains all the necessary information to enable visiting astronomers to apply for observing time. If your institute has not received a copy, please contact the Visiting Astronomers Section Garehing. The manual will be updated periodically, and any errors that should be corrected or information you would like included should be communicated to the editor, Anthony Danks.
15-15 (PDF)
ESO
Roque de los Muchachos Observatory.

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18S..15.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
After six years of site-testing and another four of diplomatie activity, an agreement has been reached between Spain, the United Kingdom, Denmark and Sweden about the construction of an international observatory on the island of La Palma in the Canary group. The observatory will be placed on the rim of an extinct volcanic crater, 2,400 m above sea level. It is expected that long speils of exceptional weather will be available here.
16-16 (PDF)
R. Albrecht
Image Processing - the Software Gap

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...16A
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Albrecht, R.
AA(Vienna Observatory)
Abstract:
An enormous amount of work has been invested in astronomical computer programmes. Or. Rudy Albrecht of the Vienna Observatory explains how much time and effort has unfortunately been wasted because of duplication and lack of documentation. The situation may change, however, with the publication of the "Circular of the lAU Working Group on Computer Processing ofAstronomical Oata" which attempts to coordinate astronomical programme writing.
17-19 (PDF)
R. Courtin, N. Coron et al.
Millimetric Photometry of Planets on La-Silla

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...17C
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Courtin, R.; Coron, N.; Gispert, R.; Lamarre, J. M.; Leblanc, J.; Haro, J.
AA(ESO La Silla observatory) AB(ESO La Silla observatory) AC(ESO La Silla observatory) AD(ESO La Silla observatory) AE(ESO La Silla observatory) AF(ESO La Silla observatory)
Abstract:
Most people think ot the ESO La Silla observatory as a place that is exclusively dedicated to optical (and intrared) observations. Now, however, what can perhaps best be termed as very short wavelength radio observations have been carried out at the 3.6 m telescope by a group ot French specialists, headed by Dr. Regis Courtin and based at the CNRS Laboratoire de Physique Stellaire et PIanetaire (LPSP), Verrieres-Ie-Buisson in France. Although the weather was somewhat uncooperative, good observations were obtained in tour wavebands (0.7-4.0 mm) ot Venus, Jupiter and Saturn. This is their preliminary report.
19-21 (PDF)
K. Metz, G. Poellitsch
Simultaneous spectroscopic and polarimetric observations of Be stars

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...19M
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Metz, K.; Poellitsch, G.
AA(Muenchen, Universitaet, Munich, West Germany), AB(Muenchen, Universitaet, Munich, West Germany)
Abstract:
Some of the most enigmatic objects in our galaxy are the Be stars. They displaya remarkable variety of features, ranging from variable emission lines to high degrees of polarization. How do they look like? Ors. Klaus Metz and Gerd Pöllitsch from the München Institute for Astronomy and Astrophysics visited La Silla in 1977 and this year and observed southern Be stars. They do not provide the final answer to the problem, but they here report interesting new results.
21-22 (PDF)
R. M. West
Identification of minor planets.

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...21W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
West, R. M.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
All over the world, every night, photographical plates are exposed with astronomicaltelescopes. And astronomical photography has become a great hit among amateurs who, for comparatively little money, can buy rather large, high-quality instruments.
24-27 (PDF)
J. Ebersberger, G. Weigelt
Speckle interferometry and speckle holography with the 1.5 M and 3.6 M ESO telescopes

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...24E
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Ebersberger, J.; Weigelt, G.
AA(Erlangen-Nuernberg, Universitaet, Erlangen, West Germany) AB(Erlangen-Nuernberg, Universitaet, Erlangen, West Germany)
Abstract:
That great arch-enemy of all observing astronomers, the seeing, can be pacified with a method called speckle interferometry. For some years it has provided us with "real" pictures of close binary systems and even of the surfaces of some stars, e. g. the well-publicized image of BeteIgeuze. So far, however, the speckle techniquewhich is based on very short exposures and very long focallengths-has been limited to comparatively bright objects. Drs. Johannes Ebersberger and Gerd Weigelt, from the Physics Institute of the Erlangen-Nürnberg University, Fed. Rep. of Germany, review recent speckle work at La Silla. It will be good news to many that they are reasonably confident that objects of magnitude 16 or even fainter may soon be within reach of speckle interferometry!
27-29 (PDF)
H. Debehogne
Photometric Observations of Minor Planets at ESO - 1976-1979

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...27D
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Debehogne, H.
AA(Royal Observatory, Brussels, Belgium)
Abstract:
The study of the light variation of minor planets allows an estimate of their form and rotation (direction ofaxis and period). If it is furthermore possible to obtain a measure of their apparent magnitude over as long a time interval as possible, then the knowledge of the albedo and orbit gives the absolute magnitude and dimension. A table exists that connects the diameter and the magnitude/albedo; it has been compiled by the method of least squares applied to asteroids for which the diameters have been determined by other methods.
29-30 (PDF)
M. Spite, F. Spite
Spectra of the Variable Star Ry-Sagittarius Near Minimum Light

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...29S
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Spite, M.; Spite, F.
AA(Paris Observatory, Meudon) AB(Paris Observatory, Meudon)
Abstract:
Very interesting spectral observations were obtained by Drs. Monique and Fran90is Spite (Paris Observatory, Meudon) of the southern variable star RY Sgr, near aminimum. The observations were carried out with the Lallemand-Duchesne electronographic camera at the ESO 1.52 m telescope, and for the first time the O-O Swan band was detected in a R CrB star.
References:
Alexander, J. B., Andrews, P. J., Catehpole, R. M., Feast, M. W., Lloyd Evans, T., Menzies, J. W., Wisse, P. N. J., Wisse, M.: 1972, Month. Not. Roy. Astron. Soe. 158,305.
; Baranne, A., Duehesne, M.: 1976, in Sixth Symposium on Photoeleetronie Image Deviee, Adv. Eleetronies Eleetron. Phys., 40B, 641,
; Morgan, B. L., Ariey, R. W., Me Clure, D., Eds. Payne-Gaposehkin, C.: 1963, Astrophys. J. 138,320.
; Wheeler, J. C.: 1978, Astrophys. J. 225, 212.
30-30 (PDF)
R. M. West
ESO Planets Named - 2145 Blaauw = 1976UF - 2146 Stentor = 1976UQ

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...30W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
West, R. M.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
A number 01 new minor planets have been diseovered with the ESO Sehmidt teleseope on La Silla. Some 01 these were named in arecent issue of "Minor Planet Circulars" from the Minor Planet Bureau of the International Astronomieal Union.
30-30 (PDF)
P. O. Lindblad
The ESO Workshop - Methods of Abundance Determination for Stars

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...30L
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Lindblad, P. O.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
will take plaee in Geneva 25-27 March, 1980. Partieipation is by invitation only, but those interested in more information should eontaet Prof. P. O. Lindblad, ESO e/o CERN, 1211 Geneva 23, Switzerland.
31-33 (PDF)
W. Wamsteker
The X-ray bursters

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...31W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Wamsteker, W.
AA(European Southern Observatory, La Silla, Chile)
Abstract:
Astronomical observations from satellites, rockets, balloons and aircraft have given us a completely new image of the universe and its strange inhabitants. Not since the first telescopes were put together, almost 400 years ago, has there been such a burst of new discoveries. The astronomical "zoo" of peculiar objects is steadily growing and the "X-ray bursters" belong to one group of animals that poses fundamental problems. Or. Willem Wamsteker from ESO/Chile reviews this fascinating subject.
34-34 (PDF)
H. Pedersen
Optical Bursts from MXB1636-53

ADS BibCode:
1979Msngr..18...34P
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Pedersen, H.
AA(ESO/Chile)
Abstract:
Dr. Holger Pedersen ot ESO/Chile recently was privileged to witness optical "bursts" trom an X-ray source. With only a very limited number ot such observations ever made, he conveys in this note a very important aspect ot observational astronomy: the immense joy ot making discoveries!