Messenger No. 43 (March 1986)

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1-5 (PDF)
G. Lund, J. Surdej
OPTOPUS observations of Halley's comet

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43....1L
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Lund, G.; Surdej, J.
AA(European Southern Observatory, Garching, West Germany), AB(Liege, Universite, Cointe-Ougree, Belgium)
Abstract:
The multiobject spectrograph OPTOPUS, for use at the 3.6-m ESO telescope with the CCD detector, is described, and preliminary results of spectra obtained in December 1985 of selected regions in the coma of Halley's comet are presented. The instrument's 54 separately cabled optical fibers, whose input ends are located in the focal plane by connectors plugged into drilled starplates, enable light to be guided from freely distributed points in a 33 arcmin zone of the Cassegrain focal plane, to a common slit. The spectra show the presence of a very faint continuum, due to the scattering of solar line photons in the inner region of the coma, on which is superimposed the bright emission bands of molecules such as CN, C2, C3, and NH2. The spectra also indicate that the brightness decrease of molecular bands as a function of the projected radial distance is not the same for different molecules.
3-3 (PDF)
ESO
Tentative Time-table of Council Sessions and Committee Meetings in 1986

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43....3.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Tentative Time-table of Council Sessions and Committee Meetings in 1986
5-6 (PDF)
R. M. West
Observations at La Silla of comet Halley after perihelion.

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43....5W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
West, R. M.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Comet Halley passed through its perihelion on 9 February. At that moment it was only 8 degrees from the sun and it could therefore not be observed with optical telescopes. However, radio and infrared observations, which started in late 1985, continued to be made during daytime. The first observations of the comet after perihelion were performed at La Silla on 15 February in the bright morning sky, when Halley still was only 15 degrees from the sun. Here, ESO astronomer R. M. West and Belgian visiting astronomer H. Oebehogne photographed the object with the 40-cm GPO double astrograph, just after it rose above the eastern horizon. A 30-second exposure on a red-sensitive plate, when the comet was only 15 arcminutes above the Cordillera, enabled the astronomers to measure the accurate position. The data were immediately telexed to the spacecraft control centres in Oarmstadt, Tokyo, Moscow and Pasadena as weil as to the lAU Telegram Bureau in Cambridge, Mass., USA. The ESO observation proved that Halley was very near the orbit which had been predicted on the basis of preperihel ion measurements. It was good news for the spacecraft navigators that Halley had behaved normally while "behind" the sun. As we witnessed in early March, all five spacecraft en route to Halley indeed managed to pass the comet nucleus within the prescribed distances.
6-6 (PDF)
ESO
Rapid Changes in Comet Halley's CO+ Tail

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43....6.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Regular observations of Comet Halley were undertaken at the European Southern Observatory at La Silla from mid-February 1986. However, since the comet was seen in a moon-Iit sky in the period 23 February - 8 March, special measures had to be taken to suppress the adverse influence of the bright background. Therefore, observations with the Wide-Field CCD Camera were made through narrow optical filters centred at wavelengths near the spectral emissions of the major constituents in the gaseous tail(s). The picture shows two such exposures made on 3 and 4 March through a 7 nm wide filter near 426 nm in violet light which record emission from carbon monoxide ions (CO+). In order to show the full extent of the tail, each picture consists of two 40-minute exposures. Pixels are indicated along the edges; each pixel measures 31 arcseconds. The distance from the comet to the sun was 114 million kilometres and the comet was 182 million kilometres from the earth. The length of the eo+ tail is more than 15 degrees or 50 million kilometres.
7-10 (PDF)
E. de Geus, J. Lub et al.
VBLUW photometry of OB associations - SPECTER at La Silla

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43....7D
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
de Geus, E.; Lub, J.; de Zeeuw, T.
AA(Leiden, Rijksuniversiteit, Sterrewacht, Netherlands), AB(Leiden, Rijksuniversiteit, Sterrewacht, Netherlands), AC(Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, USA)
Abstract:
Results of VBLUW photometry of the OB association Sco OB2, obtained with the 91-cm Walraven photometer at the 91-cm Dutch ESO telescope by the Leiden Observatory consortium called SPECTER, are presented. Age determinations are made for the three main subgroups of Sco OB2. The nuclear age is found to be equal to the kinematic age, implying that the moment the stars arrived on the Main Sequence is close to the time that the stars became gravitationally unbound.
References:
Bertiau, F.C., 1958. AP.J. 128,533.
Blaauw, A., 1946. "A Study 01 the Seorpio
Centaurus Cluster" Thesis University 01
Groningen.
Blaauw, A., 1964. Ann. Rev. of Astron. Astrophys.
2, 213.
Blaauw, A., 1978. In "Problems 01 Physies
and Evolution 01 the Universe". Ed. Mirzoyan,
L., Yerevan, USSR, p. 101.
Blitz, L. 1981. In "Giant Moleeular Clouds in
the Galaxy". Eds. Solomon, P. M., Edmunds,
M. G., p. 1.
Collins, G.W., and Sonneborn, G.H., 1977.
Ap. J. Suppl. 34, 41.
Oe Zeeuw, P. T., and Brand, J., 1985. In "Birth
and Evolution 01 Massive Stars and Stellar
Groups". Eds. Boland, W., van Woerden,
H., p. 95.
Doom, C., de Greve, J. P., and de Loore, C.,
1985.Ap.J. 290, 185.
Elmegreen, B.G., and Lada, C.J., 1977.
Ap. J. 214, 725.
Lub, J., 1979. The Messenger No. 19, p. 1.
Maeder, A., 1981. Astron. Astrophys. 93, 136;
99, 97; 102, 401
10-12 (PDF)
ESO
Visiting Astronomers (April 1-October 1, 1986)

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...10.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
11-11 (PDF)
ESO
Announcement of ESA/ESO/ASSA Workshop on 'Interrelation of Ground Based and Space Astronomy'

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...11.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
12-15 (PDF)
M. Azzopardi, B. Dumoulin et al.
Identification of new carbon star candidates in SMC globular cluster NGC 419

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...12A
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Azzopardi, M.; Dumoulin, B.; Quebatte, J.; Rebeirot, E.
AA(European Southern Observatory, Garching, West Germany), AB(European Southern Observatory, Garching, West Germany), AC(European Southern Observatory, Garching, West Germany), AD(Marseille, Observatoire, France)
Abstract:
A new photographic masking technique, to reduce the density range of a deep original plate while keeping the fine detail of the image, is applied to a grism survey of the close surroundings of NGC 419, and the efficiency of the grism technique for surveying the carbon stars both in the field and in the globular cluster cores of the Magellanic Clouds is demonstrated. The survey has resulted in the detection of the eight C stars previously known from spectroscopic observations, in the confirmation of two of the three objects classified as C stars by JHK photometry, and in the identification of three new C star candidates, within one arcmin of NGC 419. Observations with the Boller and Chivens spectrograph attached to the 3.6-m ESO telescope obtained with a spectral resolution of 8 A FWHM in the 4500-7000 wavelength range confirm as C stars the candidates AR 1 and No. 25.
References:
Aaronson, M., Mould, J.: 1982, Astrophys. J.
Suppl. 48, 161.
Aaronson, M., Mould, J.: 1985, Astrophys. J.
288,551.
Arp, H.C.: 1958a, Astrophys. J. 63,273.
Arp, H.C.: 1958b, Astrophys. J. 63,487.
Azzopardi, M., Westerlund, B. E.: 1984, The
Messenger 36, 12.
Bessel, M.S., Wood, P.R., L10yd Evans, T.:
1983, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron. Soc.
202,59.
Blanco, V.M., McCarthy, M.F.: 1983, Astron.
J. 88, 1442.
Blanco, V.M., McCarthy, M.F., Blanco, B.M.:
1980, Astrophys. J. 242, 938.
Blanco, V.M., Richer, H.B.: 1979, Pub. Astron.
Soc. Pacific 91, 659.
Durand, D., Hardy, E., Melnick, J.: 1984, Astrophys.
J. 283, 552.
Feast, M. W., Lioyd Evans, T.: 1973, Monthly
Notices Roy. Astron. Soc. 164, 15 P.
Lioyd Evans, T.: 1980, Monthly Notices Roy.
Asuon. Soc. 193,87.
Lioyd Evans, T.: 1980, Monthly Notices Roy.
Asuon. Soc. 193,97.
Malin, D.F.: 1977, Amer. Astron. Soc. Photo
Bull. 16,10.
Mould, J., Aaronson, M.: 1982, Astrophys. J.
263,629.
Walker, M. F.: 1972, Monthly Notices Roy.
Astron. Soc. 159, 379.
Westerlund, B. E., Azzopardi, M., Breysacher,
J.: 1985, ESO Scientific Preprint No. 406,
and 1986, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. (in
press).
15-16 (PDF)
M. Aurière
First images of globular clusters using a GEC CCD with UV sensitive coating.

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...15A
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Aurière, M.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Two "blue coated GEC CCOs" were recently made available for visiting astronomers at La Silla (The Messenger No. 41 and No. 42). We used the ESO CCO No. 7 to obtain UBV images of central regions of globular clusters at the Cassegrain focus of the 2.2-m La Silla telescope. The scientific aim was primarily to monitor the error box of the NGC 1851 X-ray source in quasi simultaneous observations with EXOSAT. This programme was carried out in collaboration with L. Koch-Miramond and J. M. Bonnet-Bidaud (C. E. N. Saclay) and J. P. Cordoni (Montpellier). The X-ray source associated with NGC 1851 is located just outside the core of the cluster (12 arcseconds north of the centre). Following our identification of the optical counterpart of the northern M15 X-ray source (1984, Astron. Astrophys. 138, 415; 1985, ESO preprint No. 400; lAU circular No. 4101 and No. 4146: AC211) we could expect to succeed again with one the most favourable targets of the southern hemisphere.
16-23 (PDF)
G. Meylan, G. Burki
RR Lyrae, Delta Scuti, SX Phoenicis stars and the Baade-Wesselink method

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...16M
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Meylan, G.; Burki, G.
AA(Geneva, Observatory, Sauverny, Switzerland), AB(Geneva, Observatory, Sauverny, Switzerland)
Abstract:
Observational data obtained from the Geneva multicolor photometric system of the La Silla Observatory, and from the CORAVEL velocimetric spectrophotometer of the Haute-Provence Observatory, are used to determine the mean radius and absolute magnitude of two RR Lyrae, one Delta Scuti, and one SX Phoenicis stars by the Baade-Wesselink (B-W) method. Following a discussion of RR Lyrae star classification, the B-W method is considered, and three different variations of the method which solve the problem of the effective temperature determination differently are applied to the observations. Differences in absolute magnitude determinations based on the B-W method and based on globular cluster analysis are discussed, and it is shown that application of the B-W method is successful if the small interval in phase around the minimum radius is excluded.
20-21 (PDF)
ESO
List of ESO Preprints (December 1985-February 1986)

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43Q..20.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
407. H. Quintana, R. E. de Souza and L. Arakaki: Morphological Subclustering and Mass Segregation in Galaxy Clusters. Astronomy and Astrophysics. December 1985.
20-20 (PDF)
ESO
ESO/SRC Atlas of the Southern Sky

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43R..20.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
21-21 (PDF)
ESO
Staff Movements

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...21.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
23-25 (PDF)
S. Ortolani
Performance tests of DAOPHOT/INVENTORY photometry programmes in densestellar fields.

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...23O
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Ortolani, S.
AA(Asiago Astrophysical Observatory, Italy)
Abstract:
A comparative test of DAOPHOT and INVENTORY reduction programmes was performed at ESO Garching computer centre, in November 1985, on six frames of globular cluster fields obtained at the Danish 1.5-m telescope with the RCA CCD # 1. The scale is 0."47 per pixel and the seing was almost constant around 1."1 -1."3.
23-23 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Information and Photographic Service

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...23.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
25-26 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Book in Preparation

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...25.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
26-26 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Press Releases

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...26.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The following six Press Releases have been published since the last issue of the Messenger. They were sent to about 300 addresses in the ESO member eountries and beyond. Due to practical reasons, the distribution is limited, but members of the press are welcome to apply for inclusion to the ESO Information and Photographic Service.
26-26 (PDF)
K. K.
ESO Exhibition on Halley's Comet at Reuschel Bank in Munich

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...26K
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
K., K.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
An exhibition on Halley's comet has been organized by ESO photographer Claus Madsen in the premises of the Reuschel Bank in Munich. The exhibition mainly consists of posters illustrating the history of this most famous of all comets. They tell about ancient observations of the comet, of the fears it aroused in the past when people thought that comets were bad omens announcing wars and destruction. The main part, however, is devoted to recent observations of Comet Halley made at ESO and elsewhere. In addition, models of ESO's 3.6-m telescope, the 3.5-m New Technology Telescope - now under construction - and the Very Large Telescope - a 16-m equivalent telescope planned for the nineties - are displayed.
27-29 (PDF)
H. Dekker, B. Delabre et al.
A new camera and a CCD detector for the Coudé Echelle Spectrograph.

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...27D
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Dekker, H.; Delabre, B.; D'Odorico, S.; Lindgren, H.; Maaswinkel, F.; Reiss, R.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(ESO) AD(ESO) AE(ESO) AF(ESO)
Abstract:
The concept of a new, faster camera for the CES originated in 1981, when it was pointed out that because of the narrow wavelength band covered at one time by the CES, the required correction for chromatic dispersion would be rather small. A dioptrie design was worked out at ESO and the optics were manufactured by Carl Zeiss, FRG. F. Maaswinkel tested the optical quality in Garehing and installed the camera at La Silla in November 1985. At the same time a new CCO Camera was installed at the CES. It mounts a double density RCA CCO (ESO CCO * 8, 640 x 1,024 pixels, 15 ~lm square). The characteristics of the camera, of the CCO and the first astronomical results are discussed below. At comparable resolution, a gain of at least 2 magnitudes is achieved with respect to the Long Camera with the reticon detector.
References:
1. D. Enard, ESO Technical Report No. 10.
2. J.C. Blades, 1979, M.N.R.A.S., 190,33.
3. N. R. Walborn, 1980, Ap. J. 235, L 101.
27-27 (PDF)
ESO
A New Echelle Grating...for EFOSC!

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...27.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
As this issue of the Messenger goes to press, we start analysing the results of some successful test observations with a new transmission echelle mounted on EFOSC. In combination with two different cross-dispersers it provides echelle spectra in two standard formats: the first covering the spectral region from 3700 to 7400 A, the second from 5400 to 10000 A.
30-30 (PDF)
S. Balon, G. Lund et al.
The ESO VAX Computer's Largest Peripheral..-a Two-Ton Milling Machine

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...30B
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Balon, S.; Lund, G.; Chittim, D.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(ESO (Benney Electronics))
Abstract:
The Garching workshop has now for some time been equipped with a "CNC" (programmable) precision milling machine, which has proven extremely useful not only for routine machining work, but also for the rather monotonous and extremely time-consuming task of preparing starplates for OPTOPUS observation runs (see also the Messenger No. 31 p. 13 [1983]). In the preparation of a single observation run, a total of some 1,500 precision-reamed holes must be machined, each requiring 9 different drilling operations and something like 24,000 lines of machine instructions.
30-31 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Processing Group: MIDAS MEMO

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...30.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The FITS encode and decode routines in MIDAS have been upgraded to include full support of the Table Extensions (R. Harten et al. 1985, Mem.S.A./t. 56, p. 436). All descriptor information associated with MIDAS files is now encoded in the FITS header as HISTORY cards. Further, the original file names of MIDAS data frames are saved so that they can be maintained when restored from tape into MIDAS.
31-34 (PDF)
D. Ponz, E. Brinks
On the MIDAS reduction package for CASPEC spectra.

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43...31P
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Ponz, D.; Brinks, E.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO)
Abstract:
The echelle package inside MIDAS has been used for the reduction of CASPEC spectra for more than one year, over 500 scientific frames have been reduced, and many astronomical results have already been published. The reduction scheme has evolved during this time, due mainly to the invaluable user feedback. Aigorithms have been improved and the operation optimized so that the required user interaction is reduced to aminimum.
References:
(1) D'Odorico, S., Ponz, D., 1984 The
Messenger, 37,24.
(2) Finkenzeller, U., Basri, G., 1986, The
Messenger, 42, 20.
(3) Stone, R.P.S., 1977, Astrophys. J., 218,
767.
(4) Ahmad, I.A., 1981, NASA IUE Newsletter,
14,129.
(5) Barker, P.K., 1984, Astron. J., 89, 899.
35-36 (PDF)
ESO
Algunos Resumenes

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43R..35.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Rapidos cambios en la cola de CO+ del Cometa Halley
35-35 (PDF)
ESO
Press Conference

ADS BibCode:
1986Msngr..43Q..35.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
Press Conference