Messenger No. 51 (March 1988)

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1-3 (PDF)
H. van der Laan
Key Programmes on Las Silla: a Preliminary Enquiry

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....1V
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
van der Laan, H.
AA(Director General,ESO)
Abstract:
ESO's raison d'etre is the provision of telescope time, a shorthand expression for a comprehensive package of services of which hundreds of European astronomers avail themselves every year. The core of that package is the number of nights during which the visitIng astronomer has control of one of La Silla's dozen optical telescopes. We all know the procedure for obtaining those nights, the composition and submission of the proposal, the evaluation and grading by the OPC, the allocation by the DG. ESO has, in its eight member states, nearly two thousand potential users whose access to La Silla facilities depends on the (relative) scientific merit and the technical feasibility of their observing proposals. Obviously the very large ratio between number of competIng observers and number of telescopes means that telescope time is a very scarce commodity. If many of the interesting proposals are granted time, then a likely result is the fragmentation of telescope time to such an extent that most proposers receive some time most of the time.
2-2 (PDF)
ESO
Management Changes on La Silla

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....2.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
3-4 (PDF)
J. Breysacher
Some statistics about observing time distribution on ESO telescopes.

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....3B
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Breysacher, J.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
The aim of this note, which is to be regarded as an appendix to the article written by Professor van der Laan, is to give some statistical information about the observing time scheduled at ESO over the past four years. Only the five largest telescopes installed at La Silla will be considered here, namely the 3.6-m, 2.2-m, 1.5-m, 1.5-m Danish and 1.4-m CAT.
4-4 (PDF)
R. M. West
Wide-field Photography at the 3.6-m Telescope?

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....4W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
West, R. M.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
This note serves to gauge the interest of the astronomical community in widefield photography with the triplet facility at the 3.6-m telescope.
4-6 (PDF)
D. Enard
VLT News

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....4E
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Enard, D.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
After the approval of the project on December 8, the project management structure is progressively being set up
4-4 (PDF)
ESO
Opportunities at the ESO Schmidt Telescope

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....4.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
6-6 (PDF)
ESO
Summer School in Astrophysical Observations

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51R...6.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
6-7 (PDF)
ESO
List of ESO Preprints

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51Q...6.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
7-9 (PDF)
R. W. Hanuschik, G. Thimm et al.
SN 1987A: spectroscopy of a once-in-a-lifetime event.

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....7H
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Hanuschik, R. W.; Thimm, G.; Dachs, J.
AA(Astronomisches Institut, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, F. R. Germany) AB(Astronomisches Institut, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, F. R. Germany) AC(Astronomisches Institut, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, F. R. Germany)
7-7 (PDF)
ESO
From the Editors

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51R...7.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
When Supernova 1987A in the Large Magellanic Cloud was discovered by lan Shelton at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile on February 24, 1987, it immediately became apparent that this would turn out to be one of the most important astronomical events in this century. The timing of the supernova could not have been better - although the light from the site of the stellar collapse had to travel a distance of as much as 170,000 lightyears before reaching our planet Earth, it arrived precisely when state-of-the-art photoelectrical detectors had become available at modern telescopes situated at the best observing sites all over the world, together with highly sophisticated spaceborn instruments working in the X-ray and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Even elementary particle physicists were well-prepared (except for some problems with their clocks) to catch two dozens of the neutrinos emitted by the dying star thereby providing for the first time the precise date of the collapse. (Only gravitational wave astronomy has still to wait to be born: all potential detectors had been switched off or did not Work properly.)
7-7 (PDF)
ESO
Tentative Time-table of Council Sessions and Committee Meetings for First Half of 1988

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51Q...7.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
9-10 (PDF)
ESO
SN 1987A (continued)

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51....9.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
10-12 (PDF)
V. A. Ambartsumian
Some prospects of galactic and extragalactic studies.

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...10A
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Ambartsumian, V. A.
AA(Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory, U. S. S. R.)
Abstract:
The main purpose of the astronomical work is to obtain information about all kinds of bodies and systems existing in the Universe, about their past and future, and regularities of processes going on in them. Studies and the observational work with this purpose are developing in three main directions: the study of the Solar system and of its members (planets, comets, meteorites), the galactic research which studies our stellar system and its members (stars, nebulae, clusters of stars), and the extragalactic research.
12-15 (PDF)
H. Butcher
Galactic chronometry with the Coudé Echelle Scanner.

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...12B
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Butcher, H.
AA(Kapteyn Observatory, Roden, the Netherlands)
Abstract:
I have recently proposed that observations of the radioactive nucleus 232 Th in stars may be used to derive a new kind of galactic chronometer (Nature, vol. 328, pp. 127-131, 1987). The extraordinary performance of the Coude Echelle Spectrometer on La Silla has played a central role in making possible the difficult observations required. I congratulate the ESO staff on producing such an outstanding instrument.
15-18 (PDF)
J. K. Webb, H. C. Parnell et al.
High resolution CASPEC observations of the Z = 4.11 QSO 0000-26

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...15W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Webb, J. K.; Parnell, H. C.; Carswell, R. F.; McMahon, R. G.; Irwin, M. J.
AA(Leiden, Rijksuniversiteit, Sterrewacht, Netherlands; Royal Greenwich Observatory, Herstmonceux, England), AB(Cambridge University, England), AC(Cambridge University, England), AD(Cambridge University, England), AE(Cambridge University, England)
Abstract:
The QSO Q0000-26 was observed with CASPEC on the ESO 3.6-m telescope on August 30 and 31, 1987. Data reduction is discussed as well as the properties of the Ly-alpha forest lines, and metal line systems. By measuring the FWHM of lines in the arc spectrum, a spectral resolution of about 30 km/s was estimated. The following metal containing systems were discovered: z(abs) = 3.392 and z(abs) = 4.133.
References:
Atwood, B., Baldwin, J.A., and Carswell,
R. F., 1986, Astrophys. J, 292, 58.
Bajtlik, S., Ouncan, R C. and Ostriker, J. P.,
1988, preprint.
Carswell, R.F., Whelan, J.A.J., Smith, M.G.,
Boksenberg, A., Tytler, 0., 1982, Mon. Not.
R. Astr. Soc., 198,91.
Carswell, R. F., Morton, O. C., Smith, M. C.,
Stockton, A. N., Turnshek, O.A., and Weymann,
RJ., 1984, Astrophys. J, 278,486.
Carswell, R. F., Webb, J. K., Baldwin, J.A.,
and Atwood, B., 1987, Astrophys. J, 319,
709.
Hazard, C. and McMahon, R.G., 1985, Nature,
314, 238.
Hunstead, R. W., Pettini, M., Blades, J. C.,
and Murdoch, H.S., 1987, in lAU Symposium
124, Observational Cosmology,
ed. A. Hewitt, G. Burbidge and L. Z. Fang
(0. Reidel) p. 799.
Murdoch, H. S., Hunstead, R. W., Pettini, M.,
and Blades, J. C., 1986, Astrophys. J, 309,
19.
Peterson, B.A., 1978, in lAU Symposium 79,
The Large Scale Structure of the Universe,
ed. M. S. Longair and J. Einasto (0. Reidel),
p.389.
Tytler, 0., 1987, Astrophys. J, 321, 69.
Webb, J. K. and Larsen, I. P., 1988, to appear
in proceedings 01 the Third IAP Astrophysics
Meeting, High Redshift and Primeval
Galaxies. (Edition Frontieres)
Young, P.J., Sargent, W. L. W., Boksenberg,
A., Carswell, R F., Whelan, J.A. J., 1979,
Astrophys. J, 229, 891.
18-19 (PDF)
C. Waelkens
Remote observing: nine days in Garching.

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...18W
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Waelkens, C.
AA(Astronomical Institute, University of Leuven, Belgium)
Abstract:
As announced by G. Raffi in the Messenger No. 49 and confirmed by P. Francois in the Messenger No. 50, the CES spectrograph equipped with CCD (using the CAT telescope) can now be . operated by means of remote control from Garching. I had the chance to be the first visiting observer with these instruments in Garching, and was asked to write down my impressions for the readers of the Messenger
19-19 (PDF)
ESO
La Silla Snowstorm

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...19.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
20-20 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Exhibitions

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...20.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
22-23 (PDF)
ESO
Central Gum Nebula

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...22.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
24-25 (PDF)
T. Le Bertre
Monitoring OH/IR stars at the 1-m telescope

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...24L
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Le Bertre, T.
AA(European Southern Observatory, Garching, Federal Republic of Germany)
Abstract:
OH/IR star monitoring at the 1-m telescope is described with particular attention given to the following objects: OH/IR 285.05 + 0.07 and OH/IR 286.50 + 0.06. With a period of about 550 days, OH/IR 286.50 + 0.06 is believed to be an extreme member of the Mira class at the top of the asymptotic giant branch. It is found that the light curve of OH/IR 285.05 + 0.07 contains irregularities. Moreover, it exhibits a linear variation for about 500 days followed by a plateau lasting at least 250 days.
References:
(1) Jones, T. J.: 1987, in Late Stages of Stellar
Evolution, ed. S. Kwok and S. R. Pottasch,
D. Reidel Publishing Company, 3.
(2) Le Bertre, T.: 1986, The Messenger44, 6.
(3) Le Bertre, T.: 1987, Astron. Astrophys.
180,160.
(4) Epchtein, N., Nguyen-Q-Rieu: 1982, Astron.
Astrophys. 107,229.
(5) Le Bertre, T., Epchtein, N., Gispert, R.,
Nguyen-Q-Rieu, Truong-Bach: 1984, Astron.
Astrophys. 132, 75.
(6) Bowers, P.F., Kerr, F.J.: 1977, Astron.
Astrophys. 57, 115.
(7) Vardya, M.S.: 1987, Astron. Astrophys.
182, 75.
25-27 (PDF)
ESO
Visiting Astronomers

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...25.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
27-31 (PDF)
C. Arpigny, F. Dossin et al.
Pre- and post-perihelion spectrographic and photometric observations of Comet Wilson (1986 l)

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...27A
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Arpigny, C.; Dossin, F.; Manfroid, J.; Magain, P.; Haefner, R.
AA(Liege, Universite de l'Etat, Belgium), AB(Liege, Universite de l'Etat, Belgium), AC(Liege, Universite de l'Etat, Belgium), AD(European Southern Observatory, Garching, Federal Republic of Germany), AE(Universitaets-Sternwarte, Munich, Federal Republic of Germany)
Abstract:
The behavior of Comet Wilson before and after its passage through perihelion, which occurred on April 21, 1987, was studied on the basis of spectrographic and photometric observations. Results pertaining to spectra in the UV, blue, and red regions, and to photometry through narrow-band filters are presented. It is suggested that the fading of Comet Wilson might reflect some general trend in the comet's evolution, or that it could be the result of a geometrical effect associated with the rotation of the comet's nucleus and the presence of discrete active areas on its surface.
References:
Arpigny, C., Dossin, F., Manlroid, J., Magain,
P., Danks, A. C., lambert, D. l., and Sterken,
C.: 1986, The Messenger, No. 45, 8.
Arpigny, C., Manlroid, J., Magain, P., and
Haelner, R.: 1987 a, Proc. Symp. on the
"Diversity and similarity 0f comets", ESA
SP-278, 571.
Arpigny, C., Zeippen, C.J., Klutz, M., Magain,
P., and Hutsemekers, D.: 1987 b, ibid.,
607.
Jockers, K. and Geyer, E. H.: 1987, The
Messenger, No. 50, 48.
Kvifte, G.: 1959, J. Atm. Terr. Phys., 16,252.
Singh, P.D. and Dalgarno, A.: 1987, Proc.
Symp. on the "Diversity and similarity 0f
comets", ESA SP-278, 177.
31-34 (PDF)
H. Zinnecker, C. Perrier
Resolving young stellar twins

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...31Z
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Zinnecker, H.; Perrier, C.
AA(Max-Planck Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik, Garching, Federal Republic of Germany), AB(Lyon, Observatoire, Saint-Genis-Laval, France)
Abstract:
The paper presents IR speckle observations of SR-12 and Rox 31, two subarcsec premain-sequence binaries in the Rho Ophiuchi dark cloud (distance 160 pc). The present IR speckle observations which were carried out in two orthogonal scan directions and in two IR bandpasses added the following information to the lunar occultation data: (1) the 'true' separation projected on the sky, (2) the position angle of the binaries, and (3) the H-K color of the individual components (of SR-12 only). An analysis is presented of lunar occultation versus speckle observations.
References:
Baier et al. (1985). Astron. Astrophys. 153,
278.
chelli et al. (1988). Astron. Astrophys. (submilted).
Dyck et al. (1982). Astrophys. J. 255, L 103.
Montmerle et al. (1983). Astrophys. J. 269,
182.
Nisenson et al. (1985). Astrophys. J. 297,
L 17.
Perrier (1986). The Messenger No. 45, p. 29.
Reipurth (1987). ESO preprint No. 548.
Richichi (1987). The Messenger No. 50, p. 6.
Simon et al. (1987). Astrophys. J. 320,344.
Stine et al. (1988). Astron. J. (submitted).
Young et al. (1986). Astrophys. J. 304, L45.
Zinnecker et al. (1987). IAU-Symp. No. 122,
p.117.
34-37 (PDF)
K. Mattila, G. F. O. Schnur
When dark is light enough - Measuring the extragalactic background light

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...34M
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Mattila, K.; Schnur, G. F. O.
AA(Helsinki, University, Observatory, Finland), AB(Bochum, Ruhr-Universitaet, Federal Republic of Germany)
Abstract:
A method for the measurement of extragalactic background light (EBL), which utilizes the screening effect of a dark nebula on the background light, is described. It is shown how the spectral energy distribution of the observable surface brightness difference (dark nebula minus surroundings) changes for different assumed values of the EBL intensity. For the relationship between the optical and IR brightness in L 1642, the optical albedo of the dust was derived as well as the ratio of visual to 100-micron opacity.
References:
Bondi, H.: 1952, Cosmology, Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge.
Gingerich, 0.: 1987, When dark is light
enough (review of the book by E. Harrison:
Darkness at Night: ARiddie of the Universe).
Nature 330, 288.
Laureijs, R., Mattila, K., Schnur, G. F. 0.:
1987, Astron. Astrophys. 181, 269.
Loys de Cheseaux, J.P.: 1744, Traite de la
comete qui apparut en decembre 1743,
Lausanne, p. 223.
Mattila, K.: 1976, Astron. Astrophys. 47,77.
Mattila, K.: 1980, Astron. Astrophys. 82,373.
Mattila, K., Schnur, G. F. 0.: 1983, Mitteilungen
d. Astron. Gesellschaft, 60, 387.
Olbers, H. W. M.: 1823, Astronomisches Jahrbuch
1826 (hrsg. von J.E. Bode), p. 110.
Schnur, G. F. 0.: 1980, Photoelectric Surface
Photometry of Extended Sources, in ESO
Workshop: Two Dimensional Photometry,
p. 365, P. Crane, K. Kjär (Eds.).
Spinrad, H., Stone, R. P. S.: 1978, Astrophys.
J. 226, 609.
37-40 (PDF)
E. Giraud
Multi-object spectroscopy with EFOSC - Observations of medium distant clusters of galaxies

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...37G
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Giraud, E.
AA(European Southern Observatory, Garching, Federal Republic of Germany)
Abstract:
Candidates were selected from a medium deep photographic survey of Abell clusters in the southern hemisphere on the basis of the apparent luminosity of the first ranked object, the diameter (i.e., the compactness), and an estimate of the density enhancement over the expected background. Four superb clusters were observed with EFOSC mounted at the Cassegrain focus of the 3.6 m ESO telescope at La Silla. The image of cluster Cl 1 is a mosaic of CCD frames taken in the V-band. Cluster Cl 2 is regular, rich, compact, and has a triple core.
References:
Butcher and Oemler, 1978, Ap. J, 219, 18.
de Lapparent, Geiler and Huchra, 1986,
Ap. J., 302, L 1.
D'Odorico and Oekker, 1986, in ESO-OHP
Workshop: The Optimization ot the Use ot
CCD detectors.
Dressler and Shectman, 1987, MWLCO preprint.
Gunn and Gott, 1972, Ap. J, 176, 1.
Gunn, Hoessel and Oke, 1986, Ap. J., 306,
30.
Hamilton, 1985, Ap. J, 297, 371.
Hammer and Nottale, 1986, Astron. Astrophys.,
167, 1.
Hoessel and Shneider, 1985, A. J, 90, 1648.
Soucail et al., 1988, Astron. Astrophys. Letter,
in press.
Turner et al., 1986, Nature, 321, 142.
Weinberg, 1976, Ap. J, 208, L 1.
40-40 (PDF)
ESO
Wirtschafts-Attache-Club Bayern Visits ESO Headquarters

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51R..40.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
40-40 (PDF)
ESO
Staff Movements

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51Q..40.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
41-42 (PDF)
H. Pedersen
New Operational Limits for 1.5-m Danish Telescope

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...41P
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Pedersen, H.
AA(ESO)
Abstract:
. A 14.5 cm thick spacer ring has been Installed between the mirror cell and the instrument adapter. Its purpose is to eliminate residual spherical aberration. Recently analysed Schack-Hartman tests have shown the correction to be Complete.
41-41 (PDF)
F. Maaswinkel, S. D'Odorico et al.
First Observing Run with DISCO was successful

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...41M
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
Maaswinkel, F.; D'Odorico, S.; Bortoletto, F.; Buzzoni, F.; Gilli, B.; Gouiffes, C.; Huster, G.; Nees, W.
AA(ESO) AB(ESO) AC(ESO) AD(ESO) AE(ESO) AF(ESO) AG(ESO) AH(ESO)
Abstract:
The Direct Image Stabilized Camera Option DISCO was tested for the first time from 29 November to 5 December at the 2.2-m telescope with a CCD camera. The instrument was described in Messenger48, p. 51. It comprises a new adapter for the 2.2-m telescope with a newly designed XYZ oftset guider. It ofters the possibility to observe at the conventional f/8 focus, or alternatively at an f/20 focus.
42-43 (PDF)
ESO
Unusual Building for the ESO NTT Arrives at the La Silla Observatory

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51R..42.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
42-42 (PDF)
ESO
ESO Image Processing Group: MIDAS Memo

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51Q..42.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)
43-44 (PDF)
ESO
Algunos Resumenes

ADS BibCode:
1988Msngr..51...43.
Author(s)/Affiliation(s):
ESO
AA(ESO)