ASTROPHYSICS; RESEARCH FROM K.S. GIGOYAN AND COLLEAGUES PROVIDE NEW INSIGHTS INTO ASTROPHYSICS

Physics Week
May 4, 2010

According to a study from Armenia, "A list of comparatively faint
late M and Carbon type stars detected on the Digitized First Byurakan
Survey (DFBS) spectral plates in the zone with +45A degrees a parts
per thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand delta a parts per
thousand currency signaEuro parts per thousand+49A degrees covering
684 deg(2) is presented. Accurate DSS2 positions, USNO-B1.0 B and R
magnitudes, 2MASS near-infrared J, H, and K-s photometry, IRAS PSC/FSC
fluxes (when available), approximate spectral types, and luminosity
class estimates are given for 72 objects."

"Nine of them are newly confirmed carbon stars and 63 are M-type
stars. For seven Mira variables with known pulsation periods we
determined distances of 2 A center dot 8 kpc using a period-luminosity
relation. Distances of 17 A center dot 115 pc for five M dwarfs,
classified on the base of detected proper motions, were estimated
using a color-luminosity relation," wrote K.S. Gigoyan and colleagues.

The researchers concluded: "The object FBS 0845+466 is classified as
a candidate carbon dwarf with distance r a parts per thousand aEuro
parts per thousand 72 pc."

Gigoyan and colleagues published the results of their research
in Astrophysics (Late-type stars found in the DFBS. Astrophysics,
2010;53(1):123-132).

For additional information, contact K.S. Gigoyan, VA Ambartsumian
Byurakan Astrophys Observ, Byurakan, Armenia.

The publisher of the journal Astrophysics can be contacted at:
Springer, Plenum Publishers, 233 Spring St., New York, NY 10013, USA.