Related papers: On the binary helium star DY Centauri: Chemical co…
The bright, nearby binary $\alpha$ Centauri provides an excellent laboratory for testing stellar evolution models, as it is one of the few stellar systems for which we have high-precision classical (mass, radius, luminosity) and…
We present first results from five XMM-Newton observations of the binary system Alpha Centauri, which has been observed in snapshot like exposures of roughly two hours each during the last two years. In all our observations the X-ray…
We performed a detailed, high-resolution spectroscopic analysis of HE 1005-1439 based on SUBARU/HDS spectra with an R ~ 50000. Abundances of ten light elements from C through Ni and twelve heavy elements Sr, Y, Ba, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Eu, Dy,…
The star formation history of the globular cluster Omega Centauri is investigated in the context of an inhomogeneous chemical evolution model in which supernovae induce star formation. The proposed model explains recent observations for…
(abridged) Recent spectroscopic and photometric observations show the existence of various generations of stars in GCs, differing in the abundances of products of H-burning at high temperatures (the main final product being He). It is…
Important insights into the formation and evolution of the Galactic disc(s) are contained in the chemical compositions of stars. We analysed high-resolution and high signal to noise HARPS spectra of 79 solar twin stars in order to obtain…
The compositions of stars are a critical diagnostic tool for many topics in astronomy such as the evolution of our Galaxy, the formation of planets, and the uniqueness of the Sun. Previous spectroscopic measurements indicate a large…
We present a differential abundance analysis of Hyades F-K dwarfs in search for evidence of stellar enrichment from accreted hydrogen deficient disk material. Metallicites and relative abundance ratios of several species have been…
We have followed up on the hot-type classical symbiotic outburst reported in YY Her using the Himalayan Chandra telescope. The outburst coincides with the secondary minima of the system. Approximately 12 similar brightening events have been…
We develop further the proposal of arXiv:0806.3692 that a new state of matter -- charged condensate of spin-0 nuclei -- may exist in helium-core dwarf stars. The charged condensate and its fluctuations are described by an effective field…
For the first time, the abundances of a large sample of subgiant and turn-off region stars in omega Centauri have been measured, the data base being medium resolution spectroscopy from FORS2 at the VLT. Absolute iron abundances were derived…
The spectra of the planetary nebula M1-42 is reanalysed using spectral measurements made in the mid-infrared with the Spitzer Space Telescope. The aim is to determine the chemical composition of this object. We also make use of ISO, IUE and…
The visual binary system 16~Cyg~A+B consists of similar solar twins, but a planetary companion is detected only in B. An intensive spectroscopic differential analysis is carried out to the Sun, 16~Cyg~A, and 16~Cyg~B, with particular…
The abundance anomalies in chemically peculiar B-F stars are usually explained by diffusion of chemical elements in the stable atmospheres of these stars. But it is well known that Cp stars with similar temperatures and gravities show very…
The globular cluster Omega Centauri displays evidence of a complex star formation history and peculiar internal chemical evolution, setting it apart from essentially all other globular clusters of the Milky Way. In this review we discuss…
Helium rich subdwarf O stars (sdOs) are hot compact stars in a pre-white dwarf evolutionary state. Most of them have effective temperatures and surface gravities in the range Teff = 40,000-50,000 K and log g = 5.5-6.0. Their atmospheres are…
We present deep and precise photometry (F435, F625W, F658N) of Omega Cen collected with the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). We have identified ~ 6,500 white dwarf (WD) candidates, and the ratio…
We discuss the chemical evolution of dwarf irregular and blue compact galaxies in light of recent data, new stellar yields and chemical evolution models. We examine the abundance data for evidence of HII region self-enrichment effects,…
The extraordinarily rapid evolution of the born-again giant Sakurai's object can be traced both in a continued cooling of the stellar surface and dramatic changes in chemical composition on a timescale of a mere few months. The abundance…
We explore the probable chemical signature of planet formation in the remarkable binary system HD 106515. The A star hosts a massive long-period planet with 9 MJup detected by radial velocity. We also refine stellar and planetary parameters…