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The ultraviolet-bright stars of Omega Centauri, M3, and M13
- Source :
- The Astrophysical Journal. 395:L21
- Publication Year :
- 1992
- Publisher :
- American Astronomical Society, 1992.
-
Abstract
- Two new UV-bright stars detected within 2 arcmin of the center of Omega Cen are spectroscopically investigated with the short-wavelength spectrograph of the IUE. The IUE spectra of the UV-bright stars UIT-1 and UIT-2 in the core of Omega Cen superficially resemble those of Population I mid-B stars. The absorption lines of the core UV-bright stars are significantly weaker than in Population I stars, consistent with their membership in the cluster. Synthetic spectra calculated from low-metallicity Kurucz model stellar atmospheres are compared with the spectra. These objects are insufficiently luminous to be classical hydrogen-burning post-AGB stars. They may be evolved hot horizontal branch stars which have been brightened by more than 3 mag since leaving the zero-age horizontal branch. It is inferred from the spectra and luminosity of the core UV-bright stars that similar objects could provide the source of the UV light in elliptical galaxies.
- Subjects :
- Physics
Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Astronomy
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Horizontal branch
Astronomical spectroscopy
Stars
Space and Planetary Science
Globular cluster
Elliptical galaxy
Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Asymptotic giant branch
Omega Centauri
Astrophysics::Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
Stellar evolution
Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15384357 and 0004637X
- Volume :
- 395
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- The Astrophysical Journal
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........2aada75e99e92e3ce78333e5186e2669
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1086/186479