Recent results have shown that Long-Period Variables (LPVs) with periods in the range 100 to 250 days have ages ~ 10 Gyr. We have studied the kinematics of a sample of such variables in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). A comparison with the kinematics of other populations (H I gas, CO molecular clouds, planetary nebulae, CH stars and old clusters) indicates that all populations younger than the old LPVs are dominated by a single common rotating disk, with the kinematics of the old LPVs being the first to indicate the presence in the LMC of a spheroidal population, with little or no rotation and a velocity dispersion ~ 6 times larger than that of the H I gas.

The space density of degenerate stars is an important parameter in Galactic Structure studies, not only because white dwarfs represent a significant fraction of the local mass density, but also because they act as tracers of the history of star formation (see e.g., Bessell 1978). Combining the present day luminosity function with theoretical cooling tracks allows constraints to be set on the birth rate of main sequence progenitors. However, since white dwarfs are intrinsically low luminosity objects, observational studies are hampered by difficulties in defining complete samples large enough to have statistical significance. This paper discusses preliminary results from one method of tackling this problem.

By reprocessing the NICMOS coronagraphic archive using improved PSF subtraction methods, we have obtained new images of 5 debris disks, all previously unseen using classical PSF subtractions. Three of the disks are edge on and two appear to be ring like, one of which is extremely asymmetric.

Their stellar hosts are nearby, young F and G type stars (40-90 pc, 12–30 Myr), including one that is a close analog to the young sun at roughly the age at which terrestrial planets were assembling. This is a 25% increase in the sample of debris disks seen in scattered light. Analysis and modeling of the disk geometries is in process. Given these systems' youth, proximity, and brightness (V = 7.2 to 8.5), these will be superb targets for investigating planet formation, and are perfect targets for studies with GPI, SPHERE and JWST.

The Archival Legacy Investigation of Circumstellar Environments (ALICE) project (AR-12652) is currently conducting a comprehensive and consistent reprocessing of HST-NICMOS coronagraphic survey data to search for point sources and disks using advanced PSF subtraction. The KLIP algorithm (Karhunen-Loève Image Projection) was developed for this project, and has proven very effective at processing the hundreds of selected archival images. This project has already been very successful with numerous detections of previously unseen point sources and several resolved debris disks that we are currently following up by multiple avenues. We give an overview of the project including preliminary scientific results with companion candidates and improved images of known disks

Previous investigations on hydrogen-rich white dwarfs generally yield only very small rotational velocities (v sin i). We have analyzed line profiles in high-resolution optical spectra of eight hydrogen-deficient (pre-) white dwarfs and find deviations from the dominant Stark line broadening in five cases which, interpreted as an effect of stellar rotation, indicate projected rotational velocities of 40 – 70 km s–1. For the three least luminous stars upper limits of v sin i = 15 – 25 km s–1 could be derived only. The resulting velocities correlate with luminosity and mass. However, since the mass-loss rate is correlated to the luminosity of a star, the observed line profiles may be affected by a stellar wind as well. In the case of RX J2117.1+3412, this would solve discrepancies to results of pulsational modeling (v sin i ≈ 0).

Comparative analysis of the parent stars of extrasolar planetary systems and the local disk population shows a strong trend for increasing frequency with increasing abundance. Approximately 4.5% of solar-abundance (−0.15 < [m/H] ≤ +0.15) stars have detectable planetary-mass companions.

We present initial results of an all-sky search for cool, low-mass stars and brown dwarfs within 20 pc. We have used the near-infrared photometry provided by the 2-Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) Second Incremental Data Release to create a target list of 1793 candidates with 6 < J < 17 and J – K > 1. Follow-up observations and existing data have enabled over 85% of the sample to be classified. Spectral types and distances have been derived for over 250 nearby dwarfs, including 39 newly discovered L dwarfs. In this poster, we discuss our selection methods and present preliminary results.

We present the results of two imaging surveys for companions to low-luminosity dwarfs, one with Keck to a limiting magnitude of K = 20, and the other with HST to a limiting magnitude of I = 23. No companions were found at separations of 0″.5 to 20″.0, but seven companions were found within 0″.5. Based on sub-stellar evolutionary models, we estimate the companion detection efficiency as a function of mass ratio. This modeling, coupled with the data, place strong upper limits on the mass ratios of unobserved companions. We conclude that no companions exist in the optimal sensitivity regions of both surveys for q > 0.85 (HST), and q > 0.4 (Keck).

On 3 September 1996, B. Neill, investigating the peculiar behaviour of three ravens, found them disputing over a freshly dead dolphin stranded on the shore at Bornish, South Uist, Western Isles, Scotland (National Grid ref: NF 721 300). Neither he nor M. Bones, who collected the skeleton, could immediately identify the dolphin, despite having seen most of the species recorded around the Western Isles, although we suggested that it might be an Atlantic white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus acutus with an aberrant colour pattern.

Photographic plates are well established as stable detectors, well suited for positional astronomy. The completion of the current second epoch 48 inch Schmidt surveys in both hemispheres will provide material spanning baselines of 20–45 years, allowing proper motions to be determined to an accuracy of 4–7 mas yr−1. This paper discusses some of the Galactic structure problems that these data, combined with accurate photometry, can be used to address.

Asymptotic giant branch stars are the immediate precursors to the planetary nebula stage of stellar evolution. It is clear that the latter stages of a stars life on the AGB are accompanied by either continuous or episodic mass-loss, with the final convulsion being the ejection of the envelope (the future planetary shell), the gradual exposure of the bare CO core and the rapid horizontal evolution to the blue in the H-R diagram. Thus, the structure of the planetary nebula luminosity function, particularly at the higher luminosities (although this phase is extremely rapid), is intimately tied to the luminosity function of the AGB.

A recently completed study of the kinematics of Long-Period (or red) Variables (LPVs) in the LMC by Hughes et al. (1990) has shown that those with short periods (100 to 225 days) have spheroidal kinematics (high velocity dispersion and low rotational velocity about the LMC). This is the first evidence of the LMC's possessing a spheroidal population. The spheroid is flattened (with axial ratio c/a ˜0.3 to 0.5), and is not much thicker than the intermediate age disk. The velocity distribution of the old LPVs indicates that the mass of the LMC is ˜ 6.2 ± 1.5 × 109M, and that of the spheroid represented by the old LPVs is ˜2 % of the LMC's total mass. If these old LPVs are members of the LMC's disk, then their velocity dispersion implies that they have an age of ˜10 Gyr. The LPVs with intermediate periods (225 to 450 days) are members of the LMC's rotating disk population, with an age ˜4 Gyr derived from their velocity dispersion, and similar to that of the planetary nebulae, CH stars and old cluster populations.

Since the pioneering objective prism surveys by Westerlund (1960) and Blanco et al. (1980), the Magellanic Clouds have proved a fruitful site for exploring the evolution of AGB stars. We have used photometric techniques to extend the prism C-star surveys to M- and S-type AGB stars, constructing luminosity functions and obtaining spectra of individual stars for comparison with theoretical predictions. We have concentrated on the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), but we have recently obtained observations of luminous red giants in a region of the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). In this paper we compare the results from these studies of the two satellite systems.

In this paper we report preliminary results from a survey of RR Lyrae variable stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud.