Radial-velocity variations in Alpha Ori, Alpha Sco, and Alpha Her

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 00:00:00 EST 1989 · Astronomical Journal; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115293· OSTI ID:6967206

Smith, M A; Patten, B M; Goldberg, L ^[1]

---

1. National Solar Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA) Computer Sciences Corp., Seabrook, MD (USA) Iowa State Univ., Ames (USA)

Radial-velocity observations of Alpha Ori, Alpha Sco A, and Alpha Her A are used to study radial-velocity periodicities in M supergiants. The data refer to several metallic lines in the H-alpha region and to H-alpha itself. It is shown that Alpha Ori and Alpha Sco A have cycle lengths of about 1 yr and semiamplitudes of 2 km/s. It is suggested that many semiregular red supergiant varibles such as Alpha Ori may be heading toward chaos. All three stars show short-term stochastic flucutations with an amplitude of 1-2 km/s. It is found that the long-term variability of H-alpha velocities may be a consequence of intermittent failed ejections. 58 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6967206
• Journal Information: Astronomical Journal; (USA), Vol. 98; ISSN 0004-6256
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
SUPERGIANT STARS
RADIAL VELOCITY
BALMER LINES
CHARGE-COUPLED DEVICES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
EMISSION SPECTRA
LINE WIDTHS
OSCILLATIONS
RED GIANT STARS
ROTATION
GIANT STARS
MOTION
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SPECTRA
STARS
VELOCITY
640102* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources