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NGC 2264 is a young open cluster lying above the Galactic plane in which six variable stars have previously been identified as possible pre-main-sequence (PMS) pulsators. Their oscillation spectra are relatively sparse with each star having from 2 to 12 unambiguous frequency identifications based on Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars satellite and multi-site ground-based photometry. We describe our efforts to find classical PMS stellar models (i.e., models evolved from the Hayashi track) whose oscillation spectra match the observed frequencies. We find model eigenspectra that match the observed frequencies and are consistent with the stars' locations in the HR diagram for the three faintest of the six stars. Not all the frequencies found in spectra of the three brightest stars can be matched to classical PMS model spectra possibly because of effects not included in our PMS models such as chemical and angular momentum stratification in the outer layers of the star. All the oscillation spectra contain both radial and nonradial p-modes. We argue that the PMS pulsating stars divide into two groups depending on whether or not they have undergone complete mixing (i.e., have gone through a Hayashi phase). Lower mass stars that do evolve through a Hayashi phase have oscillation spectra predicted by classical PMS models, whereas more massive stars that do not, retain mass infall effects in their surface layers and are not well modeled by classical PMS models.

Measuring the albedo of an extrasolar planet provides insights into its atmospheric composition and its global thermal properties, including heat dissipation and weather patterns. Such a measurement requires very precise photometry of a transiting system sampling fully many phases of the secondary eclipse. Spacebased optical photometry of the transiting system HD 209458 from the MOST (Microvariablity and Oscillations of STars) satellite, spanning 14 and 44 days in 2004 and 2005 respectively, allows us to set a sensitive limit on the optical eclipse of the hot exosolar giant planet in this system. Our best fit to the observations yields a flux ratio of the planet and star of 7 $\pm$ 9 ppm (parts per million), which corresponds to a geometric albedo through the MOST bandpass (400-700 nm) of $A_g$ = 0.038 $\pm$ 0.045. This gives a 1$\sigma$ upper limit of 0.08 for the geometric albedo and a 3$\sigma$ upper limit of 0.17. HD 209458b is significantly less reflective than Jupiter (for which $A_g$ would be about 0.5). This low geometric albedo rules out the presence of bright reflective clouds in this exoplanet's atmosphere. We determine refined parameters for the star and exoplanet in the HD 209458 system based on a model fit to the MOST light curve., Comment: 23 pages, 8 figures, accepted to the ApJ. v2: minor changes to mirror accepted ApJ version

We present new photometry of Procyon, obtained by MOST during a 38 day run in 2007, and frequency analyses of those data. The long time coverage and low point-to-point scatter of the light curve yield an average noise amplitude of about 1.5-2.0 ppm in the frequency range 500-1500 μHz. This is half the noise level obtained from each of the previous two Procyon campaigns by MOST in 2004 and 2005. The 2007 MOST amplitude spectrum shows some evidence for p-mode signal: excess power centered near 1000 μHz and an autocorrelation signal near 55 μHz (suggestive of a mode spacing around that frequency), both consistent with p-mode model predictions. However, we do not see regularly spaced frequencies aligned in common l-valued ridges in echelle diagrams of the most significant peaks in the spectrum unless we select modes from the spectrum using a priori assumptions. The most significant peaks in the spectrum are scattered by more than ±5 μHz about the predicted l-valued ridges, a value that is consistent with the scatter among individually identified frequencies obtained from ground-based radial velocity (RV) observations. We argue that the observed scatter is intrinsic to the star, due to short lifetimes of the modes and the dynamic structure of Procyon's thin convection zone. We compare the MOST Procyon amplitude and power density spectra with preliminary results of three-dimensional numerical models of convection by the Yale group. These models show that, unlike in the Sun, Procyon's granulation signal in luminosity has a peak coinciding with the expected frequency region for p-modes near 1000 μHz.

We have measured transit times for HD 189733b passing in front of its bright (V = 7.67) chromospherically active and spotted parent star. Nearly continuous broadband optical photometry of this system was obtained with the MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars) space telescope during 21 days in August 2006, monitoring 10 consecutive transits. We have used these data to search for deviations from a constant orbital period which can indicate the presence of additional planets in the system that are as yet undetected by Doppler searches. There are no transit timing variations above the level of ${\pm}45$ s, ruling out super-Earths (of masses $1 - 4 M_{\earth}$) in the 1:2 and 2:3 inner resonances and planets of 20 $M_{\earth}$ in the 2:1 outer resonance of the known planet. We also discuss complications in measuring transit times for a planet that transits an active star with large star spots, and how the transits can help constrain and test spot models. This has implications for the large number of such systems expected to be discovered by the CoRoT and Kepler missions., 26 pages, 7 figures, accepted to ApJ

We have photometrically monitored the V = 8 mag Galactic Population I WC5 star WR 111 for 3 weeks nonstop using the MOST microsatellite. Each of the ~27,000 data points has a precision of ~3 mmag. We find no coherent Fourier components above the 50 part per million level over the whole interval for frequencies f > 10 cd−1 (periods P < 2.4 hr). This limit is nearly 2 orders of magnitude below recent predictions for early-type WR stars based on strange-mode pulsation simulations, with expected periods in the range 10-30 minutes. Simultaneous spectroscopic observations of WR 111 reveal a normal level of stochastic clumps propagating in the wind, which possibly manifest themselves in the slow 1/f rise in the MOST power spectrum below f ~ 10 cd−1. Time-frequency analysis of the MOST data shows no obvious short-lived frequencies above the 1 mmag level, in stark contrast to the highly variable cool WR stars WR 123 (WN8) and WR 103 (WC9d), monitored previously by MOST. Radiation pressure therefore appears to be the main, if not sole, driver of WR 111's strong wind.

Evidence suggesting an observable magnetic interaction between a star and its hot Jupiter appears as a cyclic variation of stellar activity synchronized to the planet's orbit. In this study, we monitored the chromospheric activity of 7 stars with hot Jupiters using new high-resolution echelle spectra collected with ESPaDOnS over a few nights in 2005 and 2006 from the CFHT. We searched for variability in several stellar activity indicators (Ca II H, K, the Ca II infrared triplet, Halpha, and He I). HD 179949 has been observed almost every year since 2001. Synchronicity of the Ca II H & K emission with the orbit is clearly seen in four out of six epochs, while rotational modulation with P_rot=7 days is apparent in the other two seasons. We observe a similar phenomenon on upsilon And, which displays rotational modulation (P_rot=12 days) in September 2005, in 2002 and 2003 variations appear to correlate with the planet's orbital period. This on/off nature of star-planet interaction (SPI) in the two systems is likely a function of the changing stellar magnetic field structure throughout its activity cycle. Variability in the transiting system HD 189733 is likely associated with an active region rotating with the star, however, the flaring in excess of the rotational modulation may be associated with its hot Jupiter. As for HD 179949, the peak variability as measured by the mean absolute deviation for both HD 189733 and tau Boo leads the sub-planetary longitude by 70 degrees. The tentative correlation between this activity and the ratio of Mpsini to the planet's rotation period, a quantity proportional to the hot Jupiter's magnetic moment, first presented in Shkolnik et al. 2005 remains viable. This work furthers the characterization of SPI, improving its potential as a probe of extrasolar planetary magnetic fields., Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

We have made a comprehensive transit search for exoplanets down to ~1.5 - 2 Earth radii in the HD 189733 system, based on 21-days of nearly uninterrupted broadband optical photometry obtained with the MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars) satellite in 2006. We have searched these data for realistic limb-darkened transits from exoplanets other than the known hot Jupiter, HD 189733b, with periods ranging from about 0.4 days to one week. Monte Carlo statistical tests of the data with synthetic transits inserted into the data-set allow us to rule out additional close-in exoplanets with sizes ranging from about 0.15 - 0.31 RJ (Jupiter radii), or 1.7 - 3.5 RE (Earth radii) on orbits whose planes are near that of HD 189733b. These null results constrain theories that invoke lower-mass hot Super-Earth and hot Neptune planets in orbits similar to HD 189733b due to the inward migration of this hot Jupiter. This work also illustrates the feasibility of discovering smaller transiting planets around chromospherically active stars., Accepted for publication in ApJ: 10 pages, 5 figures

The Microvariability and Oscillations of stars (MOST) satellite has detected low-amplitude light variations ($\Delta m\sim$1 mmag) in the Be star $\beta$ CMi (B8Ve). The observations lasted 41 days and the variations have typical periods $\sim 0.3$ days. We demonstrate that the dominant frequencies are consistent with prograde high-order g-modes of $m=-1$ excited by the Fe-bump of opacity in an intermediate-mass ($\approx 3.5 M_\odot$) star with a nearly critical rotation period of 0.38 days. This is the first detection of nonradial g-mode pulsations in a Be star later than B6 leading to the possibility that pulsations are excited in all classical Be stars.

Hubble Space Telescope observations of the nearby (3.22 pc), K2 V star epsilon Eridani have been combined with ground-based astrometric and radial velocity data to determine the mass of its known companion. We model the astrometric and radial velocity measurements simultaneously to obtain the parallax, proper motion, perturbation period, perturbation inclination, and perturbation size. Because of the long period of the companion, \eps b, we extend our astrometric coverage to a total of 14.94 years (including the three year span of the \HST data) by including lower-precision ground-based astrometry from the Allegheny Multichannel Astrometric Photometer. Radial velocities now span 1980.8 -- 2006.3. We obtain a perturbation period, P = 6.85 +/- 0.03 yr, semi-major axis, alpha =1.88 +/- 0.20 mas, and inclination i = 30.1 +/- 3.8 degrees. This inclination is consistent with a previously measured dust disk inclination, suggesting coplanarity. Assuming a primary mass M_* = 0.83 M_{\sun}, we obtain a companion mass M = 1.55 +/- 0.24 M_{Jup}. Given the relatively young age of epsilon Eri (~800 Myr), this accurate exoplanet mass and orbit can usefully inform future direct imaging attempts. We predict the next periastron at 2007.3 with a total separation, rho = 0.3 arcsec at position angle, p.a. = -27 degrees. Orbit orientation and geometry dictate that epsilon Eri b will appear brightest in reflected light very nearly at periastron. Radial velocities spanning over 25 years indicate an acceleration consistent with a Jupiter-mass object with a period in excess of 50 years, possibly responsible for one feature of the dust morphology, the inner cavity.

The Microvariability and Oscillations of STars (MOST) photometric satellite observed three rotations of Eri continuously in late 2005. We detected two spots (Δm ~ 0.01) at different latitudes (200, 315) revolving with different periods (11.35 days, 11.55 days), from which we derive a differential rotation coefficient, k = 0.11, in agreement with the prediction by Brown and coworkers for a young Sun-like star having roughly twice the solar angular velocity. The light curve was analyzed with the program StarSpotz, a modification of SPOTMODEL by Ribarik and coworkers. The best-fitting value for the inclination angle i = 30° ± 3° is compatible with inclinations already estimated for the disk (~25°) and planetary orbit (262). The inclination also leads to an equatorial rotation speed of 3.42 km s-1 and the photometric value of v sin i = 1.7 km s-1. When compared with spectroscopically determined values, the photometric v sin i allows, in principle, an independent estimate of the macroturbulent velocity. Both spots would have distorted the radial velocity curve ~±10 m s-1 by the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, which is similar to the stellar radial velocity "noise" detected by others. Details of the StarSpotz model and of the uniqueness tests that we applied in order to arrive at a best solution and realistic estimates of errors in the derived parameters are given.

Based on the long-term radial-velocity surveys carried out with the McDonald Observatory 2.7m Harlan J. Smith Telescope from 1988 to the present, we derive upper limits to long-period giant planet companions for 31 nearby stars. Data from three phases of the McDonald Observatory 2.7m planet-search program have been merged together and for 17 objects, data from the pioneering Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope (CFHT) radial-velocity program have also been included in the companion-limits determination. For those 17 objects, the baseline of observations is in excess of 23 years, enabling the detection or exclusion of giant planets in orbits beyond 8 AU. We also consider the possibility of eccentric orbits in our computations. At an orbital separation of 5.2 AU, we can exclude on average planets of M sin i > 2.0+/-1.1 Mjup (e=0) and M sin i > 4.0+/-2.8 Mjup (e=0.6) for 25 of the 31 stars in this survey. However, we are not yet able to rule out "true Jupiters," i.e. planets of M sin i ~ 1 Mjup in 5.2 AU orbits. These limits are of interest for the Space Interferometry Mission (SIM), Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF), and Darwin missions which will search for terrestrial planets orbiting nearby stars, many of which are included in this work., 21 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in AJ

The beta Cephei star delta Ceti was considered one of the few monoperiodic variables in the class. Despite (or perhaps because of) its apparently simple oscillation spectrum, it has been challenging and controversial to identify this star's pulsation mode and constrain its physical parameters seismically. Broadband time-resolved photometry of delta Ceti spanning 18.7 days with a duty cycle of about 65% obtained by the MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars) satellite -- the first scientific observations ever obtained by MOST -- reveals that the star is actually multiperiodic. Besides the well-known dominant frequency of f1 = 6.205886/d, we have discovered in the MOST data its first harmonic 2f1 and three other frequencies (f2 = 3.737/d, f3 = 3.673/d and f4 = 0.318/d), all detected with S/N > 4. In retrospect, f2 was also present in archival spectral line profile data but at lower S/N. We present seismic models whose modes match exactly the frequencies f1 and f2. Only one model falls within the common part of the error boxes of the star's observed surface gravity and effective temperature from photometry and spectroscopy. In this model, f1 is the radial (l = 0) first overtone and f2 is the g2 (l = 2, m = 0) mode. This model has a mass of 10.2+/-0.2 Msun and an age of 17.9+/-0.3 million years, making delta Ceti an evolved beta Cephei star. If f2 and f3 are rotationally split components of the same g2 mode, then the star's equatorial rotation velocity is either 27.6 km/s or half this value. Given its vsini of about 1 km/s, this implies we are seeing delta Ceti nearly pole-on., Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, 12 pages, 8 figures, 2 tables

The gas phase spectrum of the cyclic C18 molecule recorded in the laboratory at a temperature typical of diffuse interstellar clouds is compared with absorption features toward ζ Oph and HD 204827 in the 5730-5934 A region. For the origin band at 5928.5 A an upper limit to the column density of ≤1.8 × 1011 cm-2 is inferred. The origin band pattern in the laboratory spectrum changes on lowering the internal temperature in the 100-20 K range and bears a striking resemblance to the observed structure of a number of DIBs at other wavelengths. This suggests that platelike molecules or ions, comprising a couple of dozen to hundred carbon atoms, could be responsible for some of the latter absorptions.

We have extracted a 37 day light curve with a precision of 0.0012 mag per point for the Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST) guide star, HD 163868 (B5 Ve). Its rich frequency spectrum resembles that of a slowly pulsating B (SPB) star but, being a rapid rotator, we designate it SPBe. The 60 most significant periods lie in three distinct groups centered on 8 days and 14 and 7 hr. We demonstrate that the 14 and 7 hr periods can be modeled by two swarms of high-order, prograde sectorial g-modes (m = -1, -2), which are destabilized by the iron opacity bump. Our model also predicts a group of r-modes with periods near 2.3 days, which correspond to frequencies observed in the tail of the 8 day group. The remaining periodicities, between 7 and 11 days, cannot be explained by unstable modes in our model.

We present the results of intensive visual-broadband photometric monitoring of the highly variable WN8 Wolf-Rayet star WR 123, obtained by the MOST (Microvariability and Oscillations of STars) satellite. This first Canadian astronomical space telescope observed WR 123 for 38 days nonstop during 2004 June and July. Fourier analysis shows that no periodic signal is stable for more than several days in the low-frequency domain (f < 1 day-1), where most of the stochastic power is contained. Also, no significant variability is seen in the high-frequency domain (10 day-1 < f < 1400 day-1) down to the level of 0.2 mmag, an order of magnitude lower than theoretical predictions for strange-mode pulsations. On the other hand, there seems to be a relatively stable 9.8 hr periodic signal present throughout the whole run. This period is probably too short to represent the axial rotation of the star, unless it is related to multiple substructures equidistantly spread along the stellar equator. It is also too short to be orbital in nature; it is more likely to be related to pulsational instablilities (although with a much longer period than expected), thus finally revealing a possible fundamental driver behind the highly variable wind of this object, and others of similar type.

We report the detection of three discrete pulsation frequencies in the long-period variable subdwarf B star PG 0101+039 on the basis of ~400 hr of MOST wide-band photometry. The periodicities uncovered lie at 7235, 5227, and 2650 s, respectively, and are associated with amplitudes between 0.03% and 0.06% of the mean brightness, lower than those measured in any other variable of this kind. We also find evidence for luminosity variations consistent with an ellipsoidal deformation of the subdwarf in the rotationally locked short-period binary system predicted from radial velocity measurements and evolutionary models. Our atmospheric modeling of two independent time-averaged optical spectra of PG 0101+039 yields Teff 28,300 K and log g 5.52, making it one of the hottest long-period variable subdwarf B stars known. The fact that we nevertheless detect brightness variations in the data is in conflict with predictions from current models, which place the theoretical blue edge for observable long-period instabilities at a temperature around 4000 K cooler than that of PG 0101+039.

We monitored the chromospheric activity in the Ca II H & K lines of 13 solar-type stars (including the Sun); 8 of them over three years at the CFHT and 5 in a single run at the VLT. Ten of the 13 targets have close planetary companions. All of the stars observed at the CFHT show long-term (months to years) changes in H & K intensity levels. Four stars display short-term (days) cyclical activity. For two, HD 73256 and kappa^1 Ceti, the activity is likely associated with an active region rotating with the star, however, the flaring in excess of the rotational modulation may be associated with a hot jupiter. A planetary companion remains a possibility for kappa^1 Ceti. For the other two, HD 179949 and upsilon And, the cyclic variation is synchronized to the hot jupiter's orbit. For both stars this synchronicity with the orbit is clearly seen in two out of three epochs. The effect is only marginal in the third epoch at which the seasonal level of chromospheric activity had changed for both stars. Short-term chromospheric activity appears weakly dependent on the mean K-line reversal intensities for the sample of 13 stars. Also, a suggestive correlation exists between this activity and the M_p sin(i) of the star's hot jupiter. Because of their small separation (, Accepted to the Astrophysical Journal; 39 pages including 17 figures

We report on the detection of a planetary companion in orbit around the primary star of the binary system $\gamma$ Cephei. High precision radial velocity measurements using 4 independent data sets spanning the time interval 1981--2002 reveal long-lived residual radial velocity variations superimposed on the binary orbit that are coherent in phase and amplitude with a period or 2.48 years (906 days) and a semi-amplitude of 27.5 m s$^{-1}$. We performed a careful analysis of our Ca II H & K S-index measurements, spectral line bisectors, and {\it Hipparcos} photometry. We found no significant variations in these quantities with the 906-d period. We also re-analyzed the Ca II $\lambda$8662 {\AA} measurements of Walker et al. (1992) which showed possible periodic variations with the ``planet'' period when first published. This analysis shows that periodic Ca II equivalent width variations were only present during 1986.5 -- 1992 and absent during 1981--1986.5. Furthermore, a refined period for the Ca II $\lambda$8662 {\AA} variations is 2.14 yrs, significantly less than residual radial velocity period. The most likely explanation of the residual radial velocity variations is a planetary mass companion with $M$ sin $i$ = 1.7 $M_{Jupiter}$ and an orbital semi-major axis of $a_2$ $=$ 2.13 AU. This supports the planet hypothesis for the residual radial velocity variations for $\gamma$ Cep first suggested by Walker et al. (1992). With an estimated binary orbital period of 57 years $\gamma$ Cep is the shortest period binary system in which an extrasolar planet has been found. This system may provide insights into the relationship between planetary and binary star formation.

Galazutdinov et al. (2017) recently claimed that the relative strengths of the 9577 and 9632 Å diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are too poorly correlated to be caused by a single source, the C^+60 ion. Their conclusion is based on theoretical modeling of contaminating stellar Mg ii lines at 9631.9 and 9632.4 Å and UVES spectra. This contradicts their earlier result and those of several others that the two DIBs are closely correlated and, within the errors and effects of stellar blends, exhibit an intensity ratio consistent with that found in the 6 K laboratory spectrum of C^+60. We consider the use of close spectral standards to be superior to model atmosphere calculations in correcting for contamination by the Mg ii lines. We have examined some of the same UVES spectra and demonstrate that a lack of suitably observed telluric standards makes it impossible to adequately correct for telluric water vapor contamination, leading to unreliable continuum levels. The possible effects of higher temperatures, in the 30–100 K range, on the C^+60 electronic absorption band profiles, and their relative intensities, are also considered.

We have looked for rotational structure in the sharp λ6196 and λ6379 diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) at a resolution ~120,000 in seven stars where the interstellar λ7699 K I line is unresolved. The λ6196 DIB is bell-shaped with a flat core and differs slightly in width from star to star. It is accompanied by a weak DIB at λ6194.7, with which it does not maintain a constant depth ratio. The λ6379 DIB is asymmetric with a sharp double core, but the profile hardly varies between the stars apart from being undetectable for HD 37061. Weak features connect it to the weaker λ6376 DIB, with which it varies in unison. Simple rotational models do not fit the observed profiles of λ6196 and λ6376 at all well because of more prominent branch structure in the models. We achieve an acceptable fit by arbitrarily convolving the modeled profiles with Gaussians (0.2 to 0.3 cm-1). The Gaussians correspond to an unexpected or anomalous broadening process that cannot be explained by the interstellar velocity distribution or the instrumental point-spread function. The fits give upper limits to the ratio of the rotational temperature to the moment of inertia of the molecular carriers. If the former lies in the range 10-100 K, then the molecules must be large, with moments of inertia comparable with that of the fullerene C60. We present evidence that the anomalous broadening of the rotational profiles is intramolecular in origin, but it is not easily explained by broadening processes previously invoked in connection with the DIBs. We suggest that some other process such as a zero-point vibrational isotope shift may be involved that could be characteristic of many of the narrow bands.

High precision radial velocity (RV) measurements spanning the years 1980.8--2000.0 are presented for the nearby (3.22 pc) K2 V star $\epsilon$ Eri. These data, which represent a combination of six independent data sets taken with four different telescopes, show convincing variations with a period of $\approx$ 7 yrs. A least squares orbital solution using robust estimation yields orbital parameters of period, $P$ = 6.9 yrs, velocity $K$-amplitude $=$ 19 {\ms}, eccentricity $e$ $=$ 0.6, projected companion mass $M$ sin $i$ = 0.86 $M_{Jupiter}$, and semi-major axis $a_2$ $=$ 3.3 AU. Ca II H&K S-index measurements spanning the same time interval show significant variations with periods of 3 and 20 yrs, yet none at the RV period. If magnetic activity were responsible for the RV variations then it produces a significantly different period than is seen in the Ca II data. Given the lack of Ca II variation with the same period as that found in the RV measurements, the long-lived and coherent nature of these variations, and the high eccentricity of the implied orbit, Keplerian motion due to a planetary companion seems to be the most likely explanation for the observed RV variations. The wide angular separation of the planet from the star (approximately 1 arc-second) and the long orbital period make this planet a prime candidate for both direct imaging and space-based astrometric measurements.

This paper compares laboratory gas-phase spectra of neutral and cationic linear carbon-chain radicals with astronomical diUuse interstellar band (DIB) spectra. The origin bands of the strong electronic tran- sitions of the studied species, (n \ 3¨6)

Profiles of the λλ5797 and 6614 diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) in our high-resolution spectra (R = 120,000-60,000) of five stars provide strong support for the model proposed by Webster, in which 13C atoms are randomly substituted for 12C in highly symmetric molecules. These stars have narrow interstellar Na D lines, and the DIB profiles can be reproduced, as predicted, by a band of equally spaced, equally wide Gaussians with a Poisson intensity distribution. Other good fits are possible with components of unequal FWHM, but the widths, positions, and relative amplitudes of the components then differ from star to star, which is less credible for a common absorber. The average numbers of 13C atoms per molecule derived from the model are about 0.95 and 1.41 for the λλ5797 and 6614 DIBs, respectively, which correspond to between 40 and 100 carbon atoms per molecule. Sharp features in the cores of the λ5797 DIB are not exactly matched by the Gaussians, which implies a more complex intrinsic structure. For HD 37061 in Orion, both DIBs are weak and have a component on the short-wavelength side of the normal profile, possibly indicating higher rotational temperatures.

We present results from simultaneous multisite high-resolution spectroscopic and photometric observations of ζ Oph (HD 149757) taken in 1993 May. Our spectroscopic data include about 100 hr of continuous monitoring of the star. The line-profile variations of He I λ6678, which are characterized by features traveling from blue to red, are well reproduced by two large-amplitude sinusoids and other sinusoids with smaller amplitudes. The period of the sinusoid with the largest amplitude is 2.018 hr (f1), which differs from the 2.43 hr of previous publications, although it is possible that 2.43 hr is an alias of 2.018 hr. The period of the second largest amplitude is, in agreement with previous studies, 3.337 hr (f2). Periods of smaller amplitude sinusoids are 2.432 hr (f3), 1.257 hr (f1 + f2), 1.008 hr (2f1), 2.107 hr (f4), 1.293 hr (f2 + f4), and 1.668 hr (2f2), all of which have some relation to the two main periods. The two principal periods have close superperiods of about 10.05 hr. We discuss the commensurability and other features of the periodicity. Our photometric observations, although limited, confirm again the very small amplitude of the light variations that are close to their detection limit. No counterpart of the 2.018 hr and 3.337 hr periods can be detected.

Recent low-temperature laboratory measurements and astronomical observations have proved that the fullerene cation C60+ is responsible for four diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs). These absorptions correspond to the strongest bands of the lowest electronic transition. The gas phase spectrum below 10 K is reported here for the full wavelength range encompassed by the electronic transition. The absorption spectrum of C70+, with its origin band at 7959.2 Å, has been obtained under similar laboratory conditions. Observations made toward the reddened star HD 183143 were used in a specific search for the absorption of these fullerene cations in diffuse clouds. In the case of C60+, one further band in the astronomical spectrum at 9348.5 Å is identified, increasing the total number of assigned DIBs to five. Numerous other C60+ absorptions in the laboratory spectrum are found to lie below the astronomical detection limit. Special emphasis is placed on the laboratory determination of absolute absorption cross-sections. For C60+ this directly yields a column density, N(C60+) of- 2x10^13 cm-2 in diffuse clouds, without the need to rely on theoretical oscillator strengths. The intensity of the C70+ electronic transition in the range 7000–8000 A is spread over many features of similar strength. Absorption cross-section measurements indicate that even for a similar column density, the individual absorption bands of C70+ will be too weak to be detected in the astronomical spectra, which is confirmed giving an upper limit of 2 mA to the equivalent width.

Based on gas-phase laboratory spectra at 6 K, Campbell et al. (2015) confirmed that the diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) at 9632.7 and 9577.5A are due to absorption by the fullerene ion C60+. They also reported the detection of two other, weaker bands at 9428.5 and 9365.9A. These lie in spectral regions heavily contaminated by telluric water vapour lines. We acquired CFHT ESPaDOnS spectra of HD183143 close to the zenith and chopped with a nearby standard to correct for the telluric line absorption which enabled us to detect a DIB at 9365.9A of relative width and strength comparable to the laboratory absorption. There is a DIB of similar strength and FWHM at 9362.5A. A stellar emission feature at 9429A prevented detection of the 9428.5A band. However, a CFHT archival spectrum of HD169454, where emission is absent at 9429A, clearly shows the 9428.5A DIB with the expected strength and width. These results further confirm C60+ as a DIB carrier., Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

Krelowski et al. have reported a weak, diffuse interstellar band (DIB) at 5069 angstrom which appears to match in both mid-wavelength and width the A(2)Pi(u)-X(2)Pi(g) gas-phase origin absorption band of HC(4)H(+). Here, we present laboratory rotational profiles at low temperatures which are then compared with the 5069 angstrom DIB using similar to 0.1 and 0.3 angstrom line widths based on a realistic line-of-sight interstellar velocity dispersion. Neither the band shape nor the wavelength of the maximum absorption match, which makes the association of the 5069 angstrom DIB with HC(4)H(+) unlikely. The magnetic dipole transition X(2)Pi(g)Omega = 1/2 -> X(2)Pi(g)Omega = 3/2 within the ground electronic state which competes with collisional excitation is also considered. In addition, we present the laboratory gas-phase spectrum of the A(2)Pi(u)-X(2)Pi(g) transition of HC(4)H(+) measured at 25 K in an ion trap and identify further absorption bands at shorter wavelengths for comparison with future DIB data.