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Context. In the advent of new infrared high-resolution spectrometers, accurate and precise atomic data in the infrared are urgently needed. Identifications, wavelengths, strengths, broadening, and hyper-fine splitting parameters of stellar lines in the near-infrared are in many cases not accurate enough to model observed spectra, and in other cases, these parameters do not even exist. Some stellar features are unidentified. Aims. The aim with this work is to identify a spectral feature at λvac = 1063.891 nm or λair = 1063.600 nm that is visible in spectra of stars of different spectral types that are observed with the GIANO-B spectrometer. Methods. The search for spectral lines to match the unidentified feature in line lists from standard atomic databases was not successful. However, by investigating the original published laboratory data, we were able to identify the feature and solve the problem. To confirm its identification, we modelled the presumed stellar line in the solar intensity spectrum and found an excellent match. Results. We find that the observed spectral feature is a stellar line originating from the 4s′–4p′ transition in S I, and that the reason for its absence in atomic line databases is a neglected air-to-vacuum correction in the original laboratory measurements from 1967 for this line only. From interpolation we determine the laboratory wavelength of the S I line to be λvac = 1063.8908 nm or λair = 1063.5993 nm, and the excitation energy of the upper level to be 9.74978 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports new experimental radiative lifetimes and calculated oscillator strengths for transitions of astrophysical interest in singly ionized cobalt. More precisely, 19 radiative lifetimes in Co+ have been measured with the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique using one- and two-step excitations. Out of these, seven belonging to the high lying 3d7(4F)4d configuration in the energy range 90 697–93 738 cm−1 are new, and the other 12 from the 3d7(4F)4p configuration with energies between 45 972 and 49 328 cm−1 are compared with previous measurements. In addition, a relativistic Hartree–Fock model including core-polarization effects has been employed to compute transition rates. Supported by the good agreement between theory and experiment for the lifetimes, new reliable transition probabilities and oscillator strengths have been deduced for 5080 Co ii transitions in the spectral range 114–8744 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiative lifetimes of 17 high-lying excited states in Rh I are measured using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence method. Out of these lifetimes, 13 are new and the remaining four confirm previous measurements. Furthermore, we report the first theoretical investigation of Rh I, where the radiative decay properties of all experimentally known levels below 47 000 cm-1 are calculated using a pseudo-relativistic Hartree-Fock method including core polarization effects. The theoretical calculations are found to be in very good agreement with the experimental results. A large set of new transition probabilities is presented for lines of astrophysical interest in the spectral range 2200-10 000 Å. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. In 1992 we began a precision radial velocity survey for planets around solar-like stars with the Coudé Echelle Spectrograph and the Long Camera (CES LC) at the 1.4m telescope in La Silla (Chile) resulting in the discovery of the planet ι Hor b. We have continued the survey with the upgraded CES Very Long Camera (VLC) and the HARPS spectrographs, both at the 3.6m telescope, until 2007. Aims. In this paper we present additional radial velocities for 31 stars of the original sample with higher precision. The observations cover a time span of up to 15 years and permit a search for Jupiter analogues. Methods. The survey was carried out with three different instruments/instrument configurations using the iodine absorption cell and the ThAr methods for wavelength calibration. We combine the data sets and perform a joint analysis for variability, trends, and periodicities. We compute Keplerian orbits for companions and detection limits in case of non-detections. Moreover, the HARPS radial velocities are analysed for correlations with activity indicators (CaII H&K and cross-correlation function shape). Results. We achieve a long-term RV precision of 15 m/s (CES+LC, 1992-1998), 9 m/s (CES+VLC, 1999-2006), and 2.8 m/s (HARPS, 2003-2009, including archive data), respectively. This enables us to confirm the known planetary signals in ι Hor and HR 506 as well as the three known planets around HR 3259. A steady RV trend for ϵ Ind A can be explained by a planetary companion and calls for direct imaging campaigns. On the other hand, we find previously reported trends to be smaller for β Hyi and not present for α Men. The candidate planet ϵ Eri b was not detected despite our better precision. Also the planet announced for HR 4523 cannot be confirmed. Long-term trends in several of our stars are compatible with known stellar companions. We provide a spectroscopic orbital solution for the binary HR 2400 and refined solutions for the planets around HR 506 and ι Hor. For some other stars the variations could be attributed to stellar activity, as e.g. the magnetic cycle in the case of HR 8323. Conclusions. The occurrence of two Jupiter-mass planets in our sample is in line with the estimate of 10% for the frequency of giant planets with periods smaller than 10 yr around solar-like stars. We have not detected a Jupiter analogue, while the detections limits for circular orbits indicate at 5 AU a sensitivity for minimum mass of at least 1MJup (2MJup) for 13% (61%) of the stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. New instrumental capabilities and the wealth of astrophysical information extractable from the near-infrared wavelength region have led to a growing interest in the field of high resolution spectroscopy at 1-5 μm. Aims. We aim to provide a library of observed high-resolution and high signal-to-noise-ratio near-infrared spectra of stars of various types throughout the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. This is needed for the exploration of spectral features in this wavelength range and for comparison of reference targets with observations and models. Methods. High quality spectra were obtained using the CRIRES near-infrared spectrograph at ESO's VLT covering the range from 0.97 μm to 5.3μm at high spectral resolution. Accurate wavelength calibration and correction for telluric lines were performed by fitting synthetic transmission spectra for the Earth's atmosphere to each spectrum individually. Results. We describe the observational strategy and the current status and content of the library which includes 13 objects. The first examples of finally reduced spectra are presented. This publication will serve as a reference paper to introduce the library to the community and explore the extensive amount of material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. This work reports oscillator strengths for transitions of astrophysical interest in singly ionized rhodium. Methods. Seventeen radiative lifetimes in Rh+ have been measured with the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique and combined with theoretical branching fractions calculated using a relativistic Hartree-Fock model including core-polarization effects to obtain oscillator strengths. Results. On the basis of the good agreement between theory and experiment for the lifetimes, new reliable oscillator strengths have been deduced for a set of 113 Rh II transitions in the spectral range 153-418 nm [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the spectrum of an emission-line region ejected from the massive star Eta Carinae, called the strontium filament (SrF), forbidden lines from many elements, in particular [Sr ii] and [Ti ii], are observed. These lines are strong in this specific region and valuable for plasma diagnostics. Forbidden lines are not easily produced in laboratory light sources and the atomic parameters for these lines can thus not be measured in a straightforward way. We use a combination of laboratory and astrophysical measurements to determine transition probabilities for the [Ti ii] lines. Lifetimes for metastable levels in Ti ii are measured using a laser probing technique on a stored ion beam at CRYRING, MSL, Stockholm. Branching fractions from some of these levels are derived from Hubble Space Telescope/STIS spectra of the SrF. The astrophysical branching fractions are combined with the experimental lifetimes to determine absolute transition probabilities. We report lifetimes for the Ti ii levels b4P3/2, b2P1/2, c2D3/2 and c2D5/2, in the range 0.29–17 s, and transition probabilities for eight parity-forbidden lines from the levels c2D3/2 and c2D5/2, along with uncertainty estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The first theoretical transition probabilities and oscillator strengths are reported for Rh II lines of astrophysical interest in the VUV region (100–200nm). They have been obtained through the use of a pseudo-relativistic Hartree–Fock model including core-polarization effects and the accuracy has been estimated to be about 10–15% through a comparison with new experimental lifetimes measured using the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]