We show that collisions with stellar--mass black holes can partially explain the absence of bright giant stars in the Galactic Centre, first noted by Genzel et al, 1996. We show that the missing objects are low--mass giants and AGB stars in the range 1-3 M$_{\odot}$. Using detailed stellar evolution calculations, we find that to prevent these objects from evolving to become visible in the depleted K bands, we require that they suffer collisions on the red giant branch, and we calculate the fractional envelope mass losses required. Using a combination of Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamic calculations, restricted three--body analysis and Monte Carlo simulations, we compute the expected collision rates between giants and black holes, and between giants and main--sequence stars in the Galactic Centre. We show that collisions can plausibly explain the missing giants in the $10.5<K<12$ band. However, depleting the brighter ($K<10.5$) objects out to the required radius would require a large population of black hole impactors which would in turn deplete the $10.5<K<12$ giants in a region much larger than is observed. We conclude that collisions with stellar--mass black holes cannot account for the depletion of the very brightest giants, and we use our results to place limits on the population of stellar--mass black holes in the Galactic Centre.
We simulate collisions involving red-giant stars in the centre of our galaxy. Such encounters may explain the observed paucity of highly luminous red giants within the central 0.2pc. The masses of the missing stars are likely to be in the range 2 to 8 solar masses. Recent models of the galactic centre cluster's density and velocity distributions are used to calculate two-body collision rates. In particular we use stellar-evolution models to calculate the number of collisions a star will have during different evolutionary phases. We find that the number of two-body collisions per star is $\lo 1…
We report observations at mid-infrared and sub-millimeter wavelengths of Centaurus A (CenA, NGC 5128), the giant elliptical galaxy that harbors the closest radio loud Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) to Earth. The dust emission from the deep interior of CenA reveals a bisymmetric structure with a diameter of 5' (5 kpc), centred at the AGN. This structure is remarkably similar to that of a barred spiral galaxy, with the bar lying in a plane that is tilted ~18 degrees from the line of sight. The true nature of the distribution of dust in the inner regions of CenA is noticeably displaced from the mo…
We extract J and K_s magnitudes from the 2MASS Point Source Catalog for approximately 6 million stars with 8 < K_s < 13 in order to build an A_K extinction map within 10 degrees of the Galactic centre. The extinction was determined by fitting the upper giant branch of (K_s, J-K_s) colour-magnitude diagrams to a dereddened upper giant branch mean locus built from previously studied Bulge fields. The extinction values vary from A_K=0.05 in the edges of the map up to A_K=3.2 close to the Galactic centre. The 2MASS extinction map was compared to that recently derived from DENIS data. Both maps agr…
We study the process of mass segregation through 2-body relaxation in galactic nuclei with a central massive black hole (MBH). This study has bearing on a variety of astrophysical questions, from the distribution of X-ray binaries at the Galactic centre, to tidal disruptions of main-sequence and giant stars, to inspirals of compact objects into the MBH, an important category of events for the future space borne gravitational wave interferometer LISA. In relatively small galactic nuclei, typical hosts of MBHs with masses in the range 1e4-1e7 Msun, the relaxation induces the formation of a steep…
The origin of Galactic cosmic rays (with energies up to 10^15 eV) remains unclear, though it is widely believed that they originate in the shock waves of expanding supernova remnants. Currently the best way to investigate their acceleration and propagation is by observing the gamma-rays produced when cosmic rays interact with interstellar gas. Here we report observations of an extended region of very high energy (VHE, >100 GeV) gamma-ray emission correlated spatially with a complex of giant molecular clouds in the central 200 pc of the Milky Way. The hardness of the gamma-ray spectrum and the …
Red clump giant stars can be used as distance indicators to trace the mass distribution of the Galactic bar. We use RCG stars from 44 bulge fields from the OGLE-II microlensing collaboration database to constrain analytic tri-axial models for the Galactic bar. We find the bar major axis is oriented at an angle of 24 - 27 degrees to the Sun-Galactic centre line-of-sight. The ratio of semi-major and semi-minor bar axis scale lengths in the Galactic plane x_0, y_0, and vertical bar scale length z_0, is x_0 : y_0 : z_0 = 10 : 3.5 : 2.6, suggesting a slightly more prolate bar structure than the wor…
We present Giant Meterwave Radio Telescope images of the 1065 MHz emission from the 1_11 -> 1_10 rotational transition of acetaldehyde (CH3CHO) in the molecular cloud complex Sgr B2. Our observations are unique in that they have a high spatial resolution (~4"), while still being sensitive to large-scale emission. Most complex organic molecules in this cloud (e.g. acetone, methyl formate, acetic acid) are concentrated in a very small core, ~0.1pc across. In contrast, acetaldehyde is found to be spread over a region at least 100 times larger in extent. The line emission is confined to regions wi…
The huge supergiant shell (SGS) LMC4, next to the giant HII region 30 Doradus the second most impressive feature of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), has been the subject of many studies and was used to test various models of star forming mechanisms. In this paper we present a B, V photometry of the very centre of this SGS. The new data yield an age of 11(2)Myr and a colour excess E(B-V) = 0.10(3)mag. Additionally, the two clusters near the geometric centre are too old to be related to the formation of LMC4: HS343 being ~0.1Gyr and KMHK1000 being ~0.3Gyr of age. This and existing photometries …
It has been suggested that the final stages of accretion in present--day giant elliptical galaxies occur in an advection-dominated mode. The poor radiative efficiency of this accretion solution accounts for the fact that massive black holes, which are believed to reside in the centres of these galaxies, do not have the luminosities expected if accretion from the hot interstellar medium occurs at the Bondi rate. We discuss the advection-dominated solution for the nucleus of M60 (NGC 4649) and show that accretion at the Bondi rate is consistent with the core flux from radio to X-ray. This soluti…
Massive black holes (MBHs) with a mass below ~ 1e7 Msun are likely to reside at the centre of dense stellar nuclei shaped by 2-body relaxation, close interactions with the MBH and direct collisions. In this contribution, we stress the role of mass segregation of stellar-mass black holes into the innermost tenths of a parsec and point to the importance of hydrodynamical collisions between stars. At the Galactic centre, collisions must affect giant stars and some of the S-stars.
Which came first, the stars and gas that make up a galaxy, or the giant black hole at its centre? Observations of a distant galaxy, caught as it forms, could help solve this chicken-and-egg problem.
We have observed the central 45' region of the Galaxy at 620 MHz band of the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) in radio continuum, and measured the polarisation properties of 64 small diameter background extragalactic sources seen through the -6 deg < l < 6 deg, -2 deg < b < 2 deg region with the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) and the Very Large Array (VLA). Our 620 MHz observations show that Sgr A* is located behind the HII region Sgr A West. Using the ATCA and the VLA observations, we measured the Faraday rotation measure (RM) of the polarised sources. The measured RMs are mos…
The giant elliptical galaxy NGC 1275, at the centre of the Perseus cluster, is surrounded by a well-known giant nebulosity of emission-line filaments, which are plausibly about >10^8 yr old. The filaments are dragged out from the centre of the galaxy by the radio bubbles rising buoyantly in the hot intracluster gas before later falling back. They act as dramatic markers of the feedback process by which energy is transferred from the central massive black hole to the surrounding gas. The mechanism by which the filaments are stabilized against tidal shear and dissipation into the surrounding 4x1…
We have observed two fields - Field-I (l=3.2 degrees, b=-1.0 degree) and Field-II (l=356.8 degrees, b=-0.1 degree) with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) at 330 MHz. In the first field, we have studied the candidate supernova remnant (SNR) G3.1-0.6 and based on its observed morphology, spectral index and polarisation confirmed it to be an SNR. We find this supernova to have a double ring appearance with a strip of emission on it's western side passing through it's centre. We have discovered two extended curved objects in the second field, which appears to be part of a large shell like…
We have studied HI absorption towards three non-thermal filaments (NTFs) Sgr-C, G359.54+0.18 and G359.79+0.17 using the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). Our study, for the first time, constrains the distance of the Sgr C NTF and the HII region seen associated with the NTF in the sky plane, to within a few hundred parsecs from the Galactic Centre (GC). A molecular cloud with a velocity of -100 km/s appears to be associated with the central part of the Sgr C NTF. Our study also indicates that the Sgr C HII region is relatively farther away than the NTF along our line of sight, and thereby…
We discuss the wavelength dependence of angular diameters of M giants from an observational perspective. Observers cannot directly measure an optical-depth radius for a star, despite this being a common theoretical definition. Instead, they can use an interferometer to measure the square of the fringe visibility. We present new plots of the wavelength-dependent centre-to-limb variation (CLV) of intensity of the stellar disk as well as visibility for Mira and non-Mira M giant models. We use the terms ``CLV spectra'' and ``visibility spectra'' for these plots. We discuss a model-predicted extrem…
We review the recent impact of microlensing projects on our understanding of pulsating red giant stars. Discussed are red giant stars' pulsation properties (period--luminosity relations, period changes, mode switchings), Red Giant Branch pulsations, metallicity effects and the use of red giant variables to explore galactic structure.
The recent discovery of low-mass red giants with enhanced atmospherical Li abundance in galactic low-metallicity stellar clusters adds to the mysterious phenomenon of the Li-rich giants. We propose a combined scenario for the Li-enrichment: engulfing a giant planet (or brown dwarf) by a red giant (external source) activates inside the giant the "7Be-mechanism" producing Li internally. This episodical Li-production can happen at any time on the red giant branch and is naturally followed by Li-depletion as is observed. Limitations of our scenario are discussed as well.
The red clump giants are potentially very useful as standard candles. There is some controversy about the stability of their I-band absolute magnitude, but it does not seem to be serious. No controversy was anticipated about their colors, with metal rich giants expected to be redder and cooler than the metal poor giants. The purpose of this paper is to point out that no such correlation is apparent between [Fe/H] and effective temperature as determined with Washington CCD photometry for the giants in Baade's Window. No explanation is offered for this surprising result. It is also unknown why t…
We present our spectroscopic data around H$β$ of the symbiotic star V1016 Cyg obtained with the Bohyunsan Echelle Spectrograph, in order to secure the broad emission feature at around 4850Å, which is formed through Raman scattering of He II $λ$ 972. The total cross section around Ly$γ$ is approximately given by $σ(λ)\simeq 1.7\times 10^{-28}[λ_{Lyγ}/(λ-λ_{Lyγ})]^2{\rm cm^2}$, with $λ_{Lyγ}$ being the line centre wavelength of Ly$γ$. We find a centre shift redward by an amount $Δλ= +0.64{\rm Å}$ in the Raman scattered He II $λ$ 4850. This redward centre shift is exactly analogous to the effect …
I determine a distance to the Fornax dwarf galaxy using stars in the red clump and at the tip of the red giant branch. They are in very good agreement, with $μ_0 = 20.66 mag$. Comparing the magnitudes of the tip of the red giant branch and of the red clump in Fornax, Carina and the Magellanic Clouds, I propose a possible solution to the problem of the discrepancy between these two types of distance measurements.
We estimate the rate at which stars are captured by supermassive black holes (BHs) in the centres of bulges and elliptical galaxies assuming that these initially had an isothermal cusp (rho ~ r^{-2} with velocity dispersion sigma_*). If radial orbits can be adequately replenished a BH can grow significantly by capturing stars and particles of the dark halo; the latter could be up to 20--40 percent of the total mass captured. A tight relation M_bh 10^8 (sigma_*/200\kms)^5 between BH hole mass and stellar velocity dispersion arises at the high mass end M_bh >= 10^8 M_sun if these giant BHs grow …
We present analysis of the large sample of variable red giants from the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds detected during the second phase of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE-II) and supplemented with OGLE-III photometry. Comparing pulsation properties of detected objects we find that they constitute two groups with clearly distinct features. In this paper we analyze in detail small amplitude variable red giants (about 15400 and 3000 objects in the LMC and SMC, respectively). The vast majority of these objects are multi-periodic. At least 30% of them exhibit two modes closely…
Theoretical predictions of Red Giant Branch stars' effective temperatures, colors, luminosities and surface chemical abundances are a necessary tool for the astrophysical interpretation of the visible--near infrared integrated light from unresolved stellar populations, the Color-Magnitude-Diagrams of resolved stellar clusters and galaxies, and spectroscopic determinations of red giant chemical abundances. On the other hand, the comparison with empirical constraints provides a stringent test for the accuracy of present generations of red giant models. We review the current status of red giant s…
We show that enhanced extra mixing in low-mass red giants can result in a fluorine abundance that is correlated with abundance variations of other elements participating in H burning, such as C, N, O and Na. This finding is used to explain the fluorine abundance variations recently found in bright red giants of the globular cluster M4.
The Magellanic Clouds provide the ideal laboratory for the study of mass loss and molecule and dust formation in red giants as a function of luminosity and metal abundance. I present some recent observational work.
Although much is known about the nature of winds from hot stars and giants and supergiants with spectral types earlier than K, there is still much to be learned regarding the mass-loss process in cool, late-type stars. We will review the current state of research, with particular reference to observations and modelling of mass-loss from giant stars in symbiotic systems.
A new calibration of the Stroemgren (b-y),m_1 diagram in terms of iron abundance of red giants is presented. This calibration is based on a homogeneous sample of giants in the globular clusters omega Centauri, M22, and M55 as well as field giants from the list of Anthony-Twarog & Twarog (1998). Towards high metallicities, the new calibration is connected to a previous calibration by Grebel & Richtler (1992), which was unsatisfactory for iron abudances lower than -1.0 dex. The revised calibration is valid for CN-weak/normal red giants in the abundance range of -2.0 < [Fe/H]r $< 0.0 dex, and a c…
We describe a new method for robustly testing theoretical predictions of red giant evolution near the tip of the giant branch. When theoretical cumulative luminosity functions are shifted to align the tip in I-band and normalized at a luminosity level slightly brighter than the red giant bump, virtually all dependence on age and composition (heavy elements and helium abundance) is eliminated. While significant comparisons with observations require large samples of giant stars, such samples are available for some of the most massive Milky Way globular clusters. We present comparisons with the c…
We present a comparison between theoretical models and the observed magnitude difference between the horizontal branch and the red giant branch bump for a sample of 53 clusters. We find a general agreement, though some discrepancy is still present at the two extremes of the metallicity range of globular clusters.
We consider the procedure of isochrone fitting and its application to the study of red giant branch (RGB) photometry in old stellar populations. This is extended to consider the problems introduced by the inclusion of lower-magnitude regions of the Colour Magnitude Diagram (CMD). We refer especially to our previous paper Frayn & Gilmore (2002), where the details of our isochrone interpolation and fitting code are explained. We address the systematic errors inherent in the process of isochrone fitting, and investigate the extent to which simple stellar populations can be recovered from noisy ph…
K and M giants show variability on timescales from years down to days and possibly even hours. I discuss the contribution that can be made with high-precision photometry that will be obtained by the MONS Star Trackers. These include observations of flare-like events on Mira variables, and oscillation spectra for K giants and short-period M giants.
We show evidence that the red giant star ksi Hya has an oscillation mode lifetime, tau, of about 2 days significantly shorter than predicted by theory (tau = 17 days, Houdek & Gough 2002). If this is a general trend of red giants it would limit the prospects of asteroseismology on these stars because of poor coherence of the oscillations.
We investigate the observed depletion of red giants in the cores of post-core-collapse globular clusters. In particular, the evolutionary scenario we consider is a binary consisting of two low-mass stars which undergoes two common envelope phases. The first common envelope phase occurs when the primary is a red giant resulting in a helium white dwarf and main sequence star in a detached binary. The second common envelope phase occurs shortly after the secondary becomes a red giant. During the second common envelope phase the degenerate helium cores merge resulting in a core mass greater than t…
A Monte Carlo simulation exploring uncertainties in standard stellar evolution theory on the red giant branch of metal-poor globular clusters has been conducted. Confidence limits are derived on the absolute V-band magnitude of the bump in the red giant branch luminosity function (M_v,b) and the excess number of stars in thebump, R_b. The analysis takes into account uncertainties in the primordial helium abundance, abundance of alpha-capture elements, radiative and conductive opacities, nuclear reaction rates, neutrino energy losses, the treatments of diffusion and convection, the surface boun…
We report 349 radial velocities for 45 metal-poor field red giant and red horizontal branch stars. We have have identified one new spectroscopic binary, HD 4306, and one possible such system, HD 184711. We also report 57 radial velocities for 11 of the 91 stars reported on previously by Carney et al. (2003). As was found in the previous study, radial velocity "jitter" is present in many of the most luminous stars. Excluding stars showing spectroscopic binary orbital motion, all 7 of the red giants with M(V) <= -2.0 display jitter, as well as 3 of the 14 stars with -2.0 <= M(V) <= -1.4. We have…
Color-magnitude diagrams of globular clusters often exhibit a prominent horizontal branch (HB) and may also show features such as the red giant branch (RGB) bump and the asymptotic giant branch (AGB) bump. Stellar evolution theory predicts that the luminosities of these features will depend on the metallicity and age of the cluster. We calculate theoretical lines of 2 to 12 Gyr constant age RGB-bumps and AGB-bumps in the V(HB-Bump)--[Fe/H] diagram, which shows the brightness difference between the bump and the HB as a function of metallicity. In order to test the predictions, we identify giant…
We discuss the importance for the long-term cluster evolution of the mass loss from intermediate-mass stars (0.8-8 Msun). We present constraints on the mass loss from red giants in clusters in the Magellanic Clouds, a search for the intra-cluster medium in galactic globular clusters, and a simple estimate for the cluster evolution due to red giant mass loss compared to stellar escape.
