Photoelectric observations of Sirius B.
Abstract
Photoelectric area-scanner measurements of Sirius B are presented which consist of three sets each of UBV and uvby-beta observations. These measurements show that Sirius B is not unusual with respect to other DA white dwarfs, being characterized by a V magnitude of approximately 8.44, (B-V) of the order of -0.03, (U-B) of about -1.04, (b-y) of approximately -0.04, m1 of about 0.17, an H-beta magnitude of approximately 2.77, and (u-b) of the order of 0.05. An effective temperature of 32,000 K is adopted on the basis of various photoelectric calibrations. The observations do not support the previously proposed young age of Sirius B; it is concluded that the description of the reddish color of Sirius by Ptolemy and Seneca is apparently unrelated to the evolutionary status of Sirius B.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- October 1977
- Bibcode:
- 1977A&A....61..185R
- Keywords:
-
- Brightness Temperature;
- Ubv Spectra;
- White Dwarf Stars;
- Binary Stars;
- Light Scattering;
- Stellar Temperature;
- Astronomy