A. Heck

On the Homogenization of Photometric Data

Catalogs of averaged photometric data have been published for several photometric systems. The homogenizing procedures used to produce them are not without pitfalls. We question the accuracy of these methods with the available data.

Mira’s Role in RR Tel Revisited

uvby data, IUE FES measurements and AAVSO visual estimates of the very slow nova RR Tel show that the object has gone through periodic variations in visual light since it started fading in 1949 after the outburst it incurred in 1944. The period is however not constant and varies between 350 and 410 days, confirming Mayall (1957)’s statement and in contradiction with the conclusions of later investigators. Synchronized variations of a Mira in the infrared and of a blue component indicate probably that the Mira mass outflow varies in phase with its pulsations. Large variations occur in visual light on a time scale of a few weeks.

The Spectrum of HD 51585 in the Blue and in the Ultraviolet

New visible and ultraviolet spectra of the peculiar emission line star HD 51585 are described. Interstellar lines and the λ 2200 feature are rather weak. A colour excess E(B-V) = 0.33 is derived. The extinction curve resembles the one obtained from LMC stars.