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 The Algol System XX CepheiWe present new five-color photometric and spectroscopic observations ofthe Algol system XX Cephei (V=9.13, P=2.3 days). This system is known tohave a variable period. From analysis of both the period variations andthe light curve we found no support for apsidal motion. However, thereis a possible light-time effect. The period changes could also beepisodic. Our spectroscopic analysis yielded a classification of A4. Wefound no evidence of features attributable to the cooler component or ofactive mass transfer. Our photometric solution, using theWilson-Devinney modeling program, showed the system to be an Algolconfiguration with a mass ratio of 0.17. We determined the masses andradii, in solar units, to be M1=1.92, M2=0.33,R1=2.07, and R2=2.32, and the temperatures to beT1=8500 K and T2=4555 K. From the parallax givenin the Hipparcos catalog, neglecting reddening, absolute magnitudes ofMV=1.73 and 4.43 were determined for the primary andsecondary components, respectively. The chemical composition of δ Scuti*We present chemical abundances in the photosphere of δ Scuti(δ Sct) - a prototype of the class of pulsating variables -determined from the analysis of a spectrum obtained by using the 2-mtelescope at the Peak Terskol Observatory and a high-resolutionspectrometer with R= 52000, a signal-to-noise ratio 250 and fromInternational Ultraviolet Explorer spectra. The abundance pattern ofδ Sct consists of 49 chemical elements. The abundances of 19elements have not been investigated previously. The abundances of Pr andNd obtained from the lines of the second and third spectra are equal.The abundances of heavy elements indicate the overabundances withrespect to the solar system values up to 1 dex. The abundance pattern ofδ Sct is similar to the abundance patterns of Am-Fm or δ Deltype stars.A splitting of the cores of all clean lines is observed for the spectraof δ Sct and HD 57749. This can signify evidence of non-radialpulsations in these stars. λ Bootis stars with composite spectraWe examine the large sample of λ Boo candidates collected inTable 1 of Gerbaldi et al. (\cite{Gerbaldi2003}) to see how many of themshow composite spectra. Of the 132 λ Boo candidates we identify22 which definitely show composite spectra and 15 more for which thereare good reasons to suspect a composite spectrum. The percentage ofλ Boo candidates with composite spectra is therefore >17% andpossibly considerably higher. For such stars the λ Booclassification should be reconsidered taking into account the fact thattheir spectra are composite. We argue that some of the underabundancesreported in the literature may simply be the result of the failure toconsider the composite nature of the spectra. This leads to thelegitimate suspicion that some, if not all, the λ Boo candidatesare not chemically peculiar at all. A thorough analysis of even a singleone of the λ Boo candidates with composite spectra, in which thecomposite nature of the spectrum is duly considered, which woulddemonstrate that the chemical peculiarities persist, would clear thedoubt we presently have that the stars with composite spectra may not beλ Boo stars at all.Based on observations collected at ESO (Echelec spectrograph) and at TBL(Telescope Bernard Lyot) of the Pic du Midi Observatory (France). Instabilities in the excitation of non-radial pulsation modes in the δ Scuti star BV CirciniHigh resolution spectroscopic observations obtained in 1995 of theδ Scuti star BV Circini are analyzed and the results compared withthose obtained by Mantegazza et al. (\cite{Mantegazza02}) fromspectroscopic observations in 1996 and 1998. Non-radial pulsation modesboth of low and high degree have been observed. Most of them are thesame detected in the other two campaigns, however the strongesthigh-degree one (14.62 cd-1) is different from that observedin 1996 (13.85 cd-1), which in turn is different from thatobserved in 1998 (17.28 cd-1). The 13.85 cd-1smode is the only one of these independently detected in the threeseasons, in which it kept about the same amplitude. One high-degreeretrograde mode at 1.48 cd-1s has been independently detectedin the three campaigns. The mode amplitude variations are discussed andit is shown that large variations can occur from one year to the next.The mode identifications performed on the three datasets by means of thefit of line profile variations supply results in good agreement amongthemselves. The high degree prograde modes have azimuthal orders between12 and 14, while the retrograde one is about 7. Finally the stellarpulsation spectrum as derived from all the available spectroscopic andphotometric data, and which consists of about 20 terms, is discussed.Based on observations collected at ESO-La Silla. The heterogeneous class of lambda Bootis starsWe demonstrate that it is arduous to define the lambda Boo stars as aclass of objects exhibiting uniform abundance peculiarities which wouldbe generated by a mechanism altering the structure of their atmosphericlayers. We collected the stars classified as lambda Boo up to now anddiscuss their properties, in particular the important percentage ofconfirmed binaries producing composite spectra (including our adaptiveoptics observations) and of misclassified objects. The unexplained RVvariables (and thus suspected binaries), the known SB for which we lackinformation on the companion, the stars with an UV flux inconsistentwith their classification, and the fast rotating stars for which noaccurate abundance analysis can be performed, are also reviewed.Partly based on observations collected at the CFH Telescope (Hawaii) andat TBL of the Pic du Midi Observatory (France).Table \ref{tab5} is only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org Automated spectroscopic abundances of A and F-type stars using echelle spectrographs. II. Abundances of 140 A-F stars from ELODIEUsing the method presented in Erspamer & North (\cite{erspamer},hereafter Paper I), detailed abundances of 140 stars are presented. Theuncertainties characteristic of this method are presented and discussed.In particular, we show that for a S/N ratio higher than 200, the methodis applicable to stars with a rotational velocity as high as 200 kms-1. There is no correlation between abundances and Vsin i,except a spurious one for Sr, Sc and Na which we explain by the smallnumber of lines of these elements combined with a locally biasedcontinuum. Metallic giants (Hauck \cite{hauck}) show larger abundancesthan normal giants for at least 8 elements: Al, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Niand Ba. The anticorrelation for Na, Mg, Si, Ca, Fe and Ni with Vsin isuggested by Varenne & Monier (\cite{varenne99}) is not confirmed.The predictions of the Montréal models (e.g. Richard et al.\cite{richard01}) are not fulfilled in general. However, a correlationbetween left [(Fe)/(H)right ] and log g is found for stars of 1.8 to 2.0M_sun. Various possible causes are discussed, but the physical realityof this correlation seems inescapable.Based on observations collected at the 1.93 m telescope at theObservatoire de Haute-Provence (St-Michel l'Observatoire, France) andCORALIE.Based on observations collected at the Swiss 1.2 m Leonard Eulertelescopes at the European Southern Observatory (La Silla, Chile).Tables 5 and 6 are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u.strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/398/1121 δ Scuti stars and their related objectsδ Scuti stars are a group of stars located on or a little abovethe main sequence of H-R diagram with spectral type from A3 to F5. Theyare low amplitude single or multi period pulsators with period shorterthan 0.3 d. Within the same area there are several groups of variablesor special stars correlated with them, e.g., Dwarf Cepheids, γ Dorvariables, Blue Stragglers, Am stars, Ap stars, ROAp variables, λBoo variables and δ Del variables. In this paper a general reviewin this field, including the number of new variables discovered after1995, is presented. The most reliable period variation rates for all thehigh amplitude variables and several low amplitude variables are listed.Statistic shows the higher the rotation rate v sin i is, the lower thelight variation amplitude is. Thus within young open clusters highamplitude variables cannot be found. The amplitudes-periods distributionhave 3 peaks with the highest of 1.0 mag in V at 0.17 d in period. Forδ Scuti variables in stellar systems the shorter the averageperiod is, the lower the metallicity and the older the age of thestellar system are. The status of Galactic field λ Bootis stars in the post-Hipparcos eraThe λ Bootis stars are Population I, late B- to early F-typestars, with moderate to extreme (up to a factor 100) surfaceunderabundances of most Fe-peak elements and solar abundances of lighterelements (C, N, O and S). To put constraints on the various existingtheories that try to explain these peculiar stars, we investigate theobservational properties of λ Bootis stars compared with areference sample of normal stars. Using various photometric systems andHipparcos data, we analyse the validity of standard photometriccalibrations, elemental abundances, and Galactic space motions. Therecrystallizes a clear picture of a homogeneous group of Population Iobjects found at all stages of their main-sequence evolution, with apeak at about 1 Gyr. No correlation of astrophysical parameters such asthe projected rotational velocities or elemental abundances with age isfound, suggesting that the a priori unknown mechanism, which createsλ Bootis stars, works continuously for late B- to early F-typestars in all stages of main-sequence evolution. Surprisingly, the sodiumabundances seem to indicate an interaction between the stars and theirlocal environment. Rotational velocities of A-type stars in the northern hemisphere. II. Measurement of v sin iThis work is the second part of the set of measurements of v sin i forA-type stars, begun by Royer et al. (\cite{Ror_02a}). Spectra of 249 B8to F2-type stars brighter than V=7 have been collected at Observatoirede Haute-Provence (OHP). Fourier transforms of several line profiles inthe range 4200-4600 Å are used to derive v sin i from thefrequency of the first zero. Statistical analysis of the sampleindicates that measurement error mainly depends on v sin i and thisrelative error of the rotational velocity is found to be about 5% onaverage. The systematic shift with respect to standard values fromSlettebak et al. (\cite{Slk_75}), previously found in the first paper,is here confirmed. Comparisons with data from the literature agree withour findings: v sin i values from Slettebak et al. are underestimatedand the relation between both scales follows a linear law ensuremath vsin inew = 1.03 v sin iold+7.7. Finally, thesedata are combined with those from the previous paper (Royer et al.\cite{Ror_02a}), together with the catalogue of Abt & Morrell(\cite{AbtMol95}). The resulting sample includes some 2150 stars withhomogenized rotational velocities. Based on observations made atObservatoire de Haute Provence (CNRS), France. Tables \ref{results} and\ref{merging} are only available in electronic form at the CDS viaanonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.125.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/393/897 On the Period-Luminosity-Colour-Metallicity relation and the pulsational characteristics of lambda Bootis type starsGenerally, chemical peculiarity found for stars on the upper mainsequence excludes delta Scuti type pulsation (e.g. Ap and Am stars), butfor the group of lambda Bootis stars it is just the opposite. This makesthem very interesting for asteroseismological investigations. The groupof lambda Bootis type stars comprises late B- to early F-type,Population I objects which are basically metal weak, in particular theFe group elements, but with the clear exception of C, N, O and S. Thepresent work is a continuation of the studies by Paunzen et al.(\cite{Pau97}, \cite{Pau98}), who presented first results on thepulsational characteristics of the lambda Bootis stars. Since then, wehave observed 22 additional objects; we found eight new pulsators andconfirmed another one. Furthermore, new spectroscopic data (Paunzen\cite{Pau01}) allowed us to sort out misidentified candidates and to addtrue members to the group. From 67 members of this group, only two arenot photometrically investigated yet which makes our analysis highlyrepresentative. We have compared our results on the pulsationalbehaviour of the lambda Bootis stars with those of a sample of deltaScuti type objects. We find that at least 70% of all lambda Bootis typestars inside the classical instability strip pulsate, and they do sowith high overtone modes (Q < 0.020 d). Only a few stars, if any,pulsate in the fundamental mode. Our photometric results are inexcellent agreement with the spectroscopic work on high-degree nonradialpulsations by Bohlender et al. (\cite{Boh99}). Compared to the deltaScuti stars, the cool and hot borders of the instability strip of thelambda Bootis stars are shifted by about 25 mmag, towards smaller(b-y)_0. Using published abundances and the metallicity sensitiveindices of the Geneva 7-colour and Strömgren uvbybeta systems, wehave derived [Z] values which describe the surface abundance of theheavier elements for the group members. We find that thePeriod-Luminosity-Colour relation for the group of lambda Bootis starsis within the errors identical with that of the normal delta Scutistars. No clear evidence for a statistically significant metallicityterm was detected. Based on observations from the Austrian AutomaticPhotoelectric Telescope (Fairborn Observatory), SAAO and Siding SpringObservatory. Light curve shape variability of SZ cassiopeiae between 1978-1994The aim of our investigation was to approach the problem ofidentification for possible variability of light curve shape in case ofthe classical Cepheid SZ Cassiopeiae. In order to perform such a studywe analysed eight observational data sets obtained through Vphotoelectrical photometry, covering a time base of 16 years. We appliedthe Fourier decomposition technique to each data set; the obtainedFourier coefficients were used to calculate the corresponding amplituderatios and phase differences. Their time behavior were finally studiedin order to search for evidences of the variability of the light curveshape. The Physical Basis of Luminosity Classification in the Late A-, F-, and Early G-Type Stars. I. Precise Spectral Types for 372 StarsThis is the first in a series of two papers that address the problem ofthe physical nature of luminosity classification in the late A-, F-, andearly G-type stars. In this paper, we present precise spectralclassifications of 372 stars on the MK system. For those stars in theset with Strömgren uvbyβ photometry, we derive reddenings andpresent a calibration of MK temperature types in terms of the intrinsicStrömgren (b-y)0 index. We also examine the relationshipbetween the luminosity class and the Strömgren c1 index,which measures the Balmer jump. The second paper will address thederivation of the physical parameters of these stars, and therelationships between these physical parameters and the luminosityclass. Stars classified in this paper include one new λ Bootisstar and 10 of the F- and G-type dwarfs with recently discoveredplanets. A spectroscopic survey for lambda Bootis stars. II. The observational datalambda Bootis stars comprise only a small number of all A-type stars andare characterized as nonmagnetic, Population i, late B to early F-typedwarfs which show significant underabundances of metals whereas thelight elements (C, N, O and S) are almost normal abundant compared tothe Sun. In the second paper on a spectroscopic survey for lambda Bootisstars, we present the spectral classifications of all program starsobserved. These stars were selected on the basis of their Strömgrenuvbybeta colors as lambda Bootis candidates. In total, 708 objects insix open clusters, the Orion OB1 association and the Galactic field wereclassified. In addition, 9 serendipity non-candidates in the vicinity ofour program stars as well as 15 Guide Star Catalogue stars were observedresulting in a total of 732 classified stars. The 15 objects from theGuide Star Catalogue are part of a program for the classification ofapparent variable stars from the Fine Guidance Sensors of the HubbleSpace Telescope. A grid of 105 MK standard as well as pathological''stars guarantees a precise classification. A comparison of our spectralclassification with the extensive work of Abt & Morrell(\cite{Abt95}) shows no significant differences. The derived types are0.23 +/- 0.09 (rms error per measurement) subclasses later and 0.30 +/-0.08 luminosity classes more luminous than those of Abt & Morrell(\cite{Abt95}) based on a sample of 160 objects in common. The estimatederrors of the means are +/- 0.1 subclasses. The characteristics of oursample are discussed in respect to the distribution on the sky, apparentvisual magnitudes and Strömgren uvbybeta colors. Based onobservations from the Observatoire de Haute-Provence, OsservatorioAstronomico di Padova-Asiago, Observatório do Pico dosDias-LNA/CNPq/MCT, Chews Ridge Observatory (MIRA) and University ofToronto Southern Observatory (Las Campanas). Catalogue of Apparent Diameters and Absolute Radii of Stars (CADARS) - Third edition - Comments and statisticsThe Catalogue, available at the Centre de Données Stellaires deStrasbourg, consists of 13 573 records concerning the results obtainedfrom different methods for 7778 stars, reported in the literature. Thefollowing data are listed for each star: identifications, apparentmagnitude, spectral type, apparent diameter in arcsec, absolute radiusin solar units, method of determination, reference, remarks. Commentsand statistics obtained from CADARS are given. The Catalogue isavailable in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcar?J/A+A/367/521 The proper motions of fundamental stars. I. 1535 stars from the Basic FK5A direct combination of the positions given in the HIPPARCOS cataloguewith astrometric ground-based catalogues having epochs later than 1939allows us to obtain new proper motions for the 1535 stars of the BasicFK5. The results are presented as the catalogue Proper Motions ofFundamental Stars (PMFS), Part I. The median precision of the propermotions is 0.5 mas/year for mu alpha cos delta and 0.7mas/year for mu delta . The non-linear motions of thephotocentres of a few hundred astrometric binaries are separated intotheir linear and elliptic motions. Since the PMFS proper motions do notinclude the information given by the proper motions from othercatalogues (HIPPARCOS, FK5, FK6, etc.) this catalogue can be used as anindependent source of the proper motions of the fundamental stars.Catalogue (Table 3) is only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strastg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/365/222 Asteroseismology of Delta Scuti StarsThis paper presents recent results for delta Scuti stars based onmeasurements obtained by WET/Delta Scuti Network as well as theoreticalmodeling of the pulsation modes. In particular, the two stars indifferent stages of evolution, FG Vir and 4 CVn, are discussed. For 4CVn, the XCOV13 campaign has revealed 34 frequencies, which sets a newrecord for delta Scuti stars. Preliminary mode identifications arepresented, indicating pulsation in low radial order and low degree (l =0 to 2). The star shows strong amplitude variability with timescales often years or longer, although for neighbouring years the amplitudesusually are similar. The cyclic behavior of the amplitude variationsexcludes an evolutionary origin. The pulsation mode at 7.375 c/dexhibits the most rapid decrease found so far: the V amplitude droppedfrom the highest known value of 15 mmag in 1974 to 4 mmag in 1976 and 1mmag in 1977. After that the mode has been increasing in amplitude.There exists a phase jump between 1976 and 1977, suggesting the growthof a new mode. A revised catalogue of delta Sct starsAn extensive and up-dated list of delta Sct stars is presented here.More than 500 papers, published during the last few years, have beenrevised and 341 new variables have been added to our last list, sixyears ago. This catalogue is intended to be a comprehensive review onthe observational characteristics of all the delta Sct stars known untilnow, including stars contained in earlier catalogues together with othernew discovered variables, covering information published until January2000. In summary, 636 variables, 1149 references and 182 individualnotes are presented in this new list. Tables 1 and 2 will be accessibleonly in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html Simultaneous intensive photometry and high resolution spectroscopy of delta Scuti stars. IV. An improved picture of the pulsational behaviour of X CaeliThe delta Scuti star X Caeli has been the target of a simultaneousphotometric (14 consecutive nights) and spectroscopic campaign (8consecutive nights). From the analysis of light curves we were able topick up 17 frequency components, most of which were already detected intwo previous campaigns. The comparison with the results of the previouscampaigns shows that while some terms are rather stable (in particularthe dominant mode at 7.39 cd-1 ) others have conspicuousamplitude variations. 14 photometric terms have been also detected inthe radial velocity curve or in the analysis of the line profilevariations. There are no spectroscopic terms without photometriccounterparts, and this means that there are no high-degree modes asobserved in other delta Scuti stars. The simultaneous fit of light andline profile variations has allowed the estimation of the inclination ofrotational axis (about 70o) and the l,m identification formany modes. In particular there is clear evidence that the two shortestperiod modes are retrograde. Rather reliable results were found for thedominant mode which has l=1, m=-1. The resulting physical parameters ofits pulsation are in good agreement with the prediction of theoreticalmodels and suggest for this star a mixing length parameter of about 0.5.Finally the fundamental stellar physical parameters and their refinementare discussed in the light of the identification of the 7.47cd-1 term as a radial mode. Based on observations collectedat European Southern Observatory(Proposal 58.E-0278) Sixth Catalogue of Fundamental Stars (FK6). Part I. Basic fundamental stars with direct solutionsThe FK6 is a suitable combination of the results of the HIPPARCOSastrometry satellite with ground-based data, measured over more than twocenturies and summarized in the FK5. Part I of the FK6 (abbreviatedFK6(I)) contains 878 basic fundamental stars with direct solutions. Suchdirect solutions are appropriate for single stars or for objects whichcan be treated like single stars. From the 878 stars in Part I, we haveselected 340 objects as "astrometrically excellent stars", since theirinstantaneous proper motions and mean (time-averaged) ones do not differsignificantly. Hence most of the astrometrically excellent stars arewell-behaving "single-star candidates" with good astrometric data. Thesestars are most suited for high-precision astrometry. On the other hand,199 of the stars in Part I are Δμ binaries in the sense ofWielen et al. (1999). Many of them are newly discovered probablebinaries with no other hitherto known indication of binarity. The FK6gives, besides the classical "single-star mode" solutions (SI mode),other solutions which take into account the fact that hidden astrometricbinaries among "apparently single-stars" introduce sizable "cosmicerrors" into the quasi-instantaneously measured HIPPARCOS proper motionsand positions. The FK6 gives in addition to the SI mode the "long-termprediction (LTP) mode" and the "short-term prediction (STP) mode". TheseLTP and STP modes are on average the most precise solutions forapparently single stars, depending on the epoch difference with respectto the HIPPARCOS epoch of about 1991. The typical mean error of anFK6(I) proper motion in the single-star mode is 0.35 mas/year. This isabout a factor of two better than the typical HIPPARCOS errors for thesestars of 0.67 mas/year. In the long-term prediction mode, in whichcosmic errors are taken into account, the FK6(I) proper motions have atypical mean error of 0.50 mas/year, which is by a factor of more than 4better than the corresponding error for the HIPPARCOS values of 2.21mas/year (cosmic errors included). Stability in the Light Curves of High-Amplitude delta Scuti Stars: Selected Monoperiodic StarsWe have analyzed all the reliable photometric data sets available in thebibliography for a selected sample of monoperiodic high-amplitude deltaScuti stars in order to study the stability of their light curves. Atotal of 169 data sets and more than 22,000 points have been consideredfor seven stars: ZZ Mic, EH Lib, BE Lyn, YZ Boo, SZ Lyn, AD CMi, and DYHer. The results do not reveal significant long-term changes ofamplitude of the light curves for any of these stars. Excitation and visibility of high-degree modes in starsObservational evidence for excitation of non-radial modes in stars isconfronted with the results of linear stability surveys for stellarmodels. We consider various types of pulsators on the upper mainsequence as well as stars in the Cepheid strip. Our stability surveycovers the whole range of spherical harmonic degrees, l, whereinstability is found. There is fair agreement between the theoreticalinstability strip and the location of ζ Oph stars, but the observedand calculated periods do not agree in some stars. We suggest thateither pulsation is not responsible for the ζ Oph phenomenon orelse there are serious errors in mode identification in these cases. Wedo not find instability at long periods for early B-type stars,supporting the idea that pulsation is not responsible for the periodicvariations in Be stars. The agreement between the observed andcalculated periods of high-degree modes in δ Sct stars is not verysatisfactory. This is attributed to problems in mode identification. Wediscuss unstable modes of high degree in Cepheid models as a possiblemechanism for the low-amplitude radial velocities seen in some starswithin the instability strip. We find, however, that the observedperiods are at least a factor of 2 longer than the calculated periods.Finally, we discuss the possibility of observing modes of high degreephotometrically. We suggest that a large number of high-degree modes maybecome detectable by future space-borne photometric missions. Theconfusion arising from these modes may greatly reduce the value of suchobservations for asteroseismology. However, they will be very importantin studying the mechanism of mode selection. UV observations of B to F-type stars.Not Available A Second Catalog of Orbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 Filter Photometry: Ultraviolet Photometry of 614 StarsUltraviolet photometry from the Wisconsin Experiment Package on theOrbiting Astronomical Observatory 2 (OAO 2) is presented for 614 stars.Previously unpublished magnitudes from 12 filter bandpasses withwavelengths ranging from 1330 to 4250 Å have been placed on thewhite dwarf model atmosphere absolute flux scale. The fluxes wereconverted to magnitudes using V=0 for F(V)=3.46x10^-9 ergs cm^-2 s^-1Å^-1, or m_lambda=-2.5logF_lambda-21.15. This second catalogeffectively doubles the amount of OAO 2 photometry available in theliterature and includes many objects too bright to be observed withmodern space observatories. How many lambda Bootis stars are binaries?In the attempt to shed new light on the lambda Boo phenomenon weanalyzed the astrometric, photometric and spectroscopic characteristicsof stars out of a list of recently selected lambda Boo candidates. Weshow that the class is still ill-defined and discuss the possibilitythat some, if not most stars presently classified as lambda Boo, are infact binary pairs and that peculiar abundances may not correspond toactual values if the average values of the atmospheric parameters{Teff} and log g are assumed and the effect of veiling is nottaken into account. Partly based on data from the ESA Hipparcosastrometry satellite. Mapping the contours of the Local bubble: preliminary resultsWe present preliminary results from a long-term program of mapping theneutral absorption characteristics of the local interstellar medium,taking advantage of Hipparcos stellar distances. Equivalent widths ofthe NaI D-line doublet at 5890 Å are presented for thelines-of-sight towards some 143 new target stars lying within 300 pc ofthe Sun. Using these data which were obtained at the Observatoire deHaute Provence, together with previously published NaI absorptionmeasurements towards a further 313 nearby targets, we present absorptionmaps of the distribution of neutral gas in the local interstellar mediumas viewed from 3 different galactic projections. In particular, thesemaps reveal the Local Bubble region as a low neutral densityinterstellar cavity in the galactic plane with radii between 65-250 pcthat is surrounded by a (dense) neutral gas boundary (or wall''). Wehave compared our iso-column contours with the contours derived bySnowden et al. (\cite{snowden98}) using ROSAT soft X-ray emission data.Consistency in the global dimensions derived for both sets of contoursis found for the case of a million degree hot LB plasma of emissivity0.0023 cm(-6) pc with an electron density of 0.005 cm(-2) . We havedetected only one relatively dense accumulation of cold, neutral gaswithin 60 pc of the Sun that surrounds the star delta Cyg, and note thatthe nearest molecular cloud complex of MBM 12 probably resides at thevery edge of the Local Bubble at a distance of ~ 90 pc. Our observationsmay also explain the very different physical properties of the columnsof interstellar gas in the line-of-sight to the two hot stars epsilonCMa and beta CMa as being due to their locations with respect to theBubble contours. Finally, in the meridian plane the LB cavity is foundto be elongated perpendicularly to the Gould's Belt plane, possiblybeing squeezed'' by the expanding shells of the Sco-Cen andPerseus-Taurus OB associations. Tables 1 and 2 are also available inelectronic form at the CDS (Strasbourg) via anonymous ftp tocdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or viahttp://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/Abstract.html The Oscillations of Tau PegasiWe present extensive spectroscopic time series observations of themultiperiodic, rapidly rotating, delta Scuti star tau Pegasi.Information about the oscillations is contained within the patterns ofline-profile variation of the star's blended absorption-line spectrum.We introduce the new technique of Doppler deconvolution with which toextract these patterns by modeling the intrinsic stellar spectrum andthe broadening functions for each spectrum in the time series.Frequencies and modes of oscillation are identified from the variationsusing the technique of Fourier-Doppler imaging and a two-dimensionalleast-squares cleaning algorithm. We find a rich mode spectrum withdegrees up to l = 20 and with frequencies below about 35 cycles day-1.Those modes with the largest amplitudes have frequencies that lie withina narrow band. We conclude that the observed spectrum can be explainedif the modes of tau Peg propagate in the prograde direction with l ~=|m| and with frequencies that are about equal in the corotating frame ofthe star. We discuss the implications of these results for the prospectof delta Scuti seismology. New lambda Bootis stars with a shellWe publish here the second part of our spectroscopic survey at highdispersion of some known and suspected lambda Bootis stars with a viewto detecting circumstellar shell features. Eight stars of our sampleexhibit such features. These stars are fast rotators, a result which isin line with Hohlweger and Rentzsch-Holm's study (1995). The analysis ofthe photometric data has allowed us to confirm the exclusion of a fewstars misclassified from the lambda Bootis group. Period changes of delta Scuti stars and stellar evolutionPeriod changes of delta Scuti stars have been collected or redeterminedfrom the available observations and are compared with values computedfrom evolutionary models with and without convective core overshooting.For the radial pulsators of Pop. I, the observations indicate (1/P)dP/dt values around 10(-7) year(-1) with equal distribution betweenperiod increases and decreases. The evolutionary models, on the otherhand, predict that the vast majority should show increasing periods.This increase should be a factor of about ten times smaller thanobserved. For nonradial delta Scuti pulsators of Pop. I, thediscrepancies are even larger. The behavior suggests that for theserelatively unevolved stars the rate of evolution cannot be deduced fromthe period changes. The period changes of most Pop. II delta Scuti (SXPhe) stars are characterized by sudden jumps of the order of Delta P/P ~10(-6) . However, at least one star, BL Cam, shows a large, continuousperiod increase. The variety of observed behavior also seems to excludean evolutionary origin of the changes. Model calculations show that theevolutionary period changes of pre-MS delta Scuti stars are a factor of10 to 100 larger than those of MS stars. Detailed studies of selectedpre-MS delta Scuti stars are suggested. The Tokyo PMC catalog 90-93: Catalog of positions of 6649 stars observed in 1990 through 1993 with Tokyo photoelectric meridian circleThe sixth annual catalog of the Tokyo Photoelectric Meridian Circle(PMC) is presented for 6649 stars which were observed at least two timesin January 1990 through March 1993. The mean positions of the starsobserved are given in the catalog at the corresponding mean epochs ofobservations of individual stars. The coordinates of the catalog arebased on the FK5 system, and referred to the equinox and equator ofJ2000.0. The mean local deviations of the observed positions from theFK5 catalog positions are constructed for the basic FK5 stars to comparewith those of the Tokyo PMC Catalog 89 and preliminary Hipparcos resultsof H30. Amplitude variations of the multimode nonradial δ Scuti pulsator 4 CVnNew photoelectric photometry of the δ Scuti variable 4 CVn revealslong-term slow variations of multimode pulsational frequencies and theiramplitudes. We have confirmed 5(f1, f2,f3, f5, f7) of the 7 frequenciesidentified in the literature. Besides presenting the long-termvariations of the different amplitudes, we have found three newsuspected frequencies in the new data. Although Blazhko effect and moderesonance along with its coupling between different nonradial modesthrough interaction can be reasonably used to explain the observedchanges of periods and amplitudes, it should be carefully checked andanalyzed before RR Lyr-like light curve shape and new pulsation modescan be established with certainty.
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