We present the results of detailed spectroscopic abundance analyses for 18 elements in 31 nearby stars with planets (SWPs). The resulting abundances are combined with other similar studies of nearby ...SWPs and compared to a sample of nearby stars without detected planets. We find some evidence for abundance differences between these two samples for Al, Si and Ti. Some of our results are in conflict with a recent study of SWPs in the SPOCS data base. We encourage continued study of the abundance patterns of SWPs to resolve these discrepancies.
We present a new short-period brown dwarf (BD) candidate around the star TYC 1240-00945-1. This candidate was discovered in the first year of the Multi-object APO Radial Velocity Exoplanets ...Large-area Survey (MARVELS), which is part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) III, and we designate the BD as MARVELS-1b. MARVELS uses the technique of dispersed fixed-delay interferometery to simultaneously obtain radial velocity (RV) measurements for 60 objects per field using a single, custom-built instrument that is fiber fed from the SDSS 2.5 m telescope. From our 20 RV measurements spread over a ~370 day time baseline, we derive a Keplerian orbital fit with semi-amplitude K = 2.533 ? 0.025 km s--1, period P = 5.8953 ? 0.0004 days, and eccentricity consistent with circular. Independent follow-up RV data confirm the orbit. Adopting a mass of 1.37 ? 0.11 M for the slightly evolved F9 host star, we infer that the companion has a minimum mass of 28.0 ? 1.5 M Jup, a semimajor axis 0.071 ? 0.002 AU assuming an edge-on orbit, and is probably tidally synchronized. We find no evidence for coherent intrinsic variability of the host star at the period of the companion at levels greater than a few millimagnitudes. The companion has an a priori transit probability of ~14%. Although we find no evidence for transits, we cannot definitively rule them out for companion radii 1 R Jup.
Research in physical education has largely excluded proactive contribution of children. Researchers seeking children's perspectives often restrict possibilities by prescribing content for discussion. ...Minimising the framework within which children present their experiences facilitates understanding of internalised perspectives. Diaries were chosen as an initial means to build narrative commentary on 'experience' as perceived by children, since they offered the prospect of reflecting onevents without thepresence of the researcher and away from the immediate context of the lesson. Children were free to explore the relationship between internalised feelings, existential conditions and thetemporal position of events. Individual, pair and group interviews were used to clarify meaning. Children displayed the analytical acumen to evaluate and present their perspectives, building narrative around intent Unprompted use of 'metanarrative' provided a projective means of identifying significant aspects of experience. This approach served both to access experience and as a reflective tool forthe researcher.
We report the discovery of a low-mass companion orbiting the metal-rich, main sequence F star TYC 2949-00557-1 during the Multi-object APO Radial Velocity Exoplanet Large-area Survey (MARVELS) pilot ...project. The host star has an effective temperature T{sub eff} = 6135 {+-} 40 K, logg = 4.4 {+-} 0.1, and Fe/H = 0.32 {+-} 0.01, indicating a mass of M = 1.25 {+-} 0.09 M{sub sun} and R = 1.15 {+-} 0.15 R{sub sun}. The companion has an orbital period of 5.69449 {+-} 0.00023 days and straddles the hydrogen burning limit with a minimum mass of 64 M{sub J} , and thus may be an example of the rare class of brown dwarfs orbiting at distances comparable to those of 'Hot Jupiters'. We present relative photometry that demonstrates that the host star is photometrically stable at the few millimagnitude level on time scales of hours to years, and rules out transits for a companion of radius {approx}>0.8 R{sub J} at the 95% confidence level. Tidal analysis of the system suggests that the star and companion are likely in a double synchronous state where both rotational and orbital synchronization have been achieved. This is the first low-mass companion detected with a multi-object, dispersed, fixed-delay interferometer.
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