The DFBS Spectroscopic Database and the Armenian Virtual Observatory
The Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) is the digitized version of the famous Markarian Survey. It is the largest low-dispersion spectroscopic survey of the sky, covering 17,000 square degrees at galactic latitudes |b|>15. DFBS provides images and extracted spectra for all objects present in the FBS plates. Programs were developed to compute astrometric solution, extract spectra, and apply wavelength and photometric calibration for objects. A DFBS database and catalog has been assembled containing data for nearly 20,000,000 objects. A classification scheme for the DFBS spectra is being developed. The Armenian Virtual Observatory is based on the DFBS database and other large-area surveys and catalogue data.
Revised and updated catalogue of Byurakan-IRAS stars
Context. Five lists of late-type stars were published in Astrophysics in 1997–2001, found in the First Byurakan Survey low-dispersion spectroscopic plates as optical identifications of unidentified IRAS sources. These identifications were carried out in the region with δ> +61 ◦ and |b| > 15 ◦ with a surface of 1504 deg 2 . As a result, the catalogue of the Byurakan-IRAS Stars (BIS) was compiled. Its preliminary version has been available at the CDS since 2003. Aims. We revised and updated the BIS catalogue with the new data from recently published optical and infrared catalogues to give access to all available data and make further comparative studies of the properties of these objects possible. Methods. We made cross-correlations of the BIS catalogue with the MAPS, USNO-B1.0, and 2MASS, added updated SIMBAD data for the BIS objects, and provided accurate DSS1 and DSS2 positions and revised photometry. We also checked the objects for proper motion and variability. A refined classification from low-dispersion spectra in the Digitized First Byurakan Survey (DFBS) was carried out. Results. The revised and updated catalogue of 276 Byurakan-IRAS stars (BIS) is presented. Conclusions. The BIS catalogue can be used to study a complete sample of IRAS-selected stars and to investigate individual objects.
Long Ceramic Beam Tubes for Accelerator Magnets
The ceramic beam tubes for the fast and abort kickers and the bucker and pinger magnets used at Fermilab must meet a number of exacting requirements. The tubes must be long and sufficiently straight so as not to limit magnet design. They must have wall strength capable of withstanding the atmospheric and mechanical forces encountered during construction and operation. Vacuum tight ceramic to stainless steel transitions must be of reasonable cost; they must also withstand high temperature processing and remain vacuum tight to the 10/sup -9/ Torr range. To remove the possibility of static charge buildup each tube must have a surface coating of indium oxide applied to the inner wall. This thin coating is difficult to achieve and requires the most careful attention to detail. The methods used at Fermilab to achieve these goals are presented in this paper.