Context. This paper is the third one in a series devoted to studying the properties of binaries involving M giants. Aims. We use a new set of orbits to construct the first (e− logP ) diagram of an extensive sample of M giant binaries, to obtain their mass-function distribution, and to derive evolutionary constraints for this class of binaries and related systems. Methods. The orbital properties...

Variations of ∼ 0.4 mag are expected in the I-band absolute magnitude of red clump giants, M I , as a function of both stellar age and metallicity. This regardless of some potential theoretical uncertainties. Due to the quite large differences in mean ages and metallicities of clump stars among galaxies, systematic changes (also amounting up to ∼ 0.4 mag) come out in their M I . These numbers a...

We describe a major survey of the Milky Way halo designed to test for kinematic substructure caused by destruction of accreted satellites. We use the Washington photometric system to identify halo stars efficiently for spectroscopic followup. Tracers include halo giants (detectable out to more than 100 kpc), blue horizontal branch stars, halo stars near the main sequence turnoff, and the “blue ...

We report 349 radial velocities for 45 metal-poor field red giant and red horizontal branch stars, with time coverage ranging from 1 to 21 years. We have identified one new spectroscopic binary, HD 4306, and one possible such system, HD 184711. We also report 57 radial velocities for 11 of the 91 stars reported on previously by Carney et al. (2003). All but one of the 11 stars had been found to...

We present computations of nucleosynthesis in red giants and asymptotic giant branch stars of Population I experiencing extended mixing. The assumed physical cause for mass transport is the buoyancy of magnetized structures, according to recent suggestions. The peculiar property of such a mechanism is to allow for both fast and slow mixing phenomena, as required for reproducing the spread in Li...

We present CCD UBVI photometry of the intermediate old open cluster NGC2660, covering from the red giants region to about seven magnitudes below the main sequence turn-off. Using the synthetic Colour Magnitude Diagram method, we estimate in a selfconsistent way values for distance modulus ((m-M)0≃ 12.2), reddening (E(B − V ) ≃ 0.40), metallicity ([Fe/H] about solar), and age (τ ∼ < 1 Gyr). A 30...

Context. The Kepler space mission led to a large number of high-precision time series of solar-like oscillators. Using a Bayesian analysis that combines asteroseismic techniques and additional ground-based observations, the mass, radius, luminosity, and distance of these stars can be estimated with good precision. This has given a new impetus to the research field of galactic archeology. Aims. ...