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Context.Many classical Be stars acquire their very rapid rotation by mass- and angular-momentum transfer in massive binaries, marking the first phase of the evolutionary chain. Later-stage products, such as Be+subdwarf- and Be+neutron-star binaries (Be X-ray binaries), are also well known, although the search for definitive proof of Be+white dwarf companions is ongoing. Short-lived intermediate-phase objects, that is, binaries past the interaction stage but with a donor star that has not yet reached the end of its evolution or contraction, have only recently been discovered. Aims.The main hallmark of this kind of binary is a system of absorption lines with low width, significant radial-velocity variations, and peculiar relative line strengths. Data archives and the literature can be searched for additional candidates exhibiting this pattern, and follow-up observations can be obtained in order to increase the number of these systems with quantitatively known orbits, providing a basis for an initial statistical investigation and to develop observational strategies for abundance analyses. Methods.We identified 13 candidates at various confidence levels. To verify their nature, we derived orbital elements from new high-quality spectra and interferometric observations where possible. We also performed qualitative analyses of other basic parameters, and preliminarily evaluated indicators of advanced stages of nucleosynthesis. Results.Adding to the two known systems identified as classical Be star+pre-subdwarf binaries (LB-1 andHR 6819), we confirm two more (V742 Cas,HD 44637) with interferometry, with V742 Cas setting a new record for the smallest visually observed angular semi-major axis, ata = 0.663 mas. Two further systems (V447 Sct,V1362 Cyg) are not resolved interferometrically, but other evidence puts them at the same confidence level as LB-1.V2174 Cygis a candidate with very high confidence, but was not observed interferometrically. The remaining systems are either candidates with varying levels of confidence –mainly due to the lack of available spectroscopic or interferometric observations for comparison with the others and orbit determination– or could be rejected as candidates with the followup observations. Conclusions.Of a mostly magnitude-complete sample of 328 Be stars, 0.5–1% are found to have recently completed the mass overflow that led to their formation. Another 5% are systems with a compact subdwarf companion –that is, they are further evolved after a previous overflow– and a further 2% possibly harbor white dwarfs. All these systems are early B subtypes, but if the original sample is restricted to early subtypes (136 objects), these percentages increase by a factor of about 2.5, while dropping to zero for the mid and late subtypes (together 204 objects). This strongly suggests that early-type versus mid- and late-type Be stars follow differently weighted channels to acquire their rapid rotation, namely binary interaction versus evolutionary spin up. 

Abstract Open clusters are key chemical and age tracers of Milky Way evolution. While open clusters provide significant constraints on galaxy evolution, their use has been limited due to discrepancies in measuring abundances from different studies. We analyze medium-resolution (R∼ 19,000) Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory/Hydra spectra of giant stars in 58 open clusters using The Cannon to determine [Fe/H], [Mg/Fe], [Si/Fe], [Al/Fe], and [O/Fe]. This work adds an additional 55 primarily southern hemisphere open clusters calibrated to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey/Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment DR16 metallicity system. This uniform analysis is compared to previous studies [Fe/H] measurements for 23 clusters and we present spectroscopic metallicities for the first time for 35 open clusters. 

Abstract APOGEE is a high-resolution ( R ∼ 22,000), near-infrared, multi-epoch, spectroscopic survey of the Milky Way. The second generation of the APOGEE project, APOGEE-2, includes an expansion of the survey to the Southern Hemisphere called APOGEE-2S. This expansion enabled APOGEE to perform a fully panoramic mapping of all of the main regions of the Milky Way; in particular, by operating in the H band, APOGEE is uniquely able to probe the dust-hidden inner regions of the Milky Way that are best accessed from the Southern Hemisphere. In this paper we present the targeting strategy of APOGEE-2S, with special attention to documenting modifications to the original, previously published plan. The motivation for these changes is explained as well as an assessment of their effectiveness in achieving their intended scientific objective. In anticipation of this being the last paper detailing APOGEE targeting, we present an accounting of all such information complete through the end of the APOGEE-2S project; this includes several main survey programs dedicated to exploration of major stellar populations and regions of the Milky Way, as well as a full list of programs contributing to the APOGEE database through allocations of observing time by the Chilean National Time Allocation Committee and the Carnegie Institution for Science. This work was presented along with a companion article, Beaton et al. (2021), presenting the final target selection strategy adopted for APOGEE-2 in the Northern Hemisphere. 

Abstract The Apache Point Observatory Galactic Evolution Experiment 2 (APOGEE-2) is a dual-hemisphere, near-infrared (NIR), spectroscopic survey with the goal of producing a chemodynamical mapping of the Milky Way. The targeting for APOGEE-2 is complex and has evolved with time. In this paper, we present the updates and additions to the initial targeting strategy for APOGEE-2N presented in Zasowski et al. (2017). These modifications come in two implementation modes: (i) “Ancillary Science Programs” competitively awarded to Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV PIs through proposal calls in 2015 and 2017 for the pursuit of new scientific avenues outside the main survey, and (ii) an effective 1.5 yr expansion of the survey, known as the Bright Time Extension (BTX), made possible through accrued efficiency gains over the first years of the APOGEE-2N project. For the 23 distinct ancillary programs, we provide descriptions of the scientific aims, target selection, and how to identify these targets within the APOGEE-2 sample. The BTX permitted changes to the main survey strategy, the inclusion of new programs in response to scientific discoveries or to exploit major new data sets not available at the outset of the survey design, and expansions of existing programs to enhance their scientific success and reach. After describing the motivations, implementation, and assessment of these programs, we also leave a summary of lessons learned from nearly a decade of APOGEE-1 and APOGEE-2 survey operations. A companion paper, F. Santana et al. (submitted; AAS29036), provides a complementary presentation of targeting modifications relevant to APOGEE-2 operations in the Southern Hemisphere.