Probable nonradial g-mode pulsation in early A-type stars (original) (raw)
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HS 0702+6043: a star showing both short-period p-mode and long-period g-mode oscillations
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2006
Context. The hot subdwarf B star HS 0702+6043 is known as a large-amplitude, short-period p-mode pulsator of the EC 14026 type. Its atmospheric parameters place it at the common boundary between the empirical instability regions of the EC 14026 variables and the typically cooler long-period g-mode pulsators of the PG 1716 kind. Aims. We analyse and interpret the photometric variability of HS 0702+6043 in order to explore its asteroseismological potential. Methods. We report on rapid wide band CCD photometric observations to follow up on and confirm the serendipitous discovery of multiperiodic long-period luminosity variations with typical time scales of ∼1 h in HS 0702+6043, in addition to the two previously known pulsations at 363 s and 383 s. In particular, we isolate a relatively low-amplitude (∼4 mmag), long-period (3538±130 s) light variation. Results. We argue that the most likely origin for this luminosity variation is the presence of an excited g-mode pulsation. If confirmed, HS 0702+6043 would constitute a rare addition to the very select class of pulsating stars showing simultaneously parts of their pressure and gravity mode pulsation spectra. The asteroseismological potential of such stars is immense, and HS 0702+6043 thus becomes a target of choice for future investigations. While our discovery appears consistent with the location of HS 0702+6043 at the common boundary between the two families of pulsating sdB stars, it does challenge theory's current description of stability and driving mechanisms in pulsating B subdwarfs.
Pulsations in pre-Main Sequence stars: The case of HD 34282
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 2004
HD 34282 has been found to pulsate during a systematic search for short-term photometric variability in Herbig Ae/Be stars with the goal of determining the position and size of the pre-Main Sequence instability strip. Simultaneous Strömgren photometry is used in the frequency analysis, yielding two frequencies with values of ν1 = 79.5 and ν2 = 71.3 cycle d −1. The main period, with a value of 18.12 min, represents the shortest period observed up to now for a δ Scuti-type pulsator. A preliminary seismic modelling, including instability predictions and rotation effects, has been attempted. Both, Main Sequence and pre-Main Sequence models predict modes in the range of 56 to 82 cycle d −1 (between 648 and 949 µHz), corresponding to oscillations of radial order n from 6 to 8. The mode identification is not discriminating due to the large error bars attached to the data, therefore, all possible non-radial and radial modes up to = 3 are compatible with the observed oscillations.
STELLAR PULSATIONS ACROSS THE HR DIAGRAM: Part II
Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1996
▪ Stars over essentially the whole mass domain can become pulsationally unstable during various stages of their evolution. They will appear as variable stars with characteristics that are of much diagnostic value to astronomers. The analysis of such observations provides a challenging and unique approach to study aspects of the internal constitution and evolutionary status of these objects that are not accessible otherwise. This review touches on most classes of known pulsating variable stars and tries to elucidate connections to stellar physical aspects. To aid future investigations, we stress questions and problems that we believe are yet to be resolved satisfactorily.
Identification of Pulsation Modes in Main Sequence Stars: Potentials and Limits
Astrophysics and Space Science Proceedings, 2012
We review the present-day methods of mode identification applied to main sequence pulsators focusing on those that make use of multicolour photometry and radial velocity data. The effects which may affect diagnostic properties of these observables are discussed. We also raise the problem of identification of high ℓ modes which can dominate oscillation spectra obtained from space-based projects.
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2007
Context. In the H-R diagram, the intersection of the main sequence and the classical Cepheid instability strip corresponds to a domain where a rich variety of atmospheric phenomena are at play (including pulsation, radiative diffusion, convection). Main-sequence A-type stars are among the best candidates to study the complex interplay between these various phenomena. Aims. We have explored a sample of suspected A-type binaries in a systematic way, both spectroscopically and photometrically. The sample consists of main-sequence A-type stars for which the few existing radial velocity measurements may show variability, but for which other essential information is lacking. Due to their location in the H-R diagram, indications of pulsation and/or chemical peculiarities among these suspected binary (or multiple) systems may be found. Methods. High-resolution spectroscopy obtained with the ELODIE and MUSICOS spectrographs was used in combination with a few nights of differential CCD photometry in order to search for pulsation(s). In order to search as well for chemical peculiarities or for possible hidden component(s), we derived the atmospheric stellar parameters by fitting the observed spectra with LTE synthetic ones. Results. Of the 32 investigated targets, eight are spectroscopic binaries, one of which is a close binary also showing eclipses, and three have been identified as δ Scuti pulsators with rapid line-profile variations. Conclusions. Among the latter stars, HD 217860 reveals interesting multiperiodic photometric and spectroscopic variations, with up to eight frequencies common to two large photometric data sets. We suggest that at least one radial overtone mode is excited among the two most dominant frequencies, on the basis of the computation of the pulsation constants as well as of the predicted frequencies and the expected behaviour of the amplitude ratio and the phase difference in two passbands using adequate theoretical modelling. We furthermore found evidence for a strong modulation of the amplitude(s) and/or the (radial) frequency content of this intriguing δ Scuti star.
Pulsation in Intermediate-Mass Stars
Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences
A new perspective of pulsation in stars within the δ Scuti instability strip has recently emerged as a result of Kepler observations. The majority of stars within the instability strip do not pulsate and practically all δ Scuti stars contain low frequencies. Because γ Doradus stars co-exist with δ Sct stars in the same region of the instability strip, it follows that γ Dor stars are driven by the same mechanism as δ Sct stars. The difference must be due to different mode selection processes. The search for an unknown damping factor which is missing from the models will be essential for further progress. Maia variables and hot γ Dor stars are briefly discussed. Luminosities of roAp stars obtained from Gaia DR2 parallaxes and spectroscopic effective temperatures show that the roAp stars are slightly evolved with temperatures in the range 6,300-8,300 K, considerably cooler than predicted by the models. The roAp stars and stars with solar-like oscillations share the same mass-temperature-luminosity relation, but with frequencies which are about 50 percent higher. This suggests that roAp frequencies are determined by the critical acoustic frequency, but this frequency is larger than in standard models, perhaps as a result of a temperature inversion in the atmosphere.
A- and B-type star pulsations in the Kepler and CoRoT era: theoretical considerations
Cornell University - arXiv, 2013
Among A-type main-sequence variables, pulsations of δ Sct and γ Dor variables are driven in the He II ionization zone, while H-ionization zone and strong magnetic fields seem to play roles in the excitation of high-order pmodes in rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars. Pulsations in B-type variables, β Cephei and slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars are excited by the κ-mechanism at the Fe-opacity bump at T ≈ 2 × 10 5 K. In addition, the strange-mode instability seems responsible for the excitation of pulsations in luminous AB-supergiants (α Cygni variables). We discuss excitation mechanisms for pulsations in A-and B-type variables stars.
The Astrophysical Journal, 2008
A comparison of the hot and cool boundaries of the classical instability strip with observations has been an important test for stellar structure and evolution models of post-and main sequence stars. Over the last few years, the number of pulsating pre-main sequence (PMS) stars has increased significantly: 36 PMS pulsators and candidates are known as of June 2007. This number allows to investigate the location of the empirical PMS instability region and to compare its boundaries to those of the classical (post-and main sequence) instability strip. Due to the structural differences of PMS and (post-)main sequence stars, the frequency spacings for nonradial modes will be measurably different, thus challenging asteroseismology as a diagnostic tool.
Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2007
We have explored a sample of suspected A-type binaries in a systematic way, both spectroscopically and photometrically. Due to their location in the H-R diagram, indications of pulsation and/or chemical peculiarities among these suspected binary (or multiple) systems may be found. High-resolution spectroscopy obtained with the ELODIE and MUSICOS spectrographs was used in combination with a few nights of differential CCD photometry in order to search for pulsation(s). Of the 32 investigated targets, eight are spectroscopic binaries, one of which is a close binary also showing eclipses, and three have been identified as Delta Scuti pulsators with rapid line-profile variations. Among the latter stars, HD 217860 reveals interesting multiperiodic photometric and spectroscopic variations, with up to eight frequencies common to two large photometric data sets. We suggest that at least one radial overtone mode is excited among the two most dominant frequencies. We furthermore found evidence for a strong modulation of the amplitude(s) and/or the (radial) frequency content of this intriguing Delta Scuti star.