J. Nuspl

Hybrid gamma Doradus-delta Scuti Pulsators: New Insights into the Physics of the Oscillations from Kepler Observations

Observations of the pulsations of stars can be used to infer their interior structure and test theoretical models. The main-sequence γxa0Doradus (Dor) and δxa0Scuti (Sct) stars with masses 1.2-2.5 M ☉ are particularly useful for these studies. The γxa0Dor stars pulsate in high-order g-modes with periods of order 1xa0day, driven by convective blocking at the base of their envelope convection zone. The δxa0Sct stars pulsate in low-order g- and p-modes with periods of order 2 hr, driven by the κ mechanism operating in the He II ionization zone. Theory predicts an overlap region in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram between instability regions, where hybrid stars pulsating in both types of modes should exist. The two types of modes with properties governed by different portions of the stellar interior provide complementary model constraints. Among the known γxa0Dor and δxa0Sct stars, only four have been confirmed as hybrids. Now, analysis of combined Quarter 0 and Quarter 1 Kepler data for hundreds of variable stars shows that the frequency spectra are so rich that there are practically no pure δxa0Sct or γxa0Dor pulsators, i.e., essentially all of the stars show frequencies in both the δxa0Sct and the γxa0Dor frequency range. A new observational classification scheme is proposed that takes into account the amplitude as well as the frequency and is applied to categorize 234 stars as δxa0Sct, γxa0Dor, δxa0Sct/γxa0Dor or γxa0Dor/δxa0Sct hybrids.

Does Kepler unveil the mystery of the Blazhko effect? First detection of period doubling in Kepler Blazhko RR Lyrae stars

The first detection of the period doubling phenomenon is reported in the Kepler RR Lyrae stars RR Lyr, V808 Cyg and V355 Lyr. Interestingly, all these pulsating stars show Blazhko modulation. The period doubling manifests itself as alternating maxima and minima of the pulsational cycles in the light curve, as well as through the appearance of half-integer frequencies located halfway between the main pulsation period and its harmonics in the frequency spectrum. The effect was found to be stronger during certain phases of the modulation cycle. We were able to reproduce the period-doubling bifurcation in our non-linear RR Lyrae models computed by the Florida-Budapest hydrocode. This enabled us to trace the origin of this instability in RR Lyrae stars to a resonance, namely a 9:2 resonance between the fundamental mode and a high-order (ninth) radial overtone showing strange-mode characteristics. We discuss the connection of this new type of variation to the mysterious Blazhko effect and argue that it may give us fresh insights into solving this century-old enigma.

FIRST KEPLER RESULTS ON RR LYRAE STARS

We present the first results of our analyses of selected RR Lyrae stars for which data have been obtained by the Kepler Mission. As expected, we find a significant fraction of the RRab stars to show the Blazhko effect, a still unexplained phenomenon that manifests itself as periodic amplitude and phase modulations of the light curve, on timescales of typically tens to hundreds of days. The long time span of the Kepler Mission of 3.5 yr and the unprecedentedly high precision of its data provide a unique opportunity for the study of RR Lyrae stars. Using data of a modulated star observed in the first roll as a showcase, we discuss the data, our analyses, findings, and their implications for our understanding of RR Lyrae stars and the Blazhko effect. With at least 40% of the RR Lyrae stars in our sample showing modulation, we confirm the high incidence rate that was only found in recent high-precision studies. Moreover, we report the occurrence of additional frequencies, beyond the main pulsation mode and its modulation components. Their half-integer ratio to the main frequency is reminiscent of a period doubling effect caused by resonances, observed for the first time in RR Lyrae stars.

Flavours of variability: 29 RR Lyrae stars observed with Kepler

We present our analysis of Kepler observations of 29 RR Lyrae stars, based on 138 d of observation. We report precise pulsation periods for all stars. Nine of these stars had incorrect or unknown periods in the literature. 14 of the stars exhibit both amplitude and phase Blazhko modulations, with Blazhko periods ranging from 27.7 to more than 200 d. For V445 Lyr, a longer secondary variation is also observed in addition to its 53.2-d Blazhko period. The unprecedented precision of the Kepler photometry has led to the discovery of the the smallest modulations detected so far. Moreover, additional frequencies beyond the well-known harmonics and Blazhko multiplets have been found. These frequencies are located around the half-integer multiples of the main pulsation frequency for at least three stars. In four stars, these frequencies are close to the first and/or second overtone modes. The amplitudes of these periodicities seem to vary over the Blazhko cycle. V350 Lyr, a non-Blazhko star in our sample, is the first example of a double-mode RR Lyrae star that pulsates in its fundamental and second overtone modes.

Fourier analysis of non-Blazhko ab-type RR Lyrae stars observed with the Kepler space telescope

Nineteen of the ∼40 RR Lyrae stars in the Kepler field have been identified as candidate non-Blazhko (or unmodulated) stars. In this paper we present the results of Fourier decomposition of the time-series photometry of these stars acquired during the first 417 days of operation (Q0-Q5) of the Kepler telescope. Fourier parameters based on ∼18400 long-cadence observations per star (and ∼150000 short-cadence observations for FN Lyr and for AW Dra) are derived. None of the stars shows the recently discovered ‘period-doubling’ effect seen in Blazhko variables; however, KIC 7021124 has been found to pulsate simultaneously in the fundamental and second overtone modes with a period ratio P2/P0 ∼ 0.59305 and is similar to the double-mode star V350 Lyr. Period change rates are derived from O−C diagrams spanning, in some cases, over 100 years; these are compared with high-precision periods derived from the Kepler data alone. Extant Fourier correlations by Kovács, Jurcsik et al. (with minor transformations from the V to the Kp passband) have been used to derive underlying physical characteristics for all the stars. This procedure seems to be validated through comparisons of the Kepler variables with galactic and LMC RR Lyrae stars. The most metal-poor star in the sample is NR Lyr, with [Fe/H]= −2.3 dex; and the four most metal-rich stars have [Fe/H] ranging from −0.6 to +0.1 dex. Pulsational luminosities and masses are found to be systematically smaller than L and M values derived from stellar evolution models, and are favoured over the evolutionary values when periods are computed with the Warsaw linear hydrodynamics code. Finally, the Fourier parameters are compared with theoretical values derived using the Warsaw non-linear convective pulsation code.

Multisite campaign on the open cluster M67 – II. Evidence for solar-like oscillations in red giant stars

Measuring solar-like oscillations in an ensemble of stars i n a cluster, holds promise for testing stellar structure and evolution more stringently than just fitting parameters to single field stars. The most ambitious attempt to pursue these prospects was by Gilliland et al. (1993) who targeted 11 turn-off stars in the open cluster M67 (NGC 2682), but the oscillation amplitudes were too small (< 20µmag) to obtain unambiguous detections. Like Gilliland et al. (1993) we also aim at detecting solar-like oscillations in M67, but we target red giant stars with expected amplitudes in the range 50‐500µmag and periods of 1 to 8 hours. We analyse our recently published photometry measurements, obtained during a six-week multisite campaign using nine telescopes around the world. The observations are compared with simulations and with estimated properties of the stellar oscillations. Noise le vels in the Fourier spectra as low as 27µmag are obtained for single sites, while the combined data reach 19µmag, making this the best photometric time series of an ensemble of red giant stars. These data enable us to make the first test of the scaling relations (used to estimate frequency and amplitude) with an homogeneous ensemble of stars. The detected excess power is consistent with the expected signal from stellar oscillations, both in terms of its frequ ency range and amplitude. However, our results are limited by apparent high levels of non-white noise, which cannot be clearly separated from the stellar signal.

Multicolour CCD photometry of the variable stars in globular cluster M3

We present time series data on the variable stars of the galactic globular cluster Messier 3 (M3). We give BVIC light curves for 226 RR Lyrae, 2 SX Phe and 1 W Vir type variables, along with estimated fundamental photometric parameters such as intensity and magnitudeaveraged brightness and pulsation periods. In some cases the periods we have found significantly differ from the previously published ones. This is t he first published light curve and period determination for variable V266. The I-band light curve has not been observed previously for numerous (76) variables. Three new RR Lyrae variables have been discovered. Groups of RR Lyrae variables that belong to different evolutionary stages and have been separated previously on the basis of V data were found here for all colours and colour indices by cluster analysis. The I-band period ‐ luminosity relation is also discussed. From the 66 modulated (Blazhko type) RR Lyrae stars we investigated, six are newly identified and two of them are first overtone pulsators. In the case of 13 RR Lyrae, t he period of Blazhko cycle has been estimated for the first time. V252 is identified as a new RR d variable. Amplitude ratio of RRd stars have been investigated to search possible mode content changes. In contrast to previous publications no changes have been found. Problems with the sampling of the time series of typical cluster variability surveys is demonstra ted.

Multisite campaign on the open cluster M67 – III. δ Scuti pulsations in the blue stragglers

We have made an asteroseismic analysis of the variable blue stragglers in the open cluster M67. The data set consists of photometric time-series from eight sites using nine 0.6-2.1 m telescopes with a time-baseline of 43 d. In two stars, EW Cnc and EX Cnc, we detect the highest number of frequencies (41 and 26) detected in δ Scuti stars belonging to a stellar cluster, and EW Cnc has the second highest number of frequencies detected in any δ Scuti star. We have computed a grid of pulsation models that take the effects of rotation into account. The distribution of observed and theoretical frequencies shows that in a wide frequency range a significant fraction of the radial and non-radial low-degree modes are excited to detectable amplitudes. Despite the large number of observed frequencies we cannot constrain the fundamental parameters of the stars. To make progress we need to identify the degrees of some of the modes from either multicolour photometry or spectroscopy.

Cepheid investigations using the Kepler space telescope

We report results of initial work done on selected candidate Cepheids to be observed with the Kepler space telescope. Prior to the launch, 40 candidates were selected from previous surveys and data bases. The analysis of the first 322 d of Kepler photometry, and recent ground-based follow-up multicolour photometry and spectroscopy allowed us to confirm that one of these stars, V 1154 Cyg (KIC 7548061), is indeed a 4.9-d Cepheid. Using the phase lag method, we show that this star pulsates in the fundamental mode. New radial velocity data are consistent with previous measurements, suggesting that a long-period binary component is unlikely. No evidence is seen in the ultraprecise, nearly uninterrupted Kepler photometry for non-radial or stochastically excited modes at the micromagnitude level. The other candidates are not Cepheids, but an interesting mix of possible spotted stars, eclipsing systems and flare stars.

Multisite campaign on the open cluster M67 – I. Observations and photometric reductions

We report on an ambitious multisite campaign aimed at detecting stellar variability, particularly solar-like oscillations, in the red giant stars in the open cluster M67 (NGC 2682). During the six-week observing run, which comprised 164 telescope nights, we used nine 0.6-m to 2.1-m class telescopes located around the world to obtain uninterrupted time series photometry. We outline here the data acquisition and reduction, with emphasis on the optimization of the signal-to-noise ratio of the low-amplitude (50-500 μmag) solar-like oscillations. This includes a new and efficient method for obtaining the linearity profile of the CCD response at ultrahigh precision (∼10 parts per million). The noise in the final time series is 0.50 mmag per minute integration for the best site, while the noise in the Fourier spectrum of all sites combined is 20 μmag. In addition to the red giant stars, this data set proves to be very valuable for studying high-amplitude variable stars such as eclipsing binaries, W UMa systems and δ Scuti stars.