Peter Klagyivik

Observational studies of Cepheid amplitudes - I. Period-amplitude relationships for Galactic Cepheids and interrelation of amplitudes

Context. The dependence of amplitude on the pulsation period differs from other Cepheid-related relationships. Aims. We attempt to revise the period-amplitude (P-A) relationship of Galactic Cepheids based on multi-colour photometric and radial velocity data. Reliable P-A graphs for Galactic Cepheids constructed for the U, B, V, RC ,a ndIC photometric bands and pulsational radial velocity variations facilitate investigations of previously poorly studied interrelations between observable amplitudes. The effects of both binarity and metallicity on the observed amplitude, and the dichotomy between short- and long-period Cepheids can both be studied. Methods. A homogeneous data set was created that contains basic physical and phenomenological properties of 369 Galactic Cepheids. Pulsation periods were revised and amplitudes were determined by the Fourier method. P-A graphs were constructed and an upper envelope to the data points was determined in each graph. Correlations between various amplitudes and amplitude-related parameters were searched for, using Cepheids without known companions. Results. Large amplitude Cepheids with companions exhibit smaller photometric amplitudes on average than solitary ones, as expected, while s-Cepheids pulsate with an arbitrary (although small) amplitude. The ratio of the observed radial velocity to blue photometric amplitudes, AVRAD /AB, is not as good an indicator of the pulsation mode as predicted theoretically. This may be caused by an incorrect mode assignment to a number of small amplitude Cepheids, which are not necessarily first overtone pulsators. The dependence of the pulsation amplitudes on wavelength is used to identify duplicity of Cepheids. More than twenty stars previously classified as solitary Cepheids are now suspected to have a companion. The ratio of photometric amplitudes observed in various bands confirms the existence of a dichotomy among normal amplitude Cepheids. The limiting period separating short- and long-period Cepheids is 10.47 days. Conclusions. Interdependences of pulsational amplitudes, the period dependence of the amplitude parameters, and the dichotomy have to be taken into account as constraints in modelling the structure and pulsation of Cepheids. Studies of the P-L relationship must comply with the break at 10. d 47 instead of the currently used “convenient” value of 10 days.

Stability and formation of the resonant system HD 73526

Context. Based on radial velocity measurements, it has been found that the two giant planets detected around the star HD 73526 are in 2:1 resonance. However, as our numerical integration shows, the derived orbital data for this system result in chaotic behavior of the giant planets, which is uncommon among the resonant extrasolar planetary systems. Aims. We present regular (non-chaotic) orbital solutions for the giant planets in the system HD 73526 and offer formation scenarios based on combining planetary migration and sudden perturbative effects such as planet-planet scattering or rapid dispersal of the protoplanetary disk. A comparison with the already-studied resonant system HD 128311, exhibiting similar behavior, is given. Methods. The new sets of orbital solutions were derived using the Systemic Console. The stability of these solutions was investigated using the Relative Lyapunov indicator, while the migration and scattering effects are studied by gravitational N-body simulations applying non-conservative forces. Additionally, hydrodynamic simulations of embedded planets in protoplanetary disks were performed to follow the capture into resonance. Results. For the system HD 73526 we demonstrate that the observational radial velocity data are consistent with a coplanar planetary system in a stable 2:1 resonance exhibiting apsidal corotation. We have shown that, similarly to the system HD 128311, the present dynamical state of HD 73526 could be the result of a mixed evolutionary process combining planetary migration and a perturbative event.

Observational studies of Cepheid amplitudes - II. Metallicity dependence of pulsation amplitudes

Context. Physical and phenomenological properties (radius, luminosity, shape of the light curve, etc.) of Cepheids strongly depend on the pulsation period, with the exception of the pulsation amplitude. A possible factor causing a wide range of pulsation amplitudes might be the different atmospheric metallicities of individual Cepheids. Aims. We studied the influence exerted by the atmospheric iron content, [Fe/H], on the pulsational amplitude of Galactic Cepheids. Methods. We searched for correlations between the [Fe/H] value and both the observed amplitudes and amplitude related parameters. Results. The amplitude of the Cepheid pulsation slightly decreases with increasing iron abundance. This effect is more pronounced for the radial velocity variations and for the shorter pulsation periods. The wavelength dependence of photometric amplitudes is also found to be sensitive to the metallicity. Some of these effects are not consequences of differential line blanketing. Based on the calibrations of the metallicity sensitivity relationships, we derived photometric iron abundance for 21 Galactic Cepheids. The dichotomic behaviour dividing Galactic Cepheids that pulsate in the fundamental mode into short- and long-period groups at the period of 10. d 47 can be noticed in some diagrams that show metallicity-related dependences. Conclusions. We confirm that variety in atmospheric metallicity in Cepheids contributes to the finite range of pulsation amplitudes at a given period. Effects of metallicity on the amplitudes revealed from observational data and the occurrence of the dichotomy also derived from phenomenological data have to be confirmed by appropriate theoretical models of stellar structure and pulsation.

Problems and possibilities in fine-tuning of the Cepheid P-L relationship

Factors contributing to the scatter around the ridge-line period-luminosity relationship are listed, followed by a discussion how to eliminate the adverse effects of these factors (mode of pulsation, crossing number, temperature range, reddening, binarity, metallicity, non-linearity of the relationship, blending), in order to reduce the dispersion of the P-L relationship.