S. Evren

Long-term starspot evolution, activity cycle and orbital period variation of RT Lacertae

A sequence of V -band light curves of the active close binary RT Lacertae (G5+G9 IV), extending from 1965 to 2000, is presented and analysed to derive the spot distribution and evolution on the component stars. In our modelling approach, the Roche geometry and Kuruczs atmospheric models were adopted. The resulting maps of the spot surface distribution were regularized by means of the Maximum Entropy and Tikhonov criteria to take full advantage of the increased geometrical resolution during eclipses. By comparing the maps obtained with these two criteria, it was possible to discriminate between surface features actually required by the data and artifacts introduced by the regularization process. Satisfactory ts were obtained assuming spots on both components and the unspotted V -band luminosity ratio: LG5=LG9 IV =0 :65 0:05. The more massive G5 primary appears to be the most active star in the system and its spotted areas are mainly responsible for the light curve distortions. The yearly spot distributions on both components indicate that their spot patterns consist of two components, one uniformly and the other non-uniformly distributed in longitude, the latter suggesting the presence of preferential longitudes. In particular, spots are concentrated around the substellar points and their antipodes on both stars. The eclipse scanning reveals spots with diameters of40, or possibly smaller, on the hemisphere of the primary star being occulted. The primary shows clear evidence for a short-term activity cycle with a period of8: 5y r and a possible long-term cycle with a period of approximately 35 yr. The variation of the spot migration rate may be related with surface dierential rotation, with a lower limit of = 3:2 10 3 . The G9 IV secondary does not show evidence for an activity cycle, its spot coverage appearing rather constant at15 20% of its surface. The relative amplitude of its surface dierential rotation, as indicated by the variation of the spot migration rate, is = 2:7 10 3 . The variation of the orbital period shows a correlation with the activity level of the primary component. Specically, the decreases of the orbital period appear to be associated with minimum spottedness and sizeable changes of the surface spot distribution that may be related to increases of the rotation rate of the spot pattern. Conversely, an episode of increase of the orbital period was related to an increase of the spotted area on the primary star. Such results support the recently proposed models that connect the perturbations of the orbital dynamics with the variation of the gure of equilibrium of the active components, due to the operation of non-linear hydromagnetic dynamos in their extended convective envelopes.

Spots, plages, and flares on λ Andromedae and II Pegasi ⋆

Aims. We present the results of a contemporaneous photometric and spectroscopic monitoring of two RS CVn binaries, namely λ And and II Peg. The aim of this work is to investigate the behavior of surface inhomogeneities in the atmospheres of the active components of these systems that have nearly the same temperatures but different gravities. Methods. The light curves and the modulation of the surface temperature, as recovered from line-depth ratios (LDRs), were used to map the photospheric spots, while the Hα emission was used as an indicator of chromospheric inhomogeneities. The spot temperatures and sizes were derived from a spot model applied to the contemporaneous light and temperature curves. Results. We find larger and cooler spots on II Peg (Tsp � 3600 K) than on λ And (Tsp � 3900 K); this could be the result of both the difference in gravity and the higher activity level of the former. Moreover, we find a clear anti-correlation between the Hα emission and the photospheric diagnostics (temperature and light curves). We have detected a modulation in the intensity of the He i D3 line with the star rotation, suggesting surface features also in the upper chromosphere of these stars. A rough reconstruction of the 3D structure of their atmospheres was also performed by applying a spot/plage model to the light and temperature curves and to the Hα flux modulation. In addition, a strong flare affecting the Hα ,t he Hei D3, and the cores of Na i D1,2 lines has been observed on II Peg. Conclusions. The spot/plage configuration has been reconstructed in the visible component of λ And and II Peg, which have nearly the same temperature but very different gravities and rotation periods. A close spatial association of photospheric and chromospheric active regions, at the time of our observations, was found in both stars. Larger and cooler spots were found on II Peg, the system with the active component of higher gravity and a higher activity level. The area ratio of plages to spots seems to decrease when the spots get bigger. Moreover, with both this and literature data, a correlation between the temperature difference ∆T = Tph −Tsp and the surface gravity is also suggested.

The brightness variations and orbital period changes of RT Lacertae

The light curves of the chromospherically active eclipsing binary RT Lacertae obtained from 1993 to 1999 are analyzed here. The variation of the brightness at mid-eclipses and at maxima is carefully re-examined. The largest variation was obtained at mid-primary, where the more massive, hotter component occults the less massive cooler secondary star. Therefore, we suggest that the variation of the systems brightness mainly arises from the more massive star. The mean brightness of the system indicates a cyclic change. It showed at least two jumps during the last 22 years. The first occurred in 1984 and the second in 1994. Therefore, the length of the magnetic cycle appears to be about ten years. All the timings of the mid-eclipses obtained so far were collected and analyzed under the assumption of the third body hypothesis. A period of 94 yr was found for the third body orbit. The variation of the systemic velocity of the eclipsing pair seems to confirm this suggestion. The time delay and advance due to the orbit of the eclipsing pair around the third component were computed and subtracted from the original residuals obtained with the linear light elements. The remaining residuals also show a quasi-periodic change. The period of this change was calculated to be about 18 yr. This second O-C change may be related to the magnetic activity of the more massive component.

Long-term photometric behaviour of the RS CVn binary RT Lacertae

A sequence of the seasonal light curves of RT Lac, covering the period 1978-2000, is analysed in the framework of the starspot hypothesis to define the spot distribution, based on the interpretation of the B-band observations. The analysis of the corresponding light curves is made using Djuray sevics inverse-problem method. To explain the light-curve variations we modelled the binary system using a Roche model that involved regions containing spots on both components. Satisfactory fits were obtained assuming spots on both components. The more-massive G5 primary appears to be the most active star in the system and its spotted areas are mainly responsible for the light-curve distortions. Spots are concentrated around longitudes 45 ◦ -170 ◦ and at high latitudes (above 45 ◦ ). Our analysis indicates two spots with diameters of ∼10 ◦ -50 ◦ on both hemispheres of the primary. However, the less-massive cool component seems to have only one spot which covers a relatively small area. Total spotted area of the more-massive primary component indicates clear evidence for a short-term activity cycle with a period of 8.4 yr, and a possible long-term cycle with a period of 33.5 yr. The G9IV secondary does not show any evidence for an activity cycle, its spot coverage appearing rather constant at about 10% of its surface. The variation of the orbital period seems to be correlated with the total activity level of the system. In particular, the decrement of the orbital period appears to be associated with minimum spottedness and sizeable changes of the surface spot pattern distribution on the surface of each star. This result, if confirmed by the future observations, can provide further support for recently proposed models for connection between the magnetic activity and orbital period variations.

The multiperiodicity of the γ Doradus stars HD 224945 and HD 224638 as detected from a multisite campaign

We discuss new photometric data collected on the Dor variables HD 224945 and HD 224638. Multiperiodicity was detected in both stars, thanks to the clear spectral window of a multisite campaign that involved ve observatories. HD 224945 shows the shortest period among the Dor stars, i.e., 0.3330 d. The pulsation behaviour is very dierent: HD 224945 displays a set of frequencies spread over an interval much larger than that of HD 224638. We clearly found evidence for amplitude variations in the excited modes by comparing data from dierent years. HD 224945 and HD 224638 are among the best examples of Dor stars that show multimode pulsations, which make them very interesting from an asteroseismological point of view.

Time-series Doppler imaging of the red giant HD 208472 - Active longitudes and differential rotation

Context. HD 208472 is among the most active RS CVn binaries with cool starspots. Decade-long photometry has shown that the spots seem to change their longitudinal appearance with a period of about six years, coherent with brightness variations. Aims. Our aim is to spatially resolve the stellar surface of HD 208472 and relate the photometric results to the true longitudinal and latitudinal spot appearance. Furthermore, we investigate the surface differential rotation pattern of the star. Methods. We employed three years of high-resolution spectroscopic data with a high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) from the STELLA robotic observatory and determined new and more precise stellar physical parameters. Precalculated synthetic spectra were fit to each of these spectra, and we provide new spot-corrected orbital elements. A sample of 34 absorption lines per spectrum was used to calculate mean line profiles with a S/N of several hundred. A total of 13 temperature Doppler images were reconstructed from these line profiles with the inversion code iMap . Differential rotation was investigated by cross-correlating successive Doppler images in each observing season. Results. Spots on HD 208472 are distributed preferably at high latitudes and less frequently around mid-to-low latitudes. No polar-cap like structure is seen at any epoch. We observed a flip-flop event between 2009 and 2010, manifested as a flip of the spot activity from phase 0.0 to phase 0.5, while the overall brightness of the star continued to increase and reached an all-time maximum in 2014. Cross-correlation of successive Doppler images suggests a solar-like differential rotation that is ≈15 times weaker than that of the Sun.

Long-Term Photometry of RT Lacertae: 1. Light and Colour Variation

The peculiar chromospherically active binary system RT Lac was observed in B and V bands between 1989 and 1992. The four-year photoelectric B and V light curves are presented. The light and colour variations in the four special regions of the light curve between 1978 and 1992 are discussed. The available photometry obtained by the present authors defines at least three consecutive maxima in the variation of the brightness of the system at second maximum and in mid-primary eclipse. The behaviour of the light and colour changes in mid-primary and at second maximum harmonizes with the common property of the RS CVn-type binaries. However, the light changes at first maximum do not resemble either at second maximum or in mid-primary minimum. Therefore, we conclude that the observed features cannot be attributed to the spottedness of the more massive component alone. The signs of the starspots are masked by the matter in front of the more massive component at the first maximum. The present data indicate that the magnetic cycle in RT Lac is about 12 years, which is analogous to the Suns 11-year sunspot cycle.

Long–term Photometry of RT Lacertae: 2. Further Evidence fo a Circumstellar Envelope and MAss Accretion

The light curves, obtained by the authors of the present paper during the period 1978–1992, of the chromospherically active binary system RT Lac were examined. The average (B–V) colour indices were obtained and corrected for the interstellar extinction. Spectroscopic studies indicate that the less massive component may be taken as G8. The light curve analysis indicates that the less massive, larger component fills its corresponding Roche lobe. Both photometric and spectroscopic observations compel one to draw a conclusion that circumstellar matter does exist around the binary system. A colour excess caused by this matter is found to be 0.278 for B–V colour at mid–secondary eclipse. On the basis of photometric colour indices alone, the components of RT Lac are classified as G3–4 and G8. If we use the observed radial velocities of the less massive subgiant star from Ca II emission lines and from other optical lines we find for the mass of the more massive component as 1.34–1.70 M⊙. This mass range corresponds to the main sequence late F stars. The common envelope hypothesis and mass function and also blending of the spectral lines of more massive component point out that it should be at most a late F type main sequence star.

TYC 1031 1262 1: an anomalous Cepheid in a double-lined eclipsing binary★

The multicolour light curves and radial velocities for TYC 1031 1262 1 have been obtained and analysed. TYC 1031 1262 1 includes a Cepheid with a period of 4.15270 ± 0.00061 d. The orbital period of the system is about 51.2857 ± 0.0174 d. The pulsation period indicates that the secular period is increasing at a rate of of 2.46 ± 0.54 min yr −1 . The observed B, V and R magnitudes have been cleaned of the intrinsic variations of the primary star. The remaining light curves that have been obtained consist of eclipses and proximity effects, and these have been analysed to obtain the orbital parameters. The system consists of two evolved