V. Girish

Pushing the ground-based limit: 14-μmag photometric precision with the definitive Whole Earth Telescope asteroseismic data set for the rapidly oscillating Ap star HR 1217

HR 1217 is one of the best-studied rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars, with a frequency spectrum of alternating even- and odd-� modes that are distorted by the presence of a strong, global magnetic field. Several recent theoretical studies have found that within the observable

The Naini Tal -Cape survey for pulsations in chemically peculiar A-type stars - I. Methods and preliminary results

A new survey for pulsating, chemically peculiar A- and F-type stars in the northern hemisphere has been initiated using the 1-m telescope at Uttar Pradesh State Observatory in Naini Tal. The survey is primarily structured to reveal high-overtone pulsations in chemically peculiar A{F stars, but it is also revealing low-overtone Scuti-type pulsations in stars with peculiar colours. This paper describes the scope and methods of the survey. Preliminary observations of 28 candidate stars are presented and the discovery of three new pulsators, HD 12098, HD 13038 and HD 13079, is announced. Null results for the remaining 25 stars are also discussed.

Instruments of RT-2 experiment onboard CORONAS-PHOTON and their test and evaluation III: Coded Aperture Mask and Fresnel Zone Plates in RT-2/CZT payload

Imaging in hard X-rays of any astrophysical source with high angular resolution is a challenging job. Shadow-casting technique is one of the most viable options for imaging in hard X-rays. We have used two different types of shadow-casters, namely, Coded Aperture Mask (CAM) and Fresnel Zone Plate (FZP) pair and two types of pixellated solid-state detectors, namely, CZT and CMOS in RT-2/CZT payload, the hard X-ray imaging instrument onboard the CORONAS-PHOTON satellite. In this paper, we present the results of simulations with different combinations of coders (CAM & FZP) and detectors that are employed in the RT-2/CZT payload. We discuss the possibility of detecting transient Solar flares with good angular resolution for various combinations. Simulated results are compared with laboratory experiments to verify the consistency of the designed configuration.

A spectroscopic analysis of the chemically peculiar star HD207561

In this paper we present a high-resolution spectroscopic analysis of the chemically peculiar star HD 207561. During a survey programme to search for new rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars in the Northern hemisphere, Joshi et al. observed significant photometric variability on two consecutive nights in the year 2000. The amplitude spectra of the light curves obtained on these two nights showed oscillations with a frequency of 2.79 mHz (P ∼ 6 min). However, subsequent follow-up observations could not confirm any rapid variability. In order to determine the spectroscopic nature of HD 207561, high-resolution spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric observations were carried out. A reasonable fit of the calculated Hβ line profile to the observed one yields an effective temperature (T eff) and surface gravity (logg) of 7300 K and 3.7 dex, respectively. The derived projected rotational velocity (v sini) for HD 207561 is 74 km s −1 , indicative of a relatively fast rotator. The position of HD 207561 in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram implies that this is slightly evolved from the main-sequence and located well within the δ-Scuti instability strip. The abundance analysis indicates the star has slight underabundances of Ca and Sc and mild overabundances of iron-peak elements. The spectropolarimetric study of HD 207561 shows that the effective magnetic field is within the observational error of 100 G. The spectroscopic analysis revealed that the star has most of the characteristics similar to an Am star, rather than an Ap star, and that it lies in the δ-Scuti instability strip; hence roAp pulsations are not expected in HD 207561, but low-overtone modes might be excited.

Development of a three channel photometer for UPSO, Naini Tal

The design and performance of a portable three channel photometer installed at the Uttar Pradesh State Observatory (UPSO), Naini Tal is described. The photometer is modular and the whole unit can be disassembled as individual channels such that the system can also be used as a single channel or two channel photometer. The system also has provision to monitor a guide star. The instrument was put into operation since November 1999 on the 1m Sampurnanand telescope at UPSO, Naini Tal. Since then, it is used extensively for the ‘Survey of rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars in the northern sky’ from UPSO. Observational results using this new photometer in its initial phase of operation are discussed. The advantage of having continuous sky measurement is demonstrated.

Characterization of the HD 219134 multiplanet system I. Observations of stellar magnetism, wind, and high-energy flux★

HD 219134 hosts several planets, with seven candidates reported, and the two shortest period planets are rocky (4-5

HD 12098 -A new northern hemisphere roAp star

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Discovery of unusual pulsations in the cool, evolved Am stars HD 98851 and HD 102480

) and transit the star. Here we present contemporaneous multi-wavelength observations of the star HD 219134. We observed HD 219134 with the Narval spectropolarimeter at the Observatoire du Pic du Midi, and used Zeeman Doppler Imaging to characterise its large-scale stellar magnetic field. We found a weak poloidal magnetic field with an average unsigned strength of 2.5 G. From these data we confidently confirm the rotation period of 42 days, measure a stellar inclination of 77

Early In-orbit Performance of Scanning Sky Monitor Onboard AstroSat

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Scanning sky monitor (SSM) onboard AstroSat

8 degrees, and find evidence for differential rotation. The projected obliquity of the two transiting super-Earths is therefore between 0 and 20 degrees. We employed HST STIS observations of the Ly