Seismic modelling of the β \beta\,Cep star HD\,180642 (V1449\,Aql)

We present modelling of the $\beta\,$Cep star HD\,180642 based on its observational properties deduced from CoRoT and ground-based photometry as well as from time-resolved spectroscopy. We investigate whether present-day state-of-the-art models are able to explain the full seismic behaviour of this star, which has extended observational constraints for this type of pulsator. We constructed a dedicated database of stellar models and their oscillation modes tuned to fit the dominant radial mode frequency of HD\,180642, by means of varying the hydrogen content, metallicity, mass, age, and core overshooting parameter. We compared the seismic properties of these models with those observed. We find models that are able to explain the numerous observed oscillation properties of the star, for a narrow range in mass of 11.4--11.8\,M$_\odot$ and no or very mild overshooting (with up to 0.05 local pressure scale heights), except for an excitation problem of the $\ell=3$, p$_1$ mode. We deduce a rotation period of about 13\,d, which is fully compatible with recent magnetic field measurements. The seismic models do not support the earlier claim of solar-like oscillations in the star. We instead ascribe the power excess at high frequency to non-linear resonant mode coupling between the high-amplitude radial fundamental mode and several of the low-order pressure modes. We report a discrepancy between the seismic and spectroscopic gravity at the $2.5\sigma$ level.Comment: 10 pages, 2 Tables, 6 Figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic

An asteroseismic study of the beta Cephei star beta Canis Majoris

We present the results of a detailed analysis of 452 ground-based high-resolution high S/N spectroscopic measurements spread over 4.5 years for beta Canis Majoris with the aim to determine the pulsational characteristics of this star, and to use them to derive seismic constraints on the stellar parameters. We determine pulsation frequencies in the SiIII 4553 Angstrom line with Fourier methods. We identify the m-value of the modes by taking into account the photometric identifications of the degrees l. To this end we use the moment method together with the amplitude and phase variations across the line profile. The frequencies of the identified modes are used for a seismic interpretation of the structure of the star. We confirm the presence of the three pulsation frequencies already detected in previous photometric datasets: f_1 = 3.9793 c/d (46.057 microHz), f_2 = 3.9995 c/d (46.291 microHz) and f_3 = 4.1832 c/d (48.417 microHz). For the two modes with the highest amplitudes we unambiguously identify (l_1,m_1) = (2,2) and (l_2,m_2) = (0,0). We cannot conclude anything for the third mode identification, except that m_3 > 0. We also deduce an equatorial rotational velocity of 31 +/- 5 Km/s for the star. We show that the mode f_1 must be close to an avoided crossing. Constraints on the mass (13.5 +/- 0.5 Msun), age (12.4 +/- 0.7 Myr) and core overshoot (0.20 +/- 0.05 H_P) of beta CMa are obtained from seismic modelling using f_1 and f_2.Comment: Accepted for publication in A&

CoRoT high-precision photometry of the B0.5 IV star HD 51756

OB stars are important constituents for the ecology of the Universe, and there are only a few studies on their pulsational properties detailed enough to provide important feedback on current evolutionary models. Our goal is to analyse and interpret the behaviour present in the CoRoT light curve of the B0.5 IV star HD 51756 observed during the second long run of the space mission, and to determine the fundamental stellar parameters from ground-based spectroscopy gathered with the CORALIE and HARPS instruments after checking for signs of variability and binarity, thus making a step further in mapping the top of the Beta Cep instability strip. We compare the newly obtained high-resolution spectra with synthetic spectra of late O-type and early B-type stars computed on a grid of stellar parameters. We match the results with evolutionary tracks to estimate stellar parameters. We use various time series analysis tools to explore the nature of the variations present in the light curve. Additional calculations are carried out based on distance and historical position measurements of the components to impose constraints on the binary orbit. We find that HD 51756 is a wide binary with both a slow (v sin i \approx 28 km s^-1) and a fast (v sin i \approx 170 km s^-1) early-B rotator whose atmospheric parameters are similar (T_eff \approx 30000 K and log g \approx 3.75). We are unable to detect pulsation in any of the components, and we interpret the harmonic structure in the frequency spectrum as sign of rotational modulation, which is compatible with the observed and deduced stellar parameters of both components. The non-detection of pulsation modes provides a feedback on the theoretical treatment, given that non-adiabatic computations applied to appropriate stellar models predict the excitation of both pressure and gravity modes for the fundamental parameters of this star.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics on 14/01/2011, 11 pages, 9 figures, 4 table

First HARPSpol discoveries of magnetic fields in massive stars

In the framework of the Magnetism in Massive Stars (MiMeS) project, a HARPSpol Large Program at the 3.6m-ESO telescope has recently started to collect high-resolution spectropolarimetric data of a large number of Southern massive OB stars in the field of the Galaxy and in many young clusters and associations. In this Letter, we report on the first discoveries of magnetic fields in two massive stars with HARPSpol - HD 130807 and HD 122451, and confirm the presence of a magnetic field at the surface of HD 105382 that was previously observed with a low spectral resolution device. The longitudinal magnetic field measurements are strongly varying for HD 130807 from $\sim$-100 G to $\sim$700 G. Those of HD 122451 and HD 105382 are less variable with values ranging from $\sim$-40 to -80 G, and from $\sim$-300 to -600 G, respectively. The discovery and confirmation of three new magnetic massive stars, including at least two He-weak stars, is an important contribution to one of the MiMeS objectives: the understanding of origin of magnetic fields in massive stars and their impacts on stellar structure and evolution.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in A&A Lette

An observational asteroseismic study of the pulsating B-type stars in the open cluster NGC 884

Recent progress in the seismic interpretation of field β Cep stars has resulted in improvements of the physical description in the stellar structure and evolution model computations of massive stars. Further asteroseismic constraints can be obtained from studying ensembles of stars in a young open cluster, which all have similar age, distance and chemical composition. We present an observational asteroseismic study based on the discovery of numerous multi-periodic and mono-periodic B-type stars in the open cluster NGC 884 (χ Persei). Our study illustrates the current status of ensemble asteroseismology of this young open cluste

Rotation and Convective Core Overshoot in theta Ophiuchi

(abridged) Recent work on several beta Cephei stars has succeeded in constraining both their interior rotation profile and their convective core overshoot. In particular, a recent study focusing on theta$ Oph has shown that a convective core overshoot parameter of alpha = 0.44 is required to model the observed pulsation frequencies, significantly higher than for other stars of this type. We investigate the effects of rotation and overshoot in early type main sequence pulsators, and attempt to use the low order pulsation frequencies to constrain these parameters. This will be applied to a few test models and theta Oph. We use a 2D stellar evolution code and a 2D linear adiabatic pulsation code to calculate pulsation frequencies for 9.5 Msun models. We calculate low order p-modes for models with a range of rotation rates and convective core overshoot parameters. Using these models, we find that the convective core overshoot has a larger effect on the pulsation frequencies than the rotation, except in the most rapidly rotating models considered. When the differences in radii are accounted for by scaling the frequencies, the effects of rotation diminish, but are not entirely accounted for. We find that increasing the convective core overshoot decreases the large separation, while producing a slight increase in the small separations. We created a model frequency grid which spanned several rotation rates and convective core overshoot values. Using a modified chi^2 statistic, we are able to recover the rotation velocity and core overshoot for a few test models. Finally, we discuss the case of the beta Cephei star theta Oph. Using the observed frequencies and a fixed mass and metallicity, we find a lower overshoot than previously determined, with alpha = 0.28 +/- 0.05. Our determination of the rotation rate agrees well with both previous work and observations, around 30 km/s.Comment: 10 pages, 14 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

Analysis of MERCATOR data Part I: variable B stars

We re-classified 31 variable B stars which were observed more than 50 times in the Geneva photometric system with the P7 photometer attached to the MERCATOR telescope (La Palma) during its first 3 years of scientific observations. HD89688 is a possible beta Cephei/slowly pulsating B star hybrid and the main mode of the COROT target HD180642 shows non-linear effects. The Maia candidates are re-classified as either ellipsoidal variables or spotted stars. Although the mode identification is still ongoing, all the well-identified modes so far have a degree l = 0, 1 or 2.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. To appear in: Proceedings of JENAM 2005 'Distant worlds', Communications in Asteroseismolog

An asteroseismic study of the beta Cephei star 12 Lacertae: multisite spectroscopic observations, mode identification and seismic modelling

We present the results of a spectroscopic multisite campaign for the beta Cephei star 12 (DD) Lacertae. Our study is based on more than thousand high-resolution high S/N spectra gathered with 8 different telescopes in a time span of 11 months. In addition we make use of numerous archival spectroscopic measurements. We confirm 10 independent frequencies recently discovered from photometry, as well as harmonics and combination frequencies. In particular, the SPB-like g-mode with frequency 0.3428 1/d reported before is detected in our spectroscopy. We identify the four main modes as (l1,m1) = (1, 1), (l2,m2) = (0, 0), (l3,m3) = (1, 0) and (l4,m4) = (2, 1) for f1 = 5.178964 1/d, f2 = 5.334224 1/d, f3 = 5.066316 1/d and f4 = 5.490133 1/d, respectively. Our seismic modelling shows that f2 is likely the radial first overtone and that the core overshooting parameter alpha_ov is lower than 0.4 local pressure scale heights.Comment: 16 pages, 11 figures, accepted in MNRA

On the co-existence of chemically peculiar Bp stars, slowly pulsating B stars and constant B stars in the same part of the H-R diagram

Aims. In order to better model massive B-type stars, we need to understand the physical processes taking place in slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars, chemically peculiar Bp stars, and non-pulsating normal B stars co-existing in the same part of the H-R diagram. Methods. We carry out a comparative study between samples of confirmed and well-studied SPB stars and a sample of well-studied Bp stars with known periods and magnetic field strengths. We determine their evolutionary state using accurate HIPPARCOS parallaxes and Geneva photometry. We discuss the occurrence and strengths of magnetic fields as well as the occurrence of stellar pulsation among both groups. Further, we make a comparison of Geneva photometric variability for both kinds of stars. Results. The group of Bp stars is significantly younger than the group of SPB stars. Longitudinal magnetic fields in SPB stars are weaker than those of Bp stars, suggesting that the magnetic field strength is an important factor for B type stars to become chemically peculiar. The strongest magnetic fields appear in young Bp stars, indicating a magnetic field decay in stars at advanced ages. Rotation periods of Bp and pulsation periods of SPB stars are of the same order and the behaviour of Geneva photometric variability of some Bp stars cannot be distinguished from the variability of SPB stars, illustrating the difficulty to interpret the observed variability of the order of days for B-type stars. We consider the possibility that pulsation could be responsible for the variability among chemically peculiar stars. In particular, we show that a non-linear pulsation model is not excluded by photometry for the Bp star HD175362.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics on 29/01/2007, 8 pages, 9 figure

An asteroseismic study of the O9V star HD 46202 from CoRoT space-based photometry

The O9V star HD 46202, which is a member of the young open cluster NGC 2244, was observed by the CoRoT satellite in October/November 2008 during a short run of 34 days. From the very high-precision light curve, we clearly detect beta Cep-like pulsation frequencies with amplitudes of ~0.1 mmag and below. A comparison with stellar models was performed using a chi^2 as a measure for the goodness-of-fit between the observed and theoretically computed frequencies. The physical parameters of our best-fitting models are compatible with the ones deduced spectroscopically. A core overshooting parameter alpha_ov = 0.10 +- 0.05 pressure scale height is required. None of the observed frequencies are theoretically excited with the input physics used in our study. More theoretical work is thus needed to overcome this shortcoming in how we understand the excitation mechanism of pulsation modes in such a massive star. A similar excitation problem has also been encountered for certain pulsation modes in beta Cep stars recently modelled asteroseismically.Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics on 17/12/2010, 9 pages, 7 figures, 4 table