380 research outputs found
Period-Color and Amplitude-Color Relations in Classical Cepheid Variables - VI. New Challenges for Pulsation Models
We present multiphase Period-Color/Amplitude-Color/Period-Luminosity
relations using OGLE III and Galactic Cepheid data and compare with state of
the art theoretical pulsation models. Using this new way to compare models and
observations, we find convincing evidence that both Period-Color and
Period-Luminosity Relations as a function of phase are dynamic and highly
nonlinear at certain pulsation phases. We extend this to a multiphase Wesenheit
function and find the same result. Hence our results cannot be due to reddening
errors. We present statistical tests and the urls of movies depicting the
Period-Color/Period Luminosity and Wesenheit relations as a function of phase
for the LMC OGLE III Cepheid data: these tests and movies clearly demonstrate
nonlinearity as a function of phase and offer a new window toward a deeper
understanding of stellar pulsation. When comparing with models, we find that
the models also predict this nonlinearity in both Period-Color and
Period-Luminosity planes. The models with (Z=0.004, Y=0.25) fare better in
mimicking the LMC Cepheid relations, particularly at longer periods, though the
models predict systematically higher amplitudes than the observations
Period-colour and amplitude-colour relations in classical Cepheid variables II: the Galactic Cepheid model
In this paper, we construct full amplitude non-linear hydrodynamical models
of fundamental mode Galactic Cepheids and analyze the resulting theoretical
period-colour and amplitude-colour relations at maximum, mean and minimum
light. These theoretical relations match the general form of the observed
relations well. This agreement is, to some extent, independent of the
mass-luminosity relations used, pulsation code, numerical techniques, details
of the input physics and methods to convert theoretical quantities, such as
bolometric luminosity and temperature, to observational quantities, such as V
band magnitudes or colours. We show that the period-colour and
amplitude-colour properties of fundamental mode Galactic Cepheids with periods
such that can be explained by a simple application of the
Stefan-Boltzmann law and the interaction of the photosphere with the hydrogen
ionization front. We discuss the implications of our results for explaining the
behavior of Galactic Cepheid period-colour, and period-luminosity relations at
mean light.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures and 5 tables. MNRAS submitte
Multiphase PC/PL Relations: Comparison between Theory and observations
Cepheids are fundamental objects astrophysically in that they hold the key to
a CMB independent estimate of Hubble's constant. A number of researchers have
pointed out the possibilities of breaking degeneracies between Omega_Matter and
H0 if there is a CMB independent distance scale accurate to a few percent (Hu
2005). Current uncertainties in the distance scale are about 10% but future
observations, with, for example, the JWST, will be capable of estimating H0 to
within a few percent. A crucial step in this process is the Cepheid PL
relation. Recent evidence has emerged that the PL relation, at least in optical
bands, is nonlinear and that neglect of such a nonlinearity can lead to errors
in estimating H0 of up to 2 percent. Hence it is important to critically
examine this possible nonlinearity both observationally and theoretically.
Existing PC/PL relations rely exclusively on evaluating these relations at mean
light. However, since such relations are the average of relations at different
phases. Here we report on recent attempts to compare theory and observation in
the multiphase PC/PL planes. We construct state of the art Cepheid pulsations
models appropriate for the LMC/Galaxy and compare the resulting PC/PL relations
as a function of phase with observations. For the LMC, the (V-I) period-color
relation at minimum light can have quite a narrow dispersion (0.2-0.3 mags) and
thus could be useful in placing constraints on models. At longer periods, the
models predict significantly redder (by about 0.2-0.3 mags) V-I colors. We
discuss possible reasons for this and also compare PL relations at various
phases of pulsation and find clear evidence in both theory and observations for
a nonlinear PL relation.Comment: 5 pages, 8 figures, proceeding for "Stellar Pulsation: Challenges for
Theory and Observation", Santa Fe 200
The VMC Survey. V. First results for Classical Cepheids
The VISTA Magellanic Cloud (VMC, PI M.R. Cioni) survey is collecting deep
Ks-band time-series photometry of the pulsating variable stars hosted by the
system formed by the two Magellanic Clouds (MCs) and the "bridge" connecting
them. In this paper we present the first results for Classical Cepheids, from
the VMC observations of two fields in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). The VMC
Ks-band light curves of the Cepheids are well sampled (12-epochs) and of
excellent precision. We were able to measure for the first time the Ks
magnitude of the faintest Classical Cepheids in the LMC (Ks\sim17.5 mag), which
are mostly pulsating in the First Overtone (FO) mode, and to obtain FO
Period-Luminosity (PL), Period-Wesenheit (PW), and Period-Luminosity-Color
(PLC) relations, spanning the full period range from 0.25 to 6 day. Since the
longest period Cepheid in our dataset has a variability period of 23 day, we
have complemented our sample with literature data for brighter F Cepheids. On
this basis we have built a PL relation in the Ks band that, for the first time,
includes short period pulsators, and spans the whole range from 1.6 to 100 days
in period. We also provide the first ever empirical PW and PLC relations using
the (V-Ks) color and time-series Ks photometry. The very small dispersion
(\sim0.07 mag) of these relations makes them very well suited to study the
three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the Magellanic system. The use of "direct"
(parallax- and Baade-Wesselink- based) distance measurements to both Galactic
and LMC Cepheids, allowed us to calibrate the zero points of the PL, PW, and
PLC relations obtained in this paper, and in turn to estimate an absolute
distance modulus of (m-M)0=18.46\pm0.03 for the LMC. This result is in
agreement with most of the latest literature determinations based on Classical
Cepheids.Comment: 12 pages, 7 figures: MNRAS in pres
Cepheid limb darkening, angular diameter corrections, and projection factor from static spherical model stellar atmospheres
Context. One challenge for measuring the Hubble constant using Classical
Cepheids is the calibration of the Leavitt Law or period-luminosity
relationship. The Baade-Wesselink method for distance determination to Cepheids
relies on the ratio of the measured radial velocity and pulsation velocity, the
so-called projection factor and the ability to measure the stellar angular
diameters. Aims. We use spherically-symmetric model stellar atmospheres to
explore the dependence of the p-factor and angular diameter corrections as a
function of pulsation period. Methods. Intensity profiles are computed from a
grid of plane-parallel and spherically-symmetric model stellar atmospheres
using the SAtlas code. Projection factors and angular diameter corrections are
determined from these intensity profiles and compared to previous results.
Results. Our predicted geometric period-projection factor relation including
previously published state-of-the-art hydrodynamical predictions is not with
recent observational constraints. We suggest a number of potential resolutions
to this discrepancy. The model atmosphere geometry also affects predictions for
angular diameter corrections used to interpret interferometric observations,
suggesting corrections used in the past underestimated Cepheid angular
diameters by 3 - 5%. Conclusions. While spherically-symmetric hydrostatic model
atmospheres cannot resolve differences between projection factors from theory
and observations, they do help constrain underlying physics that must be
included, including chromospheres and mass loss. The models also predict more
physically-based limb-darkening corrections for interferometric observations.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in A&
HAT-P-13: a multi-site campaign to detect the transit of the second planet in the system
A possible transit of HAT-P-13c has been predicted to occur on 2010 April 28.
Here we report on the results of a multi-site campaign that has been organised
to detect the event. CCD photometric observations have been carried out at five
observatories in five countries. We reached 30% time coverage in a 5 days
interval centered on the suspected transit of HAT-P-13c. Two transits of
HAT-P-13b were also observed. No transit of HAT-P-13c has been detected while
the campaign was on. By a numerical experiment with 10^5 model systems we
conclude that HAT-P-13c is not a transiting exoplanet with a significance level
from 65% to 72%, depending on the planet parameters and the prior assumptions.
We present two times of transit of HAT-P-13b ocurring at BJD 2455141.5522 +-
0.0010 and BJD 2455249.4508 +- 0.0020. The TTV of HAT-P-13b is consistent with
zero within 0.001 days. The refined orbital period of HAT-P-13b is 2.916293 +-
0.000010 days.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, to be accepted by A&
The Zwicky Transient Facility: Surveys and Scheduler
We present a novel algorithm for scheduling the observations of time-domain
imaging surveys. Our Integer Linear Programming approach optimizes an observing
plan for an entire night by assigning targets to temporal blocks, enabling
strict control of the number of exposures obtained per field and minimizing
filter changes. A subsequent optimization step minimizes slew times between
each observation. Our optimization metric self-consistently weights
contributions from time-varying airmass, seeing, and sky brightness to maximize
the transient discovery rate. We describe the implementation of this algorithm
on the surveys of the Zwicky Transient Facility and present its on-sky
performance.Comment: Published in PASP Focus Issue on the Zwicky Transient Facility
(https://dx.doi.org/10.1088/1538-3873/ab0c2a). 13 Pages, 11 Figure
Long-term Periodicities of Cataclysmic Variables with Synoptic Surveys
A systematic study on the long-term periodicities of known Galactic
cataclysmic variables (CVs) was conducted. Among 1580 known CVs, 344 sources
were matched and extracted from the Palomar Transient Factory (PTF) data
repository. The PTF light curves were combined with the Catalina Real-Time
Transient Survey (CRTS) light curves and analyzed. Ten targets were found to
exhibit long-term periodic variability, which is not frequently observed in the
CV systems. These long-term variations are possibly caused by various
mechanisms, such as the precession of the accretion disk, hierarchical triple
star system, magnetic field change of the companion star, and other possible
mechanisms. We discuss the possible mechanisms in this study. If the long-term
period is less than several tens of days, the disk precession period scenario
is favored. However, the hierarchical triple star system or the variations in
magnetic field strengths are most likely the predominant mechanisms for longer
periods.Comment: 33 pages, 9 figures (manuscript form), Accepted for publication in
PAS
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