264 research outputs found

    RR Lyrae Variables in M33. I. Evidence For a Field Halo Population

    Get PDF
    We present observations of RR Lyrae variables in the Local Group late-type spiral galaxy M33. Using the Advanced Camera for Surveys on the Hubble Space Telescope, we have identified 64 ab-type RR Lyraes in M33. We have estimated reddenings for these stars based on their minimum light V-I colors and metallicities based on their periods. From the distributions of these properties, we conclude that the RR Lyraes belong to two populations - one associated with the halo of M33 and the other with its disk. Given that RR Lyraes are produced by populations older than ~10 Gyr, this suggests that not only does the field halo of M33 contain an old component, but so does its disk. This is one of the best pieces of evidence for the existence of a halo field component in M33. Using a relation between RR Lyrae absolute magnitude and metallicity (Mv(RR) = 0.23[Fe/H] + 0.93), we estimate a mean distance modulus of = 24.67 +/- 0.08 for M33. This places M33 approximately 70 kpc beyond M31 in line-of-sight distance.Comment: 20 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journa

    A Double-Mode RR Lyrae Star with a Strong Fundamental Mode Component

    Full text link
    NSVS 5222076, a thirteenth magnitude star in the Northern Sky Variability Survey, was identified by Oaster as a possible new double-mode RR Lyrae star. We confirm the double-mode nature of NSVS 5222076, supplementing the survey data with new V band photometry. NSVS 5222076 has a fundamental mode period of 0.4940 day and a first overtone period of 0.3668 day. Its fundamental mode light curve has an amplitude twice as large as that of the first overtone mode, a ratio very rarely seen. Data from the literature are used to discuss the location in the Petersen diagram of double-mode RR Lyrae stars having strong fundamental mode pulsation. Such stars tend to occur toward the short period end of the Petersen diagram, and NSVS 5222976 is no exception to this rule.Comment: 14 pages, 4 figures, To be published in the March, 2006, issue of PAS

    Analysis of RR Lyrae Stars in the Northern Sky Variability Survey

    Get PDF
    We use data from the Northern Sky Variability Survey (NSVS), obtained from the first generation Robotic Optical Transient Search Experiment (ROTSE-I), to identify and study RR Lyrae variable stars in the solar neighborhood. We initially identified 1197 RRab (RR0) candidate stars brighter than the ROTSE median magnitude V = 14. Periods, amplitudes, and mean V magnitudes are determined for a subset of 1188 RRab stars with well defined light curves. Metallicities are determined for 589 stars by the Fourier parameter method and by the relationship between period, amplitude, and [Fe/H]. We comment upon the difficulties of clearly classifying RRc (RR1) variables in the NSVS dataset. Distances to the RRab stars are calculated using an adopted luminosity-metallicity relation with corrections for interstellar extinction. The 589 RRab stars in our final sample are used to study the properties of the RRab population within 5 kpc of the Sun. The Bailey diagram of period versus amplitude shows that the largest component of this sample belongs to Oosterhoff type I. Metal-rich ([Fe/H] > -1) RRab stars appear to be associated with the Galactic disk. Our metal-rich RRab sample may include a thin disk as well as a thick disk population, although the uncertainties are too large to establish this. There is some evidence among the metal-rich RRab stars for a decline in scale height with increasing [Fe/H], as was found by Layden (1995). The distribution of RRab stars with -1 < [Fe/H] < -1.25 indicates that within this metallicity range the RRab stars are a mixture of stars belonging to halo and disk populations.Comment: 68 pages, 26 figures, 9 tables, accepted to A

    A CCD Search for Variable Stars in the Open Cluster NGC 6611

    Full text link
    We present the results of the UBVICUBVI_C variability survey in the young open cluster NGC 6611 based on observations obtained during 34 nights spanning one year. In total, we found 95 variable stars. Most of these stars are classified as periodic and irregular pre-main sequence (PMS) stars. The analysis of the JHKSJHK_S 2MASS photometry and four-colour IRAC photometry revealed 165 Class II young stellar sources, 20 of which are irregular variables and one is an eclipsing binary. These classifications, complemented by JHKJHK UKIDSS photometry and riHαriH\alpha VPHAS photometry, were used to identify 24 candidates for classical T Tauri stars and 30 weak-lined T Tauri stars. In addition to the PMS variables, we discovered eight δ\delta Scuti candidates. None of these were previously known. Furthermore, we detected 17 eclipsing binaries where two were previously known. Based on the proper motions provided by the Gaia EDR3 catalogue, we calculated the cluster membership probabilities for 91 variable stars. For 61 variables, a probability higher than 80% was determined, which makes them cluster members. Only 25 variables with a probability less than 20% were regarded to be non-members.Comment: 30 pages, 31 figure

    The Variable Stars of the Draco Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy - Revisited

    Get PDF
    We present a CCD survey of variable stars in the Draco dwarf spheroidal galaxy. This survey, which has the largest areal coverage since the original variable star survey by Baade & Swope, includes photometry for 270 RR Lyrae stars, 9 anomalous Cepheids, 2 eclipsing binaries, and 12 slow, irregular red variables, as well as 30 background QSOs. Twenty-six probable double-mode RR Lyrae stars were identified. Observed parameters, including mean V and I magnitudes, V amplitudes, and periods, have been derived. Photometric metallicities of the ab-type RR Lyrae stars were calculated according to the method of Jurcsik & Kovacs, yielding a mean metallicity of = -2.19 +/- 0.03. The well known Oosterhoff intermediate nature of the RR Lyrae stars in Draco is reconfirmed, although the double-mode RR Lyrae stars with one exception have properties similar to those found in Oosterhoff type II globular clusters. The period-luminosity relation of the anomalous Cepheids is rediscussed with the addition of the new Draco anomalous Cepheids.Comment: Accepted to AJ. 61 pages, 14 figures, 10 table
    • …
    corecore