665 research outputs found
RR Lyrae variables in M5 as a test of pulsational theory
We present B and V CCD photometry for variables in the cluster central
region, adding new data for 32 variables and giving suitable light curves, mean
magnitudes and corrected colors for 17 RR Lyrae. Implementing the data given in
this paper with similar data already appeared in the literature we discuss a
sample of 42 variables, as given by 22 RRab and 20 RRc, to the light of recent
predictions from pulsational theories. We find that the observational evidence
concerning M5 pulsators appears in marginal disagreement with predictions
concerning the color of the First Overtone Blue Edge (FOBE), whereas a clear
disagreement appears between the ZAHB luminosities predicted through
evolutionary or pulsational theories.Comment: 7 pages, 7 postscript figures, accepted for publication on MNRA
Pulsational M_V versus [Fe/H] relation(s) for globular cluster RR Lyrae variables
We use the results from recent computations of updated non-linear convective
pulsating models to constrain the distance modulus of Galactic globular
clusters through the observed periods of first overtone RRc pulsators. The
resulting relation between the mean absolute magnitude of RR Lyrae stars
and the heavy element content [Fe/H] appears well in the range of
several previous empirical calibrations, but with a non linear dependence on
[Fe/H] so that the slope of the relation increases when moving towards larger
metallicities. On this ground, our results suggest that metal-poor
([Fe/H]-1.5) variables follow two different
linear -[Fe/H] relations. Application to RR Lyrae stars in the
metal-poor globular clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud provides a LMC
distance modulus of the order of 18.6 mag, thus supporting the "long" distance
scale. The comparison with recent predictions based on updated stellar
evolution theory is shortly presented and discussed.Comment: 8 pages, 4 postscript figures, accepted for publication on MNRA
Kepler observations of A-F pre-main sequence stars in Upper Scorpius: Discovery of six new ~Scuti and one ~Doradus stars
We present light curves and periodograms for 27 stars in the young Upper
Scorpius association (age=\,Myr) obtained with the Kepler spacecraft.
This association is only the second stellar grouping to host several pulsating
pre-main sequence (PMS) stars which have been observed from space. From an
analysis of the periodograms, we identify six ~Scuti variables and one
~Doradus star. These are most likely PMS stars or else very close to
the zero-age main sequence. Four of the ~Scuti variables were observed
in short-cadence mode, which allows us to resolve the entire frequency
spectrum. For these four stars, we are able to infer some qualitative
information concerning their ages. For the remaining two ~Scuti stars,
only long-cadence data are available, which means that some of the frequencies
are likely to be aliases. One of the stars appears to be a rotational variable
in a hierarchical triple system. This is a particularly important object, as it
allows the possibility of an accurate mass determination when radial velocity
observations become available. We also report on new high-resolution echelle
spectra obtained for some of the stars of our sample.Comment: 19 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication on MNRA
The Galactic Halo density distribution from photometric survey data: results of a pilot study
Our goal is to recover the Galactic Halo spatial density by means of field
stars. To this aim, we apply a new technique to the Capodimonte Deep Field
(OACDF, Alcala' et al. 2004), as a pilot study in view of the VLT Survey
Telescope (VST) stellar projects. Considering the unique chance to collect deep
and wide-field photometry with the VST, our method may represent a useful tool
towards a definitive mapping of the Galactic Halo. In the framework of
synthetic stellar populations, turn-off stars are used to reconstruct the
spatial density. The determination of the space density is achieved by
comparing the data with synthetic color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs). The only
assumptions involve the IMF, age and metallicity of the synthetic halo
population. Stars are randomly placed in the solid angle. The contributions of
the various Monte Carlo distributions (with a step of 4 kpc) along the line of
sight are simultaneously varied to reproduce the observed CMD. Our result on
the space density is consistent with a power-law exponent n~3 over a range of
Galactocentric distances from 8 to 40 kpc.Comment: 5 pages. Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysic
A theoretical approach for the interpretation of pulsating PMS intermediate-mass stars
The investigation of the pulsation properties of pre-main-sequence
intermediate-mass stars is a promising tool to evaluate the intrinsic
properties of these stars and to constrain current evolutionary models. Many
new candidates of this class have been discovered during the last decade and
very accurate data are expected from space observations obtained for example
with the CoRoT satellite. In this context we aim at developing a theoretical
approach for the interpretation of observed frequencies, both from the already
available ground-based observations and from the future more accurate and
extensive CoRoT results. To this purpose we have started a project devoted to
the computations of fine and extensive grids of asteroseismic models of
intermediate mass pre-main-sequence stars. The obtained frequencies are used to
derive an analytical relation between the large frequency separation and the
stellar luminosity and effective temperature and to develop a tool to compare
theory and observations in the echelle diagram. The predictive capabilities of
the proposed method are verified through the application to two test stars. As
a second step, we apply the procedure to two true observations from multisite
campaigns and we are able to constrain their stellar parameters, in particular
the mass, in spite of the small number of frequencies. We expect that with a
significantly higher number of frequencies both the stellar mass and age could
be constrained and, at the same time, the physics of the models could be
tested.Comment: Accepted for publication on A&
Detection of delta Scuti-like pulsation in H254, a pre-main sequence F-type star in IC 348
We present time series observations of intermediate mass PMS stars belonging
to the young star cluster IC 348. The new data reveal that a young member of
the cluster, H254, undergoes periodic light variations with delta Scuti-like
characteristics. This occurrence provides an unambiguous evidence confirming
the prediction that intermediate-mass pre-main sequence (PMS) stars should
experience this transient instability during their approach to the
main-sequence. On the basis of the measured frequency f=7.406 c/d, we are able
to constrain the intrinsic stellar parameters of H254 by means of linear, non
adiabatic, radial pulsation models. The range of the resulting luminosity and
effective temperature permitted by the models is narrower than the
observational values. In particular, the pulsation analysis allows to derive an
independent estimate of the distance to IC 348 of about 320 pc. Further
observations could either confirm the monoperiodic nature of H254 or reveal the
presence of other frequencies.Comment: 7 pages, including 7 postscript figures, accepted for publication on
A&
High resolution spectroscopic analysis of seven giants in the bulge globular cluster NGC 6723
Globular clusters associated with the Galactic bulge are important tracers of
stellar populations in the inner Galaxy. High resolution analysis of stars in
these clusters allows us to characterize them in terms of kinematics,
metallicity, and individual abundances, and to compare these fingerprints with
those characterizing field populations. We present iron and element ratios for
seven red giant stars in the globular cluster NGC~6723, based on high
resolution spectroscopy. High resolution spectra () of seven K
giants belonging to NGC 6723 were obtained with the FEROS spectrograph at the
MPG/ESO 2.2m telescope. Photospheric parameters were derived from FeI
and FeII transitions. Abundance ratios were obtained from line-to-line spectrum
synthesis calculations on clean selected features. An intermediate metallicity
of [Fe/H] dex and a heliocentric radial velocity of
were found for NGC 6723. Alpha-element
abundances present enhancements of dex,
dex, dex, and
dex. Similar overabundance is found for the iron-peak Ti with
dex. Odd-Z elements Na and Al present abundances of
dex and dex, respectively. Finally,
the s-element Ba is also enhanced by dex. The enhancement
levels of NGC 6723 are comparable to those of other metal-intermediate bulge
globular clusters. In turn, these enhancement levels are compatible with the
abundance profiles displayed by bulge field stars at that metallicity. This
hints at a possible similar chemical evolution with globular clusters and the
metal-poor of the bulge going through an early prompt chemical enrichment
CAOS spectroscopy of Am stars Kepler targets
The {\it Kepler} space mission and its {\it K2} extension provide photometric
time series data with unprecedented accuracy. These data challenge our current
understanding of the metallic-lined A stars (Am stars) for what concerns the
onset of pulsations in their atmospheres. It turns out that the predictions of
current diffusion models do not agree with observations. To understand this
discrepancy, it is of crucial importance to obtain ground-based spectroscopic
observations of Am stars in the {\it Kepler} and {\it K2} fields in order to
determine the best estimates of the stellar parameters.
In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of high-resolution
spectroscopic data for seven stars previously classified as Am stars. We
determine the effective temperatures, surface gravities, projected rotational
velocities, microturbulent velocities and chemical abundances of these stars
using spectral synthesis. These spectra were obtained with {\it CAOS}, a new
instrument recently installed at the observing station of the Catania
Astrophysical Observatory on Mt. Etna. Three stars have already been observed
during quarters Q0-Q17, namely: HD\,180347, HD\,181206, and HD\,185658, while
HD\,43509 was already observed during {\it K2} C0 campaign.
We confirm that HD\,43509 and HD\,180347 are Am stars, while HD 52403,
HD\,50766, HD\,58246, HD\,181206 and HD\,185658 are marginal Am stars. By means
of non-LTE analysis, we derived oxygen abundances from O{\sc
I}7771--5{\AA} triplet and we also discussed the results obtained with
both non-LTE and LTE approaches.Comment: accepted in MNRAS main journal 13 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables. arXiv
admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1404.095
Pushing the limits, episode 2: K2 observations of extragalactic RR Lyrae stars in the dwarf galaxy Leo IV
We present the first observations of extragalactic pulsating stars in the K2
ecliptic survey of the Kepler space telescope. Variability of all three RR
Lyrae stars in the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Leo IV were successfully detected,
at a brightness of Kp~21.5 mag, from data collected during Campaign 1. We
identified one modulated star and another likely Blazhko candidate with periods
of 29.8+-0.9 d and more than 80 d, respectively. EPIC 210282473 represents the
first star beyond the Magellanic Clouds for which the Blazhko period and
cycle-to-cycle variations in the modulation were unambiguously measured.The
photometric [Fe/H] indices of the stars agree with earlier results that Leo IV
is a very metal-poor galaxy. Two out of three stars blend with brighter
background galaxies in the K2 frames. We demonstrate that image subtraction can
be reliably used to extract photometry from faint confused sources that will be
crucial not only for the K2 mission but for future space photometric missions
as well.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical
Journal. Light curves can be downloaded from http://konkoly.hu/KIK/data.htm
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