Masses of subgiant stars from asteroseismology using the coupling strengths of mixed modes

Since few decades, asteroseismology, the study of stellar oscillations, enables us to probe the interiors of stars with great precision. It allows stringent tests of stellar models and can provide accurate radii, masses and ages for individual stars. Of particular interest are the mixed modes that occur in subgiant solar-like stars since they can place very strong constraints on stellar ages. Here we measure the characteristics of the mixed modes, particularly the coupling strength, using a grid of stellar models for stars with masses between 0.9 and 1.5 M_{\odot}. We show that the coupling strength of the $\ell = 1$ mixed modes is predominantly a function of stellar mass and appears to be independent of metallicity. This should allow an accurate mass evaluation, further increasing the usefulness of mixed modes in subgiants as asteroseismic tools.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, Accepted (ApJL

The Orbit of the Binary Star Delta Scorpii

Although delta Scorpii is a bright and well-studied star, the details of its multiplicity have remained unclear. Here we present the first diffraction-limited image of this 0.12 arcsec binary star, made using optical interferometry, and resolve the confusion that has existed in the literature over its multiplicity. Examining published speckle measurements, together with the present result, reveals a periodicity of 10.5 yr and allows calculation of the orbital parameters. The orbit has a high eccentricity (e=0.82) and large inclination (i=70 degrees), making it a favourable target for radial velocity measurements during the next periastron (in 2000).Comment: (LaTex 8 pages. Send email to '[email protected]' for 4 postscript figures). To appear in the Astronomical Journal, August, 1993. ESO-TR

Correcting stellar oscillation frequencies for near-surface effects

In helioseismology, there is a well-known offset between observed and computed oscillation frequencies. This offset is known to arise from improper modeling of the near-surface layers of the Sun, and a similar effect must occur for models of other stars. Such an effect impedes progress in asteroseismology, which involves comparing observed oscillation frequencies with those calculated from theoretical models. Here, we use data for the Sun to derive an empirical correction for the near-surface offset, which we then apply three other stars (alpha Cen A, alpha Cen B and beta Hyi). The method appears to give good results, in particular providing an accurate estimate of the mean density of each star.Comment: accepted for publication in ApJ Letter

Red variables in the OGLE-II database. I. Pulsations and period-luminosity relations below the tip of the Red Giant Branch of the LMC

We present period-luminosity relations for more than 23,000 red giants in the Large Magellanic Cloud observed by the OGLE-II microlensing project. The OGLE period values were combined with the 2MASS single-epoch JHK photometric data. For the brighter stars we find agreement with previous results (four different sequences corresponding to different modes of pulsation in AGB stars). We also discovered two distinct and well-separated sequences below the tip of the Red Giant Branch. They consist of almost 10,000 short-period (15 d <P< 50 d), low-amplitude (A_I<0.04 mag) red variable stars, for which we propose that a significant fraction is likely to be on the Red Giant Branch, showing radial pulsations in the second and third overtone modes. The excitation mechanism could be either Mira-like pulsation or solar-like oscillations driven by convection.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures; accepted for publication in MNRAS (Pink Pages); proof corrections adde

Measurements of Stellar Properties through Asteroseismology: A Tool for Planet Transit Studies

Oscillations occur in stars of most masses and essentially all stages of evolution. Asteroseismology is the study of the frequencies and other properties of stellar oscillations, from which we can extract fundamental parameters such as density, mass, radius, age and rotation period. We present an overview of asteroseismic analysis methods, focusing on how this technique may be used as a tool to measure stellar properties relevant to planet transit studies. We also discuss details of the Kepler Asteroseismic Investigation -- the use of asteroseismology on the Kepler mission in order to measure basic stellar parameters. We estimate that applying asteroseismology to stars observed by Kepler will allow the determination of stellar mean densities to an accuracy of 1%, radii to 2-3%, masses to 5%, and ages to 5-10% of the main-sequence lifetime. For rotating stars, the angle of inclination can also be determined.Comment: To appear in the Proceedings of the 253rd IAU Symposium: "Transiting Planets", May 2008, Cambridge, M

Solar-like oscillations in the metal-poor subgiant nu Indi: II. Acoustic spectrum and mode lifetime

Convection in stars excites resonant acoustic waves which depend on the sound speed inside the star, which in turn depends on properties of the stellar interior. Therefore, asteroseismology is an unrivaled method to probe the internal structure of a star. We made a seismic study of the metal-poor subgiant star nu Indi with the goal of constraining its interior structure. Our study is based on a time series of 1201 radial velocity measurements spread over 14 nights obtained from two sites, Siding Spring Observatory in Australia and ESO La Silla Observatory in Chile. The power spectrum of the high precision velocity time series clearly presents several identifiable peaks between 200 and 500 uHz showing regularity with a large and small spacing of 25.14 +- 0.09 uHz and 2.96 +- 0.22 uHz at 330 uHz. Thirteen individual modes have been identified with amplitudes in the range 53 to 173 cm/s. The mode damping time is estimated to be about 16 days (1-sigma range between 9 and 50 days), substantially longer than in other stars like the Sun, the alpha Cen system or the giant xi Hya.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures, A&A accepte