A precise asteroseismic age and metallicity for HD 139614: a pre-main-sequence star with a protoplanetary disc in Upper Centaurus–Lupus

ABSTRACT HD 139614 is known to be a ∼14-Myr-old, possibly pre-main-sequence star in the Sco-Cen OB association in the Upper Centaurus-Lupus subgroup, with a slightly warped circumstellar disc containing ring structures hinting at one or more planets. The star’s chemical abundance pattern is metal-deficient except for volatile elements, which places it in the λ Boo class and suggests it has recently accreted gas-rich but dust-poor material. We identify seven dipole and four radial pulsation modes among its δ Sct pulsations using the TESS light curve and an échelle diagram. Precision modelling with the mesa stellar evolution and gyre stellar oscillation programs confirms it is on the pre-main sequence. Asteroseismic, grid-based modelling suggests an age of 10.75 ± 0.77 Myr, a mass of 1.52 ± 0.02 M ⊙, and a global metal abundance of Z = 0.0100 ± 0.0010. This represents the first asteroseismic determination of the bulk metallicity of a λ Boo star. The precise age and metallicity offer a benchmark for age estimates in Upper Centaurus–Lupus, and for understanding disc retention and planet formation around intermediate-mass stars.

Short-term variability and mass loss in Be stars VI. Frequency groups in γ Cas detected by TESS

In photometry of γ Cas (B0.5 IVe) from the SMEI and BRITE-Constellation satellites, indications of low-order non-radial pulsation have recently been found, which would establish an important commonality with the class of classical Be stars at large. New photometry with the TESS satellite has detected three frequency groups near 1.0 (g1), 2.4 (g2), and 5.1 (g3) d−1, respectively. Some individual frequencies are nearly harmonics or combination frequencies but not exactly so. Frequency groups are known from roughly three quarters of all classical Be stars and also from pulsations of β Cep, SPB, and γ Dor stars and, therefore, firmly establish γ Cas as a non-radial pulsator. The total power in each frequency group is variable. An isolated feature exists at 7.57 d−1 and, together with the strongest peaks in the second and third groups ordered by increasing frequency (g2 and g3), is the only one detected in all three TESS sectors. The former long-term 0.82 d−1 variability would fall into g1 and has not returned at a significant level, questioning its attribution to rotational modulation. Low-frequency stochastic variability is a dominant feature of the TESS light curve, possibly caused by internal gravity waves excited at the core-envelope interface. These are known to be efficient at transporting angular momentum outward, and may also drive the oscillations that constitute g1 and g2. The hard X-ray flux of γ Cas is the only remaining major property that distinguishes this star from the class of classical Be stars.

Modelling long-period variables – II. Fundamental mode pulsation in the non-linear regime

ABSTRACT Long-period variability in luminous red giants has several promising applications, all of which require models able to accurately predict pulsation periods. Linear pulsation models have proven successful in reproducing the observed periods of overtone modes in evolved red giants, but they fail to accurately predict their fundamental mode (FM) periods. Here, we use a 1D hydrodynamic code to investigate the long-period variability of M-type asymptotic giant branch stars in the non-linear regime. We examine the period and stability of low-order radial pulsation modes as a function of mass and radius, and find overtone mode periods in complete agreement with predictions from linear pulsation models. In contrast, non-linear models predict an earlier onset of dominant FM pulsation, and shorter periods at large radii. Both features lead to a substantially better agreement with observations that we verify against OGLE and Gaia data for the Magellanic Clouds. We provide simple analytical relations describing the non-linear FM period–mass–radius relation. Differences with respect to linear predictions originate from the readjustment of the envelope structure induced by large-amplitude pulsation. We investigate the impact of turbulent viscosity on linear and non-linear pulsation, and probe possible effects of varying metallicity and carbon abundance.

The 10.5 year rotation period of the strongly magnetic rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 166473

How magnetic fields contribute to the differentiation of the rotation rates of the Ap stars and affect the occurrence of non-radial pulsation in some of them are important open questions. Valuable insight can be gained into these questions by studying some of the most extreme examples of the processes at play. The super-slowly rotating rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star HD 166473 is such an example. We performed the first accurate determination of its rotation period, Prot = (3836 ± 30) d, from the analysis of 56 measurements of the mean magnetic field modulus ⟨B⟩ based on high-resolution spectra acquired between 1992 and 2019 at various observatories and with various instrumental configurations. We complemented this analysis with the consideration of an inhomogeneous set of 21 determinations of the mean longitudinal magnetic field ⟨Bz⟩ spanning the same time interval. This makes HD 166473 one of only four Ap stars with a period longer than 10 years for which magnetic field measurements have been obtained over more than a full cycle. The variation curves of ⟨B⟩ and of ⟨Bz⟩ are well approximated by cosine waves. The magnetic field of HD 166473 only seems to deviate slightly from axisymmetry, but it definitely involves a considerable non-dipolar component. Among the stars with rotation periods longer than 1000 d for which magnetic field measurements with full phase coverage are available, HD 166473 has the strongest field. Its magnetic field is also one of the strongest known among roAp stars. Overall, the magnetic properties of HD 166473 do not seem fundamentally distinct from those of the faster-rotating Ap stars. However, considering as a group the eight Ap stars that have accurately determined periods longer than 1000 d and whose magnetic variations have been characterised over a full cycle suggests that the angles between their magnetic and rotation axes tend to be systematically large.

Short-term variability and mass loss in Be stars

Context. Be stars are physically complex systems that continue to challenge theory to understand their rapid rotation, complex variability, and decretion disks. γ Cassiopeiae (γ Cas) is one such star but is even more curious because of its unexplained hard thermal X-ray emission. Aims. We aim to examine the optical variability of γ Cas and thereby to shed more light on its puzzling behaviour. Methods. We analysed 321 archival Hα spectra from 2006 to 2017 to search for frequencies corresponding to the 203.5 day orbit of the companion. Space photometry from the SMEI satellite from 2003 to 2011 and the BRITE-Constellation of nano-satellites from 2015 to 2019 were investigated in the period range from a couple of hours to a few days. Results. The orbital period of the companion of 203.5 days is confirmed with independent measurements from the structure of the Hα line emission. A strong blue versus red asymmetry in the amplitude distribution across the Hα emission line could hint at a spiral structure in the decretion disk. With the space photometry, the known frequency of 0.82 d−1 is confirmed in data from the early 2000s. A higher frequency of 2.48 d−1 is present in the data from 2015 to 2019 and possibly in the early 2000s as well. A third frequency at 1.25 d−1 is proposed to exist in both SMEI and BRITE data. Seemingly, only a non-radial pulsation interpretation can explain all three variations. The two higher frequencies are incompatible with rotation.

Optimization of interbaric surface parameters taking into account the radial pulsation of the plant mass in the threshing space

The article deals with the study of the penetration of stems and free grains into the interdigital spaces. The parameters of the interbearing surface of the plant mass in the threshing space are analyzed.

Long secondary periods in luminous red giant variables

ABSTRACT The origin of long secondary periods (LSPs) in red giant variables is unknown. We investigate whether stellar pulsations in red giants can explain the properties of the LSP variability. VIJHKs light curves obtained by OGLE and the IRSF/SIRIUS survey in the Small Magellanic Cloud are examined. The sample of oxygen-rich LSP stars shows evidence of a phase lag between the light curves of optical and near-IR band. The change in radius contributes to the bolometric change roughly half as much as the change in temperature, implying that the change in effective temperature plays an important role in the luminosity change associated with the LSPs. We have created numerical models based on the spherical harmonics to calculate the light amplitudes of dipole mode variability and have found that the models can roughly reproduce the amplitude–amplitude relations (e.g. (ΔI, ΔH)). The LSP variability can be reproduced by the dipole mode oscillations with temperature amplitude of ≲100 and ≲150 K for oxygen-rich stars and most carbon stars, respectively. Radial pulsation models are also examined and can reproduce the observed colour change of the LSPs. However, there is still an inconsistency in length between the LSP and periods of radial fundamental mode. On the other hand, theoretical period–luminosity relations of the dipole mode corresponding to so-called oscillatory convective mode were roughly consistent with observation. Hence, our result suggests that the observations can be consistent with stellar pulsations corresponding to oscillatory convective modes.

The census of non-radial pulsation in first-overtone RR Lyrae stars of the OGLE Galactic bulge collection

ABSTRACT We analysed photometry for the up-to-date collection of the first-overtone RR Lyrae stars (RRc; 11 415 stars) and double-mode RR Lyrae stars (RRd; 148 stars) towards the Galactic bulge from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE). We analysed frequency spectra of these stars in search for additional, low-amplitude signals, beyond the radial modes. We focused on stars from two groups: RR0.61 and RR0.68. In the first group, additional low-amplitude signals have periods shorter than the first-overtone period; period ratios fall in the 0.60–0.64 range. In the second group, additional low-amplitude signals have periods longer than the first-overtone period; period ratios tightly cluster around 0.68. Altogether we have detected 960 and 147 RR Lyrae stars that belong to RR0.61 and RR0.68 groups, respectively, which yield the incidence rates of 8.3 and 1.3 per cent of the considered sample. We discuss statistical properties of RR Lyrae stars with additional periodicities. For RR0.61 group we provide strong arguments that additional periodicities are connected to non-radial pulsation modes of degrees ℓ = 8 and ℓ = 9, as proposed by Dziembowski. We have also detected two double-periodic variables, with two close periodicities, similar to RR Lyrae variable V37 in NGC 6362. Properties of these peculiar variables, which may form a new group of double-mode pulsators, are discussed.

Multiplicity of Galactic Cepheids from long-baseline interferometry

Aims. We aim at detecting and characterizing the main-sequence companions of a sample of known and suspected Galactic binary Cepheids. The long-term objective is to accurately and independently measure the Cepheid masses and distances. Methods. We used the multi-telescope interferometric combiners CHARA/MIRC and VLTI/PIONIER to detect and measure the astrometric positions of the high-contrast companions orbiting 16 bright Galactic Cepheids. We made use of the CANDID algorithm to search for the companions and set detection limits from interferometric observations. We also present new high-precision radial velocity measurements which were used to fit radial pulsation and orbital velocities. Results. We report the detection of the companions orbiting the Cepheids U Aql, BP Cir, and S Mus, possible detections for FF Aql, Y Car, BG Cru, X Sgr, V350 Sgr, and V636 Sco, while no component is detected around U Car, YZ Car, T Mon, R Mus, S Nor, W Sgr, and AH Vel. For U Aql and S Mus, we performed a preliminary orbital fit combining their astrometric measurements with newly obtained high-precision single-line radial velocities, providing the full set of orbital elements and pulsation parameters. Assuming the distance from a period-luminosity (P-L) relation for both Cepheids, we estimated preliminary masses of MU Aql = 4.97 ± 0.62 M⊙ and MS Mus = 4.63 ± 0.99 M⊙. For YZ Car, W Sgr, V350 Sgr, and V636 Sco, we revised the spectroscopic orbits using new high-precision radial velocities, while we updated the pulsation parameters for BP Cir, BG Cru, S Nor, and AH Vel. Our interferometric observations also provide measurements of the angular diameters, which can be used in a Baade-Wesselink type analysis. Conclusions. We now have several astrometric detections of Cepheid companions. When radial velocities of the companions are available, such systems will provide accurate and independent masses and distances. Orbital parallaxes with an accuracy better than 5% will be particularly useful for a better calibration of the P-L relation. The final Gaia parallaxes will also be particularly helpful for single-line spectroscopic systems, where mass and distance are degenerate. Mass measurements are necessary for a better understanding of the age and evolution of Cepheids.