Search

We present a spectroscopic survey of known and candidate $\gamma$\,Doradus stars. The high-resolution, high signal-to-noise spectra of 52 objects were collected by five different spectrographs. The spectral classification, atmospheric parameters (\teff, $\log g$, $\xi$), $v\sin i$ and chemical composition of the stars were derived. The stellar spectral and luminosity classes were found between G0-A7 and IV-V, respectively. The initial values for \teff\ and \logg\ were determined from the photometric indices and spectral energy distribution. Those parameters were improved by the analysis of hydrogen lines. The final values of \teff, \logg\ and $\xi$ were derived from the iron lines analysis. The \teff\ values were found between 6000\,K and 7900\,K, while \logg\,values range from 3.8 to 4.5\,dex. Chemical abundances and $v\sin i$ values were derived by the spectrum synthesis method. The $v\sin i$ values were found between 5 and 240\,km\,s$^{-1}$. The chemical abundance pattern of $\gamma$\,Doradus stars were compared with the pattern of non-pulsating stars. It turned out that there is no significant difference in abundance patterns between these two groups. Additionally, the relations between the atmospheric parameters and the pulsation quantities were checked. A strong correlation between the $v\sin i$ and the pulsation periods of $\gamma$\,Doradus variables was obtained. The accurate positions of the analysed stars in the H-R diagram have been shown. Most of our objects are located inside or close to the blue edge of the theoretical instability strip of $\gamma$\,Doradus., Comment: 18 pages, 13 figures

In this work, we have gone one step further from the study presented in the first CoRoT symposium. Our analysis consists on constructing a model database covering the entire uncertainty box of the $\delta$ Sct star HD174966, derived from the usual observables ($\mathrm{T}_{\mathrm{eff}}$, $\log g$ and [Fe/H]), and constraining the models representative of the star. To do that, we use the value of the periodicity (related to $\Delta\nu_{\ell}$) found in its CoRoT pulsating spectrum., Comment: Transiting planets, vibrating stars & their connection. Proceedings of the 2nd CoRoT symposium (14 - 17 June 2011, Marseille). Edited by A. Baglin, M. Deleuil, E. Michel & C. Moutou

Context. The availability of asteroseismic constraints for a large sample of red giant stars from the CoRoT and Kepler missions paves the way for various statistical studies of the seismic properties of stellar populations. Aims. We use the first detailed spectroscopic study of 19 CoRoT red-giant stars (Morel et al 2014) to compare theoretical stellar evolution models to observations of the open cluster NGC 6633 and field stars. Methods. In order to explore the effects of rotation-induced mixing and thermohaline instability, we compare surface abundances of carbon isotopic ratio and lithium with stellar evolution predictions. These chemicals are sensitive to extra-mixing on the red-giant branch. Results. We estimate mass, radius, and distance for each star using the seismic constraints. We note that the Hipparcos and seismic distances are different. However, the uncertainties are such that this may not be significant. Although the seismic distances for the cluster members are self consistent they are somewhat larger than the Hipparcos distance. This is an issue that should be considered elsewhere. Models including thermohaline instability and rotation-induced mixing, together with the seismically determined masses can explain the chemical properties of red-giants targets. However, with this sample of stars we cannot perform stringent tests of the current stellar models. Tighter constraints on the physics of the models would require the measurement of the core and surface rotation rates, and of the period spacing of gravity-dominated mixed modes. A larger number of stars with longer times series, as provided by Kepler or expected with Plato, would help for ensemble asteroseismology., Comment: Accepted 03/05/2015

A precise characterisation of the red giants in the seismology fields of the CoRoT satellite is a prerequisite for further in-depth seismic modelling. High-resolution FEROS and HARPS spectra were obtained as part of the ground-based follow-up campaigns for 19 targets holding great asteroseismic potential. These data are used to accurately estimate their fundamental parameters and the abundances of 16 chemical species in a self-consistent manner. Some powerful probes of mixing are investigated (the Li and CNO abundances, as well as the carbon isotopic ratio in a few cases). The information provided by the spectroscopic and seismic data is combined to provide more accurate physical parameters and abundances. The stars in our sample follow the general abundance trends as a function of the metallicity observed in stars of the Galactic disk. After an allowance is made for the chemical evolution of the interstellar medium, the observational signature of internal mixing phenomena is revealed through the detection at the stellar surface of the products of the CN cycle. A contamination by NeNa-cycled material in the most massive stars is also discussed. With the asteroseismic constraints, these data will pave the way for a detailed theoretical investigation of the physical processes responsible for the transport of chemical elements in evolved, low- and intermediate-mass stars., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A, 25 pages, 13 colour figures (revised version after language editing)

The satellite CoRoT (Convection, Rotation, and planetary Transits) has provided high-quality data for almost six years. We show here the asteroseismic analysis and modeling of HD169392A, which belongs to a binary system weakly gravitationally bound as the distance between the two components is of 4250 AU. The main component, HD169392A, is a G0IV star with a magnitude of 7.50 while the second component is a G0V-G2IV star with a magnitude of 8.98. This analysis focuses on the main component, as the secondary one is too faint to measure any seismic parameters. A complete modeling has been possible thanks to the complementary spectroscopic observations from HARPS, providing Teff=5985+/-60K, log g=3.96+/-0.07, and [Fe/H]=- 0.04+/-0.10., Comment: 6 pages, 1 figure. Proceedings of the Fujihara seminar held in Hakone (Japan) in November 2012

A precise characterisation of the red giants in the seismology fields of the CoRoT satellite is a prerequisite for further in-depth seismic modelling. The optical spectra obtained for 19 targets have been used to accurately estimate their fundamental parameters and chemical composition. The extent of internal mixing is also investigated through the abundances of Li, CNO and Na (as well as 12C/13C in a few cases)., Comment: 2 pages, 2 colour figures, to appear in proceedings of 40th Liege International Astrophysical Colloquium 'Ageing low-mass stars: from red giants to white dwarfs'

The numerous results obtained with asteroseismology thanks to space missions such as CoRoT and Kepler are providing a new insight on stellar evolution. After five years of observations, CoRoT is going on providing high-quality data. We present here the analysis of the double star HD169392 complemented by ground-based spectroscopic observations. This work aims at characterizing the fundamental parameters of the two stars, their chemical composition, the acoustic-mode global parameters including their individual frequencies, and their dynamics. We have analysed HARPS observations of the two stars to retrieve their chemical compositions. Several methods have been used and compared to measure the global properties of acoustic modes and their individual frequencies from the photometric data of CoRoT. The new spectroscopic observations and archival astrometric values suggest that HD169392 is a wide binary system weakly bounded. We have obtained the spectroscopic parameters for both components, suggesting the origin from the same cloud. However, only the mode signature of HD169392 A has been measured within the CoRoT data. The signal-to-noise ratio of the modes in HD169392B is too low to allow any confident detection. We were able to extract mode parameters of modes for l=0, 1, 2, and 3. The study of the splittings and inclination angle gives two possible solutions with splittings and inclination angles of 0.4-1.0 muHz and 20-40 degrees for one case and 0.2-0.5 muHz and 55-86 degrees for the other case. The modeling of this star with the Asteroseismic Modeling Portal led to a mass of 1.15+/-0.01 Ms, a radius of 1.88+/-0.02 Rs, and an age of 4.33+/-0.12 Gyr, where the uncertainties are the internal ones., Comment: 13 pages, 12 Figures, Accepted for publication in A&A

We present the results obtained with the CoRoT satellite for HD 50870, a Delta Sct star which was observed for 114.4 d. The 307,570 CoRoT datapoints were analysed with different techniques. The photometric observations were complemented over 15 nights of high-resolution spectroscopy with HARPS on a baseline of 25 d. Some uvby photometric observations were also obtained to better characterize the pulsation modes. HD 50870 proved to be a low-amplitude, long-period spectroscopic binary system seen almost pole-on (i~21 deg. The brighter component, which also has the higher rotational velocity (v sin i=37.5 km/s), is a delta Sct-type variable. There is a dominant axisymmetric mode (17.16 c/d). After the detection of about 250 terms (corresponding to an amplitude of about 0.045 mmag) a flat plateau appears in the power spectrum in the low-frequency region up to about 35 c/d. We were able to detect this plateau only thanks to the short cadence sampling of the CoRoT measurements (32 s). The density distribution vs. frequency of the detected frequencies seems rule out the possibility that this plateau is the result of a process with a continuum power spectrum. The spacings of the strongest modes suggest a quasi-periodic pattern. We failed to find a satisfactory seismic model that simultaneously matches the frequency range, the position in the HR diagram, and the quasi-periodic pattern interpreted as a large separation. Nineteen modes were detected spectroscopically from the line profile variations and associated to the photometric ones. Tentative l,m values have been attributed to the modes detected spectroscopically. Prograde as well as retrograde modes are present with l degree values up to 9. There are no traces of variability induced by solar-like oscillations., Comment: 14 pages, 21 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

We present the preliminary results of a frequency and line-profile analysis of the CoRoT gamma Dor candidate HD171834. The data consist of 149 days of CoRoT light curves and a ground-based dataset of more than 1400 high-resolution spectra, obtained with six different instruments. Low-amplitude frequencies between 0 and 5 c/d, dominated by a frequency near 0.96 c/d and several of its harmonics, are detected. These findings suggest that HD171834 is not a mere gamma Dor pulsator and that stellar activity plays an important role in its variable behaviour. Based on CoRoT space data and on ground-based observations with ESO Telescopes at the La Silla Observatory under the ESO Large Programmes ESO LP 178.D-0361 and ESO LP 182.D-0356 (FEROS/2.2m and HARPS/3.6m), and data collected with FOCES/2.2m at the Centro Astronomico Hispano Aleman at Calar Alto, SOPHIE/1.93m at Observatoire de Haute Provence, FIES/NOT at Observatorio del Roque de los Muchachos, and HERCULES/1.0m at Mount John University Observatory., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 1 table. Proceedings of the HELAS IV Conference, Lanzarote, February 2010

Several Delta Sct stars were photometrically monitored with the satellite CoRoT and observed in high-resolution spectroscopy from ground. We present here the preliminary analysis of the abundance analysis of several potential CoRoT targets. Moreover, new insights are given about the problem of the huge number of detected frequencies by comparing Delta Sct stars with normal A-stars., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Accepted contribution at IV HELAS International Conference "Seismological Challenges for Stellar Structure" (Lanzarote, 1-5 February 2010)

It has been suggested that the detection of a wealth of very low amplitude modes in Delta Sct stars was only a matter of signal--to--noise ratio. Access to this treasure, impossible from the ground, is one of the scientific aims of the space mission CoRoT, developed and operated by CNES. This work presents the results obtained on HD 50844: the 140,016 datapoints allowed us to reach the level of 10^{-5} mag in the amplitude spectra. The frequency analysis of the CoRoT timeseries revealed hundreds of terms in the frequency range 0--30 d^{-1}. The initial guess that Delta Sct stars have a very rich frequency content is confirmed. The spectroscopic mode identification gives theoretical support since very high--degree modes (up to ell=14) are identified. We also prove that cancellation effects are not sufficient in removing the flux variations associated to these modes at the noise level of the CoRoT measurements. The ground--based observations indicate that HD 50844 is an evolved star that is slightly underabundant in heavy elements, located on the Terminal Age Main Sequence. The predominant term (f_1=6.92 d^{-1}) has been identified as the fundamental radial mode combining ground-based photometric and spectroscopic data. This work is based on observations made with ESO telescopes under the Large Programme LP 178.D-0361., Comment: Proceedings of the International Conference "Stellar Pulsation: Challenges for Theory and Observation", AIP, Vol.1170, p. 435

It has also been suggested that the detection of a wealth of very low amplitude modes in Delta Sct stars was only a matter of signal--to--noise ratio. Access to this treasure, impossible from the ground, is one of the scientific aims of the space mission CoRoT, a space mission developed and operated by CNES. This work presents the results obtained on HD 50844: the 140,016 datapoints were analysed using independent approaches and several checks performed. A level of 10^{-5} mag was reached in the amplitude spectra of the CoRoT timeseries. The frequency analysis of the CoRoT timeseries revealed hundreds of terms in the frequency range 0--30 d^{-1}. All the cross--checks confirmed this new result. The initial guess that Delta Sct stars have a very rich frequency content is confirmed. The spectroscopic mode identification gives theoretical support since very high--degree modes (up to ell=14) are identified. We also prove that cancellation effects are not sufficient in removing the flux variations associated to these modes at the noise level of the CoRoT measurements. The ground--based observations indicate that HD 50844 is an evolved star that is slightly underabundant in heavy elements, located on the Terminal Age Main Sequence. Probably due to this unfavourable evolutionary status, no clear regular distribution is observed in the frequency set. The predominant term (f_1=6.92 d^{-1}) has been identified as the fundamental radial mode combining ground-based photometric and spectroscopic data. This work is also based on observations made with ESO telescopes under the ESO Large Programme LP178.D-0361 and on data collected at the Observatorio de Sierra Nevada, at the Observatorio Astronomico Nacional San Pedro Martir, and at the Piszkesteto Mountain Station of Konkoly Observatory., Comment: 10 pages, 11 figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

To optimise the science results of the asteroseismic part of the CoRoT satellite mission a complementary simultaneous ground-based observational campaign is organised for selected CoRoT targets. The observations include both high-resolution spectroscopic and multi-colour photometric data. We present the preliminary results of the analysis of the ground-based observations of three targets. A line-profile analysis of 216 high-resolution FEROS spectra of the delta Sct star HD 50844 reveals more than ten pulsation frequencies in the frequency range 5-18 c/d, including possibly one radial fundamental mode (6.92 c/d). Based on more than 600 multi-colour photometric datapoints of the beta Cep star HD180642, spanning about three years and obtained with different telescopes and different instruments, we confirm the presence of a dominant radial mode nu1=5.48695 c/d, and detect also its first two harmonics. We find evidence for a second mode nu2=0.3017 c/d, possibly a g-mode, and indications for two more frequencies in the 7-8 c/d domain. From Stromgren photometry we find evidence for the hybrid delta Sct/gamma Dor character of the F0 star HD 44195, as frequencies near 3 c/d and 21 c/d are detected simultaneously in the different filters., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, HELAS II International Conference "Helioseismology, Asteroseismology and MHD Connections", 2008, J.Phys.: Conf. Ser. 118, 012077

A survey for line profile variability in early A-type stars has been performed in order to detect nonradial pulsation signatures. The star HR 6139, with spectral type A2V and estimated T_eff=8800 K, shows evident line profile variations that can be explained by oscillations in prograde g-modes. This feature and the known photometric variability are similar to those observed in the Slowly Pulsating B-type stars. However HR 6139 is much cooler than the cool border of the instability strip of such variables, and it is hotter than the blue edge of the delta Scuti instability strip. There are indications of a tiny variability also in other four objects, whose nature is not yet clear., Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures; accepted for publication in A&A (letter)

The activities related to the preparation of the asteroseismic, photometric space mission COROT are described. Photoelectric observations, wide--field CCD photometry, uvbyB calibrations and further time--series have been obtained at different observatories and telescopes. They have been planned to complete the COROT programme in the direction of the galactic Anticenter. In addition to suitable asteroseismic targets covering the different evolutionary stages between ZAMS and TAMS, we discovered several other variable stars, both pulsating and geometrical. We compared results on the incidence of variability in the galactic Center and Anticenter directions. Physical parameters have been obtained and evolutionary tracks fitting them have been calculated. The peculiarities of some individual stars alre pointed out. Paper based on observations collected at the San Pedro Martir, Sierra Nevada, Teide, La Silla, Haute-Provence and Roque de Los Muchachos (Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and Mercator telescopes) observatories., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for The Astronomical Journal (2005 May volume)

The GAUDI database (Ground-based Asteroseismology Uniform Database Interface, http://sdc.laeff.esa.es/gaudi/) is a preparatory archive for the COROT (COnvection, ROtation and planetary Transits, http://www.astrsp-mrs.fr/projets/corot/) mission developed at LAEFF (Laboratory for Space Astrophysics and Theoretical Physics, http://www.laeff.esa.es). Its intention is to make the ground-based observations obtained in the preparation of the asteroseismology programme available in a simple and efficient way. It contains spectroscopic and photometric data together with inferred physical parameters for more than 1500 objects gathered since January 1998 in 6 years of observational campaigns. In this paper, the main functionalities and characteristics of the system are described. The observations have been collected at ESO-La Silla, Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, Observatoire de Haute-Provence, South African Astronomical Observatory, Tautenberg Observatory and Sierra Nevada Observatory., Comment: 12 pages, 3 figures (quality degraded). Accepted for publication in The Astronomical Journal

By pursuing the goal to find new variables in the COROT field-of-view we characterised a sample of stars located in the lower part of the instability strip. Our sample is composed of stars belonging to the disk population in the solar neighbourhood. We found that 23% of the stars display multiperiodic light variability up to few mmag of amplitude. uvbyBeta photometry fixed most of the variables in the middle of the instability strip and high-resolution spectroscopy established that they have vsin i>100 km/s. The comparison with delta Sct stars in the whole Galaxy shows slightly different features, i.e., most delta Sct stars have a 0.05-mag redder (b-y)_0 index and lower vsin i values. Additional investigation in the open cluster NGC 6633 confirms the same incidence of variability, i.e., around 20%. The wide variety of pulsational behaviours of delta Sct stars (including unusual objects such as a variable beyond the blue edge or a rapidly rotating high-amplitude pulsator) makes them very powerful asteroseismic tools to be used by COROT. Being quite common among bright stars, delta Sct stars are suitable targets for optical observations from space., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Main Journal

The variable star V39 in the field of IC 1613 is discussed in the light of the available photometric and new spectroscopic data. It has strong emission Balmer lines, and the observed characteristics could be explained by a W Vir pulsating star with a period of 14.341 d, located at more than 115 kpc, that is in the very outer halo of our Galaxy. It should have an apparent companion, a long period (1118d) red variable, belonging to IC 1613. The main uncertainty in this interpretation is an emission feature at 668.4 nm, which we tentatively identified as a He I line., Comment: 5 pages; accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

The frequency--period distribution and other properties of Cepheids in IC 1613 are discussed and compared with those of stars in our Galaxy (Milky Way), LMC, SMC, M31 and M33. Taking into account the observational limitations and related incompleteness, it is concluded that the frequency-period distribution of Cepheids in IC 1613 is similar to that of SMC; we suspect that a much larger number of stars exist in IC 1613 with a period of less than 2 d that have not yet been detected. A discussion of the deficiency of fundamental mode Cepheids with periods in the range 8 - 10 d in the Milky Way, M31 and M33 is reported. The present data are not sufficient to verify if this is produced by a real bimodal frequency--period distribution or whether depends on the lack of pulsating stars in such a period range due to pulsational stability reasons. Some arguments are presented in favor of a bimodal distribution that is a function of the average metallicity. The Milky Way, M31 and M33 have the two maxima located at the same periods, about 5 and 13 d, respectively. A comment on very long period Cepheids is also given., Comment: 6 pages; accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The results of a CCD survey for variability of stars in the nearby galaxy NGC 6822 are presented. The goal of the survey was to obtain good light curves of Cepheids for Fourier decomposition and to detect shorter period Cepheids. Since the program was carried out with a relatively small telescope, the Dutch 0.9 m at ESO-La Silla, the observations were unfiltered (white light, or Wh-band). The analysis revealed the presence of more than 130 variable stars. 21 population I Cepheids are detected; 6 of them were already known from previous works (Kayser, 1967). For at least three Cepheids, however, the previous identification or period was wrong. Some probable population II (W Vir) stars are also identified. The dispersion of the fundamental mode Cepheid PL relation appears to be small., Comment: 5 pages; accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

The phenomenology associated with line profile variations in delta Scuti stars is reviewed. The three main techniques adopted to detect pulsation modes, i.e., the pixel-by-pixel analysis, the analysis of the moment time series and the Fourier Doppler Imaging are presented and discussed. Their application to the observational data has allowed the reliable detection of several pulsation modes, many of them not detectable with photometric observations. The need of better coordination of simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric campaigns in order to get the complete pulsation spectra of these stars is pointed out. The observation in different campaigns of the same objects has proved that dramatic changes in the mode amplitudes are quite common, even in a couple of years (and maybe less). In the last part of the paper a recent approach to the mode detection by direct fit of line profile variations in multiperiodic pulsators is described., Comment: 33 pages, 20 postscript figures. Invited review at "Delta Scuti and Related Stars", (Vienna, August 1999). To be published in ASP Conference Series, M. Breger and M.H. Montgomery Eds

The light curves of Cepheids and other variable stars in Field A of IC 1613, obtained with a CCD and no filter ($Wh$ photometry), have been analyzed. It is possible to separate first overtone from fundamental mode population I Cepheids taking into account the pulsation amplitude, the shape of the light curve and the period. The expected separation is verified in the period--luminosity $PL$ diagram. Light curve Fourier parameters have been compared with those of Magellanic Clouds and galactic Cepheids, in order to point out the effects of the very low metallicity of IC 1613 on the light curve shape. Population II Cepheids of IC 1613 can be discriminated from those of population I in the $PL$ diagram, and, taking into account their color, from other red or blue variables. Their $PL$ relation is consistent with that observed in globular clusters, nearby dwarf spheroidal galaxies and LMC. We have shown it is possible to apply the single-phase method for deriving standard photometry $PL$ relations for population I and II Cepheids; therefore with just one accurate $BVRI$ observation it is possible to use the population I Cepheids for distance determinations. Some unusual stars have been identified on the basis of periods, light curve shapes and colors; they appear to be pulsating stars laying on the extension of $PL$ relation of known anomalous Cepheids. A firmer classification of these and other faint stars requires further deeper multicolor observations., Comment: 9 pages, 11 figures; submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics

The first results are presented of a four-year program dedicated to the CCD observations of Cepheids in the nearby galaxy IC 1613. Since the program was carried out with a relatively small telescope, the Dutch 0.9 m at ESO-La Silla, the observations were performed without filter (white light), or Wh-band; the advantage of this technique is that the photon statistics correspond to that of V-band observations made with larger telescopes than 2 m and similar exposure time. The effective wavelength of the Wh-band is intermediate between that of V and R bands for stars of A-G spectral type, for back-illuminated CCD detectors. The analysis of the observations of Field A revealed the presence of about 110 variable stars. The detected population I Cepheids are 43; 9 Cepheids were already known from previous works, while most of the new stars have a short period P. For stars with P > 5 d and sufficient phase coverage it is possible to perform good Fourier decomposition of light curves with resulting standard deviation of the fit of 0.02 - 0.04 mag. There are several Cepheids with relatively small amplitude, and most of them are first overtone mode pulsators; the faintest detected Cepheids have V about 23 and P about 1 day. At least 5 population II Cepheids and 8 eclipsing binaries have been observed. The other variable stars are probable long period, semiregular and irregular variables. A comparison with results of other massive CCD photometric projects dedicated to the detection of variable stars shows some advantages of the observations in white light for fully exploiting the capabilities of relatively small telescopes. A suggestion is made on how to use these results for distance determinations., Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures; accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics

We report here optical observations during the September/October 1998 outburst of the black hole candidate XTE J1550-564. CCD photometry was obtained for the optical counterpart with the 0.9m Dutch telescope at La Silla since the onset of this event. We analysed 211 U, V and i frames, from Sep 10 to Oct 23. Stochastic flaring activity was observed on Sep 11-16, but no evidence for a superhump period, as seen in other soft X-ray transients, was found. An optical flare nearly simultaneous to an X-ray flare that occurred on Sep 21 was observed in the V-band. A reddened optical spectrum showed the typical emission lines corresponding to X-ray transients in outburst. From the interstellar absorption lines, we derive E(B-V) = 0.70 +/- 0.10 and suggest a distance of about 2.5 kpc. In such case, M_{B} = +7 mag. for the progenitor, which is consistent with the spectral type of a low-mass K0-K5 main-sequence companion., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Letters (4 pages, 4 figures)

On the basis of our new simultaneous photometry and spectroscopy (885 uvby differential measurements in 11 nights and 154 spectrograms of the FeII 4508 A region in 5 nights), we can detect 12 probable periodicities in the variability pattern of this star, determining the frequencies of 7 without any ambiguity. Through a direct fit of pulsational models to our data, we estimate the inclination of rotational axis to be about 50 deg. and get a reliable identification of 4 modes as well as useful bits of information about the others: no retrograde mode is visible, whereas the star seems to show a certain preference for purely sectorial prograde oscillations. Finally, the attribution of our lowest frequency to the radial fundamental pulsation allows a new calibration of physical parameters. In particular, the gravity can be determined with unusual accuracy and the luminosity evaluation becomes more consistent with the Hipparcos astrometry., Comment: 9 pages, 9 figures. To be published in A&A

Accurate CCD observations of three Cepheids in the SMC were made with the purpose of confirming their nature of second overtone mode Cepheids. The stars were suspected pulsating in the second overtone mode owing to the unusual light curve and short period reported by Payne-Gaposchkin & Gaposchkin (1966). The analysis of the new data shows that for two stars the previous periods are wrong, and in the three cases the new light curves are normal. According to the new observations, HV 1353 is a fundamental mode pulsator with small amplitude, and HV 1777 and HV 1779 are first overtone mode pulsators. Also the star HV 1763, whose nature was unknown, was observed in the field of HV 1777. The new data show that it is a first overtone mode Cepheid with P=2.117d., Comment: 6 pages, 8 figures. To be published in A&A Suppl.Ser

In this paper we revise and complete the photometric survey of the instability strip of the southern open cluster NGC 2516 published by Antonello and Mantegazza (1986). No variable stars with amplitudes larger than $0^m.02$ were found. However by means of an accurate analysis based on a new statistical method two groups of small amplitude variables have been disentangled: one with periods $< 0^d.25$ (probably $\delta$ Scuti stars) and one with periods $>0^d.025$. The position in the HR diagram and the apparent time-scale may suggest that the stars of the second group belong to a recently discovered new class of variables, named $\gamma$ Dor variables. They certainly deserve further study. We also present a comparison between the results of the photometric survey and the available pointed ROSAT observations of this cluster., Comment: 7 pages, 2 ps figures. Accepted for P.A.S.P

We use moment method developed by Balona (1987) to identify the dominant mode of the multimode pulsating Delta Scuti star X Cae. It is shown as a l=1 and m=-1 non-radial mode gives a satisfactory fit of the amplitudes and phases of light and line moments variations provided that the rotational axis has i<45 degrees. The physical parameters corresponding to this mode are derived and discussed., Comment: 2 pages, latex, 1 figure To be publishing in the Proceedings of the IAU Symposium 181 'Sounding Solar and Stellar Interior', Nice, 30 Sept-3 Oct, 1996