Search

We present the results of a systematic search of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) 2-min cadence data for new rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars observed during the Cycle 2 phase of its mission. We find seven new roAp stars previously unreported as such and present the analysis of a further 25 roAp stars that are already known. Three of the new stars show multiperiodic pulsations, while all new members are rotationally variable stars, leading to almost 70 per cent (22) of the roAp stars presented being α2 CVn-type variable stars. We show that targeted observations of known chemically peculiar stars are likely to overlook many new roAp stars, and demonstrate that multiepoch observations are necessary to see pulsational behaviour changes. We find a lack of roAp stars close to the blue edge of the theoretical roAp instability strip, and reaffirm that mode instability is observed more frequently with precise, space-based observations. In addition to the Cycle 2 observations, we analyse TESS data for all-known roAp stars. This amounts to 18 further roAp stars observed by TESS. Finally, we list six known roAp stars that TESS is yet to observe. We deduce that the incidence of roAp stars amongst the Ap star population is just 5.5  per cent, raising fundamental questions about the conditions required to excite pulsations in Ap stars. This work, coupled with our previous work on roAp stars in Cycle 1 observations, presents the most comprehensive, homogeneous study of the roAp stars in the TESS nominal mission, with a collection of 112 confirmed roAp stars in total. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the end of 2018, the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) has provided stellar photometry to the astronomical community. We have used TESS data to study rotational modulation in the light curves of a sample of chemically peculiar stars with measured large-scale magnetic fields (mCP stars). In general, mCP stars show inhomogeneous distributions of elements in their atmospheres that lead to spectroscopic (line profile) and photometric (light curve) variations commensurate with the rotational period. We analyzed the available TESS data from 50 sectors for eight targets after post-processing them in order to minimize systematic instrumental trends. Analysis of the light curves allowed us to determine rotational periods for all eight of our targets. For each star, we provide a phase diagram calculated using the derived period from the light curves and from the available measurements of the disc-averaged longitudinal magnetic field 〈 B z〉. In most cases, the phased light curve and 〈 B z〉 measurements show consistent variability. Using our rotation periods, and global stellar parameters derived from fitting Balmer line profiles, and from Geneva and Strömgren–Crawford photometry, we determined the equatorial rotational velocities and calculated the respective critical rotational fractions v eq/ v crit. We have shown from our sample that the critical rotational fraction decreases with stellar age, at a rate consistent with the magnetic braking observed in the larger population of mCP stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on the circumstellar structures around evolved stars provide vital information on the evolution of the parent star and the properties of the local interstellar medium. In this work, we present the discovery and characterization of an optical cocoon tail behind the star HD 185806. The cocoon apex emission is puzzling, as it is detected in the infrared but shows no signal in the optical wavelength. The H α and [O  iii ]  fluxes of the nebular structure vary from 2.7 to 8.5 × 10−12 erg s−1 cm−2 and from 0.9 to 7.0 × 10−13 erg s−1 cm−2, respectively. Through high-resolution spectroscopy, we derive the spectral type of the star, construct the position–velocity diagrams of the cocoon tail for the H α, [O  iii ], and [N  ii ] emission lines, and determine its velocity in the range of −100–40 km s−1. Furthermore, we use SED fitting and mesa evolutionary models adopting a distance of 900 pc, and classify HD 185806 as a 1.3 M⊙ star, in the transition phase between the RGB and early AGB stages. Finally, we study the morpho-kinematic structure of the cocoon tail using the astronomical software SHAPE. An ellipsoidal structure, with an inclination of ∼19° with respect to the plane of sky is found to better reproduce the observed cocoon tail of HD 185806. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the analysis of the optical variability of the early, nitrogen-rich Wolf–Rayet (WR) star WR 7. The analysis of multisector Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) light curves and high-resolution spectroscopic observations confirm multiperiodic variability that is modulated on time-scales of years. We detect a dominant period of 2.6433 ± 0.0005 d in the TESS sectors 33 and 34 light curves in addition to the previously reported high-frequency features from sector 7. We discuss the plausible mechanisms that may be responsible for such variability in WR 7, including pulsations, binarity, co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs), and clumpy winds. Given the lack of strong evidence for the presence of a stellar or compact companion, we suggest that WR 7 may pulsate in quasi-coherent modes in addition to wind variability likely caused by CIRs on top of stochastic low-frequency variability. WR 7 is certainly a worthy target for future monitoring in both spectroscopy and photometry to sample both the short (≲1 d) and long (≳1000 d) variability time-scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present results from the spectropolarimetric follow-up of photometrically selected candidate magnetic B stars from the MOBSTER (Magnetic OB[A] Stars with TESS : probing their Evolutionary and Rotational properties) project. Out of four observed targets, one (HD 38170) is found to host a detectable surface magnetic field, with a maximum longitudinal field measurement of 105 ± 14 G. This star is chemically peculiar and classified as an α2 CVn variable. Its detection validates the use of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to perform a photometric selection of magnetic candidates. Furthermore, upper limits on the strength of a putative dipolar magnetic field are derived for the remaining three stars, and we report the discovery of a previously unknown spectroscopic binary system, HD 25709. Finally, we use our non-detections as case studies to further inform the criteria to be used for the selection of a larger sample of stars to be followed up using high-resolution spectropolarimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the intermediate mass pulsating stars known as δ Sct stars is a subset of high-amplitude and predominantly radial-mode pulsators known as high-amplitude δ Sct (HADS) stars. From more than 2000 δ Sct stars observed by the Kepler space mission, only two HADS stars were detected. We investigate the more perplexing of these two HADS stars, KIC 5950759. We study its variability using ground- and space-based photometry, determine its atmospheric parameters from spectroscopy and perform asteroseismic modelling to constrain its mass and evolutionary stage. From spectroscopy, we find that KIC 5950759 is a metal-poor star, which is in agreement with the inferred metallicity needed to reproduce its pulsation mode frequencies from non-adiabatic pulsation models. Furthermore, we combine ground-based WASP and Kepler space photometry, and measure a linear change in period of order |$\dot{P}/P \simeq 10^{-6}$|  yr−1 for both the fundamental and first overtone radial modes across a time base of several years, which is at least two orders of magnitude larger than predicted by evolution models, and is the largest measured period change in a δ Sct star to date. Our analysis indicates that KIC 5950759 is a metal-poor HADS star near the short-lived contraction phase and the terminal-age main sequence, with its sub-solar metallicity making it a candidate SX Phe star. KIC 5950759 is a unique object among the thousands of known δ Sct stars and warrants further study to ascertain why its pulsation modes are evolving remarkably faster than predicted by stellar evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

O-stars are known to experience a wide range of variability mechanisms originating at both their surface and their near-core regions. Characterization and understanding of this variability and its potential causes are integral for evolutionary calculations. We use a new extensive high-resolution spectroscopic data set to characterize the variability observed in both the spectroscopic and space-based photometric observations of the O+B eclipsing binary HD 165246. We present an updated atmospheric and binary solution for the primary component, involving a high level of microturbulence (⁠|$13_{-1.3}^{+1.0}\,$|  km s−1) and a mass of |$M_1=23.7_{-1.4}^{+1.1}$|  M⊙, placing it in a sparsely explored region of the Hertzsprung--Russell diagram. Furthermore, we deduce a rotational frequency of |$0.690\pm 0.003\,$| d−1 from the combined photometric and line-profile variability, implying that the primary rotates at 40 per cent of its critical Keplerian rotation rate. We discuss the potential explanations for the overall variability observed in this massive binary, and discuss its evolutionary context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an analysis of the high-mass eclipsing binary system VV Ori based on photometry from the TESS satellite. The primary star (B1 V, 9.5  |$\, {\rm M}_\odot$|⁠) shows β Cephei pulsations and the secondary (B7 V, 3.8  |$\, {\rm M}_\odot$|⁠) is possibly a slowly pulsating B star. We detect 51 significant oscillation frequencies, including two multiplets with separations equal to the orbital frequency, indicating that the pulsations are tidally perturbed. We analyse the TESS light curve and published radial velocities to determine the physical properties of the system. Both stars are only the second of their pulsation type with a precisely measured mass. The orbital inclination is also currently decreasing, likely due to gravitational interactions with a third body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

V453 Cyg is an eclipsing binary containing 14 and 11  |$\, {\rm M}_\odot$| stars in an eccentric short-period orbit. We have discovered β Cep-type pulsations in this system using Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data. We identify seven significant pulsation frequencies, between 2.37 and 10.51 d−1, in the primary star. These include six frequencies that are separated by yet significantly offset from harmonics of the orbital frequency, indicating they are tidally perturbed modes. We have determined the physical properties of the system to high precision: V453 Cyg A is the first β Cep pulsator with a precise mass measurement. The system is a vital tracer of the physical processes that govern the evolution of massive single and binary stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first asteroseismic results for δ Scuti and γ Doradus stars observed in Sectors 1 and 2 of the TESS mission. We utilize the 2-min cadence TESS data for a sample of 117 stars to classify their behaviour regarding variability and place them in the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram using Gaia DR2 data. Included within our sample are the eponymous members of two pulsator classes, γ Doradus and SX Phoenicis. Our sample of pulsating intermediate-mass stars observed by TESS also allows us to confront theoretical models of pulsation driving in the classical instability strip for the first time and show that mixing processes in the outer envelope play an important role. We derive an empirical estimate of 74 per cent for the relative amplitude suppression factor as a result of the redder TESS passband compared to the Kepler mission using a pulsating eclipsing binary system. Furthermore, our sample contains many high-frequency pulsators, allowing us to probe the frequency variability of hot young δ Scuti stars, which were lacking in the Kepler mission data set, and identify promising targets for future asteroseismic modelling. The TESS data also allow us to refine the stellar parameters of SX Phoenicis, which is believed to be a blue straggler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new photometric data on pulsating Ap star HD 27463 obtained recently with the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) are analysed to search for variability. Our analysis shows that HD 27463 exhibits two types of photometric variability. The low-frequency variability with the period P  = 2.834 274 ± 0.000 008 d can be explained in terms of axial stellar rotation assuming the oblique magnetic rotator model and presence of surface abundance/brightness spots, while the detected high-frequency variations are characteristics of δ Scuti pulsations. From the analysis of Balmer line profiles visible in two FEROS spectra of HD 27463 we have derived its effective temperature and surface gravity, finding values that are close to those published for this star in the TESS Input Catalogue (TIC). Knowing the rotation period and the v  sin  i value estimated from the fitting of Balmer line profiles we found that the rotational axis is inclined to the line of sight with an angle of |$i=33\pm 8\deg$|⁠. Our best-fitting model of the observed pulsation modes results in an overshoot parameter value f ov = 0.014 and values of global stellar parameters that are in good agreement with the data reported in the TIC and with the data derived from fitting Balmer line profiles. This model indicates an age of 5.0 ± 0.4 × 108 yr, which corresponds to a core hydrogen fraction of 0.33. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the discovery of three new β Cep pulsators, three new pulsators with frequency groupings, and frequency patterns in a B3Ib star, all of which show pulsations with frequencies as high as about 17 d−1, with K2 space mission photometry. Based on a Fourier analysis and iterative pre-whitening, we present a classification and evaluate the potential for asteroseismic modelling. We include the lists of pulsation frequencies for three new β Cep pulsators, CD-28 12286, CD-27 10876, LS 3978, and additional pulsation mode frequencies for the known β Cep pulsator HD 164741. In addition, we characterize the regular frequency spacing found in the new pulsator HD 169173, and discuss its origin. We place the newly discovered variables in a colour–magnitude diagram using parallaxes from Gaia DR2 (second data release), showcasing their approximate location in the massive star domain. The identified frequency lists of these multiperiodic pulsators are a good starting point for future forward seismic modelling, after identification of at least one pulsation frequency from high-resolution time-series spectroscopy and/or multicolour photometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, high-precision optical 2-min cadence light curves obtained with TESS for targets located in the mission's defined first four sectors have been released. The majority of these high-cadence and high-precision measurements currently span |${\sim }28\, {\rm d}$|⁠ , thereby allowing periodic variability occurring on time-scales |${\lesssim }14\, {\rm d}$| to potentially be detected. Magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) A-type stars are well known to exhibit rotationally modulated photometric variability that is produced by inhomogeneous chemical abundance distributions in their atmospheres. While mCP stars typically exhibit rotation periods that are significantly longer than those of non-mCP stars, both populations exhibit typical periods |${\lesssim }10\, {\rm d}$|⁠ ; therefore, the early TESS releases are suitable for searching for rotational modulation of the light curves of both mCP and non-mCP stars. We present the results of our search for A-type stars that exhibit variability in their TESS light curves that is consistent with rotational modulation based on the first two data releases obtained from sectors 1 to 4. Our search yielded 134 high-probability candidate rotational variables – 60 of which have not been previously reported. Approximately half of these stars are identified in the literature as Ap (mCP) stars. Comparisons between the subsample of high-probability candidate rotationally variable Ap stars and the subsample of stars that are not identified as Ap reveal that the latter subsample exhibits statistically (i) shorter rotation periods and (ii) significantly lower photometric amplitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first results from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) on the rotational and pulsational variability of magnetic chemically peculiar A-type stars. We analyse TESS 2-min cadence data from sectors 1 and 2 on a sample of 83 stars. Five new rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars are announced. One of these pulsates with periods around 4.7 min, making it the shortest period roAp star known to date. Four out of the five new roAp stars are multiperiodic. Three of these and the singly periodic one show the presence of rotational mode splitting. Individual frequencies are provided in all cases. In addition, seven previously known roAp stars are analysed. Additional modes of oscillation are found in some stars, while in others we are able to distinguish the true pulsations from possible aliases present in the ground-based data. We find that the pulsation amplitude in the TESS filter is typically a factor of 6 smaller than that in the B filter, which is usually used for ground-based observations. For four roAp stars we set constraints on the inclination angle and magnetic obliquity, through the application of the oblique pulsator model. We also confirm the absence of roAp-type pulsations down to amplitude limits of 6 and 13  |$\mu$| mag, respectively, in two of the best characterized non-oscillating Ap (noAp) stars. We announce 27 new rotational variables along with their rotation periods, and provide different rotation periods for seven other stars. Finally, we discuss how these results challenge state-of-the-art pulsation models for roAp stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asteroseismic modelling of period spacing patterns from gravito-inertial modes in stars with a convective core is a high-dimensional problem. We utilize the measured period spacing pattern of prograde dipole gravity modes (acquiring Π0), in combination with the effective temperature (T eff) and surface gravity (log  g) derived from spectroscopy, to estimate the fundamental stellar parameters and core properties of 37 γ Doradus (γ Dor) stars whose rotation frequency has been derived from Kepler photometry. We use two 6D grids of stellar models, one with step core overshooting and another with exponential core overshooting, to evaluate correlations between the three observables Π0, T eff, and log  g and the mass, age, core overshooting, metallicity, initial hydrogen mass fraction, and envelope mixing. We provide multivariate linear model recipes relating the stellar parameters to be estimated to the three observables (Π0, T eff, log  g). We estimate the (core) mass, age, core overshooting, and metallicity of γ Dor stars from an ensemble analysis and achieve relative uncertainties of ∼10 per cent for the parameters. The asteroseismic age determination allows us to conclude that efficient angular momentum transport occurs already early on during the main sequence. We find that the nine stars with observed Rossby modes occur across almost the entire main-sequence phase, except close to core-hydrogen exhaustion. Future improvements of our work will come from the inclusion of more types of detected modes per star, larger samples, and modelling of individual mode frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We outline a method using gradient flow independent component analysis (ICA) to separate signals comprising the coda in a topographically complex setting. We also identify the sources of scattered signals by tracking signal backazimuths over time. The gradient flow ICA method is shown to effectively separate signals in the acoustic coda. The method correctly identifies the backazimuth of the first arrival from two 800 kg TNT equivalent explosions as well as subsequent signals scattered by the surrounding topography. Circular statistics is used to analyse the variance, mean and uniformity of calculated backazimuths. These results have strong implications for understanding the acoustic wavefield by identifying scatterers and inverting for atmospheric conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous presence of variability due to both pulsations and binarity is no rare phenomenon. Unfortunately, the complexities of dealing with even one of these sources of variability individually means that the other signal is often treated as a nuisance and discarded. However, both types of variability offer means to probe fundamental stellar properties in robust ways through asteroseismic and binary modelling. We present an efficient methodology that includes both binary and asteroseismic information to estimate fundamental stellar properties based on a grid-based modelling approach. We report parameters for three gravity mode pulsating Kepler binaries, such as mass, radius, age, as well the mass of the convective core and location of the overshoot region. We discuss the presence of parameter degeneracies and the way our methodology deals with them. We provide asteroseismically calibrated isochrone-clouds to the community; these are a generalization of isochrones when allowing for different values of the core overshooting in the two components of the binary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the analysis of K 2 short cadence data of the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star, 33 Librae (HD 137949). The precision afforded to the K 2 data allow us to identify at least 11 pulsation modes in this star, compared to the three previously reported. Reoccurring separations between these modes lead us to suggest a large frequency separation, Δν, of $$78.9\, \mu$$  Hz, twice that reported in the literature. Other frequency separations we detect may represent the small frequency separation, δν, but this is inconclusive at this stage due to magnetic perturbation of the frequencies. Due to the highly non-linear pulsation in 33 Lib, we identify harmonics to four times the principal frequency. Furthermore, we note a unique occurrence of non-linear interactions of the 11 identified modes. The frequency separations of the modes around the principal frequency are replicated around the first harmonic, with some interaction with the second harmonic also. Such a phenomenon has not been seen in roAp stars before. With revised stellar parameters, linear non-adiabatic modelling of 33 Lib shows that the pulsations are not greater than the acoustic cutoff frequency, and that the κ-mechanism can excite the observed modes. Our observations are consistent with 33 Lib having a rotation period much larger than 88 d as presented in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an 80-d long uninterrupted high-cadence K2 light curve of the B1Iab supergiant rho Leo (HD91316), deduced with the method of halo photometry. This light curve reveals a dominant frequency of frot = 0.0373 d-1 and its harmonics. This dominant frequency corresponds with a rotation period of 26.8 d and is subject to amplitude and phase modulation. The K2 photometry additionally reveals multiperiodic low-frequency variability (<1.5 d-1) and is in full agreement with low-cadence high-resolution spectroscopy assembled during 1800 d. The spectroscopy reveals rotational modulation by a dynamic aspherical wind with an amplitude of about 20 km s-1 in the Ha line, as well as photospheric velocity variations of a few kms-1 at frequencies in the range 0.2-0.6 d-1 in the Si III 4567Å line. Given the large macroturbulence needed to explain the spectral line broadening of the star, we interpret the detected photospheric velocity as due to travelling superinertial low-degree large-scale gravity waves with dominant tangential amplitudes and discuss why rho Leo is an excellent target to study how the observed photospheric variability propagates into the wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of amultisite photometric observing campaign on the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star 2MASS 16400299-0737293 (J1640; V = 12.7). We analyse photometric B data to show the star pulsates at a frequency of 151.93 d-1 (1758.45µHz; P = 9.5min) with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 20.68 mmag, making it one of the highest amplitude roAp stars. No further pulsation modes are detected. The stellar rotation period is measured at 3.674 7 ± 0.000 5 d, and we show that rotational modulation due to spots is in antiphase between broad-band and B observations. Analysis and modelling of the pulsation reveals this star to be pulsating in a distorted quadrupole mode, but with a strong spherically symmetric component. The pulsational phase variation in this star is suppressed, leading to the conclusion that the contribution of e > 2 components dictate the shape of phase variations in roAp stars that pulsate in quadrupole modes. This is only the fourth time such a strong pulsation phase suppression has been observed, leading us to question the mechanisms at work in these stars. We classify J1640 as an A7 Vp SrEu(Cr) star through analysis of classification resolution spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kepler space mission provided near-continuous and high-precision photometry of about 207 000 stars, which can be used for asteroseismology. However, for successful seismic modeling it is equally important to have accurate stellar physical parameters. Therefore, supplementary ground-based data are needed. We report the results of the analysis of high-resolution spectroscopic data of A- and F-type stars from the Kepler field, which were obtained with the HERMES spectrograph on the Mercator telescope. We determined spectral types, atmospheric parameters and chemical abundances for a sample of 117 stars. Hydrogen Balmer, Fe i, and Fe ii lines were used to derive effective temperatures, surface gravities, and microturbulent velocities. We determined chemical abundances and projected rotational velocities using a spectrum synthesis technique. The atmospheric parameters obtained were compared with those from the Kepler Input Catalogue (KIC), confirming that the KIC effective temperatures are underestimated for A stars. Effective temperatures calculated by spectral energy distribution fitting are in good agreement with those determined from the spectral line analysis. The analysed sample comprises stars with approximately solar chemical abundances, as well as chemically peculiar stars of the Am, Ap, and À Boo types. The distribution of the projected rotational velocity, usin i, is typical for A and F stars and ranges from 8 to about 280 km s-1, with a mean of 134 km s-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pharmacokinetics of vidarabine were studied on 22 occasions in nine infants and three older children with herpesvirus infection. The drug was administered for 10 days in doses of 15–30 mg/kg per day. Vidarabine was not detected in the serum of any patient, although small quantities were detected in the urine of two of the older children. Peak serum concentrations of arabinosyl hypoxanthine, the major metabolite of vidarabine, ranged from 2.3 to 11.4 µg/ml. Concentrations of this metabolite were higher in two preterm infants than in full-term infants receiving comparable doses. The mean elimination half-life estimated from cumulative urinary excretion was 2.4 hr in a preterm infant, 3.1 hr in full-term infants, and 2.8 hr in older children. Neither clearance nor half-life changed when multiple doses were administered. Vidarabine and arabinosyl hypoxanthine did not accumulate during therapy. The rates of recovery of drug from the urine and of renal clearance of arabinosyl hypoxanthine were directly related to the age and maturity of the patient. Arabinosyl hypoxanthine readily diffused into cerebrospinal fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]