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We studied blue horizontal branch stars (BHBs), and calculated their radial velocities. Spectra of these stars have been obtained with moderate signal-to-noise ratio for five blue horizontal-branch stars using the 2 meter telescope and Echelle Spectrograph in Ondrejov observatory, Czech republic., Comment: 8 pages, 7 figures, 3 tables

The chemically peculiar (CP) stars of the upper main sequence are excellent astrophysical laboratories for investigating the diffusion, mass loss, rotational mixing, and pulsation in the presence and absence of a stable local magnetic field. For this, we need a homogeneous set of parameters, such as effective temperature and surface gravity, to locate the stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram so that we can then estimate the mass, radius, and age. In recent years, the results of several automatic pipelines have been published; these use various techniques and data sets, including effective temperature and surface gravity values for millions of stars. Because CP stars are known to have flux anomalies, these astrophysical parameters must be tested for their reliability and usefulness. If the outcome is positive, these can be used to analyse the new and faint CP stars published recently. I compared published effective temperature and surface gravity values of a set of CP stars, which are mostly based on high-resolution spectroscopy, with values from four automatic pipeline approaches. In doing so, I searched for possible correlations and offsets. I present a detailed statistical analysis of a comparison between the `standard' and published effective temperature and surface gravity values. The accuracy depends on the presence of a magnetic field and the spectral type of the CP subgroups. However, I obtain standard deviations of between 2% and 20%. Considering the statistical errors, the astrophysical parameters from the literature can be used for CP stars, although caution is advised for magnetic CP stars., Comment: 4 pages. 2 figures, accepted by Astronomy & Astrophysics

This paper discusses the B{\"o}hm-Vitense gap, a gap in the colours of stars that occurs when the atmosphere changes from radiative to convective in deep layers. We are using different algorithms for detecting gaps in colour-magnitude diagrams (CMDs), including the k-nearest neighbours (k-NN) and UniDip algorithms. We propose using a combination of the k-NN algorithm and the UniDip algorithm and manual verification to identify gaps unlikely to be of a statistical origin. Using the $Gaia$ photometric system, i.e. $BP-RP$, we took the data of 130 star clusters and searched for gaps in the ranges of 0.40 to 0.47\,mag, and 0.56 to 0.60\,mag, respectively. We analysed all data statistically and identified the gaps in the individual clusters. Finally, we applied the kernel density estimator to see how the gaps are distributed., Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:astro-ph/9802204 by other authors

We present the results of new time series photometric observations of 29 pre-white dwarf stars of PG 1159 spectral type, carried out in the years 2014-2022. For the majority of stars, a median noise level in Fourier amplitude spectra of 0.5-1.0 mmag was achieved. This allowed the detection of pulsations in the central star of planetary nebula Abell 72, consistent with g-modes excited in GW Vir stars, and variability in RX J0122.9-7521 that could be due to pulsations, binarity or rotation. For the remaining stars from the sample that were not observed to vary, we placed upper limits for variability. After combination with literature data, our results place the fraction of pulsating PG 1159 stars within the GW Vir instability strip at 36%. An updated list of all known PG 1159 stars is provided, containing astrometric measurements from the recent Gaia DR3 data, as well as information on physical parameters, variability, and nitrogen content. Those data are used to calculate luminosities for all PG 1159 stars to place the whole sample on the theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for the first time in that way. The pulsating stars are discussed as a group, and arguments are given that the traditional separation of GW Vir pulsators in "DOV" and "PNNV" stars is misleading and should not be used., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJS

Context. The second subclass of chemically peculiar stars, the CP2 stars, are early-type stars exhibiting anomalous abundances with variable line strengths possibly also accompanied by photometric variability that typically belong to the Galactic disk. However, a small fraction of these objects were recently found to be located far from the Galactic plane and are thought to belong to the Galactic halo, which is unexpected for this class of objects. Aims. Our study investigates the halo membership of the proposed halo CP2 star candidates based on their velocities and Galactic orbits, to determine their points of origin. In addition, we searched for further halo CP2 star candidates using an as-yet-unpublished sample of CP stars. Methods. Our analysis relied on the astrometry from the early third \textit{Gaia} data release and radial velocities based on the spectroscopy from LAMOST and SDSS, which was also employed in spectral classification. The light variability of the confirmed CP2 stars in our sample was analyzed using data from the ZTF and ATLAS surveys. Results. After filtering our initial sample using kinematic and spectroscopic criteria, we identified six CP2 stars with kinematical properties consistent with a halo membership. The orbits of these stars are in agreement with an origin in the Galactic disk where they were probably ejected through dynamical interactions or in the binary supernova scenario, making them the first runaway CP2 stars known., Comment: 13 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

Betelgeuse is a pulsating red supergiant whose brightness is semi periodically variable and in February 2020 reached a historical minimum, the Great Dimming. The aims of this study are to characterize Betelgeuse's variability based on available archival data and to study possible causes of light variability. Many spectra, from ultraviolet and optical regions, were evaluated for spectral analysis. The spectra were used primarily to determine radial velocities from different layers of atmosphere and their long{-}term evolution. Additionally, photometric data were analyzed in different filters as well, to construct light curves and to determine periods of the variability. Spectroscopic and photometric variability are compared to each other and given into a context with the Great Dimming. The two most dominant photometric periods are $ P_{1} = 2190 \pm 270 \: \rm d $ and $ P_{2} = 417 \pm 17 \: \rm d $, while the dominant optical radial velocity periods are $ P_{1, v_{\rm r}} = 2510 \pm 440 \: \rm d $ and $ P_{2, v_{\rm r}} = 415 \pm 11 \: \rm d $. In the same time, the radial velocity determined from ultraviolet spectra also shows variability and is distinctively different from the variability of photospheric velocity, undergoing longer periods of variability. We attribute these velocities to the velocities at the base of outflowing wind. We also report a maximum of stellar wind velocity during the Great Dimming, accompanied by the previously reported minimum of brightness and the maximum of photospheric radial velocity. After the Dimming, Betelgeuse mode of variability has fundamentally changed and is now instead following a shorter period of $ \sim 200 \: \rm d $., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 5 tables

There is a small group of peculiar early-type stars on the main sequence that show different rotation velocities from different spectral lines. This inconsistency might be due to the binary nature of these objects. We aim to verify this hypothesis by a more detailed spectroscopic and photometric investigation of one such object: HD 183986. We obtained 151 high and medium resolution spectra that covered an anticipated long orbital period. There is clear evidence of theorbital motion of the primary component. We uncovered a very faint and broad spectrum of the secondary component. The corresponding SB2 orbital parameters, and the component spectra, were obtained by Fourier disentangling using the KOREL code. The component spectra were further modeled by iSpec code to arrive at the atmospheric quantities and the projected rotational velocities. We have proven that this object is a binary star with the period $P$ = 1268.2(11) d, eccentricity $e$ = 0.5728(20), and mass ratio $q$ = 0.655. The primary component is a slowly rotating star ($v \sin i = 27$ km.s$^{-1}$) while the cooler and less massive secondary rotates much faster ($v \sin i \sim 120$ km.s$^{-1}$). Photometric observations obtained by the TESS satellite were also investigated to shed more light on this object. A multi-period photometric variability was detected in the TESS data ranging from hours (the $\delta$ Sct-type variability) to a few days (spots/rotational variability). The physical parameters of the components and the origin of the photometric variability are discussed in more detail., Comment: Accepted to AJ. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:1307.2553 by other authors. text overlap with arXiv:1307.2553 by other authors

The number of known variable stars has increased by several magnitudes over the last decade, and automated classification routines are becoming increasingly important to cope with this development. Here we show that the "upside-down CBH variables", which were proposed as a potentially new class of variable stars by Heinze et al. (2018) in the ATLAS First Catalogue of Variable Stars, are, at least to a high percentage, made up of alpha2 Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variables - that is, photometrically variable magnetic chemically peculiar (CP2/He-peculiar) stars - with distinct double-wave light curves. Using suitable selection criteria, we identified 264 candidate ACV variables in the ATLAS variable star catalogue. 62 of these objects were spectroscopically confirmed with spectra from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (all new discoveries except for nine stars) and classified on the MK system. The other 202 stars are here presented as ACV star candidates that require spectroscopic confirmation. The vast majority of our sample of stars are main-sequence objects. Derived masses range from 1.4M(Sun) to 5M(Sun), with half our sample stars being situated in the range from 2 M(Sun) to 2.4 M(Sun), in good agreement with the spectral classifications. Most stars belong to the thin or thick disk; four objects, however, classify as members of the halo population. With a peak magnitude distribution at around 14th magnitude, the here presented stars are situated at the faint end of the known Galactic mCP star population. Our study highlights the need to consider rare variability classes, like ACV variables, in automated classification routines., Comment: 16 pages, accepted by Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Very precise observational data are needed for studying the stellar cluster parameters (distance, reddening, age, metallicity) and cluster internal kinematics. In turn, these give us an insight into the properties of our Galaxy, for example, by giving us the ability to trace Galactic spiral structure, star formation rates and metallicity gradients. We investigated the available Gaia DR2 catalogue of 1229 open clusters and studied cluster distances, sizes and membership distributions in the 3D space. An appropriate analysis of the parallaxto-distance transformation problem is presented in the context of getting distances toward open clusters and estimating their sizes. Based on our investigation of the Gaia DR2 data we argue that, within 2 kpc, the inverse-parallax method gives comparable results (distances and sizes) as the Bayesian approach based on the exponentially decreasing volume density prior. Both of these methods show very similar dependence of the line-of-sight elongation of clusters (needle-like shapes resulting from the parallax uncertainties) on the distance. We also looked at a measure of elongations of the studied clusters and find the maximum distance of 665 pc at which a spherical fit still contains about half of the stellar population of a cluster. It follows from these results that the 3D structure of an open cluster cannot be properly studied beyond about 500 pc when using any of mentioned standard transformations of parallaxes to distances., Comment: 26 pages, 18 figures, accepted by the Bulgarian Astronomical Journal

In this study we follow up our recent paper (Monteiro et al. 2020) and present a homogeneous sample of fundamental parameters of open clusters in our Galaxy, entirely based on Gaia DR2 data. We used published membership probability of the stars derived from Gaia DR2 data and applied our isochrone fitting code, updated as in Monteiro et al. (2020), to GB and GR Gaia DR2 data for member stars. In doing this we take into account the nominal errors in the data and derive distance, age, and extinction of each cluster. This work therefore provides parameters for 1743 open clusters and, as a byproduct, a list of likely not physical or dubious open clusters is provided as well for future investigations. Furthermore, it was possible to estimate the mean radial velocity of 831 clusters (198 of which are new and unpublished so far) using stellar radial velocities from Gaia DR2 catalog. By comparing the open cluster distances obtained from isochrone fitting with those obtained from a maximum likelihood estimate of individual member parallaxes, we found a systematic offset of $(-0.05\pm0.04)$mas., Comment: 18 pages, 23 figures

We highlight the importance of eclipsing double-line binaries in our understanding on star formation and evolution. We review the recent discoveries of low-mass and sub-stellar eclipsing binaries belonging to star-forming regions, open clusters, and globular clusters identified by ground-based surveys and space missions with high-resolution spectroscopic follow-up. These discoveries provide benchmark systems with known distances, metallicities, and ages to calibrate masses and radii predicted by state-of-the-art evolutionary models to a few percent. We report their density and discuss current limitations on the accuracy of the physical parameters. We discuss future opportunities and highlight future guidelines to fill gaps in age and metallicity to improve further our knowledge of low-mass stars and brown dwarfs., Comment: 30 pages, 5 figures, no table. Review paper

According to most literature sources, the amplitude of the pulsational variability observed in gamma Doradus stars does not exceed 0.1 mag in Johnson V. We have analyzed fifteen high-amplitude gamma Doradus stars with photometric peak-to-peak amplitudes well beyond this limit, with the aim of unraveling the mechanisms behind the observed high amplitudes and investigating whether these objects are in any way physically distinct from their low-amplitude counterparts. We have calculated astrophysical parameters and investigated the location of the high-amplitude gamma Doradus stars and a control sample of fifteen low-amplitude objects in the log Teff versus log L diagram. Employing survey data and our own observations, we analyzed the photometric variability of our target stars using discrete Fourier transform. Correlations between the observed primary frequencies, amplitudes and other parameters like effective temperature and luminosity were investigated. The unusually high amplitudes of the high-amplitude gamma Doradus stars can be explained by the superposition of several base frequencies in interaction with their combination and overtone frequencies. Although the maximum amplitude of the primary frequencies does not exceed an amplitude of 0.1 mag, total light variability amplitudes of over 0.3 mag (V) can be attained in this way. Low- and high-amplitude gamma Doradus stars do not appear to be physically distinct in any other respect than their total variability amplitudes but merely represent two ends of the same, uniform group of variables., Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, 19 tables, accepted for Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, corrected the format of Table 2

With the use of the data from archives, we studied the correlations between the equivalent widths of four diffuse interstellar bands (4430$\r{A}$, 5780$\r{A}$, 5797$\r{A}$, 6284$\r{A}$) and properties of the target stars (colour excess values, distances and Galactic coordinates). Many different plots of the diffuse interstellar bands and their maps were produced and further analysed. There appears to be a structure in the plot of equivalent widths of 5780$\r{A}$ DIB (and 6284$\r{A}$ DIB) against the Galactic $x$-coordinate. The structure is well defined below $\sim150$ m$\r{A}$ and within $|x|<250$ pc, peaking around $x=170$ pc. We argue that the origin of this structure is not a statistical fluctuation. Splitting the data in the Galactic longitude into several subregions improves or lowers the well known linear relation between the equivalent widths and the colour excess, which was expected. However, some of the lines of sight display drastically different behaviour. The region within $150^\circ

Magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars are important to astrophysics because their complex atmospheres lend themselves perfectly to the investigation of the interplay between such diverse phenomena as atomic diffusion, magnetic fields, and stellar rotation. The present work is aimed at identifying new mCP stars using spectra collected by the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST). Suitable candidates were selected by searching LAMOST DR4 spectra for the presence of the characteristic 5200A flux depression. Spectral classification was carried out with a modified version of the MKCLASS code and the accuracy of the classifications was estimated by comparison with results from manual classification and the literature. Using parallax data and photometry from Gaia DR2, we investigated the space distribution of our sample stars and their properties in the colour-magnitude diagram. Our final sample consists of 1002 mCP stars, most of which are new discoveries (only 59 previously known). Traditional mCP star peculiarities have been identified in all but 36 stars, highlighting the efficiency of the code's peculiarity identification capabilities. The derived temperature and peculiarity types are in agreement with manually derived classifications and the literature. Our sample stars are between 100 Myr and 1 Gyr old, with the majority having masses between 2M(Sun) and 3M(Sun). Our results could be considered as strong evidence for an inhomogeneous age distribution among low-mass (M < 3M(Sun)) mCP stars. We identified several astrophysically interesting objects: two mCP stars have distances and kinematical properties in agreement with halo stars; an eclipsing binary system hosting an mCP star component; and an SB2 system likely comprising of an mCP star and a supergiant component., Comment: 62 pages, 24 figures, 10 tables, corrected some typos and minor mistakes; corrected wrong number of stars with absolute parallax errors less than 25%, redundant figure removed

Magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars allow the investigation of such diverse phenomena as atomic diffusion, magnetic fields and stellar rotation. The aim of the present investigation is to enhance our knowledge of the rotational properties of mCP stars by increasing the sample of objects with accurately determined rotational periods. To this end, archival photometric time-series data from the ASAS-3, KELT and MASCARA surveys were employed to improve existing rotational period information and derive rotational periods for mCP stars hitherto not known to be photometric variables. Our final sample consists of 294 mCP stars, a considerable amount of which (more than 40%) are presented here as photometric variables for the first time. In addition, we identified 24 mCP star candidates that show light variability in agreement with rotational modulation but lack spectroscopic confirmation. The rotational period distribution of our sample agrees well with the literature.Most stars are between 100Myr and 1Gyr old, with an apparent lack of very young stars. No objects were found on the zero age main sequence; several stars seem to have evolved to the subgiant stage, albeit well before the first dredge-up. We identified four eclipsing binaries (HD 244391, HD 247441, HD 248784 and HD 252519), which potentially host an mCP star. This is of great interest because mCP stars are very rarely found in close binary systems, particularly eclipsing ones. Using archival spectra, we find strong evidence that the HD 252519 system indeed harbours an mCP star component., Comment: 19 pages, 4 tables, 8 figures; the complete light curve figures are available from the authors and in the final publication; accepted for publication in MNRAS

The magnetic chemically peculiar (Ap/CP2) star 21 Com has been extensively studied in the past, albeit with widely differing and sometimes contradictory results, in particular concerning the occurrence of short term variability between about 5 to 90 minutes. We have performed a new investigation of 21 Com using MOST satellite and high-cadence ground-based photometry, time series spectroscopy, and evolutionary and pulsational modeling. Our analysis confirms that 21 Com is a classical CP2 star showing increased abundances of, in particular, Cr and Sr. From spectroscopic analysis, we have derived Teff = 8900(200) K, log g = 3.9(2), and vsini = 63(2) km/s. Our modeling efforts suggest that 21 Com is a main sequence (MS) star seen equator-on with a mass of 2.29(10) M(Sun) and a radius of R = 2.6(2) R(Sun). Our extensive photometric data confirm the existence of rotational light variability with a period of 2.05219(2) d. However, no significant frequencies with a semi-amplitude exceeding 0.2 mmag were found in the frequency range from 5 to 399 c/d. Our RV data also do not indicate short-term variability. We calculated pulsational models assuming different metallicities and ages, which do not predict the occurrence of unstable modes. The star 18 Com, often employed as comparison star for 21 Com in the past, has been identified as a periodic variable (P = 1.41645 d). While it is impossible to assess whether 21 Com has exhibited short-term variability in the past, the new observational data and several issues/inconsistencies identified in previous studies strongly suggest that 21 Com is neither a delta Scuti nor a roAp pulsator but a "well-behaved" CP2 star exhibiting its trademark rotational variability., Comment: 14 pages, 14 figures

We present a comprehensive overview of the properties of a sample of 41 magnetic chemically peculiar stars that have been recently identified in the Kepler field by our team (H\"{u}mmerich et al. 2018). The stars populate the whole age range from zero-age to terminal-age main sequence in the mass interval from 1.5 to 4 Ms. Several of the studied objects exhibit a hitherto unobserved wealth of detail in their light curves indicative of persisting complex surface structures. Monoperiodic variability and light curve stability were identified as cardinal criteria for selecting mCP star candidates among early-type objects in photometric surveys. Subsequent studies will be concerned with an exhaustive follow-up analysis of the new mCP stars, which we expect to lead to new insights on the physics of the CP star phenomenon., Comment: 8 pages, 11 figures, Astronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series, proceedings from a conference "Physics of Magnetic Stars", Special Astrophysical Observatory, Russia, 1-5 October, 2018

We present a study of the long-term optical variability of young T Tauri stars using previously unpublished data from the SuperWASP project. Other publicly available photometry from NSVS and the NASA K2 mission were used to check and supplement our results. Our sample includes twenty weak-lined T Tauri stars in the Taurus-Auriga star-forming region. We have performed a period search on the long time-series photometry and derived the mean periods of stars in our sample. We have found new periods for the stars V1334 Tau (HD 283782) and V1349 Tau (HD 31281) without any estimation of the period in literature. The rotation period was found for the primary star in the binary V773 Tau (HD 283447). Several earlier results were updated. For the star V410 Tau (HD 283518), we have compared the light curve changes found in previous studies to the new measurements and attributed the evolution of spots to a ~15-year cycle similar to the solar 11-year cycle. We have also derived luminosities and effective temperatures for our targets, in order to locate them in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and to calibrate the masses and ages of the target stars., Comment: 24 pages, 16 figures (with appendix), accepted to MNRAS

In some delta Scuti stars, only one or two radial modes are excited (usually the fundamental mode and/or first overtone mode) and the observed peak-to-peak amplitudes exceed 0.3 mag (V). These stars are known as High Amplitude Delta Scuti (HADS) variables. We here present a detailed photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the HADS star TYC 3637-1152-1. We have derived a metallicity close to solar, a spectral type of F4V and an age of log t = 9.1. Employing archival time series data from different sources, two frequencies f0 =10.034 c/d and f1 =12.681 c/d and their harmonics and linear combinations were identified. The period ratio of f0/f1 = 0.791 puts this star into a peculiar position in the Petersen diagram, from which we conclude that TYC 3637-1152-1 is a unique object with peculiar pulsational properties that indicate a transitional state between HADS stars pulsating in the fundamental and first overtone modes and stars pulsating in higher overtones., Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in New Astronomy

We report the discovery of a new, polluted, magnetic white dwarf in the Luyten survey of high-proper motion stars. High-dispersion spectra of NLTT 7547 reveal a complex heavy element line spectrum in a cool (~5 200 K) hydrogen-dominated atmosphere showing the effect of a surface averaged field of 163 kG, consistent with a 240 kG centred dipole, although the actual field structure remains uncertain. The abundance pattern shows the effect of accreted material with a distinct magnesium-rich flavour. Combined with earlier identifications, this discovery supports a correlation between the incidence of magnetism in cool white dwarfs and their contamination by heavy elements., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars exhibit complex atmospheres that allow the investigation of such diverse phenomena as atomic diffusion, magnetic fields, and stellar rotation. The advent of space-based photometry provides the opportunity for the first precise characterizations of the photometric variability properties of these stars. We carried out a search for new mCP stars in the Kepler field with the ultimate aim of investigating their photometric variability properties using Kepler data. As an aside, we describe criteria for selecting mCP star candidates based on light curve properties, and assess the accuracy of the spectral classifications provided by the MKCLASS code. As only very few known mCP stars are situated in the Kepler field, we had to depend largely on alternative (nonspectroscopic) means of identifying suitable candidates that rely mostly on light curve properties; in particular we relied on monoperiodic variability and light curve stability. Newly acquired and archival spectra were used to confirm most of our mCP star candidates. Linear ephemeris parameters and effective amplitudes were derived from detrended Kepler data. Our final sample consists of 41 spectroscopically confirmed mCP stars of which 39 are new discoveries, 5 candidate mCP stars, and 7 stars in which no chemical peculiarities could be established. Our targets populate the whole age range from zero-age main sequence to terminal-age main sequence and are distributed in the mass interval from 1.5 M_sun to 4 M_sun. About 25% of the mCP stars show a hitherto unobserved wealth of detail in their light curves indicative of complex surface structures. We identified light curve stability as a primary criterion for identifying mCP star candidates among early-type stars in large photometric surveys, and prove the reliability of the spectral classifications provided by the MKCLASS code., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics. 20 pages, 12 figures, 5 tables. Given above is a slightly shortened version of the abstract; for the full abstract, please refer to the paper

We present an investigation of a large sample of confirmed (N=233) and candidate (N=54) Galactic classical Be stars (mean V magnitude range of 6.4 to 12.6 mag), with the main aim of characterizing their photometric variability. Our sample stars were preselected among early-type variables using light curve morphology criteria. Spectroscopic information was gleaned from the literature, and archival and newly-acquired spectra. Photometric variability was analyzed using archival ASAS-3 time series data. To enable a comparison of results, we have largely adopted the methodology of Labadie-Bartz et al. (2017), who carried out a similar investigation based on KELT data. Complex photometric variations were established in most stars: outbursts on different time-scales (in 73$\pm$5% of stars), long-term variations (36$\pm$6%), periodic variations on intermediate time-scales (1$\pm$1%) and short-term periodic variations (6$\pm$3%). 24$\pm$6% of the outbursting stars exhibit (semi)periodic outbursts. We close the apparent void of rare outbursters reported by Labadie-Bartz et al. (2017) and show that Be stars with infrequent outbursts are not rare. While we do not find a significant difference in the percentage of stars showing outbursts among early-type, mid-type and late-type Be stars, we show that early-type Be stars exhibit much more frequent outbursts. We have measured rising and falling times for well-covered and well-defined outbursts. Nearly all outburst events are characterized by falling times that exceed the rising times. No differences were found between early-, mid- and late-type stars; a single non-linear function adequately describes the ratio of falling time to rising time across all spectral subtypes, with the ratio being larger for short events., Comment: 16 pages main text + 36 pages appendices; 15 figures main text + 6 figures in the appendices; accepted for publication in MNRAS; changes to the previously uploaded version: (a) corrected some typos; (b) repaired broken link to the Shelyak website; (c) deleted a referee comment that accidentally remained in the text at the very end of Section 3.2.4

We report the discovery of two massive eccentric systems with BRITE data, $\tau$ Ori and $\tau$ Lib, showing heartbeat effects close to the periastron passage. $\tau$ Lib exhibits shallow eclipses that will soon vanish due to the apsidal motion in the system. In neither system, tidally excited oscillations were detected., Comment: 3 pages, 1 figure, to appear in the Proceedings of the 3rd BRITE Science Conference

The advent of space-based photometry provides the opportunity for the first precise characterizations of variability in Mercury-Manganese (HgMn/CP3) stars, which might advance our understanding of their internal structure. We have carried out a spectroscopic and photometric investigation of the candidate CP3 star KIC 6128830. A detailed abundance analysis based on newly-acquired high-resolution spectra was performed, which confirms that the star's abundance pattern is fully consistent with its proposed classification. Photometric variability was investigated using four years of archival Kepler data. In agreement with results from the literature, we have identified a single significant and independent frequency $f_1$=0.2065424 d$^{-1}$ with a peak-to-peak amplitude of $\sim$3.4 mmag and harmonic frequencies up to $5f_1$. Drawing on the predictions of state-of-the-art pulsation models and information on evolutionary status, we discuss the origin of the observed light changes. Our calculations predict the occurrence of g-mode pulsations at the observed variability frequency. On the other hand, the strictly mono-periodic nature of the variability strongly suggests a rotational origin. While we prefer the rotational explanation, the present data leave some uncertainty., Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

HD66051 is an eclipsing system with an orbital period of about 4.75 d that exhibits out-of-eclipse variability with the same period. New multicolour photometric observations confirm the longevity of the secondary variations, which we interpret as a signature of surface inhomogeneities on one of the components. Using archival and newly acquired high-resolution spectra, we have performed a detailed abundance analysis. The primary component is a slowly rotating late B-type star ($T_{\rm eff} = 12500\pm200$ K; $\log g = 4.0$, $v\sin i = 27\pm2$ km s$^{-1}$) with a highly peculiar composition reminiscent of the singular HgMn-related star HD 65949, which seems to be its closest analogue. Some light elements as He, C, Mg, Al are depleted, while Si and P are enhanced. Except for Ni, all the iron-group elements, as well as most of the heavy elements, and in particular the REE elements, are overabundant. The secondary component was estimated to be a slowly rotating A-type star ($T_{\rm eff} \sim 8000$ K; $\log g = 4.0$, $v\sin i \sim 18$ km s$^{-1}$). The unique configuration of HD\,66051 opens up intriguing possibilities for future research, which might eventually and significantly contribute to the understanding of such diverse phenomena as atmospheric structure, mass transfer, magnetic fields, photometric variability and the origin of chemical anomalies observed in HgMn stars and related objects., Comment: published in Scientific Reports (see www.nature.com/srep/ for the published version)

The study of chemically peculiar (CP) stars in open clusters provides valuable information about their evolutionary status. Their detection can be performed using the $\Delta a$ photometric system, which maps a characteristic flux depression at $\lambda \sim 5200$ \AA. This paper aims at studying the occurrence of CP stars in the earliest stages of evolution of a stellar population by applying this technique to Hogg 16, a very young Galactic open cluster (about 25 Myr). We identified several peculiar candidates: two B-type stars with a negative $\Delta a$ index (CD-60 4701, CPD-60 4706) are likely emission-line (Be) stars, even though spectral measurements are necessary for a proper classification of the second one; a third object (CD-60 4703), identified as a Be candidate in literature, appears to be a background B-type supergiant with no significant $\Delta a$ index, which does not rule out the possibility that it is indeed peculiar as the normality line of $\Delta a$ for supergiants has not been studied in detail yet. A fourth object (CD-60 4699) appears to be a magnetic CP star of 8 M$_\odot$, but obtained spectral data seem to rule out this hypothesis. Three more magnetic CP star candidates are found in the domain of early F-type stars. One is a probable nonmember and close to the border of significance, but the other two are probably pre-main sequence cluster objects. This is very promising, as it can lead to very strong constraints to the diffusion theory. Finally, we derived the fundamental parameters of Hogg 16 and provide for the first time an estimate of its metal content., Comment: Accepted for publication in New Astronomy. 9 pages, 4 figures, and 4 tables. A complete data table is available via CDS or upon request from the corresponding author

The magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars of the upper main sequence exhibit strong, globally-organised magnetic fields which are inclined to the rotational axis and facilitate the development of surface abundance inhomogeneities resulting in photometric and spectroscopic variability. Therefore, mCP stars are perfectly suited for a direct measurement of the rotational period without the need for any additional calibrations. We have investigated the rotational properties of mCP stars based on an unprecedentedly large sample consisting of more than 500 objects with known rotational periods. Using precise parallaxes from the Hipparcos and Gaia satellite missions, well-established photometric calibrations and state-of-the-art evolutionary models, we have determined the location of our sample stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and derived astrophysical parameters such as stellar masses, effective temperature, radii, inclinations and critical rotational velocities. We have confirmed the conservation of angular momentum during the main sequence evolution; no signs of additional magnetic braking were found. The inclination angles of the rotational axes are randomly distributed, although an apparent excess of fast rotators with comparable inclination angles has been observed. We have found a rotation rate of $\upsilon/\upsilon_{\rm crit} \geq 0.5$ for several stars, whose characteristics cannot be explained by current models. For the first time, we have derived the relationship between mass and rotation rate of mCP stars, and provide an analysis that links mass and rotation with magnetic field strength. Our sample is unique and offers crucial input for forthcoming evolutionary models that include the effects of magnetic fields for upper main sequence stars., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS, updated to match the published version

We have searched for photometric variability in 95 Vir, a fast rotating, chromospherically active early F-type star, which was observed in the framework of Campaign 6 of the Kepler K2 mission. Available literature information on 95 Vir were procured, and well-established calibrations were employed to verify the derived astrophysical parameters. We have investigated the location of our target star in the M(Bol) versus log T(eff) diagram, which provides information on evolutionary status. We have discussed our results in detail, drawing on literature information and the theoretical predictions of state-of-the-art pulsation models, with the aim of unraveling the underlying variability mechanisms. From an analysis of 3400 long-cadence measurements, we have identified two main frequencies and several harmonics in our target star. We attribute the main frequency, f1 = 9.53728 d**-1, to delta Scuti pulsations. The origin of the secondary signal, f2 = 1.07129 d**-1, is less clear. We have investigated three possible interpretations of the low-frequency variation: binarity, pulsation and rotational modulation. Current evidence favours an interpretation of f2 as a signature of the rotational period caused by the presence of cool star spots, which goes along well with the observed chromospheric activity. However, phase-resolved spectroscopy is needed to verify this assumption. We briefly consider other chromospherically active delta Scuti stars that have been presented in the literature. A search for star spot-induced photometric variability in these objects might be of great interest, as well as an investigation of the interplay between chromospheric and pulsational activity., Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

The magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars of the upper main sequence exhibit periodic light, magnetic, radio, and spectroscopic variations that can be adequately explained by a model of a rigidly rotating magnetized star with persistent surface structures. The majority of mCP stars rotate at strictly constant periods. However, there are a few mCP stars whose rotation periods vary on timescales of decades while the shape of their phase curves remains unchanged. In the case of CU Vir and V901 Ori, we have detected cyclic period variations. We demonstrate that the period oscillations of CU Vir may be a consequence of the interaction of the internal magnetic field and differential rotation., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, ASPCS, proceedings of the conference: STARS: FROM COLLAPSE TO COLLAPSE, 3-7 October, 2016 @ Karachay-Cherkess Republic

We present an investigation of three chemically peculiar (CP) stars and one CP star candidate which exhibit photometric periods below 12 hours. New spectroscopic observations have been acquired which confirm the peculiar nature of all objects. HD 77013 and HD 81076 are classical CP1 (Am) stars; HD 67983 is a marginal CP1 (Am: ) star, and HD 98000 is a CP2 (Ap) star. We have procured observations from the ASAS-3 and SuperWASP archives and obtained additional photometry in order to verify the results from the sky survey data. We have derived astrophysical parameters and investigated the positions of our target stars in the MBol versus log Teff diagram, from which information on evolutionary status has been derived. We present period analyses and discuss each object in detail. From the available data, we propose pulsational variability as the underlying mechanism for the variability in HD 67983, HD 77013 and HD 81076, which offer the opportunity to study the interaction of atomic diffusion and pulsation. HD 67983 and HD 77013 exhibit multiperiodic variability in the gamma Doradus frequency realm; HD 81076 is a delta Scuti star. The CP2 star HD 98000 exhibits monoperiodic variability with a frequency of f~2.148 c/d (P~0.466 d), which we interpret as the rotational period. If this assumption is correct, HD 98000 is the alpha2 Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variable with the shortest period hitherto observed and thus a very interesting object that might help to investigate the influence of rotational mixing on chemical peculiarities., Comment: 14 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present the time series analysis of seven B-type stars (HD 121790, HD 122980, HD 129116, HD 133242, HD 144294, HD 145482, and HD 145502) observed with the BRITE satellites. Furthermore, we located these stars in the Hertzsprung-Russell-diagram. One rotational induced variable (HD 122980, P~80 d) and one binary (HD 145502, P~5.6 d) showing variability due to ellipsoidal variation and/or reflection were detected., Comment: 6 pages, 2 figures, Proceedings of the 3rd BRITE Science Meeting

The evolutionary status of the chemically peculiar class of $\lambda$ Boo stars has been intensely debated. It is now agreed that the $\lambda$ Boo phenomenon affects A stars of all ages, from star formation to the terminal age main sequence, but the cause of the chemical peculiarity is still a puzzle. We revisit the debate of their ages and temperatures in order to shed light on the phenomenon, using the new parallaxes in Gaia Data Release 1 with existing Hipparcos parallaxes and multicolour photometry. We find that no single formation mechanism is able to explain all the observations, and suggest that there are multiple channels producing $\lambda$ Boo spectra. The relative importance of these channels varies with age, temperature and environment., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, fine for greyscale printing but colour is better

We present an analysis of the close double degenerate NLTT 12758, which is comprised of a magnetic white dwarf with a field of about 3.1 MG and an apparently non-magnetic white dwarf. We measured an orbital period of 1.154 days and found that the magnetic white dwarf is spinning around its axis with a period of 23 minutes. An analysis of the atmospheric parameters has revealed that the cooling ages of the two white dwarfs are comparable, suggesting that they formed within a short period of time from each other. Our modelling indicates that the non-magnetic white dwarf is more massive (M=0.83 M_sun) than its magnetic companion (M=0.69 M_sun) and that the total mass of the system is higher than the Chandrasekhar mass. Although the stars will not come into contact over a Hubble time, when they do come into contact, dynamically unstable mass transfer will take place leading to either an accretion induced collapse into a rapidly spinning neutron star or a Type Ia supernova., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

The magnetic Ap or CP2 stars are natural atomic and magnetic laboratories and ideal testing grounds for the evaluation of model atmospheres. CP2 stars exhibiting photometric variability are traditionally referred to as alpha2 Canum Venaticorum (ACV) variables. Strictly periodic changes are observed in the spectra and brightness of these stars, which allow the derivation of rotational periods. Related to this group of objects are the He-weak (CP4) and He-rich stars, some of which are also known to undergo brightness changes due to rotational modulation. Increasing the sample size of known rotational periods among CP2/4 stars is an important task, which will contribute to our understanding of these objects and their evolution in time. We have compiled an extensive target list of magnetic chemically peculiar (CP2/4) stars. In addition to that, a systematic investigation of early-type (spectral types B/A) variable stars of undetermined type in the International Variable Star Index of the AAVSO (VSX) yielded additional ACV candidates, which were included in our sample. We investigated our sample stars using publicly available observations from the ASAS-3 archive. We were able to identify another 360 stars exhibiting photometric variability in the accuracy limit of the ASAS-3 data, thereby concluding our search for photometrically variable magnetic chemically peculiar stars in the ASAS-3 archive. Summary data, folded light curves and, if available, information from the literature are presented for all variable stars of our sample, which is composed of 334 bona-fide ACV variables, 23 ACV candidates and three eclipsing binary systems. In particular, we call attention to HD 66051 (V414 Pup), which was identified as an eclipsing binary system showing obvious rotational modulation of the light curve due to the presence of an ACV variable in the system., Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures

The variability of HD 240121 = BD+59 2602 was first suspected by S\"arg & Wramdemark (1970) and later confirmed by Gr\"obel (1992a,b). Because of the observed anti-phase variations of the B and V light curves, the latter author tentatively suggested an ACV type. Apart from its inclusion in the catalog of New Suspected Variables (NSV 25977), no further investigations of the star have been published. HD 240121 was included into our target list of ACV candidates and investigated in order to determine the reason for the observed brightness variations. All available information on HD 240121 were collected via an exhaustive data mining procedure. Data from Gr\"obel (1992a,b) were re-analysed and photometric observations from the NSVS and Hipparcos archives were procured and investigated. Line-of-sight reddening and stellar parameters were calculated from archival photometric data. HD 240121 is a young, late B-type CP2 star of the silicon subgroup. The observed period, amplitude of light variations and variability pattern (anti-phase variations) are typical of ACV variables. The occurrence of anti-phase variations of the B and V light curves is rarely observed and points to the existence of a null wavelength in the visual spectrum. We therefore strongly encourage further multi-colour photometric observations of this star., Comment: 5 pages, 6 figures

We present a simple phenomenological method for detrending of raw Kepler and MOST photometry, which is illustrated by means of photometric data processing of two periodically variable chemically peculiar stars, KIC 6950556 and HD 37633. In principle, this method may be applied to any type of periodically variable objects and satellite or ground based photometries. As a by product, we have identified KIC 6950556 as a magnetic chemically peculiar star with an ACV type variability., Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures

A new all-sky catalogue of all available uvbybeta measurements from the literature was generated. The uvbybeta photometric system is widely used for the study of various Galactic and extragalactic objects. It measures the colour due to temperature differences, the Balmer discontinuity, and blanketing absorption due to metals. The data for the individual stars were cross-checked on the basis of the Tycho-2 catalogue. This catalogue includes very precise celestial coordinates, but is magnitude and spatial resolution limited. However, the loss of objects is only marginal and is compensated for by the gain of homogeneity. In total, 298 639 measurements of 60 668 stars were used to derive unweighted mean indices and their errors. Photoelectric and CCD observations were treated in the same way. The presented data set can be used for various applications such as new calibrations of astrophysical parameters, the standardization of new observations, and as additional information for ongoing and forthcoming all-sky surveys., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics: 3 pages, 3 figures, 1 table

Our paper presents new methods for finding and testing of weak periodic variability of stellar objects developed for the purpose of detecting expected regular light variations of magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) candidates in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We introduce two new periodograms of the mCP star, BS Cir (HD 125630), appropriate for rotating spotted variables and compare the results with those obtained by the well-known Lomb-Scargle periodogram. The usage of periodograms and the testing of the significance of the found period candidates are demonstrated with two examples: the observed and simulated observations of the magnetic field of the mCP star CQ UMa (HD 119213) and the mCP candidate OGLE LMC136.7 16501. Three newly developed tests of the periodic variability - the shuffling, bootstrap and subsidiary ones, are presented. We demonstrate that the found periodic variations known with Signal-to-Noise ratio larger than 6 can be approved as real., Comment: 11 pages, 7 figures, conference proceedings, ASP CS 494, 2015

The majority of magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars exhibit periodic light, magnetic, radio, and spectroscopic variations that can be adequately modelled as a rigidly-rotating main-sequence star with persistent surface structures. Nevertheless, there is a small sample of diverse mCP stars whose rotation periods vary on timescales of decades while the shapes of their phase curves remain unchanged. Alternating period increases and decreases have been suspected in the hot CP stars CU Vir and V901 Ori, while rotation in the moderately cool star BS Cir has been decelerating. These examples bring new insight into this theoretically unpredicted phenomenon. We discuss possible causes of such behaviour and propose that dynamic interactions between a thin, outer, magnetically-confined envelope braked by the stellar wind, and an inner faster-rotating stellar body are able to explain the observed rotational variability, Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, contribution for the proceedings of the conference Putting A Stars into Context, June 3-7, 2013, Moscow, Russia

We present the first catalogue of known variable stars in open cluster regions and with up to two times the given cluster radius. This gives basic information about the distribution of variable stars in cluster fields for the complete sky. Knowledge of the variable star contents in open clusters is a significant advantage in their study. Analysing variability of cluster members and fields stars as well, allows us to study the characteristics of stars and clusters together. This catalogue of variable stars in open cluster fields is the first step in supporting such studies. We took all variable and suspected variable stars into account from the most complete collection, "The AAVSO Variable Star Index", and did a cross-match of these stars with the most complete catalogue of galactic open clusters named DAML02. Our on-line catalogue presently contains 18 065 variable stars. We present the basic statistical distribution according to types of variability., Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

The study of open cluster metallicities helps to understand the local stellar formation and evolution throughout the Milky Way. Its metallicity gradient is an important tracer for the Galactic formation in a global sense. Because open clusters can be treated in a statistical way, the error of the cluster mean is minimized. Our final goal is a semi-automatic statistical robust method to estimate the metallicity of a statistically significant number of open clusters based on Johnson BV data of their members, an algorithm that can easily be extended to other photometric systems for a systematic investigation. This method incorporates evolutionary grids for different metallicities and a calibration of the effective temperature and luminosity. With cluster parameters (age, reddening and distance) it is possible to estimate the metallicity from a statistical point of view. The iterative process includes an intrinsic consistency check of the starting input parameters and allows us to modify them. We extensively tested the method with published data for the Hyades and selected sixteen open clusters within 1000pc around the Sun with available and reliable Johnson BV measurements. In addition, Berkeley 29, with a distance of about 15kpc was chosen. For several targets we are able to compare our result with published ones which yielded a very good coincidence (including Berkeley 29)., Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysics

It is still a matter of debate if the group of lambda Bootis stars is homogeneously defined. A widely discussed working hypothesis formulates that two apparent solar abundant stars of an undetected spectroscopic binary system mimic a single metal-weak spectrum preventing any reliable analysis of the group characteristics. Is the proposed spectroscopic binary model able to explain the observed abundance pattern and photometric metallicity indices for the group members? What is the percentage of undetected spectroscopic binary systems? We have used the newest available stellar atmospheres to synthesize 105 hypothetical binary systems in the relevant astrophysical parameter range. These models were used to derive photometric indices. As a test, values for single stellar atmospheres, Vega and two typical lambda Bootis stars, HD 107233 and HD 204041, were generated. The synthesized indices fit the standard lines and the observations of the three stars excellently. For about 90% of the group members, the spectroscopic inary hypothesis can not explain the observations. A carefully preselection of lambda Bootis stars results in a homogeneous group of objects which can be used to investigate the group characteristics., Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, accepted as an A&A Letter