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Ce mémoire présente un relevé en photométrie rapide visant la découverte de nouvelles étoiles naines blanches de type ZZ Ceti, dont l'atmosphère est dominée par l'hydrogène. Les naines blanches représentent le stade final de l’évolution des étoiles de masse inférieure à M~8 Msol, soit 97% de la population stellaire. En se refroidissant, ces cadavres stellaires traversent une phase d'instabilité qui se manifeste sous la forme de variations de la luminosité de l'étoile dans une région étroite du plan masse - température effective appelée bande d'instabilité. Le but principal de notre étude est d'identifier de nouvelles étoiles naines blanches de type ZZ Ceti à l'intérieur de cette bande d'instabilité. Pour ce faire, nous avons mesuré avec grande précision la température effective et la masse de toutes les naines blanches dans l'hémisphère nord à l'intérieur de 100 parsecs de distance du Soleil, en combinant les mesures de parallaxes trigonométriques du relevé astrométrique Gaia avec les mesures photométriques des relevés Pan-STARRS, SDSS et CFIS, puis en les comparant avec les prédictions de modèles d'atmosphère détaillés. Des courbes de lumière de candidates ZZ Ceti, sélectionnées à l'intérieur de la bande d'instabilité empirique, ont ensuite été obtenues avec l'instrument PESTO attaché au télescope de 1.6 m de l'Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic. Nous avons découvert 29 nouvelles ZZ Ceti, dont une très rare naine blanche variable supermassive. Nous avons également identifié, dans la bande, 5 étoiles possiblement variables et 32 objets qui ne semblent montrer aucune variation photométrique. Plusieurs de ces dernières pourraient toutefois être variables avec une amplitude sous notre seuil de détection, ou encore être hors de la bande d'instabilité à cause d'erreurs sur leurs paramètres photométriques. Nos résultats, combinés à d’autres à venir, permettront de vérifier la pureté de la bande d'instabilité, c'est-à-dire qu'elle soit dépourvue d'étoiles non variables, un résultat qui supporterait l'idée que les ZZ Ceti représentent une phase inévitable dans l'évolution des naines blanches riches en hydrogène. Si tel était le cas, il serait alors possible de sonder la structure interne de l'ensemble des naines blanches de type DA à l'aide de l'astérosismologie, procurant un outil additionnel permettant de comprendre leur évolution., This thesis presents a high-speed photometric survey aimed at discovering new ZZ Ceti white dwarf stars, whose atmosphere is dominated by hydrogen. White dwarfs represent the final stage of stellar evolution for main-sequence stars less massive than M~8 Msol, or 97% of the stellar population. These stellar remnants go through a phase of pulsational instability that manifests itself in the form of luminosity variations, as they evolve through a narrow region of the mass-effective temperature plane, called the ZZ Ceti instability strip. The main goal of our study is to identify new ZZ Ceti white dwarfs within this instability strip. To do so, we measured with high precision the effective temperature and mass of all white dwarfs in the Northern Hemisphere within 100 parsecs of the Sun, by combining trigonometric parallax measurements from the astrometric survey Gaia, with photometric measurements from the Pan-STARRS, SDSS, and CFIS surveys, and by comparing these observations with the predictions of detailed model atmospheres. Light curves of ZZ Ceti candidates, selected within the empirical instability strip, were then obtained with the PESTO instrument attached to the 1.6 m telescope of the Mont-Mégantic Observatory. We discovered 29 new ZZ Ceti stars, including a very rare ultra-massive variable pulsator. We also identified 5 possibly variable stars within the strip, in addition to 32 objects that do not appear to show any photometric variability. However, several of those could be variable with an amplitude below our detection threshold, or could be located outside the instability strip due to errors in their photometric parameters. Our results, combined with others to come, will allow us to verify the purity of the instability strip, i.e. that it is devoid of non-variable stars, a result that would support the idea that ZZ Ceti stars represent an inevitable phase through which all hydrogen-atmosphere white dwarfs must evolve. If this were the case, it would then be possible to probe the internal structure of all DA-type white dwarfs using asteroseismology, providing an additional tool for understanding their evolution.

The star RY Vul according General Catalogue of Variable Star (GCVS) is RR Lyr variable, but period and initial epoch are unknown. To determine these parameters the photometric observations during several seasons in 201 1-201 7 of the variable star RY Vul on the Astronomical station near Odessa have been carried out . The 48-cm telescope reector AZT-3 equipped with CCD photometer was used. The light curves in V and R band were obtained and analyzed. It turned out that the light curves of the star is fully irregular. Therefore, the variable star RY Vul should be attribute to type " irregular variables " .

WOS: 000245697400009, We present new photometric two-colour observations of the double-lined close binary star VZ CVn. Combining two data sets obtained in 1971-72 and in 2006, the physical parameters of both components were derived. After removing the light variations due to the eclipses and proximity effects, a periodic variation in the more massive component with a dominant period of 1.068 76 d could be detected in the first photometric data set. In accordance with its position on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and both its pulsation period and pulsation constant of 0.62 d, the primary component of VZ CVn should be an excellent gamma Doradus candidate. The less massive secondary component seems to have smaller radius with respect to its mass. Both components appear to have lower luminosities with respect to their masses; hence, their radiative properties seem to be different. The evolutionary status of the components is also discussed

In this paper we study the effects of rotation on the frequencies of the quasi-normal modes of a proto-neutron star (PNS) born in a gravitational collapse during the first minute of life. Our analysis starts a few tenths of seconds after the PNS formation, when the stellar evolution can be described by a sequence of equilibrium configurations. We use the evolutionary models developed by Pons et al. (1999; 2001) that describe how a non rotating star cools down and contracts while neutrino diffusion and thermalization processes dominate the stellar dynamics. For assigned values of the evolution time, we set the star into slow rotation and integrate the equations of stellar perturbations in the Cowling approximation, both in the time domain and in the frequency domain, to find the quasi-normal mode frequencies. We study the secular instability of the g-modes, that are present in the oscillation spectrum due to the intense entropy and composition gradients that develop in the stellar interior, and we provide an estimate of the growth time of the unstable modes based on a post-Newtonian formula., Comment: 13 pages, 1 table, 3 figures, Accepted for publication to MNRAS

Stromgren differential photometry of I-ID 168607 and HD 168625 collected during the previous 27 years is analysed. We bring to an end our quarter of a century monitoring of these objects and conclude that HD 168607 shows typical variability of an uneventful LBV, whereas I-ID 168625 remains to be classified as a variable hypergiant, or a marginally-dormant LBV. The long-term light- and colour behaviour of HD 168607 indicates the possible presence of a very slowly-developing S Dor phase - that is, a bright phase that coincides with redder colours. Besides the a Cygni-type microvariability, no other signs of ultrashort-periodic variability has been observed.

Cepheid variables are pulsating giant stars that oscillate on radial acoustic modes. Their oscillations are sustained by a mechanism linked to the opacity in ionisation regions, the kappa-mechanism. This instability leads to the so-called 'Classical Instability Strip' in the Hertzsprung-Russel diagram. The coldest Cepheids, which are located close to the red edge of this instability strip, have an extended surface convective zone, in which a strong coupling between convection and oscillations may occur. This effect is by now represented by time-dependent convection models that involve many free unconstrained parameters. The purpose of this thesis is precisely to address this convection-pulsation coupling thanks to nonlinear simulations. Firstly, a linear-stability analysis has given us the most appropriate initial conditions to get unstable modes excited by kappa-mechanism. These favourable situations were then used as starting setups of nonlinear direct numerical simulations (DNS) computed thanks to an implicit solver of our own. We have thus performed the first 2-D simulations of the convection-pulsation coupling, in which the oscillations are sustained by kappa-mechanism. We have shown that the convective motions could possibly quench the oscillations. This result confirms the hypothesis that the stabilisation of coldest Cepheids, close to the red edge, is due to their surface convective zone; Le contexte général de cette thèse est l'étude des étoiles géantes variables de type Céphéides, qui subissent des oscillations acoustiques purement radiales. Ces oscillations sont excitées par un mécanisme lié aux propriétés d'absorption du rayonnement par la matière, le kappa-mécanisme, et cette instabilité conduit dans le diagramme Hertzsprung-Russell à la bande d'instabilité des Céphéides. Les Céphéides les plus froides, qui correspondent au bord rouge de cette bande d'instabilité, ont une zone convective de surface importante et un couplage fort s'installe entre la convection et les pulsations. Cet effet est pour l'heure mal maîtrisé puisque la modélisation de la convection dépendante du temps repose sur des paramètres ad hoc. Le but de cette thèse est d'étudier ce couplage convection-pulsations à l'œuvre dans les Céphéides froides. Une analyse de stabilité linéaire nous a tout d'abord permis de déterminer les modèles d'équilibre les plus instables par kappa-mécanisme. Ces modèles ont ensuite servi de point de départ à une série de simulations numériques directes (DNS) calculées grâce à un solveur implicite développé au cours de cette thèse. Nous avons ainsi réalisé les premières simulations 2-D du couplage convection-pulsations où les oscillations acoustiques sont excitées de manière cohérente par kappa-mécanisme. Nous avons alors montré que l'action de la convection sur les oscillations pouvait conduire à leur amortissement, ce qui accrédite l'idée que les Céphéides proches du bord rouge sont stabilisées par la convection de surface.

This PhD thesis presents a study of extreme horizontal branch stars with the tools of asteroseismology using the interpretation of the luminosity variations exhibited by some of them to model their internal structure. The extreme horizontal branch hosts fairly hot and compact stars corresponding to an advanced stage of stellar evolution, after the main sequence and the first red giant branch. The first part of this work shows the basic validity of the method used for asteroseismic studies by confirming solutions on the basis of independent techniques. In the second part, the internal dynamics of extreme horizontal branch stars belonging to close binaries are studied thanks to the introduction of stellar rotation effects in the pulsation codes and seismic diagnostic tools. It is shown for two extreme horizontal branch stars belonging to such systems that synchronization (correspondence of rotation period and orbital period) is reached in most of the star. Finally, the stars presented in this study double the current sample of extreme horizontal branch stars scrutinized by asteroseismology. It now becomes possible to compare the structural parameter distributions obtained from asteroseismology with those from extreme horizontal branch star formation theories. Despite some limitations due to the as yet small sample size, this work illustrates the potential of asteroseismology for placing better constraints on stellar evolution theory.; Le travail présenté dans cette thèse porte sur l'étude des étoiles de la branche horizontale extrême par les outils de l'astérosismologie, en interprétant les variations de luminosité que présentent certaines d'entre elles pour modéliser leur structure interne. Les étoiles de la branche horizontale extrême, chaudes et compactes, représentent un état avancé de l'évolution stellaire, après la vie sur la séquence principale et la première branche des géantes rouges. La première partie de ce travail démontre la validité de la méthode utilisée pour l'astérosismologie, en confirmant les résultats obtenus par des techniques indépendantes. Dans la deuxième partie, l'introduction des effets de la rotation stellaire dans les codes de pulsation et de diagnostic sismique permet d'étudier la dynamique interne des étoiles de la branche horizontale extrême, en particulier pour celles appartenant à un système binaire. Pour deux exemples d'une telle configuration, il est démontré que la synchronisation (c'est-à-dire l'égalité entre la période de rotation et la période orbitale) est atteinte dans la majeure partie de l'étoile. Enfin, les étoiles présentées dans cette thèse doublent l'échantillon actuellement disponible des étoiles de la branche horizontale extrême étudiées par l'astérosismologie. La distribution des paramètres stellaires obtenue peut ainsi être comparée à celles prévues par les théories visant à expliquer la formation de ce type d'objets. Malgré certaines limitations actuelles liées à la taille restreinte de l'échantillon, cette approche illustre le potentiel de l'astérosismologie pour apporter des contraintes nouvelles aux théories d'évolution stellaire.

Context. PG 1159-035, a pre-white dwarf with Teff ≃ 140000 K, is the prototype of both two classes: the PG 1159 spectroscopic class and the DOV pulsating class. Previous studies of PG 1159-035 photometric data obtained with the Whole Earth Telescope (WET) showed a rich frequency spectrum allowing the identification of 122 pulsation modes. Analyzing the periods of pulsation, it is possible to measure the stellar mass, the rotational period and the inclination of the rotation axis, to estimate an upper limit for the magnetic field, and even to obtain information about the inner stratification of the star. Aims. We have three principal aims: to increase the number of detected and identified pulsation modes in PG 1159-035, study trapping of the star's pulsation modes, and to improve or constrain the determination of stellar parameters. Methods. We used all available WET photometric data from 1983, 1985, 1989. 1993 and 2002 to identify the pulsation periods. Results. We identified 76 additional pulsation modes, increasing to 198 the number of known pulsation modes in PG 1159-035, the largest number of modes detected in any star besides the Sun. From the period spacing we estimated a mass M/M⊙= 0.59 ±0.02 for PG 1159-035, with the uncertainty dominated by the models, not the observation. Deviations in the regular period spacing suggest that some of the pulsation modes are trapped, even though the star is a pre-white dwarf and the gravitational settling is ongoing. The position of the transition zone that causes the mode trapping was calculated at rc/R* = 0.83 ± 0.05. From the multiplet splitting, we calculated the rotational period Prot = 1.3920 ± 0.0008 days and an upper limit for the magnetic field, B < 2000 G. The total power of the pulsation modes at the stellar surface changed less than 30% for ℓ = 1 modes and less than 50% for ℓ = 2 modes. We find no evidence of linear combinations between the 198 pulsation mode frequencies. PG 1159-035 models have not significative convection zones, supporting the hypothesis that nonlinearity arises in the convection zones in cooler pulsating white dwarf stars., La lista completa de autores que integran el documento puede consultarse en el archivo., Facultad de Ciencias Astronómicas y Geofísicas, Instituto de Astrofísica de La Plata

Context: Stellar pulsations in main-sequence B-type stars are driven by the kappa-mechanism due to the Fe-group opacity bump. The current models do not predict the presence of instability strips in the B spectral domain at very low metallicities. As the metallicity of the SMC is lower than Z=0.005, it constitutes a very suitable object to test these predictions. Aims: The main objective is to investigate the existence of B-type pulsators at low metallicities, searching for short-term periodic variability in absorption-line B and Be stars in the SMC. The analysis has been performed in a sample of 313 B and Be stars with fundamental astrophysical parameters accurately determined from high-resolution spectroscopy. Methods: Photometric light curves of the MACHO project have been analyzed using standard Fourier techniques and linear and non-linear least squares fitting methods. The position of the pulsating stars in the HR diagram has been used to ascertain their nature and to map the instability regions in the SMC. Results: We have detected 9 absorption-line B stars showing short-period variability, two among them being multiperiodic. One star is most likely a beta Cephei variable and the remaining 8 are SPB stars. The SPB instability strip in the SMC is shifted towards higher temperatures than the Galaxy. In the Be star sample, 32 stars are short-period variables, 20 among them multiperiodic. 4.9% of B stars and 25.3% of Be stars are pulsating stars. Conclusions: beta Cephei and SPB stars do exist at the SMC metallicity. The fractions of SPB stars and pulsating Be stars in the SMC are lower than in the Galaxy. The fraction of pulsating Be stars in the SMC is much higher than the fraction of pulsating absorption-line B stars, as in the Galaxy., Accepted for publication in A&A. Comments from the referee and English typos corrected

WOS: 000246424900028, Aims. Our goal was to improve the fundamental parameters of the massive close double-lined eclipsing B2.5V+B2.5V binary CV Velorum. Methods. We gathered new high-resolution echelle spectroscopy on 13 almost consecutive nights covering two orbits. We computed a simultaneous solution to all the available high-quality radial-velocity and light data with the latest version of the Wilson-Deviney code. Results. We obtained the following values for the physical parameters: M-1 = 6.066(74) M-circle dot, M-2 = 5.972(70) M-circle dot, R-1 = 4.126(24) R-circle dot, R-2 = 3.908(27) R-circle dot, logL(1) = 3.20(5) L-circle dot, and logL(2) = 3.14(5) L-circle dot. The quoted errors contain a realistic estimate of systematic uncertainties mainly stemming from the effective temperature estimation. We derived abundances for both components and found them to be compatible with those of B stars in the solar neighbourhood. We discovered low-amplitude periodic line-profile variations with the orbital frequency for both components. Their interpretation requires new data with a longer time span. The primary rotates subsynchronously while the secondary's v sin i and radius are compatible with synchronous rotation. We provide an update of the empirical mass-luminosity relation for main-sequence B stars which can be used for statistical predictions of masses or luminosities.

In this paper we present the results of multisite photometric and spectroscopic campaigns, carried out during the years 1995 and 1996, to study the pulsations of a typical λ Bootis star, 29 Cyg. During the 1995 campaign we found well-defined multiperiodicity in 29 Cyg, which was studied in detail during a multilongitude campaign covering a 65 day time interval in 1996. The frequency analysis of the 1996 campaign's data easily revealed 11 excited low ℓ degree modes with frequencies of oscillation ranging from 20.3 to 37.4 cycles day-1 and mean photometric amplitudes ranging from 10.65 to 0.96 mmag in the V filter. After removing the well-identified frequencies, the discrete Fourier transform of the residuals showed excess power in the 20-40 cycle day-1 domain, which indicates the probable existence of unresolved rich p-mode spectra with photometric V amplitudes below 0.5 mmag. We found a regular spacing of 2.41 cycles day-1 within the modes of 29 Cyg, which was interpreted as the spacing of consecutive even and odd ℓ-values. The asteroseismic luminosity log L/L⊙ = 1.12, calculated from the frequency spacing, is in good agreement with the Hipparcos luminosity log L/L⊙ = 1.16 and with luminosities from photometric and spectroscopic calibrations. Using our multicolor photometry we tentatively identified the dominant f1 = 37.425 cycle day -1 mode as an ℓ= 2, n = 5 mode, and made radial overtone identification for all frequencies. These ranged from n = 2 to 5. Analysis of the photometric data shows the long-term (years) and probable short-term (days) variability of amplitudes for all of these modes in 29 Cyg. Using our multicolor WBVR filter photometry, we found the wavelength dependence of the pulsation amplitudes for the five highest amplitude modes. Based on the Hα line radial velocity observations of 29 Cyg, we detected multiperiodic radial velocity variations with frequencies of 38.36 and 29.99 cycles day-1 and semiamplitudes of 1.0 and 0.8 km s-1, respectively. These frequencies coincide within the errors with the photometric frequencies of the two highest amplitude modes, 37.425 and 29.775 cycles day-1. For the highest amplitude ℓ = 2, n = 5 mode (37.425 cycles day-1), the radial velocity-to-light amplitude ratio and velocity-to-light phase shift are equal to 2K(Hα)/ Δ V = 94 km mag-1 s-1 and Φf1 = φVr - φV = +0.08 ± 0.01, respectively, and are in good agreement with values for δ Scuti stars. The rich multiperiodic spectrum makes 29 Cyg a promising target for future multisite campaigns. © 2007. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved., M. D. E. and K. Y. W. acknowledge their work as part of the research activity of the Astrophysical Research Center for the Structure and Evolution of the Cosmos, which is supported by the Korean Science and Engineering Foundation. The participation of G. H., E. P., and W. W. was supported by the Austrian Fonds zur Förderung der wissenschaftlichen Forschung under grant S-7303. The spectroscopic observations described in this publication were made possible in part by grants R2Q000 and U1C000 from the International Science Foundation and by grant A-05-067 from the ESO C&EE programme. This work was supported in part by US Civilian and Research Development Foundation grant UP2-317.

WOS: 000248394400032, Context. BL Cam is an extreme metal-deficient field high-amplitude SX Phe-type variable where a very complex frequency spectrum is detected, with a number of independent nonradial modes excited, unusual among the high-amplitude pulsators in the Lower Classical Instability Strip. Aims. An extensive and detailed study has been carried out to investigate the pulsational content and properties of this object. Methods. The analysis is based on 283 h of CCD observations obtained in the Johnson V filter, during a long multisite photometric campaign carried out along the Northern autumn-winter of 2005-2006. Additionally, multicolour BI photometry was also collected to study the phase shifts and amplitude ratios, between light curves obtained in different filters, for modal discrimination of the main excited modes. Results. The detailed frequency analysis revealed a very rich and dense pulsational content consisting of 25 significant peaks, 22 of them corresponding to independent modes: one is the already known main periodicity f(0) = 25.5765 cd(-1) (Delta V = 153 mmag) and the other 21 are excited modes showing very small amplitudes. Some additional periodicities are probably still remaining in the residuals. This represents the most complex spectrum ever detected in a high-amplitude pulsator of this type. The majority of the secondary modes suspected from earlier works are confirmed here and, additionally, a large number of new peaks are detected. The amplitude of the main periodicity f(0) seems to be stable during decades, but the majority of the secondary modes show strong amplitude changes from one epoch to another. The suspected fundamental radial nature of the main periodicity of BL Cam is confirmed, while the secondary peak f(1) = 25.2523 cd(-1) is identified as a nonradial mixed mode g(4) with l = 1. The radial double-mode nature, claimed by some authors for the main two frequencies of BL Cam, is not confirmed. Nevertheless, the frequency f(6) = 32.6464 cd(-1) could correspond to the first radial overtone.

The $\alpha$ Cen binary system is a well-known stellar system with very accurate observational constraints to structure of its component stars. In addition to the classical non-seismic constraints, there are also seismic constraints for the interior models of $\alpha$ Cen A and B. These two types of constraint give very different values for the age of the system. While we obtain 8.9 Gyr for the age of the system from the non-seismic constraints, the seismic constraints imply that the age is about 5.6-5.9 Gyr. There may be observational or theoretical reasons for this discrepancy, which can be found by careful consideration of similar stars. The $\alpha$ Cen binary system, with its solar type components, is also suitable for testing the stellar mass dependence of the mixing-length parameter for convection derived from the binaries of Hyades. The values of the mixing-length parameter for $\alpha$ Cen A and B are 2.10 and 1.90 for the non-seismic constraints. If we prioritize to the seismic constraints, we obtain 1.64 and 1.91 for $\alpha$ Cen A and B, respectively. By taking into account of these two contrasting cases for stellar mass dependence of the mixing-length parameter, we derive two expressions for its time dependence, which are also compatible with the mass dependence of the mixing-length parameter derived from the Hyades stars. For assessment, these expressions should be tested in other stellar systems and clusters., Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, to be published in MNRAS

In this paper we compute the gravitational signal emitted when a white dwarf moves around a black hole on a closed or open orbit using the affine model approach. We compare the orbital and the tidal contributions to the signal, assuming that the star moves in a safe region where, although very close to the black hole, the strength of the tidal interaction is insufficient to provoque the stellar disruption. We show that for all considered orbits the tidal signal presents sharp peaks corresponding to the excitation of the star non radial oscillation modes, the amplitude of which depends on how deep the star penetrates the black hole tidal radius and on the type of orbit. Further structure is added to the emitted signal by the coupling between the orbital and the tidal motion., Comment: 21 pages, 8 figres. Submitted to MNRAS

WOS: 000235696500010, Considering a sample of 20 eclipsing binary systems with delta Scuti type primaries, we discovered that there is a possible relation among the pulsation periods of the primaries and the orbital periods of the systems. According to this empirical relation, the longer the orbital period of a binary, the longer the pulsation period of its pulsating primary. Among the sample, the masses of the secondaries and the separations between the components are known for eight systems for which a log P-puls versus log F (the gravitational pull exerted per gram of the matter on the surface of the primaries by the secondaries) diagram also verifies such an interrelation between the periods. So, as the gravitational force applied by the secondary component onto the pulsating primary increases, its pulsation period decreases. The detailed physics underlying this empirical relation between the periods needs further confirmation, especially theoretically. However, one must also consider the fact that the present sample does not contain a sufficiently large sample of longer period (P > 5 d) binaries.

WOS: 000239517300040, A catalogue of close eclipsing binary systems (detached and semidetached) with at least one of the components located in the delta Scuti region of the Cepheid instability strip is presented. The positions of the stars in the instability strip are determined by their accurate temperatures and luminosities. Observationally detected binaries (20 semidetached, four detached and one unclassified) with oscillating components were included in the catalogue as a separate table. The primaries of the oscillating Algols tend to be located near the blue edge of the instability strip. Using reliable luminosities and temperatures determined by recent photometric and spectroscopic studies, we have found that at least one or two components of 71 detached and 90 semidetached systems are located in the delta Scuti region of the Cepheid instability strip. In addition, 36 detached or semidetached systems discovered by the Hipparcos satellite were also given as a separate list. One of their components is seen in the delta Scuti region, according to their spectral type or B - V colours. They are potential candidate binaries with the delta Scuti-type pulsating components which need further photometric and spectroscopic studies in better precision. This catalogue covers information and literature references for 25 known and 197 candidate binaries with pulsating components.

We argue that the non-detection of oscillations in Procyon by the MOST satellite reported by Matthews et al. (2004) is fully consistent with published ground-based velocity observations of this star. We also examine the claims that the MOST observations represent the best photometric precision so far reported in the literature by about an order of magnitude and are the most sensitive data set for asteroseismology available for any star other than the Sun. These statements are not correct, with the most notable exceptions being observations of oscillations in alpha Cen A that are far superior. We further disagree that the hump of excess power seen repeatedly from velocity observations of Procyon can be explained as an artefact caused by gaps in the data. The MOST observations failed to reveal oscillations clearly because their noise level is too high, possibly from scattered Earthlight in the instrument. We did find an excess of strong peaks in the MOST amplitude spectrum that is inconsistent with a simple noise source such as granulation, and may perhaps indicate oscillations at roughly the expected level., 6 pages, accepted for publication in A&A Letters

WOS: 000182039700036, We have acquired new time series photometry of the two pulsating DB white dwarf stars KUV 05134+2605 and PG 1654+160 with the Whole Earth Telescope. Additional single-site photometry is also presented. We use all these data plus all available archival measurements to study the temporal behaviour of the pulsational amplitudes and frequencies of these stars for the first time. We demonstrate that both KUV 05134+2605 and PG 1654+160 pulsate in many modes, the amplitudes of which are variable in time; some frequency variability of PG 1654+160 is also indicated. Beating of multiple pulsation modes cannot explain our observations; the amplitude variability must therefore be intrinsic. We cannot find stable modes to be used for determinations of the evolutionary period changes of the stars. Some of the modes of PG 1654+160 appear at the same periods whenever detected. The mean spacing of these periods (approximate to40 s) suggests that they are probably caused by non-radial gravity-mode pulsations of spherical degree l = 1. If so, PG 1654+160 has a mass around 0.6 M.. The time-scales of the amplitude variability of both stars (down to two weeks) are consistent with theoretical predictions of resonant mode coupling, a conclusion which might however be affected by the temporal distribution of our data.

We discuss new photometric data collected on the gamma Dor variables HD 224945 and HD 224638. Multiperiodicity was detected in both stars, thanks to the clear spectral window of a multisite campaign that involved five observatories. HD 224945 shows the shortest period among the gamma Dor stars, i.e., 0.3330 d. The pulsation behaviour is very different: HD 224945 displays a set of frequencies spread over an interval much wider than that of HD 224638. We clearly found evidence for amplitude variations in the excited modes by comparing data from different years. HD 224945 and HD 224638 are among the best examples of $\gamma$ Dor stars that show multimode pulsations, which make them very interesting from an asteroseismological point of view., Comment: 8 pages (in A&A style), 3 eps figures. Accepted for A&A Main Journal

A phase transition occurring in the inner core of a neutron star could be associated to a density discontinuity that would affect the frequency spectrum of the non-radial oscillation modes in two ways. Firstly, it would produce a softening of the equation of state, leading to more compact equilibrium configurations and changing the frequency of the fundamental and pressure modes of the neutron star. Secondly, a new non-zero frequency g-- mode would appear, associated to each discontinuity. These discontinuity g--modes have typical frequencies larger than those of g--modes previously studied in the literature (thermal, core g-- modes, or g--modes due to chemical inhomogeneities in the outer layers), and smaller than that of the fundamental mode; therefore they should be distinguishable from the other modes of non radial oscillation. In this paper we investigate how high density discontinuities change the frequency spectrum of the non-radial oscillations, in the framework of the general relativistic theory of stellar perturbations. Our purpose is to understand whether a gravitational signal, emitted at the frequencies of the quasi normal modes, may give some clear information on the equation of state of the neutron star and, in particular, on the parameters that characterize the density discontinuity. We discuss some astrophysical processes that may be associated to the excitation of these modes, and estimate how much gravitational energy should the modes convey to produce a signal detectable by high frequency gravitational detectors., Comment: submitted to MNRAS

Stromgren differential photometry of I-ID 168607 and HD 168625 collected during the previous 27 years is analysed. We bring to an end our quarter of a century monitoring of these objects and conclude that HD 168607 shows typical variability of an uneventful LBV, whereas I-ID 168625 remains to be classified as a variable hypergiant, or a marginally-dormant LBV. The long-term light- and colour behaviour of HD 168607 indicates the possible presence of a very slowly-developing S Dor phase - that is, a bright phase that coincides with redder colours. Besides the a Cygni-type microvariability, no other signs of ultrashort-periodic variability has been observed.

The numerical hydrodynamic modelling of beat Cepheid behavior has been a longstanding quest in which purely radiative models have failed miserably. We find that beat pulsations occur naturally when turbulent convection is accounted for in our hydrodynamics codes. The development of a relaxation code and of a Floquet stability analysis greatly facilitates the search for and analysis of beat Cepheid models. The conditions for the occurrence of beat behavior can be understood easily and at a fundamental level with the help of amplitude equations. Here a discriminant D arises whose sign decides whether single mode or double mode pulsations can occur in a model, and this D depends only on the values of the nonlinear coupling coefficients between the fundamental and the first overtone modes. For radiative models D is always found to be negative, but with sufficiently strong turbulent convection its sign reverses., Comment: 5 pages, incl. 4 figs - apj lett, accepted may 18, 1998

WOS: 000079107500013, In this paper, we present the results of a multisite photometric campaign devoted to the gamma Doradus type variable HR 8799. From Johnson and Stromgren data, we were able to identify three independent frequencies (f(i) = 1.9791 cycle d(-1), f(2) = 1.7268 cycle d(-10) and f(3) = 1.6498 cycle d(-1)) as well as another signal, which we are able to identify as the coupling term between two of the frequencies (f(4) = f(1) - f(2) = 0.2479 cycle d(-1)). These four frequencies are able to account for all of the observed variations down to the la significance level. We discuss another possible interpretation of these frequencies using a model of quasi-stochastic amplitude modulation. In this scenario, we are able to show that HR 8799 might be pulsating with two independent frequencies, one of which undergoes amplitude modulation similar to other gamma Dor objects. In addition, we discuss a preliminary mode identification based on the observed colour curves. Finally, 18 simultaneous, high-resolution echelle spectra were collected on two nights and we qualitatively compare the radial velocities from these data with our photometry.

Since pulsating subdwarf B (sdBV or EC14026) stars were first discovered (Kilkenny et al, 1997), observational efforts have tried to realize their potential for constraining the interior physics of extreme horizontal branch (EHB) stars. Difficulties encountered along the way include uncertain mode identifications and a lack of stable pulsation mode properties. Here we report on Feige 48, an sdBV star for which follow-up observations have been obtained spanning more than four years, which shows some stable pulsation modes. We resolve the temporal spectrum into five stable pulsation periods in the range 340 to 380 seconds with amplitudes less than 1%, and two additional periods that appear in one dataset each. The three largest amplitude periodicities are nearly equally spaced, and we explore the consequences of identifying them as a rotationally split l=1 triplet by consulting with a representative stellar model. The general stability of the pulsation amplitudes and phases allows us to use the pulsation phases to constrain the timescale of evolution for this sdBV star. Additionally, we are able to place interesting limits on any stellar or planetary companion to Feige 48., accepted for publication in MNRAS