Asiago eclipsing binaries program. I. V432 Aur

The orbit and physical parameters of the previously unsolved eclipsing binary V432 Aur, discovered by Hipparcos, have been derived with errors better than 1% from extensive Echelle spectroscopy and B, V photometry. Synthetic spectral analysis of both components has been performed, yielding T_eff and log g in close agreement with the orbital solution, a metallicity [Z/Z_sun]=-0.60 and rotational synchronization for both components. Direct comparison on the theoretical L, T_eff plane with the Padova evolutionary tracks and isochrones for the masses of the two components (1.22 and 1.08 M_sun) provides a perfect match and a 3.75 Gyr age. The more massive and cooler component is approaching the base of the giant branch and displays a probable pulsation activity with an amplitude of Delta V = 0.075 mag and Delta rad.vel. = 1.5 km/sec. With a T_eff = 6080 K it falls to the red of the nearby instability strip populated by delta Sct and gamma Dor types of pulsating variables. Orbital modeling reveals a large and bright surface spot on it. The pulsations activity and the large spot(s) suggest the presence of macro-turbulent motions in its atmosphere. They reflect in a line broadening that at cursory inspection could be taken as indication of a rotation faster than synchronization, something obviously odd for an old, expanding star.Comment: A&A, 11 pages, accepted Jan 7, 200

The new HiVIS spectropolarimeter and spectropolarimetric calibration of the AEOS telescope

We designed, built, and calibrated a new spectropolarimeter for the HiVIS spectrograph (R 12000-49000) on the AEOS telescope. We also did a polarization calibration of the telescope and instrument. We will introduce the design and use of the spectropolarimeter as well as a new data reduction package we have developed, then discuss the polarization calibration of the spectropolarimeter and the AEOS telescope. We used observations of unpolarized standard stars at many pointings to measure the telescope induced polarization and compare it with a Zemax model. The telescope induces polarization of 1-6% with a strong variation with wavelength and pointing, consistent with the altitude and azimuth variation expected. We then used scattered sunlight as a linearly polarized source to measure the telescopes spectropolarimetric response to linearly polarized light. We then made an all-sky map of the telescope's polarization response to calibrate future spectropolarimetry.Comment: PASP 118, June 200

Measuring mean densities of delta Scuti stars with asteroseismology. Theoretical properties of large separations using TOUCAN

We aim at studying the theoretical properties of the regular spacings found in the oscillation spectra of delta Scuti stars. We performed a multi-variable analysis covering a wide range of stellar structure and seismic properties and model parameters representative of intermediate-mass, main sequence stars. The work-flow is entirely done using a new Virtual Observatory tool: TOUCAN (the VO gateway for asteroseismic models), which is presented in this paper. A linear relation between the large separation and the mean density is predicted to be found in the low frequency frequency domain (i.e. radial orders spanning from 1 to 8, approximately) of the main-sequence, delta Scuti stars' oscillation spectrum. We found that such a linear behavior stands whatever the mass, metallicity, mixing length, and overshooting parameters considered in this work. The intrinsic error of the method is discussed. This includes the uncertainty in the large separation determination and the role of rotation. The validity of the relation found is only guaranteed for stars rotating up to 40 percent of their break-up velocity. Finally, we applied the diagnostic method presented in this work to five stars for which regular patterns have been found. Our estimates for the mean density and the frequency of the fundamental radial mode match with those given in the literature within a 20 percent of deviation. Asteroseismology has thus revealed an independent direct measure of the average density of delta Scuti stars, analogous to that of the Sun. This places tight constraints on the mode identification and hence on the stellar internal structure and dynamics, and allows a determination the radius of planets orbiting around delta Scuti stars with unprecedented precision. This opens the way for studying the evolution of regular patterns in pulsating stars, and its relation with stellar structure and evolution.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, A&A in pres

A Quantitative Analysis of the Available Multicolor Photometry for Rapidly Pulsating Hot B Subdwarfs

We present a quantitative and homogeneous analysis of the broadband multicolor photometric data sets gathered so far on rapidly pulsating hot B subdwarf stars. This concerns seven distinct data sets related to six different stars. Our analysis is carried out within the theoretical framework developed by Randall et al., which includes full nonadiabatic effects. The goal of this analysis is partial mode identification, i.e., the determination of the degree index l of each of the observed pulsation modes. We assume possible values of l from 0 to 5 in our calculations. For each target star, we compute a specific model atmosphere and a specific pulsation model using estimates of the atmospheric parameters coming from time-averaged optical spectroscopy. For every assumed value of l, we use a formal chi-squared approach to model the observed amplitude-wavelength distribution of each mode, and we compute a quality-of-fit Q probability to quantify the derived fit and to discriminate objectively between the various solutions. We find that no completely convincing and unambiguous l identification is possible on the basis of the available data, although partial mode discrimination has been reached for 25 out of the 41 modes studied. A brief statistical study of these results suggests that a majority of the modes must have l values of 0, 1, and 2, but also that modes with l = 4 could very well be present while modes with l = 3 appear to be rarer. This is in line with recent results showing that l = 4 modes in rapidly pulsating B subdwarfs have a higher visibility in the optical domain than modes with l = 3. Although somewhat disappointing in terms of mode discrimination, our results still suggest that the full potential of multicolor photometry for l identification in pulsating subdwarfs is within reach.Comment: 59 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Serie

Discovery and analysis of p-mode and g-mode oscillations in the A-type primary of the eccentric binary HD 209295

We have discovered both intermediate-order gravity mode and low-order pressure mode pulsation in the same star, HD 209295. It is therefore both a Gamma Doradus and a Delta Scuti star, which makes it the first pulsating star to be a member of two classes. The star is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of 3.10575 d and an eccentricity of 0.352. Weak pulsational signals are found in both the radial velocity and line-profile variations, allowing us to show that the two highest-amplitude Gamma Doradus pulsation modes are consistent with l=1 and |m|=1. In our 280 h of BVI multi-site photometry we detected ten frequencies in the light variations, one in the Delta Scuti regime and nine in the Gamma Doradus domain. Five of the Gamma Doradus frequencies are exact integer multiples of the orbital frequency. This observation leads us to suspect they are tidally excited. Results of theoretical modeling (stability analysis, tidal excitation) were consistent with the observations. We could not detect the secondary component of the system in infrared photometry, suggesting that it may not be a main-sequence star. Archival data of HD 209295 show a strong ultraviolet excess, the origin of which is not known. The orbit of the primary is consistent with a secondary mass of M > 1.04 Msun indicative of a neutron star or a white dwarf companion.Comment: 18 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS, shortened abstrac

An asteroseismic study of the Beta Cephei star Theta Ophiuchi: photometric results

We have carried out a three-site photometric campaign for the Beta Cephei star Theta Ophiuchi from April to August 2003. 245 hours of differential photoelectric uvy photometry were obtained during 77 clear nights. The frequency analysis of our measurements resulted in the detection of seven pulsation modes within a narrow frequency interval between 7.116 and 7.973 c/d. No combination or harmonic frequencies were found. We performed a mode identification of the individual pulsations from our colour photometry that shows the presence of one radial mode, one rotationally split l=1 triplet and possibly three components of a rotationally split l=2 quintuplet. We discuss the implications of our findings and point out the similarity of the pulsation spectrum of Theta Ophiuchi to that of another Beta Cephei star, V836 Cen.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

The first CCD photometric study of the open cluster NGC 2126

We present the first CCD photometric observations of the northern open cluster NGC 2126. Data were taken on eight nights in February and December 2002 with a total time span of ~57 hours. Almost 1000 individual V-band frames were examined to find short-period variable stars. We discovered six new variable stars, of which one is a promising candidate for an eclipsing binary with a pulsating component. Two stars were classified as delta Scuti stars and one as Algol-type eclipsing binary. Two stars are slow variables with ambiguous classification. From absolute VRI photometry we have estimated the main characteristics of the cluster: m-M=11.0+/-0.5, E(V-I)=0.4+/-0.1, E(V-R)=0.08+/-0.06 (E(B-V)=0.2+/-0.15) and d=1.3+/-0.6 kpc. Cluster membership is suggested for three variable stars from their positions on the colour-magnitude diagram.Comment: 7 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Variable stars in the Open Cluster M11 (NGC 6705)

V-band time-series CCD photometric observations of the intermediate-age open cluster M11 were performed to search for variable stars. Using these time-series data, we carefully examined light variations of all stars in the observing field. A total of 82 variable stars were discovered, of which 39 stars had been detected recently by Hargis et al. (2005). On the basis of observational properties such as variable period, light curve shape, and position on a color-magnitude diagram, we classified their variable types as 11 delta Scuti-type pulsating stars, 2 gamma Doradus-type pulsating stars, 40 W UMa-type contact eclipsing binaries, 13 Algol-type detached eclipsing binaries, and 16 eclipsing binaries with long period. Cluster membership for each variable star was deduced from the previous proper motion results (McNamara et al. 1977) and position on the color-magnitude diagram. Many pulsating stars and eclipsing binaries in the region of M11 are probable members of the cluster.Comment: 23 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, and accepted for publication in PAS