Abstract
We have revisited the problem of metallicity prediction of RR Lyrae stars from their near-infrared light curves in the Cousins
I
wave band. Our study is based on high-quality time series ...photometry and state-of-the-art high-resolution spectroscopic abundance measurements of 80 fundamental-mode (RRab) and 24 first-overtone (RRc) stars, spanning ∼−2.7, +0.18 dex and ∼−3, −0.5 dex ranges, respectively. Employing machine-learning methods, we investigated various light-curve representations and regression models to identify their optimal form for our objective. Accurate new empirical relations between the Fe/H iron abundance and the light-curve parameters have been obtained using Bayesian regression for both RRab and RRc stars with mean absolute prediction errors of 0.16 dex and 0.18 dex, respectively. We found that earlier
I
-band Fe/H estimates had a systematic positive bias of up to ∼0.4 dex in the metal-poor regime. Our new predictive models were deployed on large ensembles of RR Lyrae stars to obtain photometric metallicity distribution functions (MDFs) for various old stellar populations in and around the Milky Way. We find that the mode of the old bulge component’s MDF is approximately −1.4 dex, in remarkable agreement with the latest spectroscopic result. Furthermore, we derive MDF modes of −1.83, −2.13, and −1.77 dex for the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and the Sagittarius dwarf galaxy, respectively.
As a continuation of our previous studies in 2007 and 2008, new photometric observations of the T Tauri star TW Hya obtained by the MOST satellite and the All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) project over ...40 d in 2009 with temporal resolution of 0.2 d are presented. A wavelet analysis of the combined MOST-ASAS data provides a rich picture of coherent, intermittent, variable-period oscillations, similarly as discovered in the 2008 data. The periods (1.3-10 d) and systematic period shortening on time-scales of weeks can be interpreted within the model of magnetorotationally controlled accretion processes in the inner accretion disc around the star. Within this model and depending on the assumed visibility of plasma parcels causing the oscillations, the observed shortest oscillation period may indicate the stellar rotation period of 1.3 or 2.6 d, synchronized with the disc at 4.5 or 7.1 R⊙, respectively.
Microvariability & Oscillations of STars (MOST) and All Sky Automated Survey (ASAS) observations have been used to characterize photometric variability of TW Hya on time-scales from a fraction of a ...day to 7.5 weeks and from a few days to 8 yr, respectively. The two data sets have very different uncertainties and temporal coverage properties and cannot be directly combined, nevertheless, they suggest a global variability spectrum with ‘flicker-noise’ properties, that is with amplitudes , over >4 decades in frequency, in the range f= 0.0003–10 c d−1. A 3.7 d period is clearly present in the continuous 11 d, 0.07 d time resolution, observations by MOST in 2007. Brightness extrema coincide with zero-velocity crossings in periodic (3.56 d) radial-velocity variability detected in contemporaneous spectroscopic observations of Setiawan et al. and interpreted as caused by a planet. The 3.56/3.7 d periodicity was entirely absent in the second, 4 times longer MOST run in 2008, casting doubt on the planetary explanation. Instead, a spectrum of unstable single periods within the range of 2–9 d was observed; the tendency of the periods to progressively shorten was well traced using the wavelet analysis. The evolving periodicities and the overall flicker-noise characteristics of the TW Hya variability suggest a combination of several mechanisms, with the dominant ones probably related to the accretion processes from the disc around the star.
K2 observations of the weak-lined T Tauri binary V928 Tau A and B show the detection of a single, asymmetric eclipse, which may be due to a previously unknown substellar companion eclipsing one ...component of the binary with an orbital period >66 days. Over an interval of about 9 hr, one component of the binary dims by around 60%, returning to its normal brightness about 5 hr later. From modeling of the eclipse shape, we find evidence that the eclipsing companion may be surrounded by a disk or a vast ring system. The modeled disk has a radius of 0.9923 0.0005 R*, with an inclination of 56 78 0 03, a tilt of 41 22 0 05, an impact parameter of −0.2506 0.0002 R*, and an opacity of 1.00. The occulting disk must also move at a transverse velocity of 6.637 0.002 R* day−1, which, depending on whether it orbits V928 Tau A or B, corresponds to approximately 73.53 or 69.26 km s−1. A search in ground-based archival data reveals additional dimming events, some of which suggest periodicity, but no unambiguous period associated with the eclipse observed by K2. We present a new epoch of astrometry that is used to further refine the orbit of the binary, presenting a new lower bound of 67 yr, and constraints on the possible orbital periods of the eclipsing companion. The binary is also separated by 18″ (∼2250 au) from the lower-mass CFHT-BD-Tau 7, which is likely associated with V928 Tau A and B. We also present new high-dispersion optical spectroscopy that we use to characterize the unresolved stellar binary.
Our nearest neighbor, Proxima Centauri, hosts a temperate terrestrial planet. We detected in radial velocities evidence of a possible second planet with minimum mass
sin
= 5.8 ± 1.9
and orbital ...period
years. The analysis of photometric data and spectro-scopic activity diagnostics does not explain the signal in terms of a stellar activity cycle, but follow-up is required in the coming years for confirming its planetary origin. We show that the existence of the planet can be ascertained, and its true mass can be determined with high accuracy, by combining Gaia astrometry and radial velocities. Proxima c could become a prime target for follow-up and characterization with next-generation direct imaging instrumentation due to the large maximum angular separation of ~1 arc second from the parent star. The candidate planet represents a challenge for the models of super-Earth formation and evolution.
Using the ASAS-3 photometry, we find the components of four eclipsing binary systems — V916 Cen, HD 101838, V4386 Sgr and HD 168050 — to be β Cephei-type pulsators. The first two systems are members ...of the young open cluster Stock 14. The pulsating stars are presumably the primary, more massive components in all these systems. The components are detached and for at least two systems, V916 Cen and HD 168050, we may suspect that they will appear to be double-lined spectroscopic ones. In consequence, these stars become very attractive targets for studying pulsations in β Cephei stars by means of asteroseismology.
We report the discovery by B. G. Harris and S. Dvorak on JD 2455224.9385 (2010 January 28.4385 UT) of the predicted eruption of the recurrent nova U Scorpii (U Sco). We also report 815 magnitudes ...(and 16 useful limits) on the pre-eruption light curve in the UBVRI and Sloan r' and i' bands from 2000.4 up to 9 hr before the peak of the 2010 January eruption. We found no significant long-term variations, though we did find frequent fast variations (flickering) with amplitudes up to 0.4 mag. We show that U Sco did not have any pre-eruption rises or dips with an amplitude greater than 0.2 mag on timescales from one day to one year before the eruption. We find that the peak of this eruption occurred at JD 2455224.69 ? 0.07 and the start of the rise was at JD 2455224.32 ? 0.12. From our analysis of the average B-band flux between eruptions, we find that the total mass accreted between eruptions is consistent with being a constant, in agreement with a strong prediction of nova trigger theory. The date of the next eruption can be anticipated with an accuracy of ?5 months by following the average B-band magnitudes for the next ~10 years, although at this time we can only predict that the next eruption will be in the year 2020 ? 2.
We systematically surveyed period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on newly obtained data and past publications. In many systems, the evolution of the superhump period is ...found to be composed of three distinct stages: an early evolutionary stage with a longer superhump period, a middle stage with systematically varying periods, and a final stage with a shorter, stable superhump period. During the middle stage, many systems with superhump periods of less than 0.08 d show positive period derivatives. We present observational characteristics of these stages and give greatly improved statistics. Contrary to an earlier claim, we found no clear evidence for a variation of period derivatives among different superoutbursts of the same object. We present an interpretation that the lengthening of the superhump period is a result of the outward propagation of an eccentricity wave, which is limited by the radius near the tidal truncation. We interpret that late-stage superhumps are rejuvenated excitation of a 3:1 resonance when superhumps in the outer disk are effectively quenched. The general behavior of the period variation, particularly in systems with short orbital periods, appears to follow a scenario proposed in Kato, Maehara, and Monard (2008, PASJ, 60, L23). We also present an observational summary of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae. Many of them have shown long-enduring superhumps during a post-superoutburst stage having longer periods than those during the main superoutburst. The period derivatives in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae are found to be strongly correlated with the fractional superhump excess, or consequently with the mass ratio. WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with a long-lasting rebrightening or with multiple rebrightenings tend to have smaller period derivatives, and are excellent candidates for those systems around or after the period minimum of evolution of cataclysmic variables.
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