We report the results of high-angular-resolution observations that search for exozodiacal light in a sample of main sequence stars and sub-giants. Using the “jouvence” of the fiber linked unit for ...optical recombination (JouFLU) at the center for high angular resolution astronomy (CHARA) telescope array, we have observed a total of 44 stars. Out of the 44 stars, 33 are new stars added to the initial, previously published survey of 42 stars performed at CHARA with the fiber linked unit for optical recombination (FLUOR). Since the start of the survey extension, we have detected a K-band circumstellar excess for six new stars at the ~ 1% level or higher, four of which are known or candidate binaries, and two for which the excess could be attributed to exozodiacal dust. We have also performed follow-up observations of 11 of the stars observed in the previously published survey and found generally consistent results. We do however detect a significantly larger excess on three of these follow-up targets: Altair, υ And and κ CrB. Interestingly, the last two are known exoplanet host stars. We perform a statistical analysis of the JouFLU and FLUOR samples combined, which yields an overall exozodi detection rate of 21.7+5.7-4.1%. We also find that the K-band excess in FGK-type stars correlates with the existence of an outer reservoir of cold (≲100 K) dust at the 99% confidence level, while the same cannot be said for A-type stars.
Context. The main sequence binary star 61 Cyg (K5V+K7V) is our nearest stellar neighbour in the northern hemisphere. This proximity makes it a particularly well suited system for very high accuracy ...interferometric radius measurements. Aims. Our goal is to constrain the poorly known evolutionary status and age of this bright binary star. Methods. We obtained high accuracy interferometric observations in the infrared K logical or prime band, using the CHARA/FLUOR instrument. We then computed evolutionary models of 61 Cyg A & B with the CESAM2k code. As model constraints, we used a combination of observational parameters from classical observation methods (photometry, spectroscopy) as well as our new interferometric radii. Results. The measured limb darkened disk angular diameters are theta_{\rm LD}({\rm A}) = 1.775 pm 0.013 mas and theta_{\rm LD}({\rm B}) = 1.581 pm 0.022 mas, respectively for 61 Cyg A and B. Considering the high accuracy parallaxes available, these values translate into photospheric radii of R({\rm A}) = 0.665 pm 0.005 R_{\odot} and R({\rm B}) = 0.595 pm 0.008 R_{\odot}. The new radii constrain efficiently the physical parameters adopted for the modeling of both stars, allowing us to predict asteroseismic frequencies based on our best-fit models. Conclusions. The CESAM2k evolutionary models indicate an age around 6 Gyr and are compatible with small values of the mixing length parameter. The measurement of asteroseismic oscillation frequencies in 61 Cyg A & B would be of great value to improve the modeling of this important fiducial stellar system, in particular to better constrain the masses.
Context.γ Cas is thought to be the prototype of classical Be stars and is the most studied object among this group. However, as for all Be stars, the origin and the physics of its circumstellar disk ...responsible for the observed near IR-excess, emission lines, and peculiar X-ray emission is still being debated. Aims: We constrain the geometry and kinematics of its circumstellar disk from the highest spatial resolution ever achieved on this star. This investigation is a part of a large multi-technique observing campaign to obtain the most complete picture of γ Cas which emphasizes the relation of the circumstellar environment to the star's X-ray flux. Methods: We present new observations in the near infrared (MIRC) and in the visible (VEGA) obtained with the CHARA interferometer. The VEGA instrument allows us to not only obtain a global disk geometry but also spectrally dispersed visibility modulus and phases within the Hα emission line, which enables us to study the kinematics within γ Cas's disk. Results: We obtain a disk extension in the nearby Hα continuum of 1.72 stellar diameter and 1.86 stellar diameter in the H band at 1.65 μm assuming a Gaussian disk model but also compatible with an elliptical ring model with a minor internal diameter of 1.38 stellar diameter in H. For the first time we demonstrate that the rotation mapped by the emission in the Hα line within the disk of γ Cas and up to 10 R⋆ is Keplerian. Conclusions: These observations have pushed the size of the disk to greater proportions. γ Cas was also confirmed to be a nearly critical rotator. The disk imaging gives neither indication of a 1-arm spiral feature nor evidence of a secondary star reinforcing the interpretation that the secondary is certainly a low-mass and low-luminosity star or a degenerate companion.
Hierarchical triple systems comprise a close binary and a more distant component. They are important for testing theories of star formation and of stellar evolution in the presence of nearby ...companions. We obtained 218 days of Kepler photometry of HD 181068 (magnitude of 7.1), supplemented by ground-based spectroscopy and interferometry, which show it to be a hierarchical triple with two types of mutual eclipses. The primary is a red giant that is in a 45-day orbit with a pair of red dwarfs in a close 0.9-day orbit. The red giant shows evidence for tidally induced oscillations that are driven by the orbital motion of the close pair. HD 181068 is an ideal target for studies of dynamical evolution and testing tidal friction theories in hierarchical triple systems.
Context. Five different physical processes might be responsible for the formation of decretion disks around Be stars: fast rotation of the star, stellar pulsations, binarity, stellar winds, and ...magnetic fields. Our observations indicate that fast rotation seems to produce a disk in Keplerian rotation, at least in the specific case of the two stars observed. We do not know if this observational result is a generality or not. Aims. We measure the size, orientation, shape, and kinematics of the disks around 2 Be stars, namely 48 Per and ψ Per. Methods. We used the VEGA/CHARA interferometer with a spectral resolution of 5000 to obtain spectrally dispersed visibility modulus and phases within the Hα emission line. Results. We were able to estimate the disk extension in the continuum and in the Hα line, as well as flattening, for both stars. Both stars rotate at nearly a critical rotation, but while the disk of 48 Per seems to be in Keplerian rotation, our preliminary data suggest that the disk of ψ Per is possibly faster than Keplerian, similarly to what has been found for κ CMa with observations carried out in the near-IR. However, more data is needed to confirm the fast rotation of the disk. Conclusions. Assuming a simple uniform disk model for the stellar photosphere in the continuum and a Gaussian brightness distribution in the line emission region, we obtain a ratio of the disk diameter over the photospheric diameter of 8 for 48 Per and 11 for and ψ Per. We also found that the major axis of 48 Per is parallel to the polarization angle and not perpendicular to it as previously observed for many Be stars, including ψ Per. This might be due to the optical thickness of the disk, which is also responsible for the incoherent scattering of a non negligible part of the Hα line emission. To our knowledge, this is the first time that this effect has been measured in a Be star.
Context. Owing to the strong magnetic field and related abnormal surface layers existing in rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars, systematic errors are likely to be present when determining their ...effective temperatures, which potentially compromises asteroseismic studies of this class of pulsators. Aims. Using the unique angular resolution provided by long-baseline visible interferometry, our goal is to determine accurate angular diameters of a number of roAp targets, so as to derive unbiased effective temperatures (Teff) and provide a Teff calibration for these stars. Methods. We obtained long-baseline interferometric observations of 10 Aql with the visible spectrograph VEGA at the combined focus of the CHARA array. We derived the limb-darkened diameter of this roAp star from our visibility measurements. Based on photometric and spectroscopic data available in the literature, we estimated the star’s bolometric flux and used it, in combination with its parallax and angular diameter, to determine the star’s luminosity and effective temperature. Results. We determined a limb-darkened angular diameter of 0.275 ± 0.009 mas and deduced a linear radius of R = 2.32 ± 0.09 R⊙. For the bolometric flux we considered two datasets, leading to an effective temperature of Teff = 7800 ± 170 K and a luminosity of L/L⊙ = 18 ± 1 or Teff = 8000 ± 210 K and L/L⊙ = 19 ± 2. Finally we used these fundamental parameters together with the large frequency separation determined by asteroseismic observations to constrain the mass and the age of 10 Aql, using the CESAM stellar evolution code. Assuming a solar chemical composition and ignoring all kinds of diffusion and settling of elements, we obtained a mass M/M⊙ ~ 1.92 and an age of ~780 Gy or a mass M/M⊙ ~ 1.95 and an age of ~740 Gy, depending on the derived value of the bolometric flux. Conclusions. For the first time, thanks to the unique capabilities of VEGA, we managed to determine an accurate angular diameter for a star smaller than 0.3 mas and to derive its fundamental parameters. In particular, by only combining our interferometric data and the bolometric flux, we derived an effective temperature that can be compared to those derived from atmosphere models. Such fundamental parameters can help for testing the mechanism responsible for the excitation of the oscillations observed in the magnetic pulsating stars.
Determining the effective temperature of Ap stars, including the roAp stellar pulsators, is a difficult task owing to their strong magnetic field and their related spotted surfaces. Using the unique ...angular resolution provided by long-baseline visible interferometry, we aim at deriving accurate angular diameters of a number of Ap targets, so as to determine their unbiased effective temperature (Tsubeff) and their accurate position in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, to estimate their mass and age, and to test non-adiabatic pulsation models. We observed 78 Vir with the visible spectrograph VEGA installed at the combined focus of the CHARA long-baseline optical array. We derived the limb-darkened diameter of this Ap star from our interferometric measurements. The Ap star 78 Vir is found to be a promising roAp-star candidate and one that would allow us to extend recent tests on the roAp stars' excitation mechanism towards the blue edge of the instability strip. Asteroseismic data of this star would, therefore, be of strong interest.
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