arXiv subjects

Catherine Lovekin

Publications and source records attributed to Catherine Lovekin.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Study of photometric and spectral variability of the roAp star HD~210684

This paper studies photometric and spectropolarimetric variability of HD210684 in order to derive its magnetic properties, rotational period, evolutionary stage, and global stellar parameters. The Discrete Fourier Transform is used to measure frequencies and amplitudes of periodic signals present in light curves of HD210684. Evolution models are calculated with MESA, while roAp type pulsations are simulated with GYRE. The values of $T_{eff}$, log(g), $v\sin{i}$, and radial velocity (RV) are derived from the best fit of Balmer line profiles using FITSB2. The Least Square Deconvolution (LSD) method is applied to available Stokes I&V spectra to measure the mean longitudinal magnetic field and RV. Detailed analysis of photometric variability reveals rotational modulation with period P=5.02188$\pm$0.00005d and splitting of high-overtone pulsations that corresponds to the same rotational period. Derived measurements also show periodic variability with P=5.02188d, but this variability appears to be different from the one predicted by a centred magnetic dipole model. We have determined the inclination angle between the line of sight and the rotation axis to be $i = 31^{\circ} \pm 2^{\circ}$, and the angle between the rotation and magnetic dipole axes as $β= 77^{\circ} \pm 3^{\circ}$. Simulations of stellar pulsations constrain $\log T_{eff}$<3.85 and show that our best fitting model depends on whether the observed modes are $\ell = 1$ or $\ell =2$. Considering the derived value of $β$, we prefer the best fit model with $\ell =2$ mode, which predicts that HD210684 lies on the main sequence with an age of approximately 1.45Gyr. The best fit of Balmer line profiles has resulted in higher values of $T_{eff}$ and log(g) for spectra acquired at rotational phases $φ$= 0.14 - 0.39 suggesting visibility of an area with higher surface temperature.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2022

Using Computational Models to Uncover the Parameters of Three Kepler Binaries: KIC 5957123, KIC 8314879, and KIC 10727668

Theories of stellar convective core overshoot can be examined through analysis of pulsating stars. Better accuracy can be achieved by obtaining external constraints such as those provided by observing pulsating stars in eclipsing binary systems, but this requires that the binary parameters be identified so photometric variations of the pulsating component may be isolated from the binary periodicity. This study aims to uncover the physical parameters of three binaries observed by the Kepler spacecraft. We also seek to evaluate the feasibility of accurately constraining binaries using only readily available time-series photometry and distance estimates. Binary models were constructed using the Physics of Eclipsing Binaries (PHOEBE) software package. Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods were used to sample the parameter space of these models and provide estimates of the posterior distributions for these systems. An initial run using binned light curve data was performed to identify general parameter trends and provide initializing distributions for a subsequent analysis incorporating the full data set. We present theoretical models for all three binaries, along with posterior distributions from our MCMC analyses. Models for KIC 8314879 and KIC 10727668 produced a good match to the observed data, while the model of KIC 5957123 failed to generate an appropriate synthetic light curve. For the two successful models, we interpret the posterior distributions and discuss confidence in our parameter estimates and uncertainties. We also evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in various contexts, and propose several modifications to improve the success of future studies.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2021

Five years of BRITE-Constellation photometry of the luminous blue variable P Cygni: properties of the stochastic low-frequency variability

Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) are massive stars that are likely to be a transitionary phase between O stars and hydrogen-free classical Wolf-Rayet stars. The variability of these stars has been an area of study for both professional and amateur astronomers for more than a century. In this paper, we present five years of precision photometry of the classical LBV P Cygni taken with the BRITE-Constellation nanosatellites. We have analyzed these data with Fourier analysis to search for periodicities that could elucidate the drivers of variability for these stars. These data show some long-timescale variability over the course of all six calendar years of observations, but the frequencies needed to reproduce the individual light curves are not consistent from one year to the next. These results likely show that there is no periodic phenomenon present for P Cygni, meaning that the variability is largely stochastic. We interpret the data as being caused by internal gravity waves similar to those seen in other massive stars, with P Cygni exhibiting a larger amplitude and lower characteristic frequency than the main-sequence or blue supergiant stars previously studied. These results show evidence that LBVs may be an extrapolation of the blue supergiants, which have previously been shown to be an extension of main-sequence stars in the context of the stochastic low-frequency photometric variability.

astro-ph.SR↗