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J. N. Fu

Publications and source records attributed to J. N. Fu.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

The PSR J0435+3233 Triple System

The detailed evolution of triple star systems is complicated and poorly known. Based on the optical/infrared and gamma-ray archived data, we identified that the pulsar, PSR~J0435+3233, is a gamma-ray pulsar in a hierarchical triple system, with a helium white dwarf (WD) as a close inner binary companion and a Sun-like star as the distant tertiary. PSR~J0435+3233 and the WD companion are in a circular orbit with a period of $P_{\rm orb1} = 8$~days and an eccentricity of $e=0.00016$.The tertiary is a G-type subgiant with a mass of $0.98(12) M_\odot$ at a distance of $2.1(4)$ kpc from the Earth. By simultaneously fitting the observed spin-period variations of the gamma-ray emission (over 16.7 years) and radio emission (over 4.6 years) from PSR~J0435+3233, the changes of the inner orbital parameters, the Shapiro delay, Gaia astrometry, and the outer companion mass, we determined the outer elliptical orbit for the tertiary, with a period $P_{\rm orb2} \sim 26900$~days and an eccentricity $e_2 = 0.5983$. The outer orbit is either nearly perpendicular to the inner orbit (mutual inclination $\sim 84^\circ$), or exhibits a moderate mutual inclination of $\sim 55^\circ$. For the former geometry, the pulsar, the WD, and the tertiary star have masses of $1.15^{+0.06}_{-0.04} M_\odot$, $0.271^{+0.010}_{-0.006} M_\odot$, and $0.96(4) M_\odot$, respectively; for the latter geometry, the corresponding masses are $1.29^{+0.14}_{-0.11} M_\odot$, $0.296^{+0.022}_{-0.018} M_\odot$, and $1.12^{+0.06}_{-0.05} M_\odot$. This is a unique triple system for detailed multi-band observations and for studying the evolutionary path and dynamic processes of a primordial triple star system. It will ultimately evolve into a system consisting of a neutron star and two white dwarfs.

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NGC 1647: A young open cluster with a broad main sequence observed with LAMOST

In this work we present the results of our analysis of medium-resolution LAMOST spectra of candidate members of the cluster NGC 1647 with the aim of determining the stellar parameters, activity level, lithium abundance, and to study the cluster properties. We used the code ROTFIT to determine the atmospheric parameters (Teff, logg, and [Fe/H]), radial velocity (Vr), and projected rotation velocity (vsini) for 158 cluster members. Moreover, for solar-type and cooler stars (Teff< 6500 K), we calculated the H-alpha and LiI-6708 net equivalent width by means of the subtraction of inactive photospheric templates. We determined the rotation periods for 160 stars by analyzing the available TESS photometry. We found four double-lined spectroscopic systems for which we provide the radial velocities of the two components. The Vr distribution of the cluster members peaks at -5.3 km/s with a dispersion of 1.6 km/s, while the average metallicity is [Fe/H]=-0.08$\pm$0.08 dex, in line with previous determinations. From the fitting of the spectral energy distribution of 160 likely members we infer the existence of a differential reddening across the cluster field with an average value of $A_V$=1.1 mag. The $A_V$ values show a distinct correlation with the color offset from the lower boundary of the main sequence; conversely, this offset appears to be uncorrelated with vsini. These two findings confirm that differential reddening is the primary driver behind the observed extended Main-Sequence Turn-Off (eMSTO) in this cluster. The age of NGC 1647, obtained from the lithium abundance, is 203$\pm$27 Myr, which is compatible with the values inferred from a gyrochronological approach and the isochrone fitting.

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LAMOST medium-resolution observations of the Pleiades

In this work we present the results of our analysis of medium-resolution LAMOST spectra of late-type candidate members of the Pleiades. We have used the code ROTFIT to determine the atmospheric parameters (Teff, logg, and [Fe/H]), radial velocity (RV), and projected rotation velocity (vsini) for 1581 spectra of 283 stars. Moreover, for late-type stars (Teff<6500 K), we also calculated the H$α$ and LiI-6708 net equivalent width by means of the subtraction of inactive photospheric templates. We have also used rotation periods available in the literature and we have determined them for 89 stars by analyzing TESS photometry. The RV distribution of the members peaks at 5.0 km/s with a dispersion of 1.4 km/s, while the average metallicity is [Fe/H]=-0.03$\pm$0.06, in line with previous determinations. Fitting empirical Lithium isochrones, we obtain a reliable age for the Pleiades of 118$\pm$6 Myr, in agreement with the recent literature. The activity indicators H$α$ line flux (Fha) and luminosity ratio (R'ha) show the hottest stars to be the less active ones. The R'ha values display the typical activity-rotation trend with the Rossby number with a steep decay for $R_{\rm O}\geq$0.2 and a nearly flat (saturated) activity level for smaller values. However, we still see a slight dependence on $R_{\rm O}$ in the saturated regime which is well fitted by a power law with a slope of $-0.18\pm0.02$, in agreement with some previous work. For three sources we have found LAMOST spectra acquired during flares showing strong and broad H$α$ profiles and the presence of the HeI-6678 emission line. We identify 39 possible SB1 and ten SB2 systems. We have also shown the potential of the LAMOST-MRS spectra, which allowed us to refine the orbital solution of some binary and to discover a new double-lined binary.

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Characterization of Kepler targets based on medium-resolution LAMOST spectra analyzed with ROTFIT

In this work we present the results of our analysis of 16,300 medium-resolution LAMOST spectra of late-type stars in the Kepler field with the aim of determining the stellar parameters, activity level, lithium atmospheric content, and binarity. We have used a version of the code ROTFIT specifically developed for these spectra. We provide a catalog with the atmospheric parameters (Teff, log(g), and [Fe/H]), radial velocity (RV), and projected rotation velocity (vsini). For cool stars (Teff < 6500 K), we also calculated the H-alpha and LiI-6708 equivalent width, which are important indicators of chromospheric activity and evolutionary stage, respectively. We have derived the RV and atmospheric parameters for 14,300 spectra of 7443 stars. Literature data were used for a quality control of the results. The Teff and log(g) values are in good agreement with the literature. The [Fe/H] values appear to be overestimated for metal-poor stars. We propose a relation to correct the [Fe/H] values derived with ROTFIT. We were able to identify double-lined binaries, stars with variable RVs, lithium-rich giants, and emission-line objects. Based on the H-alpha flux, we found 327 active stars. We detected the LiI-6708 line and measure its equivalent width for 1657 stars, both giants and stars on the main sequence. Regarding the latter, we performed a discrete age classification based on the atmospheric lithium abundance and the upper envelopes of a few open clusters. Among the giants, we found 195 Li-rich stars, 161 of which are reported here for the first time. No relationship is found between stellar rotation and lithium abundance, which allows us to rule out merger scenarios as the predominant explanation of the enrichment of Li in our sample. The fraction of Li-rich giants, about 4%, is higher than expected.

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Overview of the LAMOST-$Kepler$ project

The NASA $Kepler$ mission obtained long-term high-quality photometric observations for a large number of stars in its original field of view from 2009 to 2013. In order to provide reliable stellar parameters in a homogeneous way, the LAMOST telescope began to carry out low-resolution spectroscopic observations for as many stars as possible in the $Kepler$ field in 2012. By September 2018, 238,386 low-resolution spectra with SNR$_g \geq 6$ had been collected for 155,623 stars in the $Kepler$ field, enabling the determination of atmospheric parameters and radial velocities, as well as spectral classification of the target stars. This information has been used by astronomers to carry out research in various fields, including stellar pulsations and asteroseismology, exoplanets, stellar magnetic activity and flares, peculiar stars and the Milky Way, binary stars, etc. We summarize the research progress in these fields where the usage of data from the LAMOST-$Kepler$ (LK) project has played a role. In addition, time-domain medium-resolution spectroscopic observations have been carried out for about 12,000 stars in four central plates of the $Kepler$ field since 2018. The currently available results show that the LAMOST-$Kepler$ medium resolution (LK-MRS) observations provide qualified data suitable for research in additional science projects including binaries, high-amplitude pulsating stars, etc. As LAMOST is continuing to collect both low- and medium-resolution spectra of stars in the $Kepler$ field, we expect more data to be released continuously and new scientific results to appear based on the LK project data.

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Photometric and spectroscopic observations of the neglected near-contact binary Cl* Melotte 111 AV 1224

This paper presents a photometric and spectroscopic study of the short-period binary star Cl*~Melotte~111~AV~1224. Measurements in the $B$, $V$, and $R$ passbands obtained during three observing runs between 2014 and 2017 and medium-resolution spectra secured in 2014, are analyzed together with public data from the SuperWASP and LAMOST projects. Our light curves show marked asymmetry with a variable O'Connell effect. The SuperWASP photometry is used to derive a mean binary period of 0.345225 days. The analysis of the $(O-C)$ diagram reveals that the orbital period is decreasing at a rate of $dP/dt = -3.87 \times 10^{-6}$ days yr$^{-1}$, which may be caused by mass transfer from the more-massive component to the less-massive one. The system is found to be a single-lined spectroscopic binary with a systemic velocity, $γ= 1 \pm 3$ Km s$^{-1}$, and a semi-amplitude, K$_{1}$ = 21 $\pm$ 5 Km s$^{-1}$. The spectral classification and the effective temperature of the primary component are estimated to be K0V $\pm$ 1 and $5200 \pm 150$ K, respectively. The photometric and spectroscopic solutions reveal that Cl*~Melotte~111~AV~1224 is a low-mass ratio ($q=m_{2}/m_{1} \sim 0.11$), low-inclination ($\sim ~ 38^{\circ}$) near-contact system. The masses, radii and luminosity for the primary and secondary are estimated to be $1.02 \pm 0.06\, M_\odot$, $1.23 \pm 0.05\, R_\odot $, $1.01 \pm 0.06\, L_\odot$ and $0.11 \pm 0.08\, M_\odot$, $0.45 \pm 0.05\, R_\odot$, $0.10 \pm 0.06\, L_\odot$, respectively. The marginal contact, together with the period decrease, suggests that this binary system may be at a key evolutionary stage, as predicted by the theory of thermal relaxation oscillations.

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Photometric and Spectroscopic Observations of the Algol Type Binary V Triangle

Time-series, multi-color photometry and high-resolution spectra of the short period eclipsing binary V Tri were obtained by observations. The completely covered light and radial velocity curves of the binary system are presented. All times of light minima derived from both photoelectric and CCD photometry were used to calculate the orbital period and new ephemerides of the eclipsing system. The analysis of $O-C$ diagram reveals that the orbital period is $0.58520481\ days$, decreasing at a rate of $dP/dt=-7.80\times10^{-8} d\ yr^{-1} $. The mass transfer between the two components and the light time-travel effect due to a third body could be used to explain the period decrease. However, a semidetached configuration with the less-mass component filling and the primary nearly filling each of their Roche lobes was derived from the synthesis of the light and radial velocity curves by using the 2015 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. We consider the period decrease to be the nonconservative mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary and the mass loss of the system, which was thought to be an EB type while it should be an EA type (semi-detached Algol-type) from our study. The masses, radii and luminosities of the primary and secondary are $1.60\pm0.07 M_\odot$, $1.64\pm0.02 R_\odot$, $14.14\pm0.73 L_\odot$ and $0.74\pm0.02 M_\odot$, $1.23\pm0.02 R_\odot$, $1.65\pm0.05 L_\odot$, respectively.

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Exoplanet Orbital Eccentricities Derived From LAMOST-Kepler Analysis

The nearly circular (mean eccentricity ~0.06) and coplanar (mean mutual inclination ~3 deg) orbits of the Solar System planets motivated Kant and Laplace to put forth the hypothesis that planets are formed in disks, which has developed into the widely accepted theory of planet formation. Surprisingly, the first several hundred extrasolar planets (mostly Jovian) discovered using the Radial Velocity (RV) technique are commonly on eccentric orbits ( ~ 0.3). This raises a fundamental question: Are the Solar System and its formation special? The Kepler mission has found thousands of transiting planets dominated by sub-Neptunes, but most of their orbital eccentricities remain unknown. By using the precise spectroscopic host star parameters from the LAMOST observations, we measure the eccentricity distributions for a large (698) and homogeneous Kepler planet sample with transit duration statistics. Nearly half of the planets are in systems with single transiting planets (singles), while the other half are multiple-transiting planets (multiples). We find an eccentricity dichotomy: on average, Kepler singles are on eccentric orbits with ~0.3, while the multiples are on nearly circular ( = 0.04^{+0.03}_{-0.04}) and coplanar ( = 1.4^{+0.8}_{-1.1} deg) orbits similar to the Solar System planets. Our results are consistent with previous studies of smaller samples and individual systems. We also show that Kepler multiples and solar system objects follow a common relation ~(1-2)x between mean eccentricities and mutual inclinations. The prevalence of circular orbits and the common relation may imply that the solar system is not so atypical in the galaxy after all.

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Activity indicators and stellar parameters of the Kepler targets. An application of the ROTFIT pipeline to LAMOST-Kepler stellar spectra

The LAMOST-Kepler survey, whose spectra are analyzed in the present paper, is the first large spectroscopic project aimed at characterizing these sources. Our work is focused at selecting emission-line objects and chromospherically active stars and on the evaluation of the atmospheric parameters. We have used a version of the code ROTFIT that exploits a wide and homogeneous collection of real star spectra, i.e. the Indo US library. We provide a catalog with the atmospheric parameters (Teff, logg, [Fe/H]), the radial velocity (RV) and an estimate of the projected rotation velocity (vsini). For cool stars (Teff<6000 K) we have also calculated the H-alpha and CaII-IRT chromospheric fluxes. We have derived the RV and the atmospheric parameters for 61,753 spectra of 51,385 stars. Literature data for a few hundred stars have been used to do a quality control of our results. The final accuracy of RV, Teff, logg, and [Fe/H] measurements is about 14 km/s, 3.5%, 0.3 dex, and 0.2 dex, respectively. However, while the Teff values are in very good agreement with the literature, we noted some issues with the determination of [Fe/H] of metal poor stars and the tendency, for logg, to cluster around the values typical for main sequence and red giant stars. We propose correction relations based on these comparison. The RV distribution is asymmetric and shows an excess of stars with negative RVs which is larger at low metallicities. We could identify stars with variable RV, ultrafast rotators, and emission-line objects. Based on the H-alpha and CaII-IRT fluxes, we have found 442 chromospherically active stars, one of which is a likely accreting object. The availability of precise rotation periods from the Kepler photometry has allowed us to study the dependency of the chromospheric fluxes on the rotation rate for a quite large sample of field stars.

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LAMOST observations in the Kepler field. Database of low-resolution spectra

The nearly continuous light curves with micromagnitude precision provided by the space mission Kepler are revolutionising our view of pulsating stars. They have revealed a vast sea of low-amplitude pulsation modes that were undetectable from Earth. The long time base of Kepler light curves allows an accurate determination of frequencies and amplitudes of pulsation modes needed for in-depth asteroseismic modeling. However, for an asteroseismic study to be successful, the first estimates of stellar parameters need to be known and they can not be derived from the Kepler photometry itself. The Kepler Input Catalog (KIC) provides values for the effective temperature, the surface gravity and the metallicity, but not always with a sufficient accuracy. Moreover, information on the chemical composition and rotation rate is lacking. We are collecting low-resolution spectra for objects in the Kepler field of view with the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST, Xinglong observatory, China). All of the requested fields have now been observed at least once. In this paper we describe those observations and provide a database of use to the whole astronomical community.

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A comprehensive study of the open cluster NGC 6866

We present CCD $UBVRI$ photometry of the field of the open cluster NGC 6866. Structural parameters of the cluster are determined utilizing the stellar density profile of the stars in the field. We calculate the probabilities of the stars being a physical member of the cluster using their astrometric data and perform further analyses using only the most probable members. The reddening and metallicity of the cluster were determined by independent methods. The LAMOST spectra and the ultraviolet excess of the F and G type main-sequence stars in the cluster indicate that the metallicity of the cluster is about the solar value. We estimated the reddening $E(B-V)=0.074 \pm 0.050$ mag using the $U-B$ vs $B-V$ two-colour diagram. The distance modula, the distance and the age of NGC 6866 were derived as $μ= 10.60 \pm 0.10$ mag, $d=1189 \pm 75$ pc and $t = 813 \pm 50$ Myr, respectively, by fitting colour-magnitude diagrams of the cluster with the PARSEC isochrones. The Galactic orbit of NGC 6866 indicates that the cluster is orbiting in a slightly eccentric orbit with $e=0.12$. The mass function slope $x=1.35 \pm 0.08$ was derived by using the most probable members of the cluster.

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On the Metallicities of Kepler Stars

We use 12000 stars from Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) spectroscopic data to show that the metallicities of Kepler field stars as given in the Kepler Input Catalog (KIC) systematically underestimate both the true metallicity and the dynamic range of the Kepler sample. Specifically, to the first order approximation, we find [Fe/H]_KIC = -0.20 + 0.43 [Fe/H]_LAMOST, with a scatter of ~0.25 dex, due almost entirely to errors in KIC. This relation is most secure for -0.3<[Fe/H]_LAMOST<+0.4 where we have >200 comparison stars per 0.1 dex bin and good consistency is shown between metallicities determined by LAMOST and high-resolution spectra. It remains approximately valid in a slightly broader range. When the relation is inverted, the error in true metallicity as derived from KIC is (0.25 dex)/0.43~0.6 dex. We thereby quantitatively confirm the cautionary note by Brown et al. (2011) that KIC estimates of [Fe/H] should not be used by "anyone with a particular interest in stellar metallicities". Fortunately, many more LAMOST spectroscopic metallicities will be available in the near future.

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Seismic constraints on the radial dependence of the internal rotation profiles of six Kepler subgiants and young red giants

Context : We still do not know which mechanisms are responsible for the transport of angular momentum inside stars. The recent detection of mixed modes that contain the signature of rotation in the spectra of Kepler subgiants and red giants gives us the opportunity to make progress on this issue. Aims: Our aim is to probe the radial dependance of the rotation profiles for a sample of Kepler targets. For this purpose, subgiants and early red giants are particularly interesting targets because their rotational splittings are more sensitive to the rotation outside the deeper core than is the case for their more evolved counterparts. Methods: We first extract the rotational splittings and frequencies of the modes for six young Kepler red giants. We then perform a seismic modeling of these stars using the evolutionary codes CESAM2k and ASTEC. By using the observed splittings and the rotational kernels of the optimal models, we perform inversions of the internal rotation profiles of the six stars. Results: We obtain estimates of the mean rotation rate in the core and in the convective envelope of these stars. We show that the rotation contrast between the core and the envelope increases during the subgiant branch. Our results also suggest that the core of subgiants spins up with time, contrary to the RGB stars whose core has been shown to spin down. For two of the stars, we show that a discontinuous rotation profile with a deep discontinuity reproduces the observed splittings significantly better than a smooth rotation profile. Interestingly, the depths that are found most probable for the discontinuities roughly coincide with the location of the H-burning shell, which separates the layers that contract from those that expand. These results will bring observational constraints to the scenarios of angular momentum transport in stars.

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Extensive study of HD 25558, a long-period double-lined binary with two SPB components

We carried out an extensive observational study of the Slowly Pulsating B (SPB) star, HD 25558. The ~2000 spectra obtained at different observatories, the ground-based and MOST satellite light curves revealed that this object is a double-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of about 9 years. The observations do not allow the inference of an orbital solution. We determined the physical parameters of the components, and found that both lie within the SPB instability strip. Accordingly, both show line-profile variations due to stellar pulsations. Eleven independent frequencies were identified in the data. All the frequencies were attributed to one of the two components based on Pixel-by-pixel variability analysis of the line profiles. Spectroscopic and photometric mode identification was also performed for the frequencies of both stars. These results suggest that the inclination and rotation of the two components are rather different. The primary is a slow rotator with ~6 d period, seen at ~60 deg inclination, while the secondary rotates fast with ~1.2 d period, and is seen at ~20 inclination. Spectropolarimetric measurements revealed that the secondary component has a magnetic field with at least a few hundred Gauss strength, while no magnetic field can be detected in the primary.

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Asterosesimology of the Delta Scuti Star V650 Tauri

The preliminary results of a multisite photometric campaign on the Pleiades Delta Scuti variable V650 Tauri are reported. The star was observed photometrically for 14 days during 2008 November from three observatories distributed in Longitude around the Earth. As a result of the preliminary analysis we have detected in V650 Tauri at least nine oscillation frequencies above a 99% confidence level.

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Preliminary results from the STEPHI2009 campaign on the open cluster NGC 1817

We present preliminary observational results of the multi-site STEPHI campaign on the cluster NGC 1817. The three observatories involved are San Pedro Martir (Mexico), Xing Long (China) and the Observatorio del Teide (Spain) - giving an ideal combination to maximise the duty cycle. The cluster has 12 known delta Scuti stars and at least two detached eclipsing binary systems. This combination of characteristics is ideal for extracting information about global parameters of the targets, which will in turn impose strict constraints on the stellar models. From an initial comparison with stellar models using the known fundamental parameters, and just the observed pulsation frequencies and measured effective temperatures, it appears that a lower value of initial helium mass fraction will most likely explain the observations of these stars.

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Photometric multi-site campaign on the open cluster NGC 884 I. Detection of the variable stars

CONTEXT: Recent progress in the seismic interpretation of field beta Cep stars has resulted in improvements of the physics in the stellar structure and evolution models of massive stars. Further asteroseismic constraints can be obtained from studying ensembles of stars in a young open cluster, which all have similar age, distance and chemical composition. AIMS: To improve our comprehension of the beta Cep stars, we studied the young open cluster NGC 884 to discover new B-type pulsators, besides the two known beta Cep stars, and other variable stars. METHODS: An extensive multi-site campaign was set up to gather accurate CCD photometry time series in four filters (U, B, V, I) of a field of NGC884. Fifteen different instruments collected almost 77500 CCD images in 1286 hours. The images were calibrated and reduced to transform the CCD frames into interpretable differential light curves. Various variability indicators and frequency analyses were applied to detect variable stars in the field. Absolute photometry was taken to deduce some general cluster and stellar properties. RESULTS: We achieved an accuracy for the brightest stars of 5.7 mmag in V, 6.9 mmag in B, 5.0 mmag in I and 5.3 mmag in U. The noise level in the amplitude spectra is 50 micromag in the V band. Our campaign confirms the previously known pulsators, and we report more than one hundred new multi- and mono-periodic B-, A- and F-type stars. Their interpretation in terms of classical instability domains is not straightforward, pointing to imperfections in theoretical instability computations. In addition, we have discovered six new eclipsing binaries and four candidates as well as other irregular variable stars in the observed field.

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CCD Photometry of the Pleiades Delta Scuti Star V650 Tauri

The preliminary results of a three-site CCD photometric campaign are reported. The $δ$ Scuti variable V650 Tauri belonging to the Pleiades cluster was observed photometrically for 14 days on three continents during 2008 November. An overall run of 164 hr of data was collected. At least five significant frequencies for V650 Tauri have been detected.

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