arXiv subjects

Maurice Audejean

Publications and source records attributed to Maurice Audejean.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

The elusive chase for the first RR Lyr star in a binary system: the case of KIC 2831097

The lack of RR Lyr stars in binary systems is an atypical fact when we compared it to other classes of variables. Therefore, it has become a challenge for observers to detect an RR Lyr variable in a binary system. The RR Lyr variable KIC 2831097 was one of the most promising candidates. The phases of maximum brightness in the Kepler photometry showed a regular variation superimposed on a parabolic trend. These variations in the times of maximum brightness (Tmax ) were interpreted as a possible light-time travel effect (LTTE) in a wide binary and a fast evolutionary change in the period. We planned two spectroscopic runs with the FIES instrument mounted at the NOT to test the hypothesis of binarity. The observations were programmed at the predicted quadratures of the orbit. The GEOS collaboration complemented the spectroscopic survey by a photometric one. We also analysed Gaia time series and intensive TESS photometry. The RV curves obtained at the quadratures show the same mean RV (-203 km/s), which rules the possibility of an LTTE out. KIC 2831097 is a single high-velocity metal-poor RRc star belonging to the Galactic halo. We revisited Kepler photometry and detected a weak Blazhko effect consisting of an oscillation of only 1.1% of the period in about 50 d. We also analysed the TESS photometry of Kepler-1601, whose photometry is contaminated by KIC 2831097. In total, we collected 3624 times of maximum brightness. Linear ephemerides cannot fit the whole dataset, but only parts of them. The period shows a tendency to decrease in value, as if it were an evolutionary effect, but not at a constant rate.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

The solar survey at Pic du Midi: calibrated data and improved images

At Pic du Midi observatory we carry out a solar survey with images of the photosphere, prominences and corona. This survey, named CLIMSO (CLIchés Multiples du SOleil), is in the following spectral lines: Fe XIII corona (1.075 micron), H-alpha (656.3 nm) and He I (1.083 micron) prominences, H-alpha and Ca II (393.4 nm) photosphere. All frames cover 1.3 times the diameter of the Sun with an angular resolution approaching one arc second. The frame rate is one per minute per channel (weather permitting) for the prominences and chromosphere, and one per hour for the Fe XIII corona. This survey started in 2007 for the disk and prominences, and in 2015 for the corona. We have almost completed one solar cycle, and hope to cover several more, keeping the same wavelengths or adding others. Aims: Make the CLIMSO images easier to use and more profitable for the scientific community. Methods: Providing 'science-ready' data. We have improved the contrast capabilities of our coronagraphs, which now provide images of the Fe XIII corona, in addition to the previous spectral channels. We have also implemented an autoguiding system based on a diffractive Fresnel array for precise positioning of the Sun behind the coronagraphic masks. Results: The data (images and films) are publicly available and downloadable through virtual observatories and dedicated sites: e.g. http://climso.irap.omp.eu. For the H-alpha and and Ca II channels we calibrate the data into physical units, independent of atmospheric or instrumental conditions: we provide solar maps of spectral radiances inW m^-2 sr^-1 nm^-1. The instrumental improvements and the calibration process are presented in this paper.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2016

The magnificent past of RR Lyrae variables

The history of the observations of RR Lyr variables started in the XIXth century, more than 120 years ago. The very long time baseline of available data combined with the short period of RR Lyrae variables offer an unique opportunity to look at their past as a treasure of valuable information. At this purpose, the amateur/professional association Groupe Europeen d'Observations Stellaires (GEOS) has built a database aimed to gather all the published maxima. We could study the period changes due to stellar evolution. Most of the 123 scrutinized RRab stars does not show any significant period variation. This reflects the fact that the rapid evolution is confined in short evolutionary phases. Notwithstanding this, we could put in evidence period increases in 27 stars and decreases in 21 ones. We also used the GEOS database to study the Blazhko effect of galactic RRab stars. The closed curves representing the Blazhko effect are constructed by plotting the magnitudes at maximum vs. the O-C values. We obtained a variegate family of Blazhko "potatoes". We could also reconstruct the changes in the pulsational and Blazhko periods of RR Lyr itself, resulted to be completely decoupled. Moreover, the amplitude of the Blazhko effect decreased so much to be hardly detectable by looking at the maxima collected in 2014 only. The effect seems to start again in the 2015 data.

astro-ph.SR↗