arXiv subjects

R. Michel

Publications and source records attributed to R. Michel.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2018

Asteroseismology of the Double-Mode High-Amplitude $δ$ Scuti Star VX Hydrae

Bi-site time-series photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic observations were made for the double-mode high-amplitude $δ$ Scuti star VX\ Hya. The fundamental frequency $f_{0}=4.4763\ \rm{c\ days^{-1}}$, the first overtone $f_{1}=5.7897\ \rm{c\ days^{-1}}$ and 23 harmonics and linear combinations of $f_{0}$ and $f_{1}$ are detected by pulsation analysis. From the spectroscopic data, we get $\rm{[Fe/H] = -0.2\pm0.1\ dex}$. The period change rate of the fundamental mode is obtained by using the Fourier-phase diagram method, which gives the value of $(1/P_{0})(dP_{0}/dt)=(1.81\pm0.09) \times 10^{-7}\ \rm{yr}^{-1}$. With these results from the observations, we perform theoretical explorations with the stellar evolution code MESA, and constrain the models by fitting $f_{0}$, $f_{1}$, and $(1/P_{0})(dP_{0}/dt)$ within $3σ$ deviations. The results show that the period change of VX\ Hya could be ascribed to the evolutionary effect. The stellar parameters of VX\ Hya could be derived as: the mass $2.385\pm0.025\ M_{\odot}$, the luminosity $\log(L/L_{\odot})=1.93\pm0.02$ and the age $(4.43\pm0.13)\times 10^8$ years. VX\ Hya is found to locate at the post-main-sequence stage with a helium core and a hydrogen-burning shell on the H${-}$R diagram.

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arXiv2018

First Multicolor Photometry of 1SWASP J130111.22+420214.0 and 1SWASP J231839.72+352848.2

The first multicolor observations and light curve solutions of the stars 1SWASP J130111.22+420214.0 and 1SWASP J231839.72+352848.2 are presented. The estimated physical parameters of 1SWASP J130111.22+420214.0 are $M_1=1.0M_{\odot}$, $M_2=1.63M_{\odot}$, $R_1=0.77R_{\odot}$, $R_2=0.91R_{\odot}$, $L_1=0.59L_{\odot}$, and $L_2=0.68L_{\odot}$. While a binary model could not be fitted to the light curve of 1SWASP J231839.72+352848.2, its Fourier series representation indicates that this system could well be a rotating ellipsoidal variable. The components of 1SWASP J130111.22+420214.0 are also compared to other well--known binary systems and their position in mass--radius plane and the Hertzsprung--Russel diagram are argued and possible evolutionary statuses are discussed.

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arXiv2018

Period changes in the RR Lyrae stars of NGC 6171 (M107)

Based on photometric data obtained between 1935 and 2017, $O-C$ diagrams were built for 22 RR Lyrae stars in the globular cluster NGC 6171, leading to the discovery of secular period changes in 4 variables for which we have calculated their period change rates $β$. In contrast we find that $82\%$ of the sample stars have stable periods over the last 82 years. For the stable period stars, the whole data base has been employed to refine their periods. Among the period changing stars, three (V10, V12 and V16) have decreasing periods larger than expected from stellar evolution. Despite these individual cases of significant period change rate, the golbal average of the measured period changes in the cluster is basically zero, in consonance with theoretical predictions for clusters with redder horizontal branches. The hitherto unpublished observations, now brought into public domain, are employed to calculate a set of times of maximum light which are used in the present analysis.

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arXiv2017

First photometric study of ultrashort-period contact binary 1SWASP J140533.33+114639.1

In this paper, CCD photometric light curves for the short-period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J140533.33+114639.1 (hereafter J1405) in the $BVR$ bands are presented and analyzed using the 2013 version of the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) code. It is discovered that the J1405 is a W-subtype shallow contact binary with a contact degree of $f$ = 7.9$\pm$ 0.5\% and a mass ratio of $q$ = 1.55 $\pm$ 0.02. In order to explain the asymmetric light curves of the system, a cool star-spot on the more massive component was employed. This shallow contact eclipsing binary may be formed from a short-period detached system through the orbital shrinkage due to angular momentum loss. Based on $(O-C)$ method, the variation of the orbital period was studied using all the available times of the minimum light. The $(O-C)$ diagram reveals that the period is increasing continuously at a rate of $dP/dt=+2.09\times{10^{-7}}$days yr$^{-1}$, which can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one.

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arXiv2017

Light Curve Modelling and Evolutionary Status of the Short Period Binary 1SWASP J092328.76+435044

Light curve modeling for the newly discovered system 1SWASP J092328.76+435044 was carried out by using a new BVR complete light curves. A spotted model was applied to treat the asymmetry of the light curves. The output model was obtained by means of Wilson-Devinney code, which reveals that the massive component is hotter than the less massive one with about ΔT ~ 400K. A total of 8 new times of minima were estimated. The evolutionary state of the system components was investigated based on the estimated physical parameters.

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arXiv2017

Asteroseismology of the ZZ Ceti star KUV 08368+4026

Asteroseismology is a unique tool to explore the internal structure of stars through both observational and theoretical research. The internal structure of pulsating hydrogen shell white dwarfs (ZZ Ceti stars) detected by asteroseismology is regarded as the representative of all DA white dwarfs. Observations for KUV~08368+4026, which locates in the middle of the ZZ Ceti instability strip, have been carried out in 1999 and from 2009 to 2012 with either single-site runs or multisite campaigns. Time-series photometric data of about 300 hours were collected in total. Through data reduction and analysis, 30 frequencies were extracted, including four triplets, two doublets, one single mode and further signals. The independent modes are identified as either l=1 or l=2 modes. Hence, a rotation period of $5.52\pm 0.22$ days was deduced from the period spacing in the multiplets. Theoretical static models were built and a best fit model for KUV~08368+4026 was obtained with $0.692\pm0.002$ solar mass, $(2.92\pm0.02)\times 10^{-3}$ solar luminosity and the hydrogen mass fraction of $10^{-4}$ stellar mass.

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arXiv2017

A New Stellar Outburst Associated with the Magnetic Activities of the K-type Dwarf in a White-dwarf Binary

1SWASP\,J162117.36$+$441254.2 was originally classified as an EW-type binary with a period of 0.20785\,days. However, it was detected to have undergone a stellar outburst on June 3, 2016. Although the system was latter classified as a cataclysmic variable (CV) and the event was attributed as a dwarf-nova outburst, the physical reason is still unknown. This binary has been monitored photometrically since April 19, 2016 and many light curves were obtained before, during and after the outburst. Those light and color curves observed before the outburst indicate that the system is a special CV. The white dwarf is not accreting material from the secondary and there are no accretion disks surrounding the white dwarf. By comparing the light curves obtained from April 19 to September 14, 2016, it was found that magnetic activity of the secondary is associated with the outburst. We show strong evidence that the $L_1$ region on the secondary was heavily spotted before and after the outburst and thus quench the mass transfer, while the outburst is produced by a sudden mass accretion of the white dwarf. These results suggest that J162117 is a good astrophysical laboratory to study stellar magnetic activity and its influences on CV mass transfer and mass accretion.

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arXiv2017

The white dwarf binary pathways survey - II. Radial velocities of 1453 FGK stars with white dwarf companions from LAMOST DR4

We present the second paper of a series of publications aiming at obtaining a better understanding regarding the nature of type Ia supernovae (SNIa) progenitors by studying a large sample of detached F, G and K main sequence stars in close orbits with white dwarf companions (i.e. WD+FGK binaries). We employ the LAMOST (Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope) data release 4 spectroscopic data base together with GALEX (Galaxy Evolution Explorer) ultraviolet fluxes to identify 1,549 WD+FGK binary candidates (1,057 of which are new), thus doubling the number of known sources. We measure the radial velocities of 1,453 of these binaries from the available LAMOST spectra and/or from spectra obtained by us at a wide variety of different telescopes around the globe. The analysis of the radial velocity data allows us to identify 24 systems displaying more than 3sigma radial velocity variation that we classify as close binaries. We also discuss the fraction of close binaries among WD+FGK systems, which we find to be ~10 per cent, and demonstrate that high-resolution spectroscopy is required to efficiently identify double-degenerate SNIa progenitor candidates.

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arXiv2016

Doppler Tomography and Photometry of the Cataclysmic Variable 1RXS J064434.5+334451

We have obtained simultaneous photometric and spectroscopic observations of the cataclysmic variable 1RXS J064434.5+334451. We have calibrated the spectra for slit losses using the simultaneous photometry allowing to construct reliable Doppler images from H$α$ and HeII 4686 emission lines. We have improved the ephemeris of the object based on new photometric eclipse timings, obtaining $HJD = 2453403.759533 + 0.26937446E$. Some eclipses present a clear internal structure which we attribute to a central HeII emission region surrounding the white dwarf, a finding supported by the Doppler tomography. This indicates that the system has a large inclination angle $i=78 \pm 2^{\circ}$. We have also analysed the radial velocity curve from the emission lines to measure its semi--amplitude, $K_1$, from H$α$ and HeII 4686 and derive the masses of the components: $M_1=0.82\pm0.06$ M$_{\odot}$, $M_2=0.78\pm0.04$ M$_{\odot}$ and their separation $a=2.01\pm0.06$ $R_{\odot}$. The Doppler tomography and other observed features in this nova-like system strongly suggests that this is a SW Sex-type system.

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arXiv2016

A Radial Velocity Study of the Intermediate Polar EX Hydrae

A study on the intermediate polar EX Hya is presented, based on simultaneous photometry and high dispersion spectroscopic observations, during four consecutive nights. The strong photometric modulation related to with the 67-min spin period of the primary star is clearly present, as well as the narrow eclipses associated to the orbital modulation. Since our eclipse timings have been obtained almost 91,000 cycles since the last reported observations, we present new linear ephemeris, although we cannot rule out a sinusoidal variation suggested by previous authors. The system mainly shows double-peaked H$α$, H$β$ and HeI $λ$5876 Åemission lines. From the profile of the H$α$ line, we find two components; one with a steep rise and velocities not larger than $\sim$1000 km s$^{-1}$ and another broader component extending up to $\sim$2000 km s$^{-1}$, which we interpret as coming mainly from the inner disc. A strong and variable hotspot is found and a stream-like structure is seen at times. We show that the best solution correspond to $K_1 = 58 \pm 5$ km s$^{-1}$ from H$α$, from the two emission components, which are both in phase with the orbital modulation. We remark on a peculiar effect in the radial velocity curve around phase zero, which could be interpreted as a Rositter-MacLaughlin-like effect, which has been taken into account before deriving $K_1$. This value is compatible with the values found in high-resolution both in the ultraviolet and X-ray. We find: $M_{1} = 0.78 \pm 0.03$ M$_{\odot}$, $ M_{2} = 0.10 \pm 0.02$ M$_{\odot}$ and $a = 0.67 \pm 0.01$ R$_{\odot}$. Doppler Tomography has been applied, to construct six Doppler tomograms for single orbital cycles spanning the four days of observations to support our conclusions. Our results indicate that EX Hya has a well formed disc and that the magnetosphere should extend only to about $3.75\,R_{\rm{WD}}$.

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arXiv2016

ROTSE1 J164341.65+251748.1: a new W UMa-type eclipsing binary

ROTSE1 J164341.65+251748.1 was photometrically observed in the V band during three epochs with the 0.84-m telescope of the San Pedro Mártir Observatory in Mexico. Based on additional BVR photometry, we find that the primary star has a spectral type around G0V. The light curve of the system is typical of a W~UMa type binary stars and has an orbital period of $\sim$ 0.323 days. In an effort to gain a better understanding of the binary system and determine its physical properties, we analyzed the light curve with the Wilson and Devinney method. We found that ROTSE1 J164341.65+251748.1 has a mass ratio of $\sim$ 0.34 and that the less massive component is over 230 K hotter than the primary star. The inclination of the system is $\sim$ 84.6 degrees, and the {\bf degree} of over-contact is 11\%. The analysis shows the presence of variable bright spots on the primary star.

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arXiv2014

Multi-filter transit observations of WASP-39b and WASP-43b with three San Pedro Mártir telescopes

Three optical telescopes located at the San Pedro Mártir National Observatory were used for the first time to obtain multi-filter defocused photometry of the transiting extrasolar planets WASP-39b and WASP-43b. We observed WASP-39b with the 2.12m telescope in the U filter for the first time, and additional observations were carried out in the R and I filters using the 0.84m telescope. WASP-43b was observed in VRI with the same instrument, and in the i filter with the robotic 1.50m telescope. We reduced the data using different pipelines and performed aperture photometry with the help of custom routines, in order to obtain the light curves. The fit of the light curves (1.5--2.5mmag rms), and of the period analysis, allowed a revision of the orbital and physical parameters, revealing for WASP-39b a period ($4.0552947 \pm 9.65 \times 10^{-7}$ days) which is $3.084 \pm 0.774$ seconds larger than previously reported. Moreover, we find for WASP-43b a planet/star radius ($0.1738 \pm 0.0033$) which is $0.01637 \pm 0.00371$ larger in the i filter with respect to previous works, and that should be confirmed with additional observations. Finally, we confirm no evidence of constant period variations in WASP-43b.

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arXiv2014

Web-based tools for the analysis of TAOS data and much more

We suggest a new web-based approach for browsing and visualizing data produced by a network of telescopes, such as those of the ongoing TAOS and the forthcoming TAOS II projects. We propose a modern client-side technology and we present two examples based on two software packages developed for different kinds of server- side database approaches. In spite our examples are specific for the browsing of TAOS light curves, the software is coded in a way to be suitable for the use in several types of astronomical projects.

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arXiv2014

Automated differential photometry of TAOS data: preliminary analysis

A preliminary data analysis of the stellar light curves obtained by the robotic telescopes of the TAOS project is presented. We selected a data run relative to one of the stellar fields observed by three of the four TAOS telescopes, and we investigate the common trend and the correlation between the light curves. We propose two ways to remove these trends and show the preliminary results. A project aimed at flagging interesting behaviors, such as stellar variability, and to set up an automated follow-up with the San Pedro Mártir Facilities is on the way.

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arXiv2014

Searching for short-period variable stars in the direction of Coma Berenices and Upgren 1 open clusters: Melotte 111 AV 1224 a new eclipsing binary star

We report the results of CCD photometric observations in the direction of the Coma Berenices and Upgren 1 open clusters with the aim at searching for new short-period variable stars. A total of 35 stars were checked for variability. As a result of this search the star designated in the SIMBAD database as Melotte 111 AV 1224 was found to be a new eclipsing binary star. Follow-up Strömgren photometric and spectroscopic observations allowed us to derive the spectral type, distance, reddening and effective temperature of the star. A preliminary analysis of the binary light curve was performed and the parameters of the orbital system were derived. From the derived physical parameters we conclude that Melotte 111 AV 1224 is most likely a W UMa eclipsing binary that is not a member of the Coma Berenices open cluster. On other hand, we did not find evidence of brightness variations in the stars NSV 5612 and NSV 5615 previously catalogued as variable stars in Coma Berenices open cluster.

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arXiv2013

Characterizing the variability of Melotte 111 AV 1224: a new variable star in the Coma Berenices open cluster

A search for new pulsating stars in the Coma Berenices open cluster was carried out. As a result of this search the cluster member Melotte 111 AV 1224 presented clear indications of photometric variability. In order to determine its physical parameters Strömgren standard indices and low-resolution spectra were acquired. In this work we present the preliminary results of these observations.

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arXiv2013

Photometry of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable SDSS J152419.33+220920.0

Aims. We present new photometry of the faint and poorly studied cataclysmic variable SDSS J152419.33+220920.0, analyze its light curve and provide an accurate ephemeris for this system. Methods. Time-resolved CCD differential photometry was carried out using the 1.5m and 0.84m telescopes at the Observatorio Astronomico Nacional at San Pedro Martir. Results. From time-resolved photometry of the system obtained during six nights (covering more than twenty primary eclipse cycles in more than three years), we show that this binary presents a strong primary and a weak secondary modulation. Our light curve analysis shows that only two fundamental frequencies are present, corresponding to the orbital period and a modulation with twice this frequency. We determine the accurate ephemeris of the system to be HJD(eclipse)= 2454967.6750(1) + 0.06531866661(1) E. A double-hump orbital period modulation, a standing feature in several bounce-back systems at quiescence, is present at several epochs. However, we found no other evidence to support the hypothesis that this system belongs to the post-minimum orbital-period systems.

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arXiv2013

Multi-site photometric campaign on the high amplitude δ Scuti star KIC 6382916

We present results of a multi-site photometric campaign on the high-amplitude $δ$\,Scuti star KIC\,6382916 in the {\it Kepler} field. The star was observed over a 85-d interval at five different sites in North America and Europe during 2011. {\it Kepler} photometry and ground-based multicolour light curves of KIC\,6382916 are used to investigate the pulsational content and to identify the principal modes. High-dispersion spectroscopy was also obtained in order to derive the stellar parameters and projected rotational velocity. From an analysis of the {\it Kepler} time series, three independent frequencies and a few hundred combination frequencies are found. The light curve is dominated by two modes with frequencies $f_{1}$= 4.9107 and $f_{2}$= 6.4314\,d$^{-1}$. The third mode with $f_{3}$= 8.0350\,d$^{-1}$ has a much lower amplitude. We attempt mode identification by examining the amplitude ratios and phase differences in different wavebands from multicolour photometry and comparing them to calculations for different spherical harmonic degree, $l$. We find that the theoretical models for $f_1$ and $f_2$ are in a best agreement with the observations and lead to value of l = 1 modes, but the mode identification of $f_3$ is uncertain due to its low amplitude. Non-adiabatic pulsation models show that frequencies below 6\,d$^{-1}$ are stable, which means that the low frequency of $f_1$ cannot be reproduced. This is further confirmation that current models predict a narrower pulsation frequency range than actually observed.

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