arXiv subjects

T. R. Bedding

Publications and source records attributed to T. R. Bedding.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Dynamics of a double pendulum with distributed mass

We investigate a variation of the simple double pendulum in which the two point masses are replaced by square plates. The double square pendulum exhibits richer behavior than the simple double pendulum and provides a convenient demonstration of nonlinear dynamics and chaos. It is also an example of an asymmetric compound double pendulum, which has not been studied in detail. We obtain the equilibrium configurations and normal modes of oscillation and derive the equations of motion, which are solved numerically to produce Poincaré sections. We show how the behavior varies from regular motion at low energies, to chaos at intermediate energies, and back to regular motion at high energies. We also show that the onset of chaos occurs at a significantly lower energy than for the simple double pendulum.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2008

Solar-like oscillations in the G8 V star tau Ceti

We used HARPS to measure oscillations in the low-mass star tau Cet. Although the data were compromised by instrumental noise, we have been able to extract the main features of the oscillations. We found tau Cet to oscillate with an amplitude that is about half that of the Sun, and with a mode lifetime that is slightly shorter than solar. The large frequency separation is 169 muHz, and we have identified modes with degrees 0, 1, 2, and 3. We used the frequencies to estimate the mean density of the star to an accuracy of 0.45% which, combined with the interferometric radius, gives a mass of 0.783 +/- 0.012 M_sun (1.6%).

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The Keck Aperture Masking Experiment: spectro-interferometry of 3 Mira Variables from 1.1 to 3.8 microns

We present results from a spectro-interferometric study of the Miras o Cet, R Leo and W Hya obtained with the Keck Aperture Masking Experiment from 1998 Sep to 2002 Jul. The spectrally dispersed visibility data permit fitting with circularly symmetric brightness profiles such as a simple uniform disk. The stellar angular diameter obtained over up to ~ 450 spectral channels spaning the region 1.1-3.8 microns is presented. Use of a simple uniform disk brightness model facilitates comparison between epochs and with existing data and theoretical models. Strong size variations with wavelength were recorded for all stars, probing zones of H2O, CO, OH, and dust formation. Comparison with contemporaneous spectra extracted from our data show a strong anti-correlation between the observed angular diameter and flux. These variations consolidate the notion of a complex stellar atmosphere consisting of molecular shells with time-dependent densities and temperatures. Our findings are compared with existing data and pulsation models. The models were found to reproduce the functional form of the wavelength vs. angular diameter curve well, although some departures are noted in the 2.8-3.5 micron range.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

Excitation and damping of p-mode oscillations of alpha Cen B

This paper presents an analysis of observational data on the p-mode spectrum of the star alpha Cen B and a comparison with theoretical computations of the stochastic excitation and damping of the modes. We find that at frequencies > 4500 micro-Hz, the model damping rates appear to be too weak to explain the observed shape of the power spectral density of alpha Cen B. The conclusion rests on the assumption that most of the disagreement is due to problems modelling the damping rates, not the excitation rates, of the modes. This assumption is supported by a parallel analysis of BiSON Sun-as-a-star data, for which it is possible to use analysis of very long timeseries to place tight constraints on the assumption. The BiSON analysis shows that there is a similar high-frequency disagreement between theory and observation in the Sun. We demonstrate that by using suitable comparisons of theory and observation it is possible to make inference on the dependence of the p-mode linewidths on frequency, without directly measuring those linewidths, even though the alpha Cen B dataset is only a few nights long. Use of independent measures from a previous study of the alpha Cen B linewidths in two parts of its spectrum also allows us to calibrate our linewidth estimates for the star. The resulting calibrated linewidth curve looks similar to a frequency-scaled version of its solar cousin, with the scaling factor equal to the ratio of the respective acoustic cut-off frequencies of the two stars. The ratio of the frequencies at which the onset of high-frequency problems is seen in both stars is also given approximately by the same scaling factor.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2008

The fundamental parameters of the roAp star alpha Circini

We have used the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) to measure the angular diameter of alpha Cir. This is the first detailed interferometric study of a rapidly oscillating A (roAp) star, alpha Cir being the brightest member of its class. We used the new and more accurate Hipparcos parallax to determine the radius to be 1.967+-0.066 Rs. We have constrained the bolometric flux from calibrated spectra to determine an effective temperature of 7420+-170 K. This is the first direct determination of the temperature of an roAp star. Our temperature is at the low end of previous estimates, which span over 1000 K and were based on either photometric indices or spectroscopic methods. In addition, we have analysed two high-quality spectra of alpha Cir, obtained at different rotational phases and we find evidence for the presence of spots. In both spectra we find nearly solar abundances of C, O, Si, Ca and Fe, high abundance of Cr and Mn, while Co, Y, Nd and Eu are overabundant by about 1 dex. The results reported here provide important observational constraints for future studies of the atmospheric structure and pulsation of alpha Cir.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Oscillations in Procyon A: First results from a multi-site campaign

Procyon A is a bright F5IV star in a binary system. Although the distance, mass and angular diameter of this star are all known with high precision, the exact evolutionary state is still unclear. Evolutionary tracks with different ages and different mass fractions of hydrogen in the core pass, within the errors, through the observed position of Procyon A in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. For more than 15 years several different groups have studied the solar-like oscillations in Procyon A to determine its evolutionary state. Although several studies independently detected power excess in the periodogram, there is no agreement on the actual oscillation frequencies yet. This is probably due to either insufficient high-quality data (i.e., aliasing) or due to intrinsic properties of the star (i.e., short mode lifetimes). Now a spectroscopic multi-site campaign using 10 telescopes world-wide (minimizing aliasing effects) with a total time span of nearly 4 weeks (increase the frequency resolution) is performed to identify frequencies in this star and finally determine its properties and evolutionary state.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The Keck Aperture Masking Experiment: Multi-Wavelength Observations of 6 Mira Variables

The angular diameters of six oxygen rich Mira-type long-period variables have been measured at various near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths using the aperture masking technique in an extensive observing program from 1997 Jan to 2004 Sep. These data sets span many pulsation cycles of the observed objects and represent the largest study of multi-wavelength, multi-epoch interferometric angular diameter measurements on Mira stars to date. The calibrated visibility data of o Cet, R Leo, R Cas, W Hya, chi Cyg and R Hya are fitted using a uniform disk brightness distribution model to facilitate comparison between epochs, wavelengths and with existing data and theoretical models. The variation of angular diameter as a function of wavelength and time are studied, and cyclic diameter variations are detected for all objects in our sample. These variations are believed to stem from time-dependent changes of density and temperature (and hence varying molecular opacities) in different layers of these stars. The similarities and differences in behaviour between these objects are analyzed and discussed in the context of existing theoretical models. Furthermore, we present time-dependent 3.08 micron angular diameter measurements, probing for the first time these zones of probable dust formation, which show unforeseen sizes and are consistently out of phase with other NIR layers shown in this study. The S-type Mira chi Cyg exhibits significantly different behaviour compared to the M-type Miras in this study.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

A search for solar-like oscillations in K giants in the globular cluster M4

To expand the range in the colour-magnitude diagram where asteroseismology can be applied, we organized a photometry campaign to find evidence for solar-like oscillations in giant stars in the globular cluster M4. The aim was to detect the comb-like p-mode structure characteristic for solar-like oscillations in the amplitude spectra. The two dozen main target stars are in the region of the bump stars and have luminosities in the range 50-140 Lsun. We collected 6160 CCD frames and light curves for about 14000 stars were extracted. We obtain high quality light curves for the K giants, but no clear oscillation signal is detected. High precision differential photometry is possible even in very crowded regions like the core of M4. Solar-like oscillations are probably present in K giants, but the amplitudes are lower than classical scaling laws predict.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

The radius and mass of the subgiant star bet Hyi from interferometry and asteroseismology

We have used the Sydney University Stellar Interferometer (SUSI) to measure the angular diameter of beta Hydri. This star is a nearby G2 subgiant whose mean density was recently measured with high precision using asteroseismology. We determine the radius and effective temperature of the star to be 1.814+/-0.017 R_sun (0.9%) and 5872+/-44 K (0.7%) respectively. By combining this value with the mean density, as estimated from asteroseismology, we make a direct estimate of the stellar mass. We find a value of 1.07+/-0.03 M_sun (2.8%), which agrees with published estimates based on fitting in the H-R diagram, but has much higher precision. These results place valuable constraints on theoretical models of beta Hyi and its oscillation frequencies.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Solar-like oscillations in the metal-poor subgiant nu Indi: II. Acoustic spectrum and mode lifetime

Convection in stars excites resonant acoustic waves which depend on the sound speed inside the star, which in turn depends on properties of the stellar interior. Therefore, asteroseismology is an unrivaled method to probe the internal structure of a star. We made a seismic study of the metal-poor subgiant star nu Indi with the goal of constraining its interior structure. Our study is based on a time series of 1201 radial velocity measurements spread over 14 nights obtained from two sites, Siding Spring Observatory in Australia and ESO La Silla Observatory in Chile. The power spectrum of the high precision velocity time series clearly presents several identifiable peaks between 200 and 500 uHz showing regularity with a large and small spacing of 25.14 +- 0.09 uHz and 2.96 +- 0.22 uHz at 330 uHz. Thirteen individual modes have been identified with amplitudes in the range 53 to 173 cm/s. The mode damping time is estimated to be about 16 days (1-sigma range between 9 and 50 days), substantially longer than in other stars like the Sun, the alpha Cen system or the giant xi Hya.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Radial velocities of five globular clusters obtained with AAOmega

Using the recently commissioned multi-object spectrograph AAOmega on the 3.9m AAT we have obtained medium-resolution near-infrared spectra for 10,500 stars in and around five southern globular clusters. The targets were 47 Tuc, M12, M30, M55 and NGC 288. We have measured radial velocities to +/- 1 km/s with the cross correlation method and estimated metallicity, effective temperature, surface gra vity and rotational velocity for each star by fitting synthetic model spectra. An analysis of the velocity maps and velocity dispersion of member stars revealed systemic rotation in four of the target clusters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Multisite campaign on the open cluster M67. III. Delta Scuti pulsations in the blue stragglers

We have made an asteroseismic analysis of the variable blue stragglers in the open cluster M67. The data set consists of photometric time series from eight sites using nine 0.6-2.1 meter telescopes with a time baseline of 43 days. In two stars, EW Cnc and EX Cnc, we detect the highest number of frequencies (41 and 26) detected in delta Scuti stars belonging to a stellar cluster, and EW Cnc has the second highest number of frequencies detected in any delta Scuti star. We have computed a grid of pulsation models that take the effects of rotation into account. The distribution of observed and theoretical frequencies show that in a wide frequency range a significant fraction of the radial and non-radial low-degree modes are excited to detectable amplitudes. Despite the large number of observed frequencies we cannot constrain the fundamental parameters of the stars. To make progress we need to identify the degrees of some of the modes either from multi-colour photometry or spectroscopy.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

A wide-field kinematic survey for tidal tails around five globular clusters

Using the AAOmega instrument of the Anglo-Australian Telescope, we have obtained medium-resolution near-infrared spectra of 10,500 stars in two-degree fields centered on the galactic globular clusters 47 Tuc, NGC 288, M12, M30 and M55. Radial velocities and equivalent widths of the infrared Ca II triplet lines have been determined to constrain cluster membership, which in turn has been used to study the angular extent of the clusters. From the analysis of 140-1000 member stars in each cluster, we do not find extended structures that go beyond the tidal radii. For three cluster we estimate a 1% upper limit of extra-tidal red giant branch stars. We detect systemic rotation in 47 Tuc and M55.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Eclipsing binaries in the MACHO database: New periods and classifications for 3031 systems in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Eclipsing binaries offer a unique opportunity to determine fundamental physical parameters of stars using the constraints on the geometry of the systems. Here we present a reanalysis of publicly available two-color observations of about 6800 stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud, obtained by the MACHO project between 1992 and 2000 and classified as eclipsing variable stars. Of these, less than half are genuine eclipsing binaries. We determined new periods and classified the stars, 3031 in total, using the Fourier parameters of the phased light curves. The period distribution is clearly bimodal, reflecting refer to the separate groups of more massive blue main sequence objects and low mass red giants. The latter resemble contact binaries and obey a period-luminosity relation. Using evolutionary models, we identified foreground stars. The presented database has been cleaned of artifacts and misclassified variables, thus allowing searches for apsidal motion, tertiary components, pulsating stars in binary systems and secular variations with time-scales of several years.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Solar-like oscillations in open cluster stars

Asteroseismology of stellar clusters is potentially a powerful tool. The assumption of a common age, distance, and chemical composition provides constraints on each cluster member, which significantly improves the asteroseismic output. Driven by this great potential, we carried out multi-site observations aimed at detecting solar-like oscillations in the red giant stars in the open cluster M67 (NGC 2682) (Stello et al. 2006). Here we present the first analysis of our data, which show evidence of excess power in the Fourier spectra, shifting to lower frequencies for more luminous stars, consistent with expectations from oscillations. If the observed power excesses were due to stellar oscillations, this result would show great prospects for asteroseismology in stellar clusters.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Asteroseismology: a powerful tool to complement planet transits

The study of stellar oscillations - asteroseismology - has revolutionized our understanding of the physical properties of the Sun, and similar potential for other stars has been demonstrated in recent years. In particular, asteroseismic studies can constrain the stellar size, temperature and composition, which are important parameters to our understanding of planetary structure and evolution. This makes asteroseismology a very powerful tool to complement planetary transits. As an example, the transit measurement alone does not give the radius of the planet unless the radius of the host star is known, which again requires a known distance to the system. Transit measurements will therefore often require additional measurements to establish the radius of the planet. With asteroseismology we can determine the radius of a star to very high precision (2-3%) using only the photometric transit measurements. This will be very valuable for a mission such as Kepler, which will produce photometric time series of very high quality.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2007

Multisite campaign on the open cluster M67. II. Evidence for solar-like oscillations in red giant stars

Measuring solar-like oscillations in an ensemble of stars in a cluster, holds promise for testing stellar structure and evolution more stringently than just fitting parameters to single field stars. The most ambitious attempt to pursue these prospects was by Gilliland et al. (1993) who targeted 11 turn-off stars in the open cluster M67 (NGC 2682), but the oscillation amplitudes were too small (<20micromag) to obtain unambiguous detections. Like Gilliland et al. (1993) we also aim at detecting solar-like oscillations in M67, but we target red giant stars with expected amplitudes in the range 50-500micromag and periods of 1 to 8 hours. We analyse our recently published photometry measurements, obtained during a six-week multisite campaign using nine telescopes around the world. The observations are compared with simulations and with estimated properties of the stellar oscillations. Noise levels in the Fourier spectra as low as 27micromag are obtained for single sites, while the combined data reach 19micromag, making this the best photometric time series of an ensemble of red giant stars. These data enable us to make the first test of the scaling relations (used to estimate frequency and amplitude) with an homogeneous ensemble of stars. The detected excess power is consistent with the expected signal from stellar oscillations, both in terms of its frequency range and amplitude. However, our results are limited by apparent high levels of non-white noise, which cannot be clearly separated from the stellar signal.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2006

Defining the instability strip of pulsating post-AGB binary stars from ASAS and NSVS photometry

We analyse public domain time-series photometric observations of 30 known and candidate binary post-AGB stars for measuring pulsation and orbital periods. We derive periodicities for 17 stars for the first time in the literature. Besides identifying five new RV Tauri type pulsating variables (three with the RVb phenomenon, i.e. long-term changes of the mean brightness), we find multiply periodic (or possibly irregular) post-AGB stars on the two edges of the instability strip. The temperature dependence of the peak-to-peak light curve amplitudes clearly indicates the changes in excitation as post-AGB stars evolve through the strip. One object, the peculiar Type II Cepheid ST Pup, showed a period increase from 18.5 to 19.2 d, which is consistent with the known period fluctuations in the past. In HD 44179, the central star of the Red Rectangle nebula, we see very similar asymmetric light curve than was measured 10-15 years ago, suggesting a very stable circumstellar environment. In contrast to this, HD 213985 shows coherent but highly non-repetitive brightness modulation, indicating changes in the circumstellar cloud on a similar time-scale to the orbital period.

astro-ph↗