arXiv subjects

W. W. Weiss

Publications and source records attributed to W. W. Weiss.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources

arXiv2006

Discovery of the new slowly pulsating B star HD 163830 (B5II/III) from MOST spacebased photometry

We report the discovery of a new slowly pulsating B (SPB) star, with the largest number of detected frequencies to date by more than a factor of three, based on 37 days of MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars) satellite guide star photometry. The star HD 163830 (V = 9.3, B5II/III) varies in twenty detected frequencies in the range $0.035 - 1.06$ d$^{-1}$ ($0.4 - 12.3 ~ μ$Hz) with amplitudes from 0.7 to 7.6 mmag ($S/N$ from {4 to 43}). Eighteen of these frequencies are consistent with low-degree, high-order nonradial g-modes {of seismic models of an evolved 4.5$M_{\odot}$ star. We are unable to identify one unique model due to lack of mode identifications. The lowest two frequencies may be associated with the rotation of HD 163830, but firm proof of this must await future spectroscopic data.

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arXiv2006

An Upper Limit on the Albedo of HD 209458b: Direct Imaging Photometry with the MOST Satellite

We present space-based photometry of the transiting exoplanetary system HD 209458 obtained with the MOST (Microvariablity and Oscillations of STars) satellite, spanning 14 days and covering 4 transits and 4 secondary eclipses. The HD 209458 photometry was obtained in MOST's lower-precision Direct Imaging mode, which is used for targets in the brightness range $6.5 < V < 13$. We describe the photometric reduction techniques for this mode of observing, in particular the corrections for stray Earthshine. We do not detect the secondary eclipse in the MOST data, to a limit in depth of 0.053 mmag (1 σ). We set a 1 σupper limit on the planet-star flux ratio of 4.88 x 10^-5 corresponding to a geometric albedo upper limit in the MOST bandpass (400 to 700 nm) of 0.25. The corresponding numbers at the 3 σlevel are 1.34 x 10^-4 and 0.68 respectively. HD 209458b is half as bright as Jupiter in the MOST bandpass. This low geometric albedo value is an important constraint for theoretical models of the HD209458b atmosphere, in particular ruling out the presence of reflective clouds. A second MOST campaign on HD 209458 is expected to be sensitive to an exoplanet albedo as low as 0.13 (1 sigma), if the star does not become more intrinsically variable in the meantime.

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arXiv2006

delta Ceti is not monoperiodic: seismic modeling of a beta Cephei star from MOST spacebased photometry

The beta Cephei star delta Ceti was considered one of the few monoperiodic variables in the class. Despite (or perhaps because of) its apparently simple oscillation spectrum, it has been challenging and controversial to identify this star's pulsation mode and constrain its physical parameters seismically. Broadband time-resolved photometry of delta Ceti spanning 18.7 days with a duty cycle of about 65% obtained by the MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of STars) satellite -- the first scientific observations ever obtained by MOST -- reveals that the star is actually multiperiodic. Besides the well-known dominant frequency of f1 = 6.205886/d, we have discovered in the MOST data its first harmonic 2f1 and three other frequencies (f2 = 3.737/d, f3 = 3.673/d and f4 = 0.318/d), all detected with S/N > 4. In retrospect, f2 was also present in archival spectral line profile data but at lower S/N. We present seismic models whose modes match exactly the frequencies f1 and f2. Only one model falls within the common part of the error boxes of the star's observed surface gravity and effective temperature from photometry and spectroscopy. In this model, f1 is the radial (l = 0) first overtone and f2 is the g2 (l = 2, m = 0) mode. This model has a mass of 10.2+/-0.2 Msun and an age of 17.9+/-0.3 million years, making delta Ceti an evolved beta Cephei star. If f2 and f3 are rotationally split components of the same g2 mode, then the star's equatorial rotation velocity is either 27.6 km/s or half this value. Given its vsini of about 1 km/s, this implies we are seeing delta Ceti nearly pole-on.

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arXiv2005

The rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 99563 and its distorted dipole pulsation mode

We undertook a time-series photometric multi-site campaign for the rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 99563 and also acquired mean light observations over two seasons. The pulsations of the star, that show flatter light maxima than minima, can be described with a frequency quintuplet centred on 1557.653 microHertz and some first harmonics of these. The amplitude of the pulsation is modulated with the rotation period of the star that we determine with 2.91179 +/- 0.00007 d from the analysis of the stellar pulsation spectrum and of the mean light data. We break the distorted oscillation mode up into its pure spherical harmonic components and find it is dominated by the l=1 pulsation, and also has a notable l=3 contribution, with weak l=0 and 2 components. The geometrical configuration of the star allows one to see both pulsation poles for about the same amount of time; HD 99563 is only the fourth roAp star for which both pulsation poles are seen and only the third where the distortion of the pulsation modes was modelled. We point out that HD 99563 is very similar to the well-studied roAp star HR 3831. Finally, we note that the visual companion of HD 99563 is located in the Delta Scuti instability strip and may thus show pulsation. We show that if the companion was physical, the roAp star would be a 2.03 solar mass object, seen at a rotational inclination of 44 degrees, which then predicts a magnetic obliquity of 86.4 degrees.

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arXiv2005

Spectroscopy of roAp star pulsation: HD24712

We present results of the radial velocity (RV) analysis of spectroscopic time-series observations of the roAp star HD24712 (HR1217) which were carried out simultaneously with the Canadian MOST mini-satellite photometry. Only lines of the rare-earth elements (REE) show substantial amplitudes of RV pulsations. Based on new Zeeman measurements we found different shapes of the magnetic curves derived by using Fe-peak and REE separately. Frequency analysis of the spectroscopic data showed that the highest amplitude frequencies are the same in photometry and spectroscopy. Photometric and spectroscopic pulsation curves are shifted in phase, and the phase shift depends on the atomic species. The observed distribution of RV pulsation amplitudes and phases with the optical depth as well as the observed phase lag between luminosity and radius variations are explained satisfactorily by the model of nonadiabatic nonradial pulsations of a magnetic star.

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arXiv2005

Stellar Model Analysis of the Oscillation Spectrum of eta Bootis Obtained from MOST

Eight consecutive low-frequency radial p-modes are identified in the G0 IV star eta Bootis based on 27 days of ultraprecise rapid photometry obtained by the MOST (Microvariability & Oscillations of Stars) satellite. The MOST data extend smoothly to lower overtones the sequence of radial p-modes reported in earlier groundbased spectroscopy by other groups. The lower-overtone modes from the MOST data constrain the interior structure of the model of eta Boo. With the interior fit anchored by the lower-overtone modes seen by MOST, standard models are not able to fit the higher-overtone modes with the same level of accuracy. The discrepancy is similar to the discrepancy that exists between the Sun's observed p-mode frequencies and the p-mode frequencies of the standard solar model. This discrepancy promises to be a powerful constraint on models of 3D convection.

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arXiv2005

Preparing the COROT space mission: new variable stars in the galactic Anticenter direction

The activities related to the preparation of the asteroseismic, photometric space mission COROT are described. Photoelectric observations, wide--field CCD photometry, uvbyB calibrations and further time--series have been obtained at different observatories and telescopes. They have been planned to complete the COROT programme in the direction of the galactic Anticenter. In addition to suitable asteroseismic targets covering the different evolutionary stages between ZAMS and TAMS, we discovered several other variable stars, both pulsating and geometrical. We compared results on the incidence of variability in the galactic Center and Anticenter directions. Physical parameters have been obtained and evolutionary tracks fitting them have been calculated. The peculiarities of some individual stars alre pointed out. Paper based on observations collected at the San Pedro Martir, Sierra Nevada, Teide, La Silla, Haute-Provence and Roque de Los Muchachos (Telescopio Nazionale Galileo and Mercator telescopes) observatories.

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arXiv2005

Search for pulsating PMS stars in NGC 6383

A search for pulsating pre-main sequence (PMS) stars was performed in the young open cluster NGC 6383 using CCD time series photometry in Johnson B & V filters. With an age of only ~1.7 million years all cluster members later than spectral type A0 have not reached the ZAMS yet, hence being ideal candidates for investigating PMS pulsation among A and F type stars. In total 286 stars have been analyzed using classical Fourier techniques. From about a dozen of stars within the boundaries of the classical instability strip, two stars were found to pulsate: NGC 6383 #170, with five frequencies simultaneously, and NGC 6383 #198, with a single frequency. In addition, NGC 6383 #152 is a suspected PMS variable star, but our data remain inconclusive. Linear, non-adiabatic models assuming PMS evolutionary phase and purely radial pulsation were calculated for the two new PMS pulsators. NGC 6383 #170 appears to pulsate radially in third and fifth overtones, while the other three frequencies seem to be of non-radial nature. NGC 6383 #198 pulsates monoperiodically, most probably in the third radial overtone. Magnitudes and B-V colours were available in the literature for only one third of all stars and we used them for calibrating the remaining.

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arXiv2004

Abundance analysis of targets for the COROT / MONS asteroseismology missions II. Abundance analysis of the COROT main targets

One of the goals of the ground-based support program for the COROT and Roemer satellite missions is to characterize suitable target stars for the part of the missions dedicated to asteroseismology. We present the detailed abundance analysis of nine of the potential COROT main targets using the semi-automatic software VWA. For two additional COROT targets we could not perform the analysis due to the high rotational velocity of these stars. For five stars with low rotational velocity we have also performed abundance analysis by a classical equivalent width method in order to test the reliability of the VWA software. The agreement between the different methods is good. We find that it is necessary to measure abundances extracted from each line relative to the abundances found from a spectrum of the Sun in order to remove systematic errors. We have constrained the global atmospheric parameters Teff, log g, and [Fe/H] to within 70-100 K, 0.1-0.2 dex, and 0.1 dex for five stars which are slow rotators (v sin i < 15 km/s). For most of the stars stars we find good agreement with the parameters found from line depth ratios, H-alpha lines, Strömgren indices, previous spectroscopic studies, and also log g determined from the HIPPARCOS parallaxes. For the fast rotators v sin i > 60 km/s it is not possible to constrain the atmospheric parameters.

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arXiv2004

Interpolation of Stellar Model Grids and Application to the NEMO Grid

NEMO.2003 (vienna NEw MOdel grid of stellar atmospheres) is a DVD with 91,520 stellar model atmospheres representing a 5D grid of modified ATLAS9 atmospheres; the purpose of the modifications was to include different treatments of convection and higher vertical resolution. In addition, for every model fluxes are provided and color indices for 14 different photometric systems. Because the model grid contained gaps due to non-converging models, we developed and applied a set of 4D interpolation routines to complete the grid. All the data, which will continuously be updated, can be found on the NEMO homepage (http://ams.astro.univie.ac.at/nemo/) and are available via DVD.

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arXiv2004

The null result of a search for pulsational variations of the surface magnetic field in the roAp star gamma Equulei

We describe an analysis of the time-resolved measurements of the surface magnetic field in the roAp star gamma Equ. We have obtained a high-resolution and high S/N spectroscopic time-series, and the magnetic field was determined using Zeeman resolved profiles of the Fe II 6149.25 A and Fe I 6173.34 A lines. Contrary to recent reports we do not find any evidence of magnetic variability with pulsation phase, and derive an upper limit of 5-10 G for pulsational modulation of the surface magnetic field in gamma Equ.

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arXiv2004

Multi-site, multi-technique survey of Gamma Doradus candidates

We present the first results of a 2-year high-resolution spectroscopy campaign of 59 candidate Gamma Doradus stars which were mainly discovered from the HIPPARCOS astrometric mission. More than 60 % of the stars present line profile variations which can be interpreted as due to pulsation related to Gamma Doradus stars. For all stars we also derived the projected rotation velocity (up to more than 200 km\s). The amplitude ratios 2K/Delta m for the main HIPPARCOS frequency are in the range 35 - 96 (km\s)\mag. Less than 50 % of the candidates are possible members of binary systems, with 20 stars being confirmed Gamma Doradus. At least 6 stars present composite spectra, and in all but one case (for which only one spectrum could be obtained), the narrow component shows line profile variations, pointing towards an uncomfortable situation if this narrow component originates from a shell surrounding the star. This paper is the first of a series concerning mode identification using both photometric and spectroscopic methods for the confirmed Gamma Doradus stars of the present sample.

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arXiv2003

Preparing the COROT space mission: incidence and characterisation of pulsation in the Lower Instability Strip

By pursuing the goal to find new variables in the COROT field-of-view we characterised a sample of stars located in the lower part of the instability strip. Our sample is composed of stars belonging to the disk population in the solar neighbourhood. We found that 23% of the stars display multiperiodic light variability up to few mmag of amplitude. uvbyBeta photometry fixed most of the variables in the middle of the instability strip and high-resolution spectroscopy established that they have vsin i>100 km/s. The comparison with delta Sct stars in the whole Galaxy shows slightly different features, i.e., most delta Sct stars have a 0.05-mag redder (b-y)_0 index and lower vsin i values. Additional investigation in the open cluster NGC 6633 confirms the same incidence of variability, i.e., around 20%. The wide variety of pulsational behaviours of delta Sct stars (including unusual objects such as a variable beyond the blue edge or a rapidly rotating high-amplitude pulsator) makes them very powerful asteroseismic tools to be used by COROT. Being quite common among bright stars, delta Sct stars are suitable targets for optical observations from space.

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arXiv2003

A study of lambda Bootis type stars in the wavelength region beyond 7000A

The group of lambda Bootis type stars comprises late B- to early F-type, Population I objects which are basically metal weak, in particular the Fe group elements, but with the clear exception of C, N, O and S. One of the theories to explain the abundance pattern of these stars involves circumstellar or interstellar matter around the objects. Hence, we have compiled all available data from the literature of well established members of the lambda Bootis group redward of 7000A in order to find evidence for matter around these objects. Furthermore, we present unpublished ISO as well as submillimeter continuum and CO (2-1) line measurements to complete the data set. In total, measurements for 34 (26 with data redward of 20 mu m) well established lambda Bootis stars are available. There is evidence for an infrared excesses in six stars (HD 31295, HD 74873, HD 110411, HD 125162, HD 198160/1 and HD 210111) and two are doubtful cases (HD 11413 and HD 192640) resulting in a percentage of 23% (excluding the two doubtful cases). Dust models for these objects show fractional dust luminosities comparable to the Vega-type stars and slightly higher dust temperatures. ISO-SWS spectroscopy for HD 125162 and HD 192640 resulted in the detection of pure stellar HI lines ruling out an active accretion disk (as found for several Herbig Ae/Be stars) around these objects. The submillimeter measurements gave only upper limits for the line and continuum fluxes.

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arXiv2002

On the Period-Luminosity-Colour-Metallicity relation and the pulsational characteristics of lambda Bootis type stars

The group of lambda Bootis type stars comprises late B- to early F-type, Population I objects which are basically metal weak, in particular the Fe group elements, but with the clear exception of C, N, O and S. The present work is a continuation of the studies by Paunzen et al. (1998, A&A, 335, 533), who presented first results on the pulsational characteristics of the lambda Bootis stars. Since then, we have observed 22 additional objects; we found eight new pulsators and confirmed another one. Furthermore, new spectroscopic data (Paunzen, 2001, A&A, 373, 633) allowed us to sort out misidentified candidates and to add true members to the group. From 67 members of this group, only two are not photometrically investigated yet which makes our analysis highly representative. We have compared our results on the pulsational behaviour of the lambda Bootis stars with those of a sample of delta Scuti type objects. We find that at least 70% of all lambda Bootis type stars inside the classical instability strip pulsate, and they do so with high overtone modes (Q < 0.020d). Only a few stars, if any, pulsate in the fundamental mode. Compared to the delta Scuti stars, the cool and hot borders of the instability strip of the lambda Bootis stars are shifted by about 25mmag, towards smaller (b-y)0. Using published abundances and the metallicity sensitive indices of the Geneva 7-colour and Stroemgren uvbybeta systems, we have derived [Z] values which describe the surface abundance of the heavier elements for the group members. We find that the Period-Luminosity-Colour relation for the group of lambda Bootis stars is within the errors identical with that of the normal delta Scuti stars. No clear evidence for a statistically significant metallicity term was detected.

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arXiv2002

New grids of ATLAS9 atmospheres I: Influence of convection treatments on model structure and on observable quantities

We present several new sets of grids of model stellar atmospheres computed with modified versions of the ATLAS9 code. Each individual set consists of several grids of models with different metallicities ranging from [M/H] = -2.0 to +1.0 dex. The grids range from 4000 to 10000 K in T_eff and from 2.0 to 5.0 dex in logg. The individual sets differ from each other and from previous ones essentially in the physics used for the treatment of the convective energy transport, in the higher vertical resolution of the atmospheres and in a finer grid in the (T_eff, logg) plane. These improvements enable the computation of derivatives of color indices accurate enough for pulsation mode identification. In addition, we show that the chosen vertical resolution is necessary and sufficient for the purpose of stellar interior modelling. To explain the physical differences between the model grids we provide a description of the currently available modifications of ATLAS9 according to their treatment of convection. Our critical analysis of the dependence of the atmospheric structure and observable quantities on convection treatment, vertical resolution and metallicity reveals that spectroscopic and photometric observations are best represented when using an inefficient convection treatment. This conclusion holds whatever convection formulation investigated here is used, i.e. MLT(alpha=0.5), CM and CGM are equivalent. We also find that changing the convection treatment can lead to a change in the effective temperature estimated from Stroemgren color indices from 200 to 400 K.

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arXiv2001

The accretion/diffusion theory for lambda Bootis stars in the light of spectroscopic data

Most of the current theories suggest the lambda Bootis phenomenon to originate from an interaction between the stellar surface and its local environment. In this paper, we compare the abundance pattern of the lambda Bootis stars to that of the interstellar medium and find larger deficiencies for Mg, Si, Mn and Zn than in the interstellar medium. A comparison with metal poor post-AGB stars showing evidence for circumstellar material indicates a similar physical process possibly being at work for some of the lambda Bootis stars, but not for all of them. Despite the fact that the number of spectroscopically analysed lambda Bootis stars has considerably increased in the past, a test of predicted effects with observations shows current abundance and temperature data to be still controversial.

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arXiv1998

Multi-Element Doppler Imaging of the Ap star epsilon Ursae Majoris

The surface distribution of five elements: iron, chromium, titanium, magnesium and manganese on the magnetic A0pCr star epsilon UMa, have been calculated using the Doppler imaging technique. We found that iron, chromium and manganese are correlated with the assumed dipole magnetic field geometry of this star, which is apparently not the case of magnesium and titanium.

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