Searcharxiv⌕ Search

arXiv subjects

Xiangyun Zeng

Publications and source records attributed to Xiangyun Zeng.

22 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Deciphering Star Cluster Evolution by Shape Morphology

We analyze the morphological evolution of open clusters and provide shape parameters for 265 open clusters. The results show that the overall shape of sample clusters becomes more elliptical as they grow older, while their core remains circular or slightly trend to circularize. There is a negative correlation of the ellipticities with the number of members of the sample clusters. A significant negative correlation between the overall ellipticities and masses is also detected for the sample clusters with log(age/year) $\geq$ 8, suggesting that the overall shapes of the clusters are possibly influenced by the number of members and masses, in addition to the external forces and the surrounding environment. For most young sample clusters, the radial stratification degree of the short axis direction is greater than that of the long, implying that the radial stratification degree in the two directions within the young sample cluster may be unevenly affected by an internal evolutionary process. Older sample clusters exhibit lower stratification in the tangential direction, which possibly means those clusters may continue to survive for a long time at a low level of stratification. Our analysis shows that the overall shape of the sample clusters may be more susceptible to the influence of Galactic tides toward the Galactic center than the shear forces embedded in Galactic differential rotation. By analyzing the distribution of the ages and number of members of star clusters, we suggest that NGC 6791 may originate from superclusters.

astro-ph.GA↗

SN 2017hpa: A Nearby Carbon-Rich Type Ia Supernova with a Large Velocity Gradient

We present extensive, well-sampled optical and ultraviolet photometry and optical spectra of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2017hpa. The light curves indicate that SN 2017hpa is a normal SN Ia with an absolute peak magnitude of $M_{\rm max}^{B} \approx$ -19.12$\pm$0.11 mag and a post-peak decline rate \mb\ = 1.02$\pm$0.07 mag. According to the quasibolometric light curve, we derive a peak luminosity of 1.25$\times$10$^{43}$ erg s$^{-1}$ and a $^{56}$Ni mass of 0.63$\pm$0.02 $M_{\odot}$. The spectral evolution of SN 2017hpa is similar to that of normal SNe Ia, while it exhibits unusually rapid velocity evolution resembling that of SN 1991bg-like SNe Ia or the high-velocity subclass of SNe Ia, with a post-peak velocity gradient of $\sim$ 130$\pm$7 km s$^{-1}$ d$^{-1}$. Moreover, its early spectra ($t < -7.9$ d) show prominent \CII~$λ$6580 absorption feature, which disappeared in near-maximum-light spectra but reemerged at phases from $t \sim +8.7$ d to $t \sim +11.7$ d after maximum light. This implies that some unburned carbon may mix deep into the inner layer, and is supported by the low \CII~$λ$6580 to \SiII~$λ$6355 velocity ratio ($\sim 0.81$) observed in SN 2017hpa. The \OI~$λ$7774 line shows a velocity distribution like that of carbon. The prominent carbon feature, low velocity seen in carbon and oxygen, and large velocity gradient make SN 2017hpa stand out from other normal SNe Ia, and are more consistent with predictions from a violent merger of two white dwarfs. Detailed modelling is still needed to reveal the nature of SN 2017hpa.

astro-ph.HE↗

Investigating Variable Stars in the Open Cluster NGC 1912 and Its Surrounding Field

In this work, we studied the variable stars in the open cluster NGC 1912 based on the photometric observations and $Gaia$ DR2 data. More than 3600 CCD frames in B, V, R filters were reduced, and we obtained the light curves that span about 63 hours. By analyzing these light curves, we detected 24 variable stars, including 16 periodic variable stars, seven eclipsing binaries and one star whose type is unclear. Among these 24 variable stars, 11 are newly-discovered, which are classified as six gamma Doradus stars, one delta Scuti star, three detached binaries and one contact binaries. We also confirmed 13 previously known variable stars. Based on cluster members identified by Cantat-Gaudin et al. (2018), we inferred cluster memberships for these detected variable stars. Using Gaia DR2 data, we plotted a new color-magnitude diagram for NGC 1912, and showed the nature of variable cluster members in kinematical properties and heliocentric distance. Among the 24 variable stars, seven variables are probable cluster members, which show homogeneity in kinematic characters and space position with the established cluster members. Four of the seven variable cluster members are the previously discovered stars, consisting of two gamma Dor stars and two delta Sct stars. The remaining three variable cluster members, which are all gamma Dor stars, are firstly detected in this work. The main physical parameters of these variable cluster members estimated from the color-magnitude diagram are log(age/yr)=8.75, [Fe/H]=-0.1, m-M=10.03 mag, and E(B-V)=0.307.

astro-ph.SR↗

A Weak Modulation Effect Detected in the Light Curves of KIC 5950759: Intrinsic or Instrumental Effect?

In this paper, the high-precision light curves of $Kepler$ target KIC 5950759 are analyzed. The Fourier analysis of the long cadence light curve reveals 3 independent frequencies. Two of them are main pulsation modes: F0 = 14.221373(21) $\rm{d^{-1}}$ and F1 = 18.337249(44) $\rm{d^{-1}}$. The third independent frequency $f_m$ = 0.3193 d$^{-1}$ is found in long cadence data with a signal-to-noise ratio of 6.2. A weak modulation of $f_m$ to F0 and F1 modes (triplet structures centred on F0 and F1) are detected both in long and short cadence data. This is the first detection of the modulation effect in a double-mode HADS star. The most possible cause of the modulation effect in the light curves is amplitude modulation with the star's rotation frequency of 0.3193 d$^{-1}$. The preliminary analysis suggests that KIC 5950759 is in the bottom of the HADS instability strip and likely situated in the main sequence. Spectroscopic observations are necessary to verify the true nature of the modulation terms.

astro-ph.SR↗