First asteroseismic results from CoRoT

in Communications in Asteroseismology (2008), 156

About one year after the end of the first observational run and six months after the first CoRoT data delivery, we comment the data exploitation progress for different types of stars. We consider first ... [more ▼]

About one year after the end of the first observational run and six months after the first CoRoT data delivery, we comment the data exploitation progress for different types of stars. We consider first results to illustrate how these data of unprecedented quality shed a new light on the field of stellar seismology. [less ▲]

New insights into the nature of the peculiar star theta Carinae

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2008), 488

Context: θ Carinae belongs to a group of peculiar early-type stars (OBN) with enhanced nitrogen and carbon deficiency. It is also known as a binary system, but it is not clear yet whether the chemical ... [more ▼]

Context: θ Carinae belongs to a group of peculiar early-type stars (OBN) with enhanced nitrogen and carbon deficiency. It is also known as a binary system, but it is not clear yet whether the chemical anomalies can be explained by mass transfer between the two components. On the basis of the previously reported spectral variability of a few metal lines it may be expected that θ Car possesses a weak magnetic field. <BR />Aims: A study of the physical nature of this hot massive binary which is furthermore a well-known blue straggler lying ~2 mag above the turnoff of the young open cluster IC 2602 is important to understand the origin of its strong chemical anomalies. <BR />Methods: We acquired high resolution spectroscopic and low resolution spectropolarimetric observations to achieve the following goals: a) to improve the orbital parameters to allow a more in-depth discussion on the possibility of mass transfer in the binary system; b) to carry out a non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) abundance analysis; and c) to search for the presence of a magnetic field. <BR />Results: The study of the radial velocities using CORALIE spectra allowed us to significantly improve the orbital parameters. A comparative NLTE abundance analysis was undertaken for θ Car and two other early B-type stars with recently detected magnetic fields, Ï Sco and ξ[SUP]1[/SUP] CMa. The analysis revealed significantly different abundance patterns: a one-order-of-magnitude nitrogen overabundance and carbon depletion was found in θ Car, while the oxygen abundance is roughly solar. For the stars ξ[SUP]1[/SUP] CMa and Ï Sco the carbon abundance is solar and, while an N excess is also detected, it is of much smaller amplitude (0.4-0.6 dex). Such an N overabundance is typical of the values already found for other slowly-rotating (magnetic) B-type dwarfs. For θ Car, we attribute instead the chemical peculiarities to a past episode of mass transfer between the two binary components. The results of the search for a magnetic field using FORS 1 at the VLT consisting of 26 measurements over a time span of ~1.2 h are rather inconclusive: only few measurements have a significance level of 3Ï . Although we detect a periodicity of the order of ~8.8 min in the dataset involving the measurements on all hydrogen Balmer lines with the exception of the Hα and Hβ lines, these results have to be confirmed by additional time-resolved magnetic field observations. Based on observations collected with the CORALIE spectrograph attached to the Euler Telescope of the Geneva Observatory located at La Silla (Chile), at the European Southern Observatory, Paranal, Chile (ESO programmes 67.D-0239(A), 072.D-0377(A), 078.D-0080(A) and 278.D-5056(A)), and at the Complejo Astronómico El Leoncito (CASLEO), Argentina. [less ▲]

Magnetic fields in massive stars

in Contributions of the Astronomical Observatory Skalnaté Pleso (2008), 38

We review the recent discoveries of magnetic fields in different types of massive stars and briefly discuss strategies for spectropolarimetric observations to be carried out in the future.

First asteroseismic results from CoRoT

in Communication in Asteroseismology (2008), 157

About one year after the end of the first observational run and six months after the first CoRoT data delivery, we comment the data exploitation progress for different types of stars. We consider first ... [more ▼]

About one year after the end of the first observational run and six months after the first CoRoT data delivery, we comment the data exploitation progress for different types of stars. We consider first results to illustrate how these data of unprecedented quality shed a new light on the field of stellar seismology. [less ▲]

The Chemical Composition of B-type Pulsators: Some Unexpected Results

in Precision Spectroscopy in Astrophysics (2008)

We present a project aimed at self-consistently deriving the physical parameters and chemical composition of massive pulsators (β, Cephei stars, Slowly Pulsating B stars) based on high-resolution optical ... [more ▼]

We present a project aimed at self-consistently deriving the physical parameters and chemical composition of massive pulsators (β, Cephei stars, Slowly Pulsating B stars) based on high-resolution optical spectra. Such data will be essential for a proper theoretical interpretation of their oscillation spectrum, but may also contribute in a broader context to our understanding of mixing and diffusion processes in B-type stars. As an illustration, our first results reveal the existence of core-processed material at the surface of some slowly-rotating β, Cephei stars which is not predicted by current evolutionary models including rotation. [less ▲]

A spectroscopic study of the β Cephei star 12 (DD) Lacertae

in Communications in Asteroseismology (2007), 150

We present first results of a spectroscopic multisite campaign for 12 (DD) Lacertae (hereinafter 12 Lac). This star is one of the best observed β Cephei stars. It has a large number of known oscillation ... [more ▼]

We present first results of a spectroscopic multisite campaign for 12 (DD) Lacertae (hereinafter 12 Lac). This star is one of the best observed β Cephei stars. It has a large number of known oscillation frequencies but a lack of identified m-values for its detected modes. In our data set we find seven independent frequencies together with combination frequencies. In addition, two of these modes are identified: one radial mode and one prograde dipole mode. [less ▲]

An abundance analysis of slowly pulsating B stars

in Communications in Asteroseismology (2007), 150

We present the methodology and the first results of a study aimed to determine in a self-consistent way the physical parameters T_{eff} and log g as well as NLTE abundances of the majority of all ... [more ▼]

We present the methodology and the first results of a study aimed to determine in a self-consistent way the physical parameters T_{eff} and log g as well as NLTE abundances of the majority of all confirmed slowly pulsating B stars (hereafter SPBs). [less ▲]

On the co-existence of chemically peculiar Bp stars, slowly pulsating B stars and constant B stars in the same part of the HR diagram

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2007), 466

Aims: In order to better model massive B-type stars, we need to understand the physical processes taking place in slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars, chemically peculiar Bp stars, and non-pulsating normal B ... [more ▼]

Aims: In order to better model massive B-type stars, we need to understand the physical processes taking place in slowly pulsating B (SPB) stars, chemically peculiar Bp stars, and non-pulsating normal B stars co-existing in the same part of the H-R diagram. <BR />Methods: We carry out a comparative study between samples of confirmed and well-studied SPB stars and a sample of well-studied Bp stars with known periods and magnetic field strengths. We determine their evolutionary state using accurate HIPPARCOS parallaxes and Geneva photometry. We discuss the occurrence and strengths of magnetic fields as well as the occurrence of stellar pulsation among both groups. Further, we make a comparison of Geneva photometric variability for both kinds of stars. <BR />Results: The group of Bp stars is significantly younger than the group of SPB stars. Longitudinal magnetic fields in SPB stars are weaker than those of Bp stars, suggesting that the magnetic field strength is an important factor for B type stars to become chemically peculiar. The strongest magnetic fields appear in young Bp stars, indicating a magnetic field decay in stars at advanced ages. Rotation periods of Bp and pulsation periods of SPB stars are of the same order and the behaviour of Geneva photometric variability of some Bp stars cannot be distinguished from the variability of SPB stars, illustrating the difficulty to interpret the observed variability of the order of days for B-type stars. We consider the possibility that pulsation could be responsible for the variability among chemically peculiar stars. In particular, we show that a non-linear pulsation model is not excluded by photometry for the Bp star HD 175362. [less ▲]

Long term photometric monitoring with the Mercator telescope. Frequencies and mode identification of variable O-B stars

in Astronomy and Astrophysics (2007), 463

Aims. We selected a large sample of O-B stars that were considered as (candidate) slowly pulsating B, beta Cep, and Maia stars after the analysis of their hipparcos data. We analysed our new seven ... [more ▼]

Aims. We selected a large sample of O-B stars that were considered as (candidate) slowly pulsating B, beta Cep, and Maia stars after the analysis of their hipparcos data. We analysed our new seven passband geneva data collected for these stars during the first three years of scientific operations of the mercator telescope. We performed a frequency analysis for 28 targets with more than 50 high-quality measurements to improve their variability classification. For the pulsating stars, we tried both to identify the modes and to search for rotationally split modes. Methods: We searched for frequencies in all the geneva passbands and colours by using two independent frequency analysis methods and we applied a 3.6 S/N-level criterion to locate the significant peaks in the periodograms. The modes were identified by applying the method of photometric amplitudes for which we calculated a large, homogeneous grid of equilibrium models to perform a pulsational stability analysis. When both the radius and the projected rotational velocity of an object are known, we determined a lower limit for the rotation frequency to estimate the expected frequency spacings in rotationally split pulsation modes. Results: We detected 61 frequencies, among which 33 are new. We classified 21 objects as pulsating variables (7 new confirmed pulsating stars, including 2 hybrid beta Cep/SPB stars), 6 as non-pulsating variables (binaries or spotted stars), and 1 as photometrically constant. All the Maia candidates were reclassified into other variability classes. We performed mode identification for the pulsating variables for the first time. The most probable l value is 0, 1, 2, and 4 for 1, 31, 9, and 5 modes, respectively, including only 4 unambiguous identifications. For 7 stars we cannot rule out that some of the observed frequencies belong to the same rotationally split mode. For 4 targets we may begin to resolve close frequency multiplets. Based on observations collected with the p7 photometer attached to the Flemish 1.2-m mercator telescope situated at the Roque de los Muchachos observatory on La Palma (Spain). Section [see full textsee full text], including Figs. is only available in electronic form at http://www.aanda.org, and Tables 2 and 3 are only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/463/243 [less ▲]

An asteroseismic study of the β cephei star θ ophiuchi : constraints on global stellar parameters and core overshooting

in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2007), 381(4), 1482-1488

We present a seismic study of the beta Cephei star theta Ophiuchi. Our analysis is based on the observation of one radial mode, one rotationally split l = 1 triplet and three components of a rotationally ... [more ▼]

We present a seismic study of the beta Cephei star theta Ophiuchi. Our analysis is based on the observation of one radial mode, one rotationally split l = 1 triplet and three components of a rotationally split l = 2 quintuplet for which the m values were well identified by spectroscopy. We identify the radial mode as fundamental, the triplet as p(1) and the quintuplet as g(1). Our non-local thermodynamic equilibrium abundance analysis results in a metallicity and CNO abundances in full agreement with the most recent updated solar values. With X epsilon [0.71, 0.7211] and Z epsilon [0.009, 0.015], and using the Asplund et al. mixture but with a Ne abundance about 0.3 dex larger, the matching of the three independent modes enables us to deduce constrained ranges for the mass (M = 8.2 +/- 0.3 M circle dot) and central hydrogen abundance (X-c = 0.38 +/- 0.02) of theta Oph and to prove the occurrence of core overshooting (alpha(ov) = 0.44 +/- 0.07). We also derive an equatorial rotation velocity of 29 +/- 7 km s(-1). Moreover, we show that the observed non-equidistance of the l = 1 triplet can be reproduced by the second-order effects of rotation. Finally, we show that the observed rotational splitting of two modes cannot rule out a rigid rotation model. [less ▲]