Ap Stars Research Articles

K2 space photometry reveals rotational modulation and stellar pulsations in chemically peculiar A and B stars

Context. The physics of magnetic hot stars and how a large-scale magnetic field affects their interior properties is largely unknown. Few studies have combined high-quality observations and modelling of magnetic pulsating stars, known as magneto-asteroseismology, primarily because of the dearth of detected pulsations in stars with a confirmed and well-characterised large-scale magnetic field. Aims. We aim to characterise observational signatures of rotation and pulsation in chemically peculiar candidate magnetic stars using photometry from the K2 space mission. Thus, we identify the best candidate targets for ground-based, optical spectropolarimetric follow-up observations to confirm the presence of a large-scale magnetic field. Methods. We employed customised reduction and detrending tools to process the K2 photometry into optimised light curves for a variability analysis. We searched for the periodic photometric signatures of rotational modulation caused by surface abundance inhomogeneities in 56 chemically peculiar A and B stars. Furthermore, we searched for intrinsic variability caused by pulsations (coherent or otherwise) in the amplitude spectra of these stars. Results. The rotation periods of 38 chemically peculiar stars are determined, 16 of which are the first determination of the rotation period in the literature. We confirm the discovery of high-overtone roAp pulsation modes in HD 177765 and find an additional 3 Ap and Bp stars that show evidence of high-overtone pressure modes found in roAp stars in the form of possible Nyquist alias frequencies in their amplitude spectra. Furthermore, we find 6 chemically peculiar stars that show evidence of intrinsic variability caused by gravity or pressure pulsation modes. Conclusions. The discovery of pulsations in a non-negligible fraction of chemically peculiar stars make these stars high-priority targets for spectropolarimetric campaigns to confirm the presence of their expected large-scale magnetic field. The ultimate goal is to perform magneto-asteroseismology and probe the interior physics of magnetic pulsating stars.

K2 observations of the rapidly oscillating Ap star 33 Lib (HD 137949): new frequencies and unique non-linear interactions

We present the analysis of K2 short cadence data of the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star, 33 Librae (HD 137949). The precision afforded to the K2 data allow us to identify at least 11 pulsation modes in this star, compared to the three previously reported. Reoccurring separations between these modes leads us to suggest a large frequency separation, $\Delta\nu$, of 78.9 $\mu$Hz, twice that reported in the literature. Other frequency separations we detect may represent the small frequency separation, $\delta\nu$, but this is inconclusive at this stage due to magnetic perturbation of the frequencies. Due to the highly non-linear pulsation in 33 Lib, we identify harmonics to four times the principal frequency. Furthermore, we note a unique occurrence of non-linear interactions of the 11 identified modes. The frequency separations of the modes around the principal frequency are replicated around the first harmonic, with some interaction with the second harmonic also. Such a phenomenon has not been seen in roAp stars before. With revised stellar parameters, linear non-adiabatic modelling of 33 Lib shows that the pulsations are not greater than the acoustic cutoff frequency, and that the $\kappa$-mechanism can excite the observed modes. Our observations are consistent with 33 Lib having a rotation period much larger than 88 d as presented in the literature.

LCO observations of a super-critical distorted pulsation in the roAp star J0855 (TYC 2488-1241-1)

We report the results of a 60-hr photometric campaign of a rapidly oscillating Ap star, J0855 (TYC 2488-1241-1). We have utilised the multi-site Las Cumbres Observatory's (LCO) 0.4-m telescopes to obtain short cadence B-band observations of an roAp star previously lacking detailed study. Our observations confirm the rotation period presented in the discovery paper of this star ($P_{\rm rot}=3.0918$ d), and reveal the star to be pulsating in a distorted mode. The B data show this star to be among the highest amplitude roAp stars, with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 24 mmag. Modelling of the pulsation frequency at 197.2714 d$^{-1}$ (2283 $\mu$Hz; P=7.30 min) shows that this star belongs to the subgroup of super-critical pulsators, where the observed frequencies are above the theoretical acoustic cutoff frequency. From the modelling, we deduce that the star's rotation axis is inclination angle of about $30^\circ$ to the line-of-sight, with an angle of obliquity of the magnetic axis to the rotation axis of either $40^\circ$ or $24^\circ$ depending on whether the pulsation mode is dipole or quadrupole, respectively.

A theoretical tool for the study of radial velocities in the atmospheres of roAp stars

Over the last decade significant amounts of high-spectral and time-resolution spectroscopic data have been acquired for a number of rapidly oscillating Ap stars. Progress in the understanding of the information held by these data requires the development of theoretical models that can be directly compared with them. In this work we present a theoretical model for the radial velocities of roAp stars that takes full account of the coupling between the pulsations and the magnetic field. We explore the impact on the radial velocities of changing the position of the observer, the mode frequency and angular degree, as well as of changing the region of the disk where the elements are concentrated. We find that for integrations over the full disc, in the outermost layers the radial velocity is generally dominated by the acoustic waves, showing a rapid increase in amplitude. The most significant depth-variations in the radial velocity phase are seen for observers directed towards the equator and for even degree modes with frequencies close to, or above the acoustic cutoff. Comparison between the radial velocities obtained for spots of elements located around the magnetic poles and around the magnetic equator, shows that these present distinct amplitude-phase relations, resembling some of the differences seen in the observations. Finally, we discuss the conditions under which one may expect to find false nodes in the pulsation radial velocity of roAp stars.

New catalogue of chemically peculiar stars, and statistical analysis

In this paper we present a new catalogue of Chemically Peculiar (CP) stars obtained by compiling publications in which abundances of metals are provided. Our catalogue includes 428 stars for which the data were obtained through spectroscopic observations. Most of them (416) are AmFm, HgMn and ApBp stars. We have used this compilation to proceed to a statistical overview of the abundance anomalies versus the physical parameters of the stars. The Spearman's rank correlation test has been applied, and a significant number of correlations of abundance peculiarities with respect to effective temperature, surface gravity and rotation velocity have been found. Four interesting cases are discussed in details: the Mn peculiarities in HgMn stars, the Ca correlation with respect to effective temperature in AmFm stars, the case of helium and iron in ApBp stars. Furthermore, we checked for ApBp stars using Anderson-Darling test wether the belonging to a multiple system is a determinant parameter or not for abundance peculiarities.

On the recent detection of new oscillations in rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 137949 - 1st result

We report the 39h of high-speed photometry of HD 137949 using the 0.5-m optical telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). The Johnson-B photometric data were obtained between 2013 June 12 and July 11, in search of frequency solutions for the oscillations in HD 137949. Frequency analysis of our nightly data sets reveals that its known principal frequency of oscillation (ν=2.01478 mHz) is amplitude modulated on nightly basis. Frequency analysis of the entire data set also reveals that the known principal frequency of oscillation has slightly shifted from its earlier known value of ν=2.014781±0.000003 mHz to ν1=2.014834±0.000006 mHz; with a secured detection of new frequency at ν2=2.013001±0.000014 mHz. We discuss the possible implication of the presence of this new frequency (ν2) vis-a-vis finding an explanation for the new behaviour in the oscillation of HD 137949.

Magnetic and pulsational variability of Przybylski’s star (HD 101065)

Since its discovery more than half a century ago Przybylski's star (HD101065) continues to excite the astronomical community by the unusual nature of its spectrum, exhibiting exotic element abundances. This star was also the first magnetic chemically peculiar A-type star for which the presence of rapid oscillations was established. Our analysis of newly acquired and historic longitudinal magnetic field measurements indicates that Przybylski's star is also unusual with respect to its extremely slow rotation. Adopting a dipolar structure for the magnetic field and using a sine wave fit to all reported longitudinal magnetic field values over the last 43yr, we find a probable rotation period P_rot ~ 188yr, which however has to be considered tentative as it does not represent a unique solution and has to be verified by future observations. Additionally, based on our own spectropolarimetric material obtained with HARPSpol, we discuss the impact of the anomalous structure of its atmosphere, in particular of the non-uniform horizontal and vertical distributions of chemical elements on the magnetic field measurements and the pulsational variability. Anomalies related to the vertical abundance stratification of Pr and Nd are for the first time used to establish the presence of a radial magnetic field gradient.

A Binary Nature of the Marginal CP Star Sigma Sculptoris

The A2 V star σ Scl was suspected of being a low-amplitude rotating variable of the Ap-type star by several authors. Aiming to decide whether the star is a variable chemically peculiar (CP) star, we searched for the photometric and spectroscopic variability, and determined chemical abundances of σ Scl. The possible variability was tested using several types of periodograms applied to the photometry from Long-Term Photometry of Variables project (LTPV) and Hipparcos. Sixty spectrograms of high signal-to-noise (S/N) were obtained and used for chemical analysis of the stellar atmosphere and for looking for spectral variability that is symptomatic for the CP stars. We did not find any signs of the light variability or prominent chemical peculiarity, that is specific for the CP stars. The only exception is the abundance of scandium, which is significantly lower than the solar one and yttrium and barium, which are strongly overabundant. As a by-product of the analysis, and with the addition of 29 further spectra, we found that σ Scl is a single-lined spectroscopic binary with orbital period of 46.877(8) d. We argue that σ Scl is not an Ap star, but rather a marginal Am star in SB1 system. The spectral energy distribution of the binary reveals infrared excess due to circumstellar material.

Suppressed phase variations in a high amplitude rapidly oscillating Ap star pulsating in a distorted quadrupole mode

We present the results of a multisite photometric observing campaign on the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star 2MASS 16400299-0737293 (J1640; $V=12.7$). We analyse photometric $B$ data to show the star pulsates at a frequency of $151.93$ d$^{-1}$ ($1758.45 \mu$Hz; $P=9.5$ min) with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 20.68 mmag, making it one of the highest amplitude roAp stars. No further pulsation modes are detected. The stellar rotation period is measured at $3.6747\pm0.0005$ d, and we show that rotational modulation due to spots is in anti-phase between broadband and $B$ observations. Analysis and modelling of the pulsation reveals this star to be pulsating in a distorted quadrupole mode, but with a strong spherically symmetric component. The pulsational phase variation in this star is suppressed, leading to the conclusion that the contribution of $\ell>2$ components dictate the shape of phase variations in roAp stars that pulsate in quadrupole modes. This is only the fourth time such a strong pulsation phase suppression has been observed, leading us to question the mechanisms at work in these stars. We classify J1640 as an A7 Vp SrEu(Cr) star through analysis of classification resolution spectra.

Statistical analysis of the new catalogue of CP stars

This talk is devoted to the statistical analysis of the new catalogue of Chemically Peculiar stars compiled from papers, where chemical abundances of those stars were given. The catalogue contains chemical abundances and physical parameters of 428 stars based on high-resolution spectroscopy data. Spearman's rank correlation test was applied for 416 CP (108 HgMn, 188 ApBp and 120 AmFm) stars and the correlation between chemical abundances and different physical parameters (effective temperature, surface gravity and rotational velocity) was checked. From dozens interesting cases we secluded four cases: the Mn peculiarities in HgMn stars, the Ca correlation with respect to effective temperature in AmFm stars, the case of helium and iron in ApBp stars. We applied also Anderson-Darling (AD) test on ApBp stars to check if multiplicity is a determinant parameter for abundance peculiarities.

Detection of a centrifugal magnetosphere in one of the most massive stars in the ρ Oph star‐forming cloud

Recent XMM‐Newton observations of the B2 type star ρ Oph A indicated a periodicity of 1.205 day, which was ascribed to rotational modulation. Since variability of X‐ray emission in massive stars is frequently the signature of a magnetic field, we investigated whether the presence of a magnetic field can indeed be invoked to explain the observed X‐ray peculiarity. Two FORS 2 spectropolarimetric observations in different rotation phases revealed the presence of a negative (⟨Bz⟩all = − 419 ± 101 G) and positive (⟨Bz⟩all = 538 ± 69 G) longitudinal magnetic field, respectively. We estimate a lower limit for the dipole strength as Bd = 1.9 ± 0.2 kG. Our calculations of the Kepler and Alfvén radii imply the presence of a centrifugally supported, magnetically confined plasma around ρ Oph A. The study of the spectral variability indicates a behavior similar to that observed in typical magnetic early‐type Bp stars.

The Nainital Cape Survey Project : A Search for Pulsation in Chemically Peculiar Stars

The Nainital-Cape Survey is a dedicated search programme initiated in 1999 in the coordination of astronomers from SAAO South Africa, ARIES Nainital and ISRO Bangalore. Over the last 17 years a total of 345 chemically peculiar stars were monitored for photometric variability, making it one of the longest ground-based survey to search for pulsation in chemically peculiar stars in terms of both time span and sample size. Under this survey, we discovered rapid pulsation in the Ap star HD12098 while δ Scuti-type pulsations were detected in seven Am stars. Those stars in which pulsations were not detected have also been tabulated along with their detailed astrophysical parameters for further investigation.

Magnetic field topology and chemical spot distributions of the Ap star HD 119419

Context.Analysis of high-resolution spectropolarimetric time-series observations of early-type magnetic stars is currently the most advanced method of obtaining detailed information on their surface magnetic field topologies and horizontal spot distributions.Aims.In this study we analyse a new set of high-quality full Stokes vector observations of the magnetic Ap star HD 119419 – a member of the 14 Myr old Lower Cen-Cru association – for the purpose of studying the surface field topology and mapping the chemical abundance spots.Methods.We made use of the circular and linear polarisation data collected for HD 119419 with the HARPSpol instrument at the ESO 3.6-m telescope. These observations were analysed with a multi-line magnetic diagnostic technique and modelled in detail with a Magnetic Doppler imaging (MDI) code.Results.We present a new set of high-precision mean longitudinal magnetic field measurements and derive a revised stellar rotational period by comparing our measurements with the literature data. We also redetermine the basic stellar atmospheric parameters. Our four Stokes parameter magnetic inversions reveal a moderately complex surface field topology with a mean field strength of 18 kG and a maximum local strength of 24 kG. A poloidal dipolar component dominates the magnetic energy spectrum of the surface field in HD 119419. However, significant contributions of the higher-order spherical harmonic components are also present. We show that the dipole plus quadrupole part of the reconstructed field geometry is incapable of reproducing the observed amplitudes and shapes of the StokesQandUprofiles. The chemical abundance distributions of Fe, Cr, Ti, and Nd, derived self-consistently with the magnetic field geometry, are characterised by large abundance gradients and a lack of clear correlation with the magnetic field structure.Conclusions.This full Stokes vector analysis of HD 119419 extends the modern hot-star magnetic mapping investigations to an open cluster Ap star with a well-determined age. Further, MDI studies of cluster members will allow us to study the field topologies and chemical abundance spots as a function of stellar age.

Discovery of electron cyclotron MASER emission from the magnetic Bp star HD 133880 with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope

Abstract We report the discovery of coherent radio emission from the young, rapidly rotating magnetic Bp star HD 133880 at a frequency of 610 MHz with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT). This is only the second magnetic star in which coherent radio emission has been detected. In our observations of HD 133880 covering the full rotational cycle of the star (except for a phase window 0.17–0.24), we witness an abrupt order-of-magnitude flux enhancement along with ≈100 per cent right circular polarization. We attribute this phenomenon to coherent electron cyclotron MASER emission. We attribute the lack of left circularly polarized emission to the asymmetric topology of the star's magnetic field. The phase of enhancement, 0.73, differs from the previously reported phase of enhancement, 0.16, (at 610 MHz)by one-half cycle. However, no flux enhancement is found at phase 0.16 in our data, which could be due to an unstable or drifting emission region, or a consequence of the reported changes of the star's rotational period. Either of these factors could have shifted the enhancement to the above-mentioned phase window not sampled by our observations.

Putting atomic diffusion theory of magnetic ApBp stars to the test: evaluation of the predictions of time-dependent diffusion models

A series of recent theoretical atomic diffusion studies has address the challenging problem of predicting inhomogeneous vertical and horizontal chemical element distributions in the atmospheres of magnetic ApBp stars. Here we critically assess the most sophisticated of such diffusion models - based on a time-dependent treatment of the atomic diffusion in a magnetised stellar atmosphere - by direct comparison with observations as well by testing the widely used surface mapping tools with the spectral line profiles predicted by this theory. We show that the mean abundances of Fe and Cr are grossly underestimated by the time-dependent theoretical diffusion model, with discrepancies reaching a factor of 1000 for Cr. We also demonstrate that Doppler imaging inversion codes, based either on modelling of individual metal lines or line-averaged profiles simulated according to theoretical three-dimensional abundance distribution, are able to reconstruct correct horizontal chemical spot maps despite ignoring the vertical abundance variation. These numerical experiments justify a direct comparison of the empirical two-dimensional Doppler maps with theoretical diffusion calculations. This comparison is generally unfavourable for the current diffusion theory, as very few chemical elements are observed to form overabundance rings in the horizontal field regions as predicted by the theory and there are numerous examples of element accumulations in the vicinity of radial field zones, which cannot be explained by diffusion calculations.

Periodic Variability on Time-scales of Decades to Centuries in Magnetic Ap Stars: Challenges and Strategies

AbstractRecent studies have revealed the existence of a significant population of Ap stars with extremely long rotation periods, and the frequent occurrence of Ap stars in wide binaries. Those results represent new constraints on the understanding of the origin and evolution of Ap stars, and (by extension) of all upper-main-sequence stars. Current knowledge of Ap stars with the longest rotation and orbital periods remains incomplete, on the one hand because in many cases the periods of interest are longer than the time-spans over which relevant observations have been obtained, and on the other hand because some important subsets of Ap stars have been omitted from the studies that have been carried out until now. Additional observations over time-scales of decades to centuries are needed to complement the current incomplete picture. Securing them with the required accuracy and time coverage, and ensuring that their full exploitation will ultimately be possible, represents a unique challenge in time-domain astronomy.

Testing the SALT High-Resolution Spectrograph for Pulsation Studies of roAp Stars

AbstractWe present the first time-resolved spectroscopic observations, made with the SALT HRS instrument, of a rapidly oscillating Ap star. We used the instrument in the High Stability mode, with the fastest readout settings – a setup never previously used. Over a 2.5-hr track length, we obtained 280 spectra at 8-second integration times and a cadence of 30 seconds. The target, α Circini, is the brightest of the roAp stars, and thus provides an excellent opportunity to test the instrument. Previous time-resolved spectroscopic studies of this star have been conducted by Kurtz, Elkin & Mathys† with the VLT/UVES instrument, and by Mkrtichian & Hatzes‡ with the HARPS instrument on the ESO 3.6-m telescope. Those two studies provide us with benchmarks to compare the performance of SALT/HRS for this type of project. With the upcoming TESS mission, the ability to perform high-precision, time-resolved spectroscopy of pulsating stars will be key for the scientific output of SALT.

Mixed poloidal–toroidal magnetic configuration and surface abundance distributions of the Bp star 36 Lyn★

Abstract Previous studies of the chemically peculiar Bp star 36 Lyn revealed a moderately strong magnetic field, circumstellar material and inhomogeneous surface abundance distributions of certain elements. We present in this paper an analysis of 33 high signal-to-noise ratio, high-resolution Stokes IV observations of 36 Lyn obtained with the Narval spectropolarimeter at the Bernard Lyot Telescope at Pic du Midi Observatory. From these data, we compute new measurements of the mean longitudinal magnetic field, Bℓ, using the multiline least-squares deconvolution (LSD) technique. A rotationally phased Bℓ curve reveals a strong magnetic field, with indications for deviation from a pure dipole field. We derive magnetic maps and chemical abundance distributions from the LSD profiles, produced using the Zeeman–Doppler imaging code InversLSD. Using a spherical harmonic expansion to characterize the magnetic field, we find that the harmonic energy is concentrated predominantly in the dipole mode (ℓ = 1), with significant contribution from both the poloidal and toroidal components. This toroidal field component is predicted theoretically, but not typically observed for Ap/Bp stars. Chemical abundance maps reveal a helium enhancement in a distinct region where the radial magnetic field is strong. Silicon enhancements are located in two regions, also where the radial field is stronger. Titanium and iron enhancements are slightly offset from the helium enhancements, and are located in areas where the radial field is weak, close to the magnetic equator.

Whole Earth Telescope discovery of a strongly distorted quadrupole pulsation in the largest amplitude rapidly oscillating Ap star

We present a new analysis of the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star, 2MASS J$19400781-4420093$ (J1940; $V=13.1$). The star was discovered using SuperWASP broadband photometry to have a frequency of 176.39 d$^{-1}$ (2041.55 $\mu$Hz; $P = 8.2$ min; Holdsworth et al. 2014a) and is shown here to have a peak-to-peak amplitude of 34 mmag. J1940 has been observed during three seasons at the South African Astronomical Observatory, and has been the target of a Whole Earth Telescope campaign. The observations reveal that J1940 pulsates in a distorted quadrupole mode with unusual pulsational phase variations. A higher signal-to-noise ratio spectrum has been obtained since J1940's first announcement, which allows us to classify the star as A7 Vp Eu(Cr). The observing campaigns presented here reveal no pulsations other than the initially detected frequency. We model the pulsation in J1940 and conclude that the pulsation is distorted by a magnetic field of strength $1.5$ kG. A difference in the times of rotational maximum light and pulsation maximum suggests a significant offset between the spots and pulsation axis, as can be seen in roAp stars.

Magnetic field topology and chemical abundance distributions of the young, rapidly rotating, chemically peculiar star HR 5624

The young, rapidly rotating Bp star HR5624 (HD133880) shows an unusually strong non-sinusoidal variability of its longitudinal magnetic field. This behaviour was previously interpreted as the signature of an exceptionally strong, quadrupole-dominated surface magnetic field geometry. We studied the magnetic field structure and chemical abundance distributions of HR5624 with the aim to verify the unusual quadrupolar nature of its magnetic field and to investigate correlations between the field topology and chemical spots. We analysed high resolution, time series Stokes parameter spectra of HR5624 with the help of a magnetic Doppler imaging inversion code based on detailed polarised radiative transfer modelling of the line profiles. Our magnetic Doppler inversions reveal that the field structure of HR5624 is considerably simpler and the field strength is much lower than proposed by previous studies. We find a maximum local field strength of 12 kG and a mean field strength of 4 kG. Our model implies that overall large-scale field topology of HR5624 is better described as a distorted, asymmetric dipole. The chemical abundance maps of Mg, Si, Ti, Cr, Fe, and Nd obtained in our study are characterised by large-scale, high-contrast abundance patterns. These structures correlate weakly with the magnetic field geometry and show no distinct element concentrations in the horizontal field regions predicted by theoretical atomic diffusion calculations. We conclude that the surface magnetic field topology of HR5624 is not as unusual as previously proposed. Considering these results together with other recent magnetic mapping analyses of early-type stars suggests that predominantly quadrupolar magnetic field topologies, invoked to be present in a significant number of stars, probably do not exist in real stars.