Periodic Variable Stars Research Articles

Period Estimation in Astronomical Time Series Using Slotted Correntropy

In this letter, we propose a method for period estimation in light curves from periodic variable stars using correntropy. Light curves are astronomical time series of stellar brightness over time, and are characterized as being noisy and unevenly sampled. We propose to use slotted time lags in order to estimate correntropy directly from irregularly sampled time series. A new information theoretic metric is proposed for discriminating among the peaks of the correntropy spectral density. The slotted correntropy method outperformed slotted correlation, string length, VarTools (Lomb-Scargle periodogram and Analysis of Variance), and SigSpec applications on a set of light curves drawn from the MACHO survey.

Random forest automated supervised classification of Hipparcos periodic variable stars

We present an evaluation of the performance of an automated classification of the Hipparcos periodic variable stars into 26 types. The sub-sample with the most reliable variability types available in the literature is used to train supervised algorithms to characterize the type dependencies on a number of attributes. The most useful attributes evaluated with the random forest methodology include, in decreasing order of importance, the period, the amplitude, the V-I colour index, the absolute magnitude, the residual around the folded light-curve model, the magnitude distribution skewness and the amplitude of the second harmonic of the Fourier series model relative to that of the fundamental frequency. Random forests and a multi-stage scheme involving Bayesian network and Gaussian mixture methods lead to statistically equivalent results. In standard 10-fold cross-validation experiments, the rate of correct classification is between 90 and 100%, depending on the variability type. The main mis-classification cases, up to a rate of about 10%, arise due to confusion between SPB and ACV blue variables and between eclipsing binaries, ellipsoidal variables and other variability types. Our training set and the predicted types for the other Hipparcos periodic stars are available online.

Swift follow-up of unidentified X-ray sources in the XMM-Newton Slew Survey

We present deep Swift follow-up observations of a sample of 94 unidentified X-ray sources from the XMM–Newton Slew Survey. The X-ray Telescope (XRT) on-board Swift detected 29 per cent of the sample sources; the flux limits for undetected sources suggest the bulk of the Slew Survey sources are drawn from one or more transient populations. We report revised X-ray positions for the XRT-detected sources, with typical uncertainties of 2.9 arcsec, reducing the number of catalogued optical matches to just a single source in most cases. We characterize the sources detected by Swift through their X-ray spectra and variability and via Ultraviolet–Optical Telescope photometry and using catalogued near-infrared, optical and radio observations of potential counterparts. Six sources can be associated with known objects and eight sources may be associated with unidentified ROSAT sources within the 3σ error radii of our revised X-ray positions. We find 10 of the 30 XRT- and/or Burst Alert Telescope (BAT)-detected sources are clearly stellar in nature, including one periodic variable star and two high proper motion stars. For 11 sources we propose an active galactic nucleus (AGN) classification, among which four are detected in hard X-rays and three have redshifts spanning z= 0.2–0.9 obtained from the literature or from optical spectroscopy presented here. A further three sources are suspected AGN and one is a candidate Galactic hard X-ray flash, while five sources remain unclassified. The 67 Slew Survey sources we do not detect with Swift XRT or BAT are studied via their characteristics in the Slew Survey observations and by comparison with the XRT- and BAT-detected population. We suggest that these are mostly if not all extragalactic, though unlikely to be highly absorbed sources in the X-rays such as Compton thick AGN. A large number of these are highly variable soft X-ray (0.2–2 keV) sources and a smaller number are highly variable hard (2–12 keV) sources. A small fraction of mainly hard-band Slew Survey detections may be spurious. This follow-up programme brings us a step further to completing the identifications of a substantial sample of XMM–Newton Slew Survey sources, important for understanding the nature of the transient sky and allowing flux-limited samples to be constructed.

산개성단 M35(NGC 2168) 영역의 새로운 변광성

In the region of the intermediate open cluster M35 (NGC 2168), the time-series of V CCD images was taken for 12 nights from December 18, 2007 to September 25, 2010. From this observation, we detected 22 variable stars including 15 new ones. They are 6 Scuti, a Cepheid, an RR Lyrae, 9 eclipsing binaries and 5 semi-long periodic and/or slow irregular type variable stars. For the V photometry of the 2 Scuti stars, the multi-frequency analysis was performed using the Discrete Fourier Transform and the linear least-square fitting.

LSST Observations of RR Lyrae Stars for Mapping the Galactic Halo

AbstractThe Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) is an anticipated to undertake a 10–year, 3π steradian survey that promises to observe millions of new periodic variable stars. We report on a study to determine the efficiency of the LSST to recover the light curve properties of RR Lyrae stars. An LSST light curve simulation tool was used to sample input idealized light curves or RR Lyrae stars observed in SDSS Stripe 82 data, returning each as it would have been observed by LSST, including realistic photometric scatter, limiting magnitudes, and telescope downtime. Our results show that the LSST will be capable of mapping the spatial distributions and chemical compositions of halo stellar overdensities using RR Lyrae discovered across 3π steradians and out to nearly 1.5 Mpc. LSST will thus enable the mapping of halo merger streams, the discovery of new dwarf galaxies, and the mapping galactic halos throughout the Local Group galaxies.

The Lifetime of R Cassiopeia’s SiO Maser Features

ABSTRACTMaser spectra of the long period variable star R Cassiopeia (R Cas) have been observed over approximately four stellar periods in the silicon monoxide v = 1 and v = 2, J = 1 - 0 transition. The linear polarization characteristics of the spectra have been determined. The lifetimes and beginning and ending phases of 43 maser features have been extracted from Gaussian fits to the polarized spectra. It has been proposed that the maser emissions of long-period variables are affected by the passage of a shock wave through the circumstellar region in which the masers originate. The proposed shock passage produces a fading or absence of the emission by phase 0.4 (for v = 1 and v = 2). Our study found that five SiO maser features went out of existence between phases 0.3 and 0.4 for v = 1 and v = 2 (total number of features: 19 for v = 1, 24 for v = 2). In no other phase interval did more than three features go out of existence. This result is in accordance with the above proposition.

The magnetic field of the B1/B2V star σ Lup

AbstractThe ultraviolet stellar wind lines of the photometrically periodic variable early B-type star σ Lupi were found to behave very similarly to what has been observed in known magnetic B stars, although no periodicity could be determined. AAT spectropolarimetric measurements with SEMPOL were obtained. We detected a longitudinal magnetic field with varying strength and amplitude of about 100 G with error bars of typically 20 G. This type of variability supports an oblique magnetic rotator model. We fold the equivalent width of the 4 usable UV spectra in phase with the well-known photometric period of 3.019 days, which we identify with the rotation period of the star. The magnetic field variations are consistent with this period. Additional observations with ESPaDOnS attached to the CFHT strongly confirmed this discovery, and allowed to determine a precise magnetic period. Like in the other magnetic B stars the wind emission likely originates in the magnetic equatorial plane, with maximum emission occurring when a magnetic pole points towards the Earth. The 3.0182 d magnetic rotation period is consistent with the photometric period, with maximum light corresponding to maximum magnetic field. No helium or other chemical peculiarity is known for this object.

산개성단 M38(NGC 1912) 영역의 새로운 변광성 II

Next to Paper I (Jeon 2009a), time-series BV CCD images of the open cluster M38 were taken for 4 nights on December, 2009. The observations have been carried out for total 27 nights. In addition to the 20 variable stars in the Paper I, the discovery of 44 new variable stars has been presented in this paper: <TEX>$6{\delta}$</TEX> Scuti stars, <TEX>$2{\gamma}$</TEX> Doradus stars, 18 eclipsing binaries and 18 semi-long periodic and/or slow irregular type variable stars. For the V photometry of the <TEX>${\delta}$</TEX> Scuti and <TEX>${\gamma}$</TEX> Doradus stars, multi-frequency analysis was performed using the Discrete Fourier Transform and linear least-square fitting. The period search for the eclipsing binaries and the semi-long periodic and/or slow irregular type variable stars was performed by phase fitting method. As a result, the periods for 23 variable stars among the 44 ones were defined.

THE TAIWANESE-AMERICAN OCCULTATION SURVEY PROJECT STELLAR VARIABILITY. II. DETECTION OF 15 VARIABLE STARS

The Taiwanese-American Occultation Survey (TAOS) project has collected more than a billion photometric measurements since 2005 January. These sky survey data-covering timescales from a fraction of a second to a few hundred days-are a useful source to study stellar variability. A total of 167 star fields, mostly along the ecliptic plane, have been selected for photometric monitoring with the TAOS telescopes. This paper presents our initial analysis of a search for periodic variable stars from the time-series TAOS data on one particular TAOS field, No. 151 (RA = 17$^{\rm h}30^{\rm m}6\fs$67, Dec = 27\degr17\arcmin 30\arcsec, J2000), which had been observed over 47 epochs in 2005. A total of 81 candidate variables are identified in the 3 square degree field, with magnitudes in the range 8 < R < 16. On the basis of the periodicity and shape of the lightcurves, 29 variables, 15 of which were previously unknown, are classified as RR Lyrae, Cepheid, delta Scuti, SX Phonencis, semi-regular and eclipsing binaries.

The Lifetime of Mira’s SiO Maser Features

ABSTRACTMaser spectra of the long period variable star Mira have been observed for approximately four stellar periods in the silicon monoxide (SiO) v = 1, J = 1 - 0 transition using the 37 m Haystack Radio Telescope. The linear polarization characteristics of the spectra have been determined. The lifetimes and beginning and ending phases of 15 maser features have also been extracted from Gaussian fits to the polarized spectra. Previously it had been suggested that features disappear at or near phase 0, the optical maximum. Recently it has been proposed that the maser emissions of long period variables are affected by the passage of a shock wave through the circumstellar region in which the masers originate. The proposed shock passage produces a fading of the emission by phase 0.4. The results of the Gaussian fits indicate that 10 of 15 features came into existence between phases 0.8 and 0.1 and 7 went out of existence between phases 0.3 and 0.4. One feature had a lifetime greater than the period of the star.

The young open cluster Trumpler 3

AbstractWe present a photometric and spectroscopic study of the poorly investigated open cluster Trumpler 3. Basic parameters such as the age of 70 ± 10 Myr, the color excess E (B – V) = 0.30 ± 0.02 mag, the distance of 0.69 ± 0.03 kpc and the limiting radius of 12′ were redetermined and compared with previous preliminary studies. The distance of 0.65 ± 0.09 kpc was determined independently by spectral parallaxes. Simultaneously, our analysis allowed us to estimate a total number of members to be Ntot = 570 ± 90 and a total mass of the cluster to be Mtot = 270 ± 40 M⊙. We also determined a state of cluster's dynamical evolution. We conclude that Trumpler 3 is a young low‐massive stellar ensemble with a typical mass function slope, located near to the outer edge of the Galaxy's Orion Spur. As a result of a wide‐field search for short period variable stars, 24 variables were discovered in the cluster's area. Only one of them – a variable of the γ ‐Dor type – was found to be a likely cluster member (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &amp; Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The Distance to NGC 5128 (Centaurus A)

AbstractIn this paper we review the various high precision methods that are now available to determine the distance to NGC 5128. These methods include: Cepheids, TRGB (tip of the red giant branch), PNLF (planetary nebula luminosity function), SBF (surface brightness fluctuations), and Long Period Variable (LPV) Mira stars. From an evaluation of these methods and their uncertainties, we derive a best-estimate distance of 3.8±0.1 Mpc to NGC 5128 and find that this mean is now well supported by the current data. We also discuss the role of NGC 5128 more generally for the extragalactic distance scale as a testbed for the most direct possible comparison among these key methods.

Study of short period variables and small amplitude periodic variables

Our goal is to assess Gaia's performance on the period recovery of short period (p < 2 hours) and small amplitude variability. To reach this goal first we collected the properties of variable stars that fit the requirements described above. Then we built a database of synthetic light-curves with short period and low amplitude variability with time sampling that follows the Gaia nominal scanning law and with noise level corresponding to the expected photometric precision of Gaia. Finally we performed period search on the synthetic light-curves to obtain period recovery statistics. This work extends our previous period recovery studies to short period variable stars which have non-stationary Fourier spectra.

젊은 산개성단 M29 (NGC 6913) 영역의 변광성

From the short-period variability survey (SPVS) in Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory, I obtained time-series BV CCD images in the region of the young open cluster M29 (NGC 6913) for 15 nights from May 30, 2008 to September 17, 2009. I observed 48 variable stars including 45 new ones. They consisted of 5 <TEX>$\delta$</TEX> Scuti, a Cepheid, 16 eclipsing binaries and 24 semi-long periodic and/or slow irregular type variable stars including <TEX>$\beta$</TEX> Cephei and LPB type stars. For the rest two ones, the type of variability was not defined. I also checked the variability of the 26 known variable stars listed in the GCVS. Only three ones among 26 known variable stars confirmed variability.

Periodic variable stars in CoRoT field LRa02 observed with BEST II

<i>Context. <i/>The Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope II (BEST II) is a small wide field-of-view photometric survey telescope system located at the Observatorio Cerro Armazones, Chile. The high duty cycle combined with excellent observing conditions and millimagnitude photometric precision makes this instrument suitable for ground based support observations for the CoRoT space mission.<i>Aims. <i/>Photometric data of the CoRoT LRa02 target field collected between November 2008 and March 2009 were analysed for stellar variability. The presented results will help in the future analysis of the CoRoT data, particularly in additional science programs related to variable stars.<i>Methods. <i/>BEST II observes selected CoRoT target fields ahead of the space mission. The photometric data acquired are searched for stellar variability, periodic variable stars are identified with time series analysis of the obtained stellar light curves.<i>Results. <i/>We obtained the light curves of stars in the CoRoT LRa02 field over 41 nights. Variability was detected in light curves of 3726 stars of which 350 showed a regular period. These stars are, with the exception of 5 previously known variable stars, new discoveries.

CHARACTERIZATION OF CoRoT TARGET FIELDS WITH BERLIN EXOPLANET SEARCH TELESCOPE. II. IDENTIFICATION OF PERIODIC VARIABLE STARS IN THE LRc2 FIELD

In this paper we report on observations of the CoRoT LRa1 field with the Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope (BEST). The current paper is part of the series of papers describing the results of our stellar variability survey. BEST is a small aperture telescope with a wide field-of-view (FOV). It is dedicated to search for stellar variability within the target fields of the CoRoT space mission to aid in minimizing false-alarm rates and identify potential targets for additional science. The LRa1 field is CoRoT's third observed field and the second long run field located in the galactic anticenter direction. We observed the LRa1 stellar field on 23 nights between November and March 2005/2006. From 6099 stars marked as variable, 39 were classified as periodic variable stars and 27 of them are within the CoRoT FOV. We also confirmed the variability for 4 stars listed in GCVS catalog.

Finding anomalous periodic time series

Catalogs of periodic variable stars contain large numbers of periodic light-curves (photometric time series data from the astrophysics domain). Separating anomalous objects from well-known classes is an important step towards the discovery of new classes of astronomical objects. Most anomaly detection methods for time series data assume either a single continuous time series or a set of time series whose periods are aligned. Light-curve data precludes the use of these methods as the periods of any given pair of light-curves may be out of sync. One may use an existing anomaly detection method if, prior to similarity calculation, one performs the costly act of aligning two light-curves, an operation that scales poorly to massive data sets. This paper presents PCAD, an unsupervised anomaly detection method for large sets of unsynchronized periodic time-series data, that outputs a ranked list of both global and local anomalies. It calculates its anomaly score for each light-curve in relation to a set of centroids produced by a modified k-means clustering algorithm. Our method is able to scale to large data sets through the use of sampling. We validate our method on both light-curve data and other time series data sets. We demonstrate its effectiveness at finding known anomalies, and discuss the effect of sample size and number of centroids on our results. We compare our method to naive solutions and existing time series anomaly detection methods for unphased data, and show that PCAD's reported anomalies are comparable to or better than all other methods. Finally, astrophysicists on our team have verified that PCAD finds true anomalies that might be indicative of novel astrophysical phenomena.

CHARACTERIZATION OFCoRoTTARGET FIELDS WITH THE BERLIN EXOPLANET SEARCH TELESCOPE: IDENTIFICATION OF PERIODIC VARIABLE STARS IN THE LRa1 FIELD

In this paper, we report on observations of the CoRoT LRa1 field with the Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope (BEST). The current paper is part of a series of papers describing the results of our stellar variability survey. The BEST is a small aperture telescope with a wide field of view (FOV). It is dedicated to searching for stellar variability within the target fields of the CoRoT space mission to aid in minimizing false-alarm rates and identify potential targets for additional science. The LRa1 field is CoRoT's second long run field located in the galactic anticenter direction. We observed the LRa1 stellar field on 23 nights between November and March 2005/2006. From 6099 stars marked as variable, 39 were classified as periodic variable stars and 27 of them are within the CoRoT FOV. We also confirmed the variability for four stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars (GCVS).

Characterization ofCOROTTarget Fields with BEST: Identification of Periodic Variable Stars in the IR01 Field

We report on observations of the COROT IR01 field with the Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope (BEST). BEST is a small-aperture telescope with a wide field of view (FOV). It is dedicated to searching for variable stars within the target fields of the COROT space mission to aid in minimizing false-alarm rates, and identifying potential targets for additional science. COROT's observational program started in 2007 February, with the initial run field (IR01) observed for about 2 months. BEST observed this field for 12 nights spread over 3 months in winter 2006. From the total of 30,426 stars observed in the IR01 field, 3769 were marked as suspected variable stars, and 54 of these showed clear periodicity. From these, 19 periodic stars are within the part of the COROT FOV covered in our data set.

Statistical Inference for Evolving Periodic Functions

SummaryIn the study of variable stars, where the light reaching an observer fluctuates over time, it can be difficult to explain the nature of the variation unless it follows a regular pattern. In this respect, so-called periodic variable stars are particularly amenable to analysis. There, radiation varies in a perfectly periodic fashion, and period length is a major focus of interest. We develop methods for conducting inference about features that might account for departures from strict periodicity. These include variation, over time, of the period or amplitude of radiation. We suggest methods for estimating the parameters of this evolution, and for testing the hypothesis that the evolution is present. This problem has some unusual features, including subtle issues of identifiability.