The high amplitude delta Scuti star SZ Lyncis revisited

Nine new times of light maximum are given for SZ Lyn and the time base of observations is herewith extended to 26 years. 154 light maxima have been used to calculate the orbital elements and the secular change in the period of the pulsating component. The results provided here support the post-Main Sequence, high mass hypothesis for the evolutionary state of this dwarf cepheid.     

On the frequency and amplitude variations of the δ Scuti star CD−24 7599 (=XX Pyx)

We present 132 h of new time-series photometric observations of the δ Scuti star CD−24 7599 acquired during 86 nights from 1993 to 1996 to study its frequency and amplitude variations. By using all published observations we demonstrate that the three dominating pulsation modes of the star can change their photometric amplitudes within one month at certain times, while the amplitudes can remain constant within the measurement errors at other times. CD−24 7599 also exhibits frequency variations, which do not show any correspondence between the different modes.   The typical time-scale for the amplitude variations is found to be several hundred days, which is of the same order of magnitude as the inverse linear growth rates of a selected model. We find no evidence for periodic amplitude modulation of two of the investigated modes ( f ₂ and f ₃), but f ₁ may exhibit periodic modulation. The latter result could be spurious and requires confirmation. The observed frequency variations may either be continuous or reflect sudden frequency jumps. No evidence for cyclical period changes is obtained.   We exclude precession of the pulsation axis and oblique pulsation for the amplitude variations. Beating of closely spaced frequencies cannot explain the amplitude modulations of two of the modes, while it is possible for the third. Evolutionary effects, binarity, magnetic field changes or avoided crossings cannot be made responsible for the observed period changes. Only resonance between different modes may be able to explain the observations. However, at this stage a quantitative comparison is not possible. More observations, especially data leading to a definite mode identification and further measurements of the temporal behaviour of the amplitudes and frequencies of CD−24 7599, are required.     

On the pulsation amplitude of cepheid variables

On the basis of more abundant data a relation logPV/logR for cepheid variables (Fernie, 1965) is constructed. A linear relation between logP V and logR for classical cepheids is found, which perhaps has a break at R=10R . On the logR/logP diagram thes-cepheids (Efremov, 1968) show a distinct sequence. Alls-cepheids present a relative variation of the radii R/R0.075. The existence of non-s-cepheids with R/R0.075 raises a point about the evolutionary place of these stars (see Efremov, 1968). One could suppose that cepheids with logP>1.1 pulsate in the first overtone.     

On the period variations of RT Persei

The observed minima of RT Persei up to 1971 are collected and treated by the method of least squares to establish periodic terms with a fundamental period of 40^y0 and, furthermore, a quadratic term. It is shown that the periodic terms might be explained by the presence of a third body, but this hypothesis seems unlikely, and could be definitively ruled out by new spectroscopic observations. A dynamical instability of the system may constitute a more likely explanation of the observed period changes.     

Photometry and the determination of oscillation modes for high amplitude Delta Scuti (HADS) variable GSC 1566-2802

CCD photometry observation of a newly discovered, high amplitude Delta Scuti star GSC 1566-2802, with a visible filter, is presented. The observations were carried out at Alborz Observatory located in Mahdasht, Karaj, Iran.The main goal of this project was to update our knowledge of the periodic variations of the target star. This paper covers three analyses, first calculating a new ephemeris and plotting a new light curve based on 19 times of maxima; then a Fourier analysis of the observed data points which results in determining probable oscillation modes, as well as computing its physical parameters which guide us to its harmonics and pulsation modes.     

Relationship between low and high frequencies in the δ Scuti star KIC 9764965

Two years of Kepler spacecraft data of the δ Sct/γ Dor star KIC 9764965 revealed 67 statistically significant frequencies from 0.45 to 59.17 c d^–1 (0.005 to 0.685 mHz). The 19 low frequencies do not show equidistant period spacing predicted for gravity modes of successive radial order. We note a favored frequency spacing of 2.053 c d^–1 that appears in both the low‐frequency (gravity mode) region and high‐frequency (pressure mode) regions. The value of this frequency spacing also occurs as a dominant low frequency and in a high‐frequency triplet. A peak at exactly twice the value of the 2.053 cd^–1 mode is shown not to be a Fourier harmonic of the low‐frequency peak due to a different amplitude variability. This behavior is also seen in other δ Sct stars. The test for resonant mode coupling between low and high frequencies could not be carried out due to the small amplitudes of the peaks, making it difficult to separate the parent and child modes. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the Red Edge of the δ Scuti Instability Strip

The S Scuti star catalogue is used to derive the observational locations of such stars on the HR diagram. The theoretical and observational instability strips are compared to check the theoretical red edge obtained by considering nonlocal time-dependent convection theory. The observational instability strip almost overlaps with the theoretical one, but the observed blue and red envelopes are hotter than the theoretical edges. The distribution of S Scuti stars in the pulsation strip is not uniform.     

On the period changes of RR Lyrae variables in the globular cluster M3

O – C diagrams of 78 RR Lyrae variables of the years 1963 to 1978 were used to investigate their comparability with the diagrams of 1895 to 1963. Only 5% have been proved to show a fundamentally deviating trend of the period change.     

Secular variations of the photometric parameters of Mira Ceti variables and semiregular variables

The photometric properties of long-period variable stars and problems related to their traditional classification are analyzed. A general review of secular variations of such light-curve parameters studied in our previous papers as the period, amplitude, and mean brightness is given. Several types of Mira Ceti stars that differ in the secular period variation pattern are identified. A connection between the secular amplitude variations of certain variables with the effect of multiperiodicity is revealed. It is shown that the pattern of these variations and their numerical properties may be used to classify these variable stars.     

On the relation between the amplitude of light and radial velocity variations of β Canis Majoris stars

The relation between the amplitude of light m and the amplitude of the radial velocity 2K for Canis Majoris stars is investigated. A linear relationship between m and 2K is found. However, the two stars BW Vul and Sco, which have the largest radial velocity variations, do not seem to share this relationship.     

New period and period variations of DX Aquarii

The new period (P=0 _. ^d 461700) of the eclipsing binary system DX Aqr has been presented, which is based on available times of minima. O–C diagram of DX Aqr has been presented for the first time, and the period variations present in the system have been analysed. In all five period increases and five period decreases are nothed, and four period increases and five period decreases have been discussed. The strongest period increase occurs between 1975 and 1976. The total period change in different portions of the O–C diagram ranges from 1.40×10^–4 d to 3.61×10^–6 d. Appreciable period fluctuations have been noted to have occurred in the time intervals, 1964–1965 and 1974–1975.     

Doppler period variations of high-velocity pulsars

The effect of the source motion on the period variation of pulsars is investigated. For some pulsars, a velocity 100–300 km/s can give a Doppler contribution to the second period derivative P which is comparable or larger than the intrinsic variation predicted by theoretical models, whereas larger velocities are required in order to give an appreciable kinematic effect on the first derivative P. The possibility of experimental detection of P and proper motion for known pulsars is discussed.     

Infrared colours of selected long period variables

We investigate the effect of the variability on the positions of AGB stars in colour diagrams. We try to evaluate the impact of this effect on the separation between oxygen-rich and carbon-rich stars.     

On the systematic difference between trigonometric parallaxes determined along right ascension and declination

I analysed the trigonometric parallaxes independently measured along right ascension and declination, π_x and π_y , in the data published by the Royal Greenwich Observatory, U.K. The results show that there may exist a certain significant correlation between the difference π_x ? π_y and the right ascension.     

Geomagnetic variations with the period of a sidereal day

Recent determinations of sidereal-day variations in the geomagnetic field have been attributed to galactic sources of ionisation. Alternative mechanisms that could equally well account for the observed variations are presented, based on solar and lunar tides.     

Study of the variability of the Delta Scuti stars

Photoelectric observations of the suspected Delta-Scuti star HR 5492 are given. The present data do not show any light variation greater than 0.01 mag. In spite of the very small light variations, the data analysis shows the presence of two periodicities, which are statistically significant. While the longest period (1. _. ^d 296) cannot be justified with the present data, the shorter one (0. _. ^d 044) is in excellent agreement with the hypothesis of an F4V star that is radially pulsating in the fundamental mode, even if this star is well outside the cold border of the instability strip.     

Dynamo action and the period gap in cataclysmic variables

The conjecture is presented that the gap in the distribution of the orbital periods of cataclysmic variables is related to a particular kind of hydromagnetic dynamo, called an interface dynamo, operating near the base of the convective envelope of their secondary components. Such a dynamo is characterized by the spatial separation of the regions where differential rotation and the α effect operate. Unlike conventional dynamos, the linear growth rate of an interface dynamo becomes negative for highly supercritical dynamo numbers, leading to the disappearance of the dynamo action. If such a result, from linear theory, is confirmed by non-linear calculations, it may provide a physical basis for the so-called disrupted magnetic braking hypothesis, invoked to explain the existence of the period gap by several evolutionary models of cataclysmic variables.