The pulsating λ Bootis star HD 105759

We present spectroscopic and multisite time series photometric observations of the star HD 105759 which confirm that this is a new pulsating λ Bootis star. Our spectroscopy indicates an overall metallicity of [Z] = log Z − log Z_⊙ = −1 and that T _eff = 8000 ± 300 K and log  g  = 4.0 ± 0.2. The photometric data reveal that this star pulsates with at least five frequencies: 8.62, 12.69, 20.15, 21.27 and 23.66 d⁻¹. These frequencies do not all match those found in an earlier single-site study, indicating that the pulsation spectrum changes with time.     

A photometric and spectroscopic study of the hottest pulsating extreme helium star, V2076 Oph (HD 160641)

We present results from a three-site photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic campaign on the hottest known extreme helium star V2076 Oph (HD 160641). A core programme of intensive observations covered two weeks and a much lower sampling rate extended over another two months. Despite the fact that the data seem to indicate periodicity near half a day (though the light curves are clearly not formed by a single periodicity), conventional Fourier analysis of the data fails to reveal coherent frequencies. Furthermore, we are unable to recover frequencies which were apparently clear in an earlier campaign on the star. Evidence of monotonic pulsation amplitude changes is seen at the higher frequencies from a wavelet analysis, but more data are needed before this study can be extended to lower frequencies. The application of linear stochastic differential equation (LSDE) methods indicates that the observed light variations could be a result of random variations giving the appearance of intermittent periodicity. High-resolution spectroscopic observations were obtained during the campaign and additional observations were made three years later. Complex line profile variations were observed. It is proposed that the different behaviour of the emission line studied may indicate it is associated with a stellar wind or resident circumstellar material. The frequencies that are extracted from the velocity data do not conform to those identified in the current or previous photometric campaigns.     

A frequency analysis of the p-mode pulsations of the Ap SrEu(Cr) star HD 119027

We present new high-speed, multisite photometric observations of the rapidly oscillating Ap star HD 119027 acquired over seven nights during 1996. A frequency analysis of these observations reveals the presence of oscillations at 1835, 1875, 1888, 1913, 1940, 1942 and (possibly) 1953 μHz. These frequencies are consistent with a spacing of either 13 or 26 μHz, depending on the reality of the oscillations at 1875 and 1953 μHz. The data in hand do not permit us to discriminate between the two possible spacings. If the smaller value of the spacing is correct, it suggests that HD 119027 is outside the main-sequence band. Two of the frequencies listed above are separated by only 1.95 μHz, suggesting that they are modes of ( n ,ℓ) and ( n  − 1, ℓ + 2), which in roAp stars is a quantity governed by the internal magnetic field.     

The sixth frequency of roAp star HR 1217

The frequency of the sixth mode observed in HR 1217 cannot currently be understood in the light of the asymptotic theory for high-frequency acoustic modes, valid for adiabatic pulsations in spherically symmetric stars. Deviations from spherical symmetry will change the frequency of the observed oscillations away from the frequencies predicted by the asymptotic theory. Among other things, the presence of a magnetic field in the star will introduce such deviations from spherical symmetry. In the present work we inspect the effect of the magnetic field on the oscillations of HR 1217. Although we model HR 1217 in a rather simplified manner, we believe, as argued in the text, that the essence of the conclusions would not be modified if a more sophisticated model were to be used instead. The results show that the frequency of the sixth mode observed in HR 1217 might be understood if the effect of the magnetic field on the frequencies of the oscillations is fully taken into account. Moreover, we interpret the sixth frequency as a mode of even degree, and explain the absence from the observations of an intermediate l =1 , m =0 mode as the result of large energy losses associated with the coupling of the latter with Alfvénic waves, in the strongly magnetized outer layers of the star. Finally, we show how, in the light of this explanation, the frequency of the sixth mode might be used in order to put constraints on the parameters characterizing the star.     

Confirmation of the oblique pulsator model for the rapidly oscillating Ap star HR 3831

We have detected pulsational radial velocity variations in the rapidly oscillating Ap star HR 3831 which are amplitude- and phase-modulated in the same manner as the photometric variations. In particular, the radial velocities show the same 180° phase reversal at magnetic quadrature as the photometric variations. This confirms the oblique pulsator model, and rules out the spotted pulsator model for these stars.     

The slowly pulsating sdB star EC 21324−1346

We present results from a two-week, single-site photometric campaign on the slowly pulsating sdB star, EC 21324−1346. Nine frequencies are detected between about 333 and 125 μHz (periods between 3000 and 8000 s) with amplitudes ranging from 0.003 to 0.001 mag; large for this class of star. Comparison with sparser, earlier data indicates that some of these oscillations are persistent, though at least one shows clear evidence of substantial amplitude variation.     

Time-series spectroscopy of the rapidly oscillating Ap star HR 3831

We present time-series spectroscopy of the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star HR 3831. This star has a dominant pulsation period of 11.7 min and a rotation period of 2.85 d. We have analysed 1400 intermediate-resolution spectra of the wavelength region 6100–7100 Å obtained over one week, using techniques similar to those we applied to another roAp star, α  Cir.
We confirm that the H α velocity amplitude of HR 3831 is modulated with rotation phase. Such a modulation was predicted by the oblique pulsator model, and rules out the spotted pulsator model. However, further analysis of H α and other lines reveals rotational modulations that cannot easily be explained using the oblique pulsator model. In particular, the phase of the pulsation as measured by the width of the H α line varies with height in the line.
The variation of the H α bisector shows a very similar pattern to that observed in α Cir, which we have previously attributed to a radial node in the stellar atmosphere. However, the striking similarities between the two stars, despite the much shorter period of α Cir (6.8 min), argues against this interpretation unless the structure of the atmosphere is somewhat different between the two stars. Alternatively, the bisector variation is a signature of the degree ℓ of the mode and not the overtone value n .
High-resolution studies of the metal lines in roAp stars are needed to understand fully the form of the pulsation in the atmosphere.     

Spectroscopy of the roAp star α Cir — I. Velocities of Hα and metal lines

We present radial velocity measurements of the rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) star α Cir, obtained from dual-site observations with medium-dispersion spectrographs. The amplitude and phase of the principal pulsation mode vary significantly, depending on which line is being measured. The amplitude is observed to be as high as 1000 m s⁻¹ in some wavelength bands, despite a previous upper limit of 36 m s⁻¹. Furthermore, some lines are apparently pulsating in anti-phase with others. We suggest this indicates a high-overtone standing wave with a velocity node in the atmosphere of the star.     

Radial velocity variations of the pulsating subdwarf B star PG 1605+072

We present an analysis of high-speed spectroscopy of the pulsating subdwarf B star PG 1605+072. Periodic radial motions are detected at frequencies similar to those reported for photometric variations in the star, with amplitudes of up to 6 km s⁻¹. Differences between relative strengths for given frequency peaks for our velocity data and previously measured photometry are probably a result of shifting of power between modes over time. Small differences in the detected frequencies may also indicate mode-shifting. We report the detection of line-shape variations using the moments of the cross-correlation function profiles. It may be possible to use the moments to identify the pulsation modes of the star.     

KPD 0629–0016, a slowly pulsating hot subdwarf star

The results of nine CCD photometric observing runs on KPD 0629–0016 are presented. During six of the runs measurements were obtained alternately through B and V filters. Four periodicities, for which there is good agreement between the frequencies identified in the B and V data, were extracted: these lie in the range 46–81 min. A fifth lower frequency appears to be definitely present, but is very uncertain due to aliasing. The ratios of the mode amplitudes measured in B and V , and the phase differences between variations in the two colours, are compatible with pulsation theory.     

On the properties of strange modes

Properties of the so-called strange modes occurring in linear stability calculations of stellar models are discussed. The behaviour of these modes is compared for two different sets of stellar models, for very massive zero-age main-sequence stars and for luminous hydrogen-deficient stars, both with high luminosity-to-mass ratios. We have found that the peculiar behaviour of the frequencies of the strange modes with the change of a control parameter is caused by the pulsation amplitude of a particular eigenmode being strongly confined to the outer part of the envelope, around the density inversion zone. The frequency of a strange mode changes because the depth of the confinement zone changes with the control parameter. Weakly non-adiabatic strange modes tend to be overstable because the amplitude confinement quenches the effect of radiative damping. On the other hand, extremely non-adiabatic strange modes become overstable because the perturbation of radiation force (gradient of radiation pressure) provides a restoring force that can be out of phase with the density perturbation. We discuss this mechanism by using a plane-parallel two-zone model.     

Discovery and asteroseismological analysis of a new pulsating DB white dwarf star, PG 2246+121

We report 36.6 h of time-resolved CCD photometry of the DB white dwarf star PG 2246+121 and the discovery that it is a new pulsating variable. Analysis of our compact single-site data set allowed the detection of three mode multiplets, two triplets at 256 and 329 s, respectively, and one doublet at 286 s. The frequency splitting within those structures is exactly the same within the length and accuracy of our data set.
We argue that these multiplets are the result of non-radial g-mode pulsations, most probably of spherical degree ℓ=1, which then yields a formal stellar rotation period of 2.00±0.12 d. We suggest that the excited modes are three consecutive radial overtones of order 3–7, most likely k =4,5,6. This discovery's impact on the understanding of pulsating DB white dwarfs is discussed.     

The evolution of a rapidly accreting helium white dwarf to become a low-luminosity helium star

We have examined the evolution of merged low-mass double white dwarfs which become low-luminosity (or high-gravity) extreme helium stars. We have approximated the merging process by the rapid accretion of matter, consisting mostly of helium, on to a helium white dwarf. After a certain mass is accumulated, a helium shell flash occurs, the radius and luminosity increase and the star becomes a yellow giant. Mass accretion is stopped artificially when the total mass reaches a pre-determined value. As the helium-burning shell moves inwards with repeating shell flashes, the effective temperature gradually increases as the star evolves towards the helium main sequence. When the mass interior to the helium‐burning shell is approximately 0.25 M_⊙, the star enters a regime where it is pulsationally unstable. We have obtained radial pulsation periods for these models.
These models have properties very similar to those of the pulsating helium star V652 Her. We have compared the rate of period change of the theoretical models with that observed in V652 Her, as well as with its position on the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. We conclude that the merger between two helium white dwarfs can produce a star with properties remarkably similar to those observed in at least one extreme helium star, and is a viable model for their evolutionary origin. Such helium stars will evolve to become hot subdwarfs close to the helium main sequence. We also discuss the number of low-luminosity helium stars in the Galaxy expected for our evolution scenario.     

The Dushak-Erekdag survey of roAp stars

The search of roAp stars at Mt. Dushak-Erekdag Observatory was started in 1992 using the 0.8 m Odessa telescope equipped with a two-star high-speed photometer. We have observed more than a dozen stars so far and discovered HD 99563 as roAp star while BD+8087 is suspected to have rapid oscillations. Negative results of our observations for the search of rapid oscillations in four stars in NGC 752 are also discussed.