Variable Star Status of Two Stars:V204 and I-I-39 in M3

The star I-I-42 (=vZ1390),a cluster member in M3,located near the red edge of the instability strip of the horizontal branch,was discovered by Roberts and Sandage as a low amplitude variable,it was designated as V204 in the "second catalogue of variable stars in globular clusters",but its coordinates given in all versions of this catalogue are wrong since 1955. We argue that V204 is indeed a low amplitude HB variable star,located near to the red edge of the instability strip,with a period of 0.74785d and an amplitude of about 0.04mag in V . We also find that the red cluster member star I-I-39 is a low amplitude variable with a period of 1.16d and amplitude of about 0.03mag in V which might be pulsating at the second overtone.     

G328: A Small-Amplitude Red Variable with a Period Near One Day

G328 = A65 = L3314 (V = 13.83, B-V = 1.91) is a field star in the direction of the globular cluster M4. If we take E(B - V) = 0.40, then its (B - V)0 = 1.51, corresponding to a spectral type of K5III if it is a giant star; or of dM2 if it is a dwarf. Observations at both the MSSSO and Yunnan Observatory have shown that G328 is a new variable with peak to peak amplitude - 0.05 mag in V. While it is not unusual for so red a star to be a variable, special attention must be paid to its short period of about one day. If the variability is due to pulsation, the spectral type and luminosity as well as effective temperature should be determined in order to compare it with Xiong's theory.     

ASAS J174406+2446.8 is identified as a marginal-contact binary with a possible cool third body

ASAS J174406+2446.8 was originally found as a δ Scuti-type pulsating star with the period P=0.189068 d by ASAS survey.However,the LAMOST stellar parameters reveal that it is far beyond the red edge of pulsational instability strip on the log g-T diagram of δ Scuti pulsating stars.To understand the physical properties of the variable star,we observed it by the 1.0-m Cassegrain reflecting telescope at Yunnan Observatories.Multi-color light curves in B,V,R_c and I_c bands were obtained and are analyzed by using the W-D program.It is found that this variable star is a shallow-contact binary with an EB-type light curve and an orbital period of 0.3781 d rather than a δ Scuti star.It is a W-subtype contact binary with a mass ratio of 1.135(±0.019) and a fill-out factor of 10.4%(±5.6)%.The situation of ASAS J174406+2446.8 resembles those of other EB-type marginal-contact binaries such as UU Lyn,Ⅱ Per and GW Tau.All of them are at a key evolutionary phase from a semi-detached configuration to a contact system predicted by the thermal relaxation oscillation theory.The linear ephemeris was corrected by using 303 new determined times of light minimum.It is detected that the O-C curve shows a sinusoidal variation that could be explained by the light-travel-time effect via the presence of a cool red dwarf.The present investigation reveals that some of the δ Scuti-type stars beyond the red edge of pulsating instability strip on the log g-T diagram are misclassified eclipsing binaries.To understand their structures and evolutionary states,more studies are required in the future.     

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.     

Variable stars in the field of open cluster NGC 2126

We report the results of a time-series CCD photometric survey of variable stars in the field of open cluster NGC 2126. In about a one square degree field covering the cluster, a total of 21 variable candidates are detected during this survey, of which 16 are newly found. The periods, classifications and spectral types of 14 newly discovered variables are discussed, which consist of six eclipsing binary systems, three pulsating variable stars, three long period variables, one RS CVn star, and one W UMa or δ Scuff star. In addition, there are two variable candidates, the properties of which cannot be determined. By a method based on fitting observed spectral energy distributions of stars with theoretical ones, the membership probabilities and the fundamental parameters of this cluster are determined. As a result, five variables are probably members of NGC 2126. The fundamental parameters of this cluster are determined as： metallicity to be 0.008 Z, age log（t） = 8.95, distance modulus （m - M）0 = 10.34 and reddening value E（B - V） = 0.55 mag.     

Investigating variable stars in the open cluster NGC 1912 and its surrounding field

In this work,we studied the variable stars in the open cluster NGC 1912 based on the photometric observations and Gaia DR2 data.More than 3600 CCD frames in B,V,R filters were reduced,and we obtained the light curves that span about 63 hours.By analyzing these light curves,we detected 24 variable stars,including 16 periodic variable stars,seven eclipsing binaries and one star whose type is unclear.Among these 24 variable stars,11 are newly discovered,which are classified as sixγDoradus stars,oneδScuti star,three detached binaries and one contact binary.We also confirmed 13 previously known variable stars.Based on cluster members identified by Cantat-Gaudin et al.(2018),we inferred cluster memberships for these detected variable stars.Using Gaia DR2 data,we plotted a new color-magnitude diagram for NGC1912,and showed the nature of variable cluster members in kinematical properties and heliocentric distance.Among the 24 variable stars,seven variables are probable cluster members,which show homogeneity in kinematic characters and space position with the established cluster members.Four of the seven variable cluster members are the previously discovered stars,consisting of twoγDor stars and twoδSct stars.The remaining three variable cluster members,which are allγDor stars,are firstly detected in this work.The main physical parameters of these variable cluster members estimated from the color-magnitude diagram are log(age/yr)=8.75,[Fe/H]=-0.1,m-M=10.03 mag,and E(B-V)=0.307.     

First time-resolved CCD photometry and time-series analysis of NSV 13601

We present the first results of a time-resolved CCD photometric and time-series analysis of NSV 13601, a variable star in the constellation Pegasus. The 14′′Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope of Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University(MKBU) was used for observations. Analysis was performed both in VStar and Period04 software, and their results were compared. The main results are as follows:From data analysis, its has period ~77.784 d(MKBU data V)(VStar), ~77.632 d(MKBU data Ic)(VStar),~77.058 d(MKBU data V)(Period04) and ~49.560 d(MKBU data Ic)(Period04). Its V and I mean magnitudes for MKBU data are 12.203(V) and 11.292(I) mag respectively. We confirm it to be a variable star.     

On the Rd Edge of the δ Scuti Instability Strip

The δ Scuti star ctalogue 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 overlaps with the theoretical one,but the observed blue and red envelopes are hotter than the theoretical edges.The distribution of δ Scuti stars in the pulsation strip is not uniform.     

Searching for Variable Stars in the Field of NGC 7789

We present the results of a time-series CCD photometric survey of variable stars in the field of the open cluster NGC 7789. In a field of about one degree centering on the cluster, a total of 28 new variable stars are discovered (14 W UMa systems, nine EA-type eclipsing binaries, one RR Lyr star, and four unclassified). In addition, we recovered 11 old variables previously discovered by other authors. Preliminary parameters are given for some of these variables.     

A study of variable stars in the open cluster NGC 1582 and its surrounding field

This paper presents Charge-Coupled Device time-series photometric observations of the open cluster NGC 1582 and its surrounding field with Johnson B,V and R filters by using the Nanshan 1 m telescope administered by Xinjiang Astronomical Observatory.19 variable stars and three variable candidates were detected in a 45′×48.75′ field around the cluster.12 of the variable stars are newly-discovered variable objects.The physical properties,classifications and memberships of these 22 objects are studied through their light curves,their positions on the color-magnitude diagram and with archival data from the Naval Observatory Merged Astrometric Dataset.Among these objects,five are eclipsing binary systems,six are pulsating variable stars including one known S Scuti star and one newly-discovered RR Lyrae star.The distance to the RR Lyrae star is estimated to be 7.9 ± 0.3 kpc,indicating that the star is located far behind the cluster.Four variable stars are probable members of the cluster,and 13 of the 22 objects are confirmed to be field stars.     

Solar-like and Mira-like oscillations of stars - A uniform excitation mechanism

Using a non-local and time-dependent theory of convection, we have cal- culated the linear non-adiabatic oscillations of the radial and low-degree F-p39 modes for evolutionary models from the main sequence to the asymptotic giant branch for stars with solar abundance （X = 0.70, Z = 0.02） in the mass range of 0.6-3.0 3//o. The results show that iow luminosity cool stars tend to be solar-like oscillators, whose low-order modes are stable, but intermediate and high order p-modes are pulsationally unstable; their unstable modes have a wide range in frequency and small values for amplitude growth rates. For stars with increasing luminosity and therefore lower tem- perature, the unstable modes shift towards lower orders, the corresponding range of frequency decreases, and the amplitude growth rate increases. High luminosity red gi- ant stars behave like typical Mira-like oscillators. The effects of the coupling between convection and oscillations on pulsational instability have been carefully analyzed in this work. Our research shows that convection does not simply act as a damping mechanism for oscillations, and the complex nature of the coupling between convec- tion and oscillations makes turbulent convection sometimes behave as damping, and sometimes as excitation. Such a picture can not only naturally account for the red edge of the instability strip, but also the solar-like oscillations in low luminosity red stars and Mira-like ones in high luminosity red giants.     

Time-dependent Behaviour of the Low Amplitude δ Scuti Star HD 52788

Wavelet transform is applied to reanalyze the low amplitude δ Scuti star HD 52788, which exhibits complex light variations with uncertain frequency solutions. We gain an insight into the strong instability of pulsation present in the star. Based on an estimate of the star‘s physical parameters, its evolutionary status is determined. An attempt of asteroseismic modelling failed to predict the observed dense frequencies. Because of its varying pulsation spectrum, HD 52788 is a distinctive and very interesting object among δ Sct stars for testing current models of stellar evolution and pulsation.     

New CCD photometric investigation of high amplitude δ Scuti star V2455 Cyg

New V-band CCD observations of variable star V2455 Cyg were performed during two nights in September 2017. According to all times of maximum light and new maxima, the O-C curve was analyzed.The period changes of V2455 Cyg were investigated and the rate of increasing period was obtained to be(1/P) d P/dt = 1.99 × 10~(-7) yr~(-1). Frequency analysis indicated that V2455 Cyg pulsates with the radial p mode and the fundamental frequency is 10.61574 d-1. Physical parameters of V2455 Cyg at mean temperature were determined(e.g., R = 2.52 R_⊙and M = 1.92 M_⊙). The position of this star in the H-R diagram confirms that V2455 Cyg is a high amplitude δ Scuti star.     

Super-Large-Scale Structures in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We study the super-large-scale structures in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey by cluster analysis,and examine the geometry and the properties of the member galaxies.Two subsamples are selected from the SDSS,Subsample 1 at the celestial equator and Subsample 2 further north.In Subsample 1 we discover two compact super-large-scale structures:the Sloan Great Wall and the CfA Great Wall.The Sloan Great Wall,located at a median redshift of z=0.07804,has a total length of about 433 Mpc and a mean galaxy density of about six times that of the whole sample. Most of its member galaxies are of medium size and brightness.The CfA Great Wall, located at a median redshift of z=0.03058,has a total length of about 251 Mpc and includes large percentages of faint and small galaxies and relatively fewer early-type galaxies.     

New Variable Stars Discovered as By-product of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory Supernova Survey

The Beijing Astronomical Observatory (BAO) 0.6 m telescope has been used for nearby supernova survey in more than 3000 fields, covering a total area of 235 deg2. More than 260000 CCD images have been collected since April 1996, with 45 supernovae discovered. We searched for variables in about 90000 images taken during 1996-1998. For the fields in which long period variables (LPVs) were discovered, we reduced further images taken from 1999 to 2000, for the period estimation. Among the 280000 stars selected from the survey fields, i.e., brighter than 18 mag, we discovered seven new LPVs and reconfirmed three known LPVs. Additionally, we found 146 variable star candidates, and reconfirmed about 20 previously known or suspected objects.     

V2551 Cyg:a pulsating star with enigmatic peculiarities

Intensive photometric and spectral observations of the variable star V2551 Cyg are presented.The light curve shape reveals that the target is a pulsating star, contrary to its previous classification as an eclipsing binary. The period and amplitude of the light curve, the amplitudes of color changes and the radial velocity curve of V2551 Cyg are similar to those of a high-amplitude δ Scuti variable. The target seems to pulsate with the fundamental mode. However, V2551 Cyg exhibits several important peculiarities:(i) the decreasing branch of its light curve is steeper than the increasing one;(ii) the radial velocity curve has a flat section in the phase range 0.7–1.2 and short increase of the negative radial velocity at phase 0.7;(iii) the rotational velocity is quite big for a HADS star;(iv) the Fourier coefficients of V2551 Cyg are quite different from those of HADS stars. The target classification is difficult due to these peculiarities.     

A Two—Temperature Supernova Fallback Disk Model for Anomalous X—ray Pulsars

We present a case study of the relevance of the radially pulsational instability of a two-temperature accretion disk around a neutron star to anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs). Our estimates are based on the approximation that such a neutron star disk with mass in the range of 10^-6-10^-5M⊙ is formed by supernova fallback. We derive several peculiar properties of the accretion disk instability: a narrow interval of X-ray pulse periods; lower X-ray luminosities; a period derivative and an evolution time scale. All these results are in good agreement with the observations of the AXPs.     

A study of short-period variation in solar activity

We introduce two methods to detect short-period variation in solar activity.These are called amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(ALFF) and fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation(FALFF). We find a positive correlation between short-period variation and 11-year variation of solar activity using these two methods.Through ALFF,we find that solar activity over a short period becomes intensive when the 11-year solar activity is intensive. The ALFF value of the short period activity varies with the peak in sunspot number as a quadratic function. Through FALFF we find that the ratio of short-period spectral intensity to intensity over the whole period of solar activity will increase when the 11-year period of solar activity is intensive.The short-period FALFF value varies with the peak in sunspot number according to a cubic function. Using ALFF,we obtain a yearly series of solar activity that varies over a short period of 1–5 yr from 1860 to 2003,which shows an obvious periodicity of about 22 yr,33 yr,11 yr and a century. These short period variations show good correlations with long term variations in solar activity.     

Variable Star Detection in the Field of Open Cluster NGC 188

This work presents the charge-coupled device(CCD) photometric survey of the old open cluster NGC 188. Timeseries V-band photometric observations were conducted for ten nights in 2017 January using the Nanshan Onemeter Wide-field Telescope to search for variable stars in the field of the cluster. A total of 25 variable stars,including one new variable star, were detected in the target field. Among the detected variables, 16 are cluster member stars, and the others are identified as field stars. T...     

Spectroscopic and photometric observations of symbiotic nova PU Vul during 2009–2016

A new set of low-resolution spectral and UBVJHKL-photometric observations of the symbiotic nova PU Vul is presented. The binary has been evolving after its symbiotic nova outburst in 1977 and now it is in the nebular stage. It is found that the third orbital cycle(after 1977) was characterized by great changes in associated light curves. Now, PU Vul exhibits a sine-wave shape in all the light curves(with an amplitude in the U band of about 0.7 mag), which is typical for symbiotic stars in the quiescent state. Brightness variability due to pulsations of the cool component is now clearly visible in the VRI light curves. The amplitude of the pulsations increases from 0.5 mag in the V band to 0.8 mag in the I band. These two types of variability, as well as a very slow change in the physical parameters of the hot component due to evolution after the outburst of 1977, influence the spectral energy distribution(SED)of the system. The variability of emission lines is highly complex. Only hydrogen line fluxes vary with orbital phase. An important feature of the third orbital cycle is the first emergence of the OVI, 6828  Raman scattering line. We determine the temperature of the hot component by means of the Zanstra method applied to the He II, 4686  line. Our estimate is about 150 000 K for the spectrum obtained near orbital maximum in 2014. The VO spectral index derived near pulsation minimum corresponds to M6 spectral class for the cool component of PU Vul.