Observations of 2001 superoutburst of WZ Sagittae: comparison of the morphology of the UBVRI light curves

We present the analysis of the morphology of the light curves of WZ Sge based on simultaneous multicolour highspeed photometry durings the superoutburst in 2001. Observations started around the middle of the main superoutburst and continued for several nights in each of the subsequent phases of its evolution. For the first time for WZ Sge in a superoutburst a significant difference between the morphology of the U and BVRI light curves was detected. This is interpreted as a consequence of a substantial distinction of the structure and radiation between the inner and outer parts of the accretion disc. Using the space observatory WSO-UV for UV monitoring of the WZ Sge-stars throughout the entire superoutburst cycle one would have an opportunity to explore innermost regions of the accretion discs in these systems, which is important for understanding the physics of accretion processes and the nature of their activity.     

Activity of Five Young Dwarfs with Planetary Systems

Astronomy Reports - The activity of five young stars possessing planetary systems is studied: K2-231, EPIC 219 388 192, K2-136, Kepler-66, and Kepler-67. The ages of these objects were found from...     

On waveguide propagation of Alfvén waves at the plasmapause

A study is made of the influence of cool dispersion (due to ion inertia) upon the propagation of Alfvén waves in the magnetosphere. It is shown that the Alfvén velocity minimum elongated along the magnetic field, may act as a waveguide. Some waveguiding properties of the plasmapause are investigated and relevant eigen-modes determined. The possibility of interpreting geomagnetic pulsations of various types as eigen-oscillations of the waveguide at the plasmapause, is discussed.     

A study of the magnetic field in FK Com

We present the results of our new spectropolarimetric observations of FKCom aimed to measure the longitudinal component B _z of its magnetic field. The most interesting interpretation of our results suggests that the B _z value has significantly decreased compared to the 2008 observations of this star. Such a decrease of the longitudinal component of the magnetic field can be similar to the secular variations of B _z registered earlier for another chromospherically active star II Peg. On the other hand, assuming the existence of B _z variations with the rotation phase, we suggest that the variations of the phase curve B _z from 2008 to 2012 originated because of the strengthening of the negative polarity spot, its domination, and as a result-a generally more symmetric distribution of magnetic regions.     

Possibilities for identifying FK com candidates using observations with the Kepler Space Telescope

High-accuracy photometric observations obtained with the Kepler Space Telescope are used to identify candidate FK Com stars-a very rare group of single, rapidly rotating, chromospherically active G-K stars. Published data for more than 40 000 stars are used with available Kepler observations from the Q3 time interval to select four stars with temperature ranges, surface gravities, and rotation periods consistent with those of FK Com stars. These stars also display brightness variations with considerable amplitudes, possibly testifying to the presence of appreciably spotting on their surfaces. The rotation periods of these stars are determined, and the parameters of their differential rotation estimated. The locations (longitudes) of the dominant active regions on the stellar surfaces are identified. In all cases, the active longitude does not remain constant, andmoves across the stellar surface with time. In general, the character of this activeregion movement is the same as that found earlier for FK Com and HD 199178. These displacements are characterized by monotonic motions over hundreds of days, as well as changes in the positions by about 180° (“flip-flops”) or phase shifts not exceeding 0.4 in phase. The number of active-longitude position changes during the studied time interval ranges from one for KIC 11862915 to seven for KIC 5785906 (five phase shifts are also detected for the latter star). The time scale for the position changes of the active longitudes is from 1500 days (about 4 years) to 200 days (0.54 years), comparable to the reported time intervals between flip-flops for FK Com (from 0.8 to 4.4 years). The duration of the stellar activity cycles are estimated by analyzing the amplitude spectrum for changes in the brightness-variation amplitudes for datasets covering a single rotation period. The photometric variations of the stars on various time scales (from the rotation period, which reveals the presence of surface temperature inhomogeneities, to activity cycles lasting for several years) are similar to those derived for FK Com and other stars of this type. The need for spectroscopic observations of the selected candidates to establish whether they are single (do not show signs of binarity), look for emission lines of chromospheric origin, estimate the lithium abundances, and determine the stellar rotation velocities from spectral-line profiles is noted.