No Arabic abstract
One of the greatest challenges in interpreting the pulsations of rapidly rotating stars is mode identification, i.e. correctly matching theoretical modes to observed pulsation frequencies. Indeed, the latest observations as well as current theoretical results show the complexity of pulsation spectra in such stars, and the lack of easily recognisable patterns. In the present contribution, the latest results on non-adiabatic effects in such pulsations are described, and we show how these come into play when identifying modes. These calculations fully take into account the effects of rapid rotation, including centrifugal distortion, and are based on models from the ESTER project, currently the only rapidly rotating models in which the energy conservation equation is satisfied, a prerequisite for calculating non-adiabatic effects. Non-adiabatic effects determine which modes are excited and play a key role in the near-surface pulsation-induced temperature variations which intervene in multi-colour amplitude ratios and phase differences, as well as line profile variations.
Recent numerical and theoretical considerations have shown that low-degree acoustic modes in rapidly rotating stars follow an asymptotic formula and recent observations of pulsations in rapidly rotating delta Scuti stars seem to match these expectations. However, a key question is whether strong gradients or discontinuities can adversely affect this pattern to the point of hindering its identification. Other important questions are how rotational splittings are affected by the 2D rotation profiles expected from baroclinic effects and whether it is possible to probe the rotation profile using these splittings. Accordingly, we numerically calculate pulsation modes in continuous and discontinuous rapidly rotating models produced by the 2D ESTER (Evolution STEllaire en Rotation) code. This spectral multi-domain code self-consistently calculates the rotation profile based on baroclinic effects and allows us to introduce discontinuities without loss of numerical accuracy. Pulsations are calculated using an adiabatic version of the Two-dimensional Oscillation Program (TOP) code. The variational principle is used to confirm the high accuracy of the pulsation frequencies and to derive an integral formula that closely matches the generalised rotational splittings, except when modes are involved in avoided crossings. This potentially allows us to probe the the rotation profile using inverse theory. Acoustic glitch theory, applied along the island mode orbit deduced from ray dynamics, can correctly predict the periodicity of the glitch frequency pattern produced by a discontinuity or the Gamma1 dip related to the He II ionisation zone in some of the models. The asymptotic frequency pattern remains sufficiently well preserved to potentially allow its detection in observed stars.
We have calculated the pulsations of massive stars using a nonlinear hydrodynamic code including time-dependent convection. The basic structure models are based on a standard grid published by Meynet et al. (1994). Using the basic structure, we calculated envelope models, which include the outer few percent of the star. These models go down to depths of at least 2 million K. These models, which range from 40 to 85 solar masses, show a range of pulsation behaviours. We find models with very long period pulsations ( $>$ 100 d), resulting in high amplitude changes in the surface properties. We also find a few models that show outburst-like behaviour. The details of this behaviour are discussed, including calculations of the resulting wind mass-loss rates.
Non-radial pulsations (NRPs) are a proposed mechanism for the formation of decretion disks around Be stars and are important tools to study the internal structure of stars. NGC 3766 has an unusually large fraction of transient Be stars, so it is an excellent location to study the formation mechanism of Be star disks. High resolution spectroscopy can reveal line profile variations from NRPs, allowing measurements of both the degree, l, and azimuthal order, m. However, spectroscopic studies require large amounts of time with large telescopes to achieve the necessary high S/N and time domain coverage. On the other hand, multi-color photometry can be performed more easily with small telescopes to measure l only. Here, we present representative light curves of Be stars and non-emitting B stars in NGC 3766 from the CTIO 0.9m telescope in an effort to study NRPs in this cluster.
Almost all early-type stars show Discrete Absorption Components (DACs) in their ultraviolet spectral lines. These can be attributed to Co-rotating Interaction Regions (CIRs): large-scale spiral-shaped structures that sweep through the stellar wind. We used the Zeus hydrodynamical code to model the CIRs. In the model, the CIRs are caused by spots on the stellar surface. Through the radiative acceleration these spots create fast streams in the stellar wind material. Where the fast and slow streams collide, a CIR is formed. By varying the parameters of the spots, we quantitatively fit the observed DACs in HD 64760. An important result from our work is that the spots do not rotate with the same velocity as the stellar surface. The fact that the cause of the CIRs is not fixed on the surface eliminates many potential explanations. The only remaining explanation is that the CIRs are due to the interference pattern of a number of non-radial pulsations.
RR Lyrae stars are classical pulsating stars. They pulsate mostly in the radial fundamental mode (RRab stars), in the radial first overtone mode (RRc stars), or in both modes simultaneously (RRd stars). Collection of variable stars from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) contains more than 38 000 RR Lyrae stars from the Galactic bulge. We analysed these data for RRc and RRd stars. We have found new members of radial-non-radial double-mode RR Lyrae stars, with characteristic period ratio of the two modes around 0.61. We increased the number of known RR Lyrae stars of this type by a factor of 8. We have also discovered another group of double-mode RR Lyrae stars. They pulsate in the first overtone and in another, unidentified mode, which has period longer than period of the undetected fundamental mode. The period ratios tightly cluster around 0.686. These proceedings are focused on this puzzling group. In particular, we report eight new members of the group.