Two new SB2 binaries with main sequence B-type pulsators in the Kepler field

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

Papics, PI (Author) Other; Tkachenko, A (Author) Other; Aerts, C (Author) Other; Briquet, M (Author) Other; Marcos Arenal, P (Author) Other; Beck, PG (Author) Other; Uytterhoeven, K (Author) Other; Trivino Hage, AT (Author) Other; Southworth, J (Author) Other; Clubb, KI (Author) Other; Bloemen, S (Author) Other; Degroote, P (Author) Other; Jackiewicz, J (Author) Other; McKeever, J (Author) Other; Van Winckel, H (Author) Other; Niemczura, E (Author) Other; Gameiro, JF (Author) FCUP; Debosscher, J (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Astronomy and Astrophysics

Vol. 553

Final page: A127

ISSN: 0004-6361

Publisher: EDP Sciences

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 20 Citations

Scopus - 23 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Physical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-005-0VM

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201321088

Abstract (EN): Context. OB stars are important in the chemistry and evolution of the Universe, but the sample of targets that is well understood from an asteroseismological point of view is still too limited to provide feedback on the current evolutionary models. Aims. We extend this sample with two spectroscopic binary systems. Our goal is to provide orbital solutions, fundamental parameters, and abundances from disentangled high-resolution high signal-to-noise spectra, as well as to analyse and interpret the variations in the Kepler light curve of these carefully selected targets. This way we continue our efforts to map the instability strips of beta Cep and slowly pulsating B stars using the combination of high-resolution ground-based spectroscopy and uninterrupted space-based photometry. Methods. We fit Keplerian orbits to radial velocities measured from selected absorption lines of high-resolution spectroscopy using synthetic composite spectra to obtain orbital solutions. We used revised masks to obtain optimal light curves from the original pixel-data from the Kepler satellite, which provided better long-term stability compared to the pipeline-processed light curves. We used various time-series analysis tools to explore and describe the nature of variations present in the light curve. Results. We find two eccentric double-lined spectroscopic binary systems containing a total of three main sequence B-type stars (and one F-type component), of which at least one in each system exhibits light variations. The light curve analysis (combined with spectroscopy) of the system of two B stars points towards the presence of tidally excited g modes in the primary component. We interpret the variations seen in the second system as classical g mode pulsations driven by the kappa mechanism in the B type primary, and explain the unexpected power in the p mode region as the result of nonlinear resonant mode excitation.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 20