TY  - JOUR
A1  - Charpinet, Stéphane
A1  - Brassard, P.
A1  - Fontaine, G.
A1  - Van Grootel, Valerie
A1  - Zong, Weika
A1  - Giammichele, N.
A1  - Heber, Ulrich
A1  - Bognár, Zsófia
A1  - Geier, Stephan Alfred
A1  - Green, Elizabeth M.
A1  - Hermes, J. J.
A1  - Kilkenny, D.
A1  - Ostensen, R. H.
A1  - Pelisoli, Ingrid Domingos
A1  - Silvotti, R.
A1  - Telting, J. H.
A1  - Vuckovic, Maja
A1  - Worters, H. L.
A1  - Baran, Andrzej S.
A1  - Bell, Keaton J.
A1  - Bradley, Paul A.
A1  - Debes, J. H.
A1  - Kawaler, S. D.
A1  - Kolaczek-Szymanski, P.
A1  - Murphy, S. J.
A1  - Pigulski, A.
A1  - Sodor, A.
A1  - Uzundag, Murat
A1  - Handberg, R.
A1  - Kjeldsen, H.
A1  - Ricker, G. R.
A1  - Vanderspek, R. K.
T1  - TESS first look at evolved compact pulsators Discovery and asteroseismic probing of the g-mode hot B subdwarf pulsator EC 21494-7018
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - Context. The TESS satellite was launched in 2018 to perform high-precision photometry from space over almost the whole sky in a search for exoplanets orbiting bright stars. This instrument has opened new opportunities to study variable hot subdwarfs, white dwarfs, and related compact objects. Targets of interest include white dwarf and hot subdwarf pulsators, both carrying high potential for asteroseismology. Aims. We present the discovery and detailed asteroseismic analysis of a new g-mode hot B subdwarf (sdB) pulsator, EC 21494-7018 (TIC 278659026), monitored in TESS first sector using 120-s cadence. Methods. The TESS light curve was analyzed with standard prewhitening techniques, followed by forward modeling using our latest generation of sdB models developed for asteroseismic investigations. By simultaneously best-matching all the observed frequencies with those computed from models, we identified the pulsation modes detected and, more importantly, we determined the global parameters and structural configuration of the star. Results. The light curve analysis reveals that EC 21494-7018 is a sdB pulsator counting up to 20 frequencies associated with independent g-modes. The seismic analysis singles out an optimal model solution in full agreement with independent measurements provided by spectroscopy (atmospheric parameters derived from model atmospheres) and astrometry (distance evaluated from Gaia DR2 trigonometric parallax). Several key parameters of the star are derived. Its mass (0.391 +/- 0.009x2006;M-circle dot) is significantly lower than the typical mass of sdB stars and suggests that its progenitor has not undergone the He-core flash; therefore this progenitor could originate from a massive (greater than or similar to 2;M-circle dot) red giant, which is an alternative channel for the formation of sdBs. Other derived parameters include the H-rich envelope mass (0.0037 +/- 0.0010;M-circle dot), radius (0.1694 +/- 0.0081;R-circle dot), and luminosity (8.2 +/- 1.1;L-circle dot). The optimal model fit has a double-layered He+H composition profile, which we interpret as an incomplete but ongoing process of gravitational settling of helium at the bottom of a thick H-rich envelope. Moreover, the derived properties of the core indicate that EC 21494-7018 has burnt similar to 43% (in mass) of its central helium and possesses a relatively large mixed core (M-core;=;0.198 +/- 0.010;M-circle dot), in line with trends already uncovered from other g-mode sdB pulsators analyzed with asteroseismology. Finally, we obtain for the first time an estimate of the amount of oxygen (in mass; X(O)(core) = 0.16(-0.05)(+0.13)X(O)core=0.16-0.05+0.13$ X(mathrm{O})_{mathrm{core}}=0.16_{-0.05}<^>{+0.13} $) produced at this stage of evolution by an helium-burning core. This result, along with the core-size estimate, is an interesting constraint that may help to narrow down the still uncertain C-12(alpha,;gamma)O-16 nuclear reaction rate.
KW  - asteroseismology
KW  - stars
KW  - interiors
KW  - oscillations
KW  - horizontal-branch
KW  - individual
KW  - TIC 278659026
KW  - subdwarfs
Y1  - 2019
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201935395
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 632
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Boehm, Thorsten
A1  - Holschneider, Matthias
A1  - Lignieres, Frederic
A1  - Petit, Pascal
A1  - Rainer, Monica
A1  - Paletou, Francois
A1  - Wade, Gregg
A1  - Alecian, Evelyne
A1  - Carfantan, Herve
A1  - Blazere, Aurore
A1  - Mirouh, Giovanni M.
T1  - Discovery of starspots on Vega First spectroscopic detection of surface structures on a normal A-type star
JF  - Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal
N2  - Context. The theoretically studied impact of rapid rotation on stellar evolution needs to be compared with these results of high-resolution spectroscopy-velocimetry observations. Early-type stars present a perfect laboratory for these studies. The prototype A0 star Vega has been extensively monitored in recent years in spectropolarimetry. A weak surface magnetic field was detected, implying that there might be a (still undetected) structured surface. First indications of the presence of small amplitude stellar radial velocity variations have been reported recently, but the confirmation and in-depth study with the highly stabilized spectrograph SOPHIE/OHP was required.
 Aims. The goal of this article is to present a thorough analysis of the line profile variations and associated estimators in the early-type standard star Vega (A0) in order to reveal potential activity tracers, exoplanet companions, and stellar oscillations.
 Methods. Vega was monitored in quasi-continuous high-resolution echelle spectroscopy with the highly stabilized velocimeter SOPHIE/OHP. A total of 2588 high signal-to-noise spectra was obtained during 34.7 h on five nights (2 to 6 of August 2012) in high-resolution mode at R = 75 000 and covering the visible domain from 3895 6270 angstrom. For each reduced spectrum, least square deconvolved equivalent photospheric profiles were calculated with a T-eff = 9500 and log g = 4.0 spectral line mask. Several methods were applied to study the dynamic behaviour of the profile variations (evolution of radial velocity, bisectors, vspan, 2D profiles, amongst others).
 Results. We present the discovery of a spotted stellar surface on an A-type standard star (Vega) with very faint spot amplitudes Delta F/Fc similar to 5 x 10(-4). A rotational modulation of spectral lines with a period of rotation P = 0.68 d has clearly been exhibited, unambiguously confirming the results of previous spectropolarimetric studies. Most of these brightness inhomogeneities seem to be located in lower equatorial latitudes. Either a very thin convective layer can be responsible for magnetic field generation at small amplitudes, or a new mechanism has to be invoked to explain the existence of activity tracing starspots. At this stage it is difficult to disentangle a rotational from a stellar pulsational origin for the existing higher frequency periodic variations.
 Conclusions. This first strong evidence that standard A-type stars can show surface structures opens a new field of research and ask about a potential link with the recently discovered weak magnetic field discoveries in this category of stars.
KW  - starspots
KW  - stars: early-type
KW  - stars: rotation
KW  - stars: oscillations
KW  - stars: individual: Vega
KW  - asteroseismology
Y1  - 2015
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201425425
SN  - 0004-6361
SN  - 1432-0746
VL  - 577
PB  - EDP Sciences
CY  - Les Ulis
ER  -