Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Acurate Low-Mass Stellar Models Of Koi-126, Gregory A. Feiden, Brian Chaboyer, Aaron Dotter

Dartmouth Scholarship

The recent discovery of an eclipsing hierarchical triple system with two low-mass stars in a close orbit (KOI-126) by Carter et al. (2011) appeared to reinforce the evidence that theoretical stellar evolution models are not able to reproduce the observational mass-radius relation for low-mass stars. We present a set of stellar models for the three stars in the KOI-126 system that show excellent agreement with the observed radii. This agreement appears to be due to the equation of state implemented by our code. A significant dispersion in the observed mass-radius relation for fully convective stars is demonstrated; indicative of the …

A Spitzer Transmission Spectrum For The Exoplanet Gj 436b, Evidence For Stellar Variability, And Constraints On Dayside Flux Variations, Heather Knutson, Nikku Madhusudhan, Nicolas B. Cowan, Jessie L. Christiansen, Eric Agol, Drake Deming, Jean-Michel Désert, David Charbonneau, Gregory W. Henry, Derek Homeier, Jonathan Langton, Gregory Laughlin, Sara Seager

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

In this paper, we describe a uniform analysis of eight transits and eleven secondary eclipses of the extrasolar planet GJ 436b obtained in the 3.6, 4.5, and 8.0 μm bands using the IRAC instrument on the Spitzer Space Telescope between UT 2007 June 29 and UT 2009 February 4. We find that the best-fit transit depths for visits in the same bandpass can vary by as much as 8% of the total (4.7σ significance) from one epoch to the next. Although we cannot entirely rule out residual detector effects or a time-varying, high-altitude cloud layer in the planet's atmosphere as …

Polarization Of The Charge-Exchange X-Rays Induced In The Heliosphere, M. Gacesa, H.-R. Müller, R. Côté, V. Kharchenko

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report results of a theoretical investigation of polarization of the X-ray emissions induced in charge-exchange collisions of fully stripped solar wind ions C6+and O8+ with the heliospheric hydrogen atoms. The polarization of X-ray emissions has been computed for line-of-sight observations within the ecliptic plane as a function of solar wind ion velocities, including a range of velocities corresponding to the slow and fast solar wind, and Coronal Mass Ejections. To determine the variability of polarization of heliospheric X-ray emissions, the polarization has been computed for solar minimum conditions with self-consistent parameters of the solar wind plasma and heliospheric gas …

A Study Of Differential Rotation On Ii Pegasi Via Photometric Starspot Imaging, Rachael M. Roettenbacher, Robert O. Harmon, Nalin Vutisalchavakul, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present the results of a study of differential rotation on the K2 IV primary of the RS CVn binary II Pegasi (HD 224085) performed by inverting light curves to produce images of the dark starspots on its surface. The data were obtained in the standard Johnson B and V filter passbands via the Tennessee State University T3 0.4 m Automated Photometric Telescope from JD 2447115.8086–2455222.6238 (1987 November 16–2010 January 26). The observations were subdivided into 79 data sets consisting of pairs of B and V light curves, which were then inverted using a constrained nonlinear inversion algorithm that makes …

The Continuous Period Search Method And Its Application To The Young Solar Analogue Hd 116956, Jyri J. Lehtinen, Lauri Jetsu, Thomas Hackman, Perttu Kajatkari, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Aims. We formulate an improved time series analysis method for the analysis of photometry of active stars. This new continuous period search (CPS) method is applied to 12 years of V band photometry of the young solar analogue HD 116956 (NQ UMa).

Methods. The new method is developed from the previous three stage period analysis (TSPA) method. Our improvements are the use of a sliding window in choosing the modelled datasets, a criterion applied to select the best model for each dataset and the computation of the time scale of change of the light curve. We test the …

Rotation Periods Of Exoplanet Host Stars, E. K. Simpson, Sallie L. Baliunas, Gregory W. Henry, Christopher A. Watson

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

The stellar rotation periods of 10 exoplanet host stars have been determined using newly analysed Ca ii H&K flux records from the Mount Wilson Observatory and Strömgren b, y photometric measurements from Tennessee State University's automatic photometric telescopes at the Fairborn Observatory. Five of the rotation periods have not previously been reported, with that of HD 130322 very strongly detected at Prot= 26.1 ± 3.5 d. The rotation periods of five other stars have been updated using new data. We use the rotation periods to derive the line-of-sight inclinations of the stellar rotation axes, which may be used to probe …

Xmm-Newton Observations Of Hd 189733 During Planetary Transits, Ignazio Pillitteri, Scott J. Wolk, Ofer Cohen, Vinay Kashyap, Heather Knutson, Carey M. Lisse, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We report on two XMM-Newton observations of the planetary host star HD 189733. The system has a close in planet and it can potentially affect the coronal structure via interactions with the magnetosphere. We have obtained X-ray spectra and light curves from EPIC and the Reflection Grating Spectrometer on board XMM-Newton which we have analyzed and interpreted. We reduced X-ray data from the primary transit and secondary eclipse that occurred on 2007 April 17 and 2009 May 18, respectively. In the 2007 April observation, only variability due to weak flares is recognized. In 2009 HD 189733 exhibited an X-ray flux …

Discovery Of Cyclic Spot Activity On The G8 Giant Hd 208472, Orkun Özdarcan, Serdar Evren, Klaus G. Strassmeier, Thomas Granzer, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present and analyze 17 consecutive years of UBVRI time-series photometry of the spotted giant component of the RS CVn binary HD 208472. Our aim is to determine the morphology and the evolution of its starspots by using periodsearch techniques and two-spot light-curve modelling. Spots on HD208472 always occur on hemispheres facing the observer during orbital quadrature and flip their location to the opposite hemisphere every approximately six years. The times when the spots change their preferential hemisphere correspond to times when the light curve amplitudes are the smallest and when abrupt changes of the photometric periods are observed. During …

The Activity And Variability Of The Sun And Sun-Like Stars. Ii. Contemporaneous Photometry And Spectroscopy Of Bright Solar Analogs, Jeffrey C. Hall, Gregory W. Henry, G. Wesley Lockwood, Brian A. Skiff, Steven H. Saar

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present 14 years of contemporaneous photometric and spectroscopic observations of 28 solar analog stars, taken with the Tennessee State University Automatic Photometric Telescopes at Fairborn Observatory and the Solar-Stellar Spectrograph at Lowell Observatory. These are the best observed and most nearly Sun-like of the targets in our magnitude-limited (V ⩽  7.5) sample. The correlations between luminosity and activity reveal the expected inverse activity–brightness correlations for active stars. Strong direct correlations between activity and brightness are not prevalent for the less active solar age stars, but are precision limited. The Sun does not appear to have unusually low photometric variability …

The Chromospherically Active, Triple, Ellipsoidal, And Eclipsing Binary Hd 6286 = Be Piscium: A Laboratory For Binary Evolution, Klaus G. Strassmeier, János Bartus, Francis C. Fekel, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Aims. We present a detailed analysis of the star HD 6286 = BE Psc from 16 years of spectroscopic observations and 18 seasons of photometric ones. The star is an evolved, chromospherically active, eclipsing binary, consisting of a K1 giant plus an F6 dwarf/subgiant in a circular orbit with a period of 35.671 days. A faint, close visual companion of spectral type ≈G0 makes the system triple. The orbital inclination of the eclipsing pair is 818.

Methods. We have obtained simultaneous solutions with our extensive set of radial velocities and light curves that include the star spot variability of …

Patterns Of Photometric And Chromospheric Variation Among Sun-Like Stars: A 20 Year Perspective, G. Wesley Lockwood, Brian A. Skiff, Gregory W. Henry, Stephen M. Henry, Richard R. Radick, Sallie L. Baliunas, Robert A. Donahue, Willie Soon

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We examine patterns of variation of 32 primarily main-sequence Sun-like stars [selected at project onset as stars on or near the main sequence and color index 0.42 ≤ (B - V) ≤ 1.4], extending our previous 7-12 yr time series to 13-20 yr by combining Strömgren b, y photometry from Lowell Observatory with similar data from Fairborn Observatory. Parallel chromospheric Ca II H and K emission data from the Mount Wilson Observatory span the entire interval. The extended data strengthen the relationship between chromospheric and brightness variability at visible wavelengths derived previously. We show that the full range of photometric …

The Sun-Like Activity Of The Solar Twin 18 Scorpii, Jeffrey C. Hall, Gregory W. Henry, G. Wesley Lockwood

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present the results of 10 yr of complementary spectroscopic and photometric observations of the solar twin 18 Scorpii. We show that over the course of its ∼7 yr chromospheric activity cycle, 18 Sco's brightness varies in the same manner as the Sun's and with a likely total brightness variation of 0.09%, similar to the 0.1% decadal variation in the total solar irradiance.

Butterfly Diagram And Activity Cycles In Hr 1099, Svetlana Berdyugina, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We analyze photometric data of the active RS CVn-type star HR 1099 for the years 1975-2006 with an inversion technique and reveal the nature of two activity cycles of 15-16 yr and 5.3 ± 0.1 yr duration. The 16 yr cycle is related to variations of the total spot area and is coupled with the differential rotation, while the 5.3 yr cycle is caused by the symmetric redistribution of the spotted area between the opposite stellar hemispheres (flip-flop cycle). We recover long-lived active regions comprising two active longitudes that migrate in the orbital reference frame with a variable rate because …

Photospheric And Chromospheric Active Regions In Four Young Solar-Type Stars, Katia Biazzo, Antonio Frasca, Gregory W. Henry, S. Catalano, E. Marilli

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present a photometric and spectroscopic study of four G-K dwarfs, namely HD 166, epsilon Eri, χ1 Ori, and κ1 Cet. In three cases, we find a clear spatial association between photospheric and chromospheric active regions. For χ1 Ori we do not find appreciable variations of photospheric temperature or chromospheric Hα emission. We applied a spot/plage model to the observed rotational modulation of temperature and flux to derive spot/plage parameters and to reconstruct a rough "three-dimensional" map of the outer atmosphere of κ1 Cet, HD 166, and epsilon Eri.

Photospheric Temperature Measurements In Young Main Sequence Stars, Katia Biazzo, Antonio Frasca, Gregory W. Henry, S. Catalano, Ettore Marilli

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

As part of our program to study stellar photospheric and chromospheric activity, we have examined several young solar type stars with activity levels intermediate between the Sun and the very active RS CVn binaries. We have analysed contemporaneous spectroscopic data obtained at Catania Observatory (Serra La Nave station, Mt. Etna) and photometric data acquired in the Stromgren bands with an automatic photometric telescope (APT) at Fairborn Observatory (Arizona, USA). Surface inhomogeneities have been detected from the rotational modulation of stellar brightness as well as from the modulation of several photospheric line-depth ratios (LDRs). The presence of chromospheric plage-like regions has …

Why Do Some Spotted Stars Become Bluer As They Become Fainter?, Vidar Aarum-Ulvås, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Chromospherically active, spotted stars generally become redder as well as fainter when large starspots rotate into view on the stellar disc. However, the RS CVn system UX Ari (a triple-lined system), becomes bluer as it gets fainter. One possible explanation is that hot, bright facular regions accompany the cool, dark photospheric spots of the active component. The bluer flux of the hotter, inactive component does not appear to be sufficient to explain the observed behaviour. We have begun a search for additional chromospherically active stars with a similar relation between colour and brightness, to investigate whether these relations can be …

Searching For Planets In The Hyades. Iii. The Quest For Short-Period Planets, Diane B. Paulson, Steven H. Saar, William D. Cochran, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We have been using the Keck I High Resolution Spectrograph to search for planetary companions in the Hyades cluster. We selected four stars from this sample that showed significant radial velocity variability on short timescales to search for short-period planetary companions. The radial velocities of these four stars were monitored regularly with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope for approximately 2 months, while sparse data were also taken over ∼4 months: we also obtained near-simultaneous photometric observations with one of the automatic photoelectric telescopes at Fairborn Observatory. For three of the stars, we detect photometric variability with the same period present in the …

Bv Photometry Of Ux Ari In The Period 1987–2002, Vidar Aarum Ulvås, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present 14.3 years of previously unpublished photometric observations of UX Ari. The observations were obtained between 1987.9 and 2002.2 using the T3 0.4-metre Automatic Photoelectric Telescope at Fairborn Observatory and consist of 1228 B band and 1213 V band measurements. The comparison star was 62 Ari. We have analyzed the new data together with previously published photometric observations. The V magnitude shows variations with dominant periods of about 12 and 25 years, where the longest period seems to correspond to an activity cycle. The previously reported anticorrelation between the colour and V magnitude variations is confirmed.

Time Series Analysis Of V511 Lyrae Photometry, J. Lyytinen, Peter Johansson, Lauri Jetsu, Eero Esko, Thomas Hackman, Douglas S. Hall, Gregory W. Henry, S. Kontinen, P. Könönen, S. Maisala, A. Palviainen, Kyösti Ryynänen

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Our time series analysis of sixteen BV light curves of the chromospherically active binary V511 Lyr confirmed the rotation period uniquely. The seasonal periodicity changes of 3.8% indicated the presence of detectable surface differential rotation. The significant periodicity in the light curve minimum epochs suggested that the strongest starspot formation in V511 Lyr was concentrated on one stable active longitude.

No Planet For Hd 166435, Didier Queloz, Gregory W. Henry, Jean-Pierre Sivan, Sallie L. Baliunas, Jean-Luc Beuzit, Robert A. Donahue, Michel Mayor, Dominique Naef, Christian Perrier, Stephane Udry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

The G0 V star HD 166435 has been observed by the fiber-fed spectrograph ELODIE as one of the targets in the large extra-solar planet survey that we are conducting at the Observatory of Haute-Provence. We detected coherent, low-amplitude, radial-velocity variations with a period of 3.7987 days, suggesting a possible close-in planetary companion. Subsequently, we initiated a series of high-precision photometric observations to search for possible planetary transits and an additional series of Ca II H and K observations to measure the level of surface magnetic activity and to look for possible rotational modulation. Surprisingly, we found the star to be …

Time Series Analysis Of V815 Herculis Photometry Between 1984 And 1998, Lauri Jetsu, Thomas Hackman, Douglas S. Hall, Gregory W. Henry, Mariitta Kokko, J. You

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

As a case study of the solar-stellar connection, we have analysed a prolonged time series of BV photometry of the chromospherically active binary V815 Her . The surface differential rotation in the rapidly rotating G5{v} primary caused changes of 4.6% in the seasonal photometric rotation periods. This would imply a differential rotation coefficient of k = 0.184, if the rotation of the starspots follows the solar law of differential rotation and the activity is confined within the same latitudinal range as in the Sun, having k = 0.189 and the spectral-type of G2{v}. Our analysis of the primary and secondary …

Photometric And Ca Ii H And K Spectroscopic Variations In Nearby Sun-Like Stars With Planets. Iii., Gregory W. Henry, Sallie L. Baliunas, Robert A. Donahue, Francis C. Fekel, Willie Soon

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present the results of an analysis of time-series photometry, Ca II H and K spectrophotometry, and high-dispersion visible spectra of nine nearby Sun-like stars recently identified as having planets. For the six stars whose presumed planets have orbital periods of less than 4 months (τ Boo, 51 Peg, υ And, ρ¹ Cnc, ρ CrB, and 70 Vir), sine-curve fits to the photometric data show no variations with semiamplitude greater than 1 or 2 parts in 10⁴. Photometric variations in 47 UMa are similarly small, although our photometric data of this star are slightly affected by variability …

Simultaneous Photometry And Spectroscopy Of The Newly Discovered Γ Doradus Variable Hr 8330=Hd 207223, Anthony B. Kaye, Gregory W. Henry, Francis C. Fekel, Douglas S. Hall

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present BV photometry and simultaneous high-resolution, high signal-to-noise ratio spectroscopy of the newly-discovered γ Doradus variable HR 8330 taken during the 1997 and 1998 observing seasons. We calculate power spectra for the B- and V-band data sets and for the time series defined throughout the observing season at each point across the Fe iiλ4508.289 and the Ti iiλ4501.278 line profiles to search for periodic variability. Period analysis reveals a single, 2.6-d period in both the photometric and the spectroscopic data, with a 237° phase lag between them. Based on the location of HR 8330 in the HR diagram and …

Orbital Elements And Physical Parameters Of Ten Chromospherically Active Binary Stars, Francis C. Fekel, Klaus G. Strassmeier, Michael Weber, A. Washuettl

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Orbital elements have been determined for 10 chromospherically active binaries from a combination of new velocities and velocities in the literature. First orbits for three binaries, HD 33363, HD 152178, and HD 208472, are presented, as well as updated orbits for seven other binaries. Two of the latter systems, LN Peg and HD 106225 were discovered to be triple, and both short- and long-period orbits have been computed for each. Fundamental properties have been determined for the chromopherically active primary in each system.

Evolved, Single, Slowly Rotating . . . But Magnetically Active The G8-Giant Hr 1362 = Ek Eridani Revisited, Klaus G. Strassmeier, Kazimierz Stępień, Gregory W. Henry, Douglas S. Hall

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We rediscuss the unusual case of the slowly rotating late-type giant HR 1362, which exhibits a very unusual high level of magnetic activity. New BVRI photometry from two robotic telescopes from 1991 through 1998 together with previously published photometric data gives a very precise photometric period of 306.9±0.4 days. With the aid of high-resolution (R=120,000) optical spectra and the Hipparcos parallax we redetermine the absolute parameters of HR 1362 and find it to be a single G8IV-III star of 14 L and a mass of 1.85 M with Teff=5125 K, log g=3.25, and solar abundances. Lithium is not significantly different …

Time-Series Photometric Spot Modeling. Iii. Thirty Years In The Life Of Hk Lacertae., Katalin Oláh, Zsolt Kővári, János Bartus, Klaus G. Strassmeier, Douglas S. Hall, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present a spot modeling analysis of the active late-type giant HK Lac using 30 years of photometry, including 600 new data points from the last six years. We have analyzed folded light curves and, when we had long continuous data sets, applied a new computer code for time-series modeling. The validity of the modeling results was tested as a function of the photometric noise. We have determined the unspotted brightness of HK Lac in the BV(RI)_C_ bandpasses and obtained a spot temperature of {DELTA}T=1200+/-100K. Polar active regions were recovered throughout the modeling because no other scenario was able to …

Properties Of Sun-Like Stars With Planets: 51 Pegasi, 47 Ursae Majoris, 70 Virginis, And Hd 114762, Gregory W. Henry, Sallie L. Baliunas, Robert A. Donahue, Willie H. Soon, Steven H. Saar

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Radial velocity variations have revealed planets orbiting 51 Peg, 47 UMa, and 70 Vir, and a low-mass companion orbiting HD 114762. We analyze parallel records of photometric measurements in Strömgren b and y and Johnson V, R, and I passbands and Ca II H and K fluxes in those stars. In the case of 51 Peg, the high precision of the differential photometric measurements made by the 0.75 m Automatic Photoelectric Telescope and the nonvariability of the star would allow the detection of a transit of a planet as small as Earth (corresponding to an amplitude of 0.0001 mag) if …

Properties Of Sun-Like Stars With Planets: Ρ1 Cancri, Τ Bootis, And Υ Andromedae, Sallie L. Baliunas, Gregory W. Henry, Robert A. Donahue, Francis C. Fekel, Willie Soon

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Planets have been reported orbiting the Sun-like stars ρ¹ Cnc, τ Boo, and υ And based on low-amplitude radial velocity variations. We have derived information on the first two stars from analysis of spectra, as well as parallel records of high-precision Strömgren b and y photometry and Ca II H + K fluxes. In the case of ρ¹ Cnc, the upper limit (peak to peak) of nondetection of photometric variability at the orbital period is Δy ~ 0.0004 mag. The possibility of a planetary transit cannot be ruled out completely from the photometric data. Variations of the …

Flare Energetics: Analysis Of A Large Flare On Yz Canis Minoris Observed Simultaneously In The Ultraviolet, Optical And Radio., G. H. J. Van Den Oord, John G. Doyle, M. Rodono, D. E. Gary, Gregory W. Henry, Patrick B. Byrne, Jeffrey L. Linsky

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

The results of coordinated observations of the dMe star YZ CMi at optical, UV and radio wavelengths during 3-7 February 1983 are presented. YZ CMi showed repeated optical flaring with the largest flare having a magnitude of 3.8 in the U-band. This flare coincided with an IUE exposure which permits a comparison of the emission measure curves of YZ CMi in its flaring and quiescent state. During the flare a downward shift of the transition zone is observed while the radiative losses in the range 10^4^-10^7^K strongly increase. The optical flare is accompanied with a radio flare at 6cm, while …

Random Spots On Chromospherically Active Stars, Joel A. Eaton, Gregory W. Henry, Francis C. Fekel

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We have investigated the effect of large numbers of moderately sized spots placed randomly on a differentially rotating star as the explanation of the rotational light curves of magnetically active cool stars. This hypothesis produces light variation very similar to observed light curves of RS CVn binaries, provided there are of order 10-40 spots at any time and provided individual spots have a finite lifetime.