Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy Commons^™

Absolute Properties Of The Eclipsing Binary Star Ap Andromedae, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Guillermo Torres, Francis C. Fekel, Matthew W. Muterspaugh

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

AP And is a well-detached F5 eclipsing binary star for which only a very limited amount of information was available before this publication. We have obtained very extensive measurements of the light curve (19,097 differential V magnitude observations) and a radial velocity curve (83 spectroscopic observations) which allow us to fit orbits and determine the absolute properties of the components very accurately: masses of 1.277 ± 0.004 and 1.251 ± 0.004 M☉, radii of 1.233 ± 0.006 and 1.1953 ± 0.005 R☉, and temperatures of 6565 ± 150 K and 6495 ± 150 K. The distance to the system is …

Spot Activity Of The Rs Canum Venaticorum Star Σ Geminorum, Perttu Kajatkari, Thomas Hackman, Lauri Jetsu, Jyri J. Lehtinen, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Aims. We model the photometry of RS CVn star σ Geminorum to obtain new information on the changes of the surface starspot distribution, that is, activity cycles, differential rotation, and active longitudes.

Methods. We used the previously published continuous period search (CPS) method to analyse V-band differential photometry obtained between the years 1987 and 2010 with the T3 0.4 m Automated Telescope at the Fairborn Observatory. The CPS method divides data into short subsets and then models the light-curves with Fourier-models of variable orders and provides estimates of the mean magnitude, amplitude, period, and light-curve minima. These light-curve parameters …

The Orbits Of The Triple-Star System 1 Geminorum From Phases Differential Astrometry And Spectroscopy, Benjamin F. Lane, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Roger F. Griffin, Colin D. Scarfe, Francis C. Fekel, Michael H. Williamson, Joel A. Eaton, Michael Shao, Mark M. Colavita, Maciej Konacki

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We have used precise differential astrometry from the Palomar High-precision Astrometric Search for Exoplanet Systems project and radial-velocity measurements covering a time span of 40 yr to determine the orbital parameters of the 1 Geminorum triple system. We present the first detection of the spectral lines of the third component of the system, together with precise mass (0.5%) and distance (0.15%) determinations for this system. In addition, our astrometry allows us to make the first determination of the mutual inclination of the orbits.

Extensive Study Of Hd 25558, A Long-Period Double-Lined Binary With Two Spb Components, Á. Sódor, Peter De Cat, David J. Wright, Coralie Neiner, Maryline Briquet, Patricia Lampens, Robert J. Dukes, Gregory W. Henry, Michael H. Williamson, Emily Brunsden, Karen R. Pollard, Peter L. Cottrell, Florian Maisonneuve, Pam M. Kilmartin, Jaymie Matthews, Thomas Kallinger, Paul G. Beck, Eiji Kambe, Chris A. Engelbrecht, Robert J. Czanik, Stephenson Yang, Osamu Hashimoto, Satoshi Honda, Jian-Ning Fu, Barbara Castanheira, Holger Lehmann, Zsófia Bognár, Natalie Behara, Simone Scaringi, Hans Van Winckel, Jonathan Menu, Alex Lobel, P. Mathias, Sophie Saesen, Maja Vučković, The Mimes Collaboration

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We carried out an extensive observational study of the Slowly Pulsating B (SPB) star, HD 25558. The ≈2000 spectra obtained at different observatories, the ground-based and MOST satellite light curves revealed that this object is a double-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of about nine years. The observations do not allow the inference of an orbital solution. We determined the physical parameters of the components, and found that both lie within the SPB instability strip. Accordingly, both show line-profile variations due to stellar pulsations. 11 independent frequencies were identified in the data. All the frequencies were attributed to one …

Orbital Solutions And Absolute Elements Of The Short-Period Eclipsing Binary Es Librae, Nicole E. Cabrera, James R. Sowell, Richard M. Williamon, Thomas F. Collins, Francis C. Fekel, Michael H. Williamson, Matthew W. Muterspaugh

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We have obtained new differential UBV photoelectric photometry and radial velocities of both components of the short-period eclipsing binary ES Lib. The system has a circular orbit with a period of 0.883040928 days and is seen at an inclination of 70.1°. With the Wilson-Devinney analysis program, we obtained a simultaneous solution of our photometric and spectroscopic observations that resulted in masses of M1 = 2.30 ± 0.03 M⊙ and M2 = 0.97 ± 0.01 M⊙ and the equal-volume radii of R1 = 2.69 ± 0.02 R⊙ and R2 = 1.83 ± 0.01 R⊙ for the primary and secondary, respectively. The …

Multiperiodicity, Modulations And Flip-Flops In Variable Star Light Curves Ii. Analysis Of Ii Pegasus Photometry During 1979–2010, Marjaana Lindborg, Maarit J. Mantere, Nigul Olspert, Jaan Pelt, Thomas Hackman, Gregory W. Henry, Lauri Jetsu, Klaus G. Strassmeier

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Aims. According to previously published Doppler images of the magnetically active primary giant component of the RS CVn binary II Peg, the surface of the star was dominated by one single active longitude that was clearly drifting in the rotational frame of the binary system during 1994-2002; later imaging for 2004–2010, however, showed decreased and chaotic spot activity, with no signs of the drift pattern. Here we set out to investigate from a more extensive photometric dataset whether this drift is a persistent phenomenon, in which case it could be caused either by an azimuthal dynamo wave or be an …

Absolute Properties Of The Eclipsing Binary Vv Corvi, Francis C. Fekel, Gregory W. Henry, James R. Sowell

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We have obtained red-wavelength spectroscopy and Johnson B and V differential photoelectric photometry of the eclipsing binary VV Crv = HR 4821. The system is the secondary of the common proper motion double star ADS 8627, which has a separation of 52. VV Crv has an orbital period of 3.144536 days and a low but non-zero eccentricity of 0.085. With the Wilson–Devinney program we have determined a simultaneous solution of our spectroscopic and photometric observations. Those orbital elements produce masses of M₁ = 1.978 ± 0.010 M_☉ and M₂ = 1.513 ± 0.008 M_☉, and …

New Precision Orbits Of Bright Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries. Viii. Hr 1528, Hr 6993, 2 Sagittae, And 18 Vulpeculae, Francis C. Fekel, Jocelyn Tomkin, Michael H. Williamson

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Improved orbital elements for four A-star double-lined spectroscopic binaries have been determined with numerous new radial velocities. Three of the four systems, HR 1528, 2 Sge, and 18 Vul, have moderately short orbital periods of 7.05, 7.39, and 9.31 days, respectively, and also have circular or nearly circular orbits. Only HR 6993 with a period of 14.68 days has a significantly eccentric orbit. The close visual companion of 2 Sge has been detected spectroscopically, and its velocity measured. The orbital dimensions (a1 sin i and a2 sin i) and minimum masses (m1 sin3 i and m2 sin3 i) of the …

Astrometric Mass Ratios For Three Spectroscopic Binaries, Johannes Sahlmann, Francis C. Fekel

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

The orbits of five single-lined spectroscopic binaries have recently been determined. We now use astrometric measurements that were collected with the HIPPARCOS satellite to constrain the systems’ mass ratios and secondary masses. The barycentric astrometric orbits of three binary systems, HD 140667, HD 158222, and HD 217924, are fully determined and precise estimates of their mass ratios are obtained. Follow-up of these systems with infrared spectroscopy could yield model-independent dynamical masses for all components.

Infrared Spectroscopy Of Symbiotic Stars. Ix. D-Type Symbiotic Novae, Kenneth H. Hinkle, Francis C. Fekel, Richard R. Joyce, Peter R. Wood

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Time-series spectra of the near-infrared 1.6 μm region have been obtained for five of the six known D-type symbiotic novae. The spectra map the pulsation kinematics of the Mira component in the Mira–white dwarf binary system and provide the center-of-mass velocity for the Mira. No orbital motion is detected in agreement with previous estimates of orbital periods ≳100 yr and semimajor axes ∼50 AU. The 1–5 μm spectra of the Miras show line weakening during dust obscuration events. This results from scattering and continuum emission by 1000 K dust. In the heavily obscured HM Sge system the 4.6 μm CO …

Using Photometry To Probe The Circumstellar Environment Of Δ Scorpii, Carol E. Jones, Paul A. Wiegert, Christopher Tycner, Gregory W. Henry, Richard P. Cyr, Robbie J. Halonen, Matthew W. Muterspaugh

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We acquired Johnson BV photometry of the binary Be disk system δ Scorpii during its 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 observing seasons and used it to probe the innermost regions of the disk. We found that several disk building events have occurred during this time, resulting in an overall brightening in the V band and reddening of the system. In addition to these long-term trends, we found cyclical variability in each observing season on timescales between 60 and 100 days. We were able to reproduce the changes in the magnitude and color of δ Sco using our theoretical models and …

The Spectroscopic Orbits Of Five Solar-Type, Single-Lined Binaries, Francis C. Fekel, Samira Rajabi, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Michael H. Williamson

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We have determined spectroscopic orbits for five single-lined spectroscopic binaries, HD 100167, HD 135991, HD 140667, HD 158222, HD 217924. Their periods range from 60.6 to 2403 days and the eccentricities from 0.20 to 0.84. Our spectral classes for the stars confirm that they are of solar type, F9–G5, and all are dwarfs. Their [Fe/H] abundances, determined spectroscopically, are close to the solar value and on average are 0.12 greater than abundances from a photometric calibration. Four of the five stars are rotating faster than their predicted pseudosynchronous rotational velocities.

The Spectroscopic Orbit Of The K-Giant Binary Γ Canis Minoris, Francis C. Fekel, Michael H. Williamson, Michael Weber, Klaus G. Strassmeier, Dimitri Pourbaix

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We have determined an improved orbit for the bright, evolved, double lined binary γ Canis Minoris. The system has an orbital period of 389.31 days and an eccentricity of 0.2586. We have revised the secondary to primary mass ratio to 0.987. The spectral types of the primary and secondary are K4 III and K1: III, respectively, and the components have a V magnitude difference of 2.2. Orbital fits to the Hipparcos astrometry are not definitive, but they suggest an orbital inclination of ∼ 66°, which produces masses of 1.88 and 1.85 M⊙ for the components. A comparison with evolutionary tracks …

The Stellar Activity-Rotation Relationship, Nick J. Wright, Jeremy J. Drake, Eric E. Mamajek, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Using a new catalog of 824 solar and late-type stars with measured X-ray luminosities and rotation periods we have studied the relationship between rotation and stellar activity that is believed to be a probe of the underlying stellar dynamo. Using an unbiased subset of the sample we calculate the power law slope of the unsaturated regime of the activity-rotation relationship as LX/Lbol α Roβ, where β = –2.70 ± 0.13. Notably this is inconsistent with the canonical β = –2 slope to a confidence of 5σ are argues for an interface-type dynamo. Super-saturation is observed for the fastest rotators in …

Rotational And Cyclical Variability In Γ Cassiopeiae. Ii. Fifteen Seasons, Gregory W. Henry, Myron A. Smith

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The B0.5 IVe star γ Cas is of great interest because it is the prototype of a small group of classical Be stars having hard X-ray emission of unknown origin. We discuss results from ongoing B and V observations of the γ Cas star–disk system acquired with an Automated Photometric Telescope during the observing seasons 1997–2011. In an earlier study, Smith, Henry, & Vishniac showed that light variations in γ Cas are dominated by a series of comparatively prominent cycles with amplitudes of 0.02–0.03 mag and lengths of 2–3 months, superimposed on a 1.21 day periodic signal some five times …

The Relationship Between Γ Cassiopeiae’S X-Ray Emission And Its Circumstellar Environment Ii. Geometry And Kinematics Of The Disk From Mirc And Vega Instruments On The Chara Array, Philippe Stee, O. Delaa, John D. Monnier, Anthony Meilland, Karine Perraut, Denis Mourard, Xiao Che, Gail H. Schaefer, Ettore Pedretti, Myron A. Smith, Raimundo Lopes De Oliveira, Christian Motch, Gregory W. Henry, Noel D. Richardson, Karen S. Bjorkman, R. Bücke, E. Pollmann, Juan Zorec, Douglas R. Gies, Theo A. Ten Brummelaar, Harold A. Mcalister, Nils H. Turner, Judit Sturmann, Laszlo Sturmann, Stephen T. Ridgway

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Context.γ Cas is thought to be the prototype of classical Be stars and is the most studied object among this group. However, as for all Be stars, the origin and the physics of its circumstellar disk responsible for the observed near IR-excess, emission lines, and peculiar X-ray emission is still being debated.

Aims. We constrain the geometry and kinematics of its circumstellar disk from the highest spatial resolution ever achieved on this star. This investigation is a part of a large multi-technique observing campaign to obtain the most complete picture of γ Cas which emphasizes the relation of the …

Spectro-Interferometric Observations Of Classical Nova V458 Vul 2007, Samira Rajabi, Matthew W. Muterspaugh, Benjamin F. Lane, Martin M. Sirk, Stanley Browne, Askari Ghasempour, Samuel P. Halverson, John G. Kelly, Michael Williamson

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We used the Palomar Testbed Interferometer (PTI) to resolve 2.2 μm emission from the classical nova V458 Vul 2007 over the course of several days following its discovery on 2007 August 8.54 UT. We also obtained K-band photometric data and spectra of the nova during the early days of the outburst. We also used photometric measurements from the AAVSO database. This is a unique data set offering a three-technique approach: high-resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and photometry. Our analysis shows that the nova ejecta can be modeled as an inclined disk at low inclination, i.e., low ellipticity which is consistent with the …

Absolute Properties Of The Eclipsing Binary Star V335 Serpentis, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Francis C. Fekel, Antonio Claret

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

V335 Ser is now known to be an eccentric double-lined A1+A3 binary star with fairly deep (0.5 mag) partial eclipses. Previous studies of the system are improved with 7456 differential photometric observations from the URSA WebScope and 5666 from the NFO WebScope, and 67 high-resolution spectroscopic observations from the Tennessee State University 2 m automatic spectroscopic telescope. From dates of minima, the apsidal period is about 880 years. Accurate (better than 2%) masses and radii are determined from analysis of the two new light curves and the radial velocity curve. Theoretical models match the absolute properties of the stars at …

Spot Activity Of Lq Hydra From Photometry Between 1988 And 2011, Jyri J. Lehtinen, Lauri Jetsu, Thomas Hackman, Perttu Kajatkari, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Aims. We investigate the spot activity of the young magnetically active main sequence star LQ Hya. Our aims are to identify possible active longitudes, estimate the differential rotation, and study long and short term changes in the activity.

Methods. Our analysis is based on 24 years of Johnson V-band photometry of LQ Hya obtained with the T3 0.4 m Automated Telescope at the Fairborn Observatory. We use the previously published continuous period search (CPS) method to model the evolution of the light curve of LQ Hya. The CPS fits a Fourier series model to short overlapping subsets …

Absolute Properties Of The Eclipsing Binary Star Bf Draconis, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Guillermo Torres, Francis C. Fekel, Jeffrey A. Sabby, Antonio Claret

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BF Dra is now known to be an eccentric double-lined F6+F6 binary star with relatively deep (0.7 mag) partial eclipses. Previous studies of the system are improved with 7494 differential photometric observations from the URSA WebScope and 9700 from the NFO WebScope, 106 high-resolution spectroscopic observations from the Tennessee State University 2 m automatic spectroscopic telescope and the 1 m coudé-feed spectrometer at Kitt Peak National Observatory, and 31 accurate radial velocities from the CfA. Very accurate (better than 0.6%) masses and radii are determined from analysis of the two new light curves and four radial velocity curves. Theoretical models …

The Relationship Between Γ Cassiopeiae’S X-Ray Emission And Its Circumstellar Environment, Myron A. Smith, Raimundo Lopes De Oliveira, Christian Motch, Gregory W. Henry, Noel D. Richardson, Karen S. Bjorkman, Philippe Stee, Denis Mourard, John D. Monnier, Xiao Che, R. Bücke, E. Pollmann, Douglas R. Gies, Gail Schaefer, Theo A. Ten Brummelaar, Harold Mcalister, Nils H. Turner, Judit Sturmann, Laszlo Sturmann, Stephen T. Ridgway

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

γ Cas is the prototypical classical Be star and is recently best known for its variable hard X-ray emission. To elucidate the reasons for this emission, we mounted a multiwavelength campaign in 2010 centered around four XMM-Newton observations. The observational techniques included long baseline optical interferometry (LBOI) from two instruments at CHARA, photometry carried out by an automated photometric telescope and Hα observations. Because γ Cas is also known to be in a binary, we measured radial velocities from the Hα line and redetermined its period as 203.55 ± 0.20 days and its eccentricity as near zero. The LBOI observations …

Third Component Search And Abundances Of The Very Dusty Short-Period Binary Bd +20°307, Francis C. Fekel, Maria J. Cordero, Raphael Galicher, Benjamin Zuckerman, Carl Melis, Alycia J. Weinberger

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We have obtained near-infrared adaptive optics imaging and collected additional radial velocity observations to search for a third component in the extremely dusty short-period binary system BD +20°307. Our image shows no evidence for a third component at separations greater than 19 AU. Our four seasons of radial velocities have a constant center-of-mass velocity and are consistent with the systemic velocities determined at two earlier epochs. Thus, the radial velocities also provide no support for a third component. Unfortunately, the separation domains covered by our imaging and radial velocity results do not overlap. Thus, we examined the parameters for possible …

Asteroseismology Of The Nearby Sn-Ii Progenitor: Rigel. I. The Most High-Precision Photometry And Radial Velocity Monitoring, Ehsan Moravveji, Edward F. Guinan, Matt Shultz, Michael H. Williamson, Andres Moya

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Rigel (β Ori, B8 Ia) is a nearby blue supergiant displaying α Cyg type variability, and is one of the nearest Type II supernova progenitors. As such it is an excellent test bed to study the internal structure of pre-core-collapse stars. In this study, for the first time, we present 28 days of high-precision MOST photometry and over six years of spectroscopic monitoring. We report 19 significant pulsation modes of signal-to-noise ratio, S/N ≳ 4.6 from radial velocities, with variability timescales ranging from 1.21 to 74.7 days, which are associated with high-order low-degree gravity modes. While the radial velocity variations …

Absolute Properties Of The Highly Eccentric, Solar-Type Eclipsing Binary Hd 74057, James R. Sowell, Gregory W. Henry, Francis C. Fekel

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We have obtained Strömgren b and y differential photometric observations of the solar-type eclipsing binary HD 74057 plus follow-up high-resolution, red wavelength spectroscopic observations. The system has an orbital period of 31.2198 days, a high eccentricity of 0.47, and is seen almost exactly edge on with an inclination of 89fdg8. The two main-sequence G0 stars are nearly identical in all physical characteristics. We used the Wilson–Devinney program to obtain a simultaneous solution of our photometric and spectroscopic observations. The resulting masses of the components are M1 = 1.138 ± 0.003 M☉ and M2 = 1.131 ± 0.003 M☉, and the …

The Stellar-Activity–Rotation Relationship And The Evolution Of Stellar Dynamos, Nicholas J. Wright, Jeremy J. Drake, Eric E. Mamajek, Gregory W. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We present a sample of 824 solar and late-type stars with X-ray luminosities and rotation periods. This is used to study the relationship between rotation and stellar activity and derive a new estimate of the convective turnover time. From an unbiased subset of this sample the power-law slope of the unsaturated regime, LX/Lbol∝Roβ, is fit as β = −2.70 ± 0.13. This is inconsistent with the canonical β = −2 slope to a confidence of 5σ, and argues for an additional term in the dynamo number equation. From a simple scaling analysis this implies ΔΩ/Ω∝Ω0.7, i.e., the differential rotation of …

Absolute Properties Of The Eclipsing Binary Star Hy Virginis, Claud H. Sandberg Lacy, Francis C. Fekel

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

HY Vir is found to be a double-lined F0m+F5 binary star with relatively shallow (0.3 mag) partial eclipses. Previous studies of the system are improved with 7509 differential photometric observations from the URSA WebScope and 8862 from the NFO WebScope, and 68 high-resolution spectroscopic observations from the Tennessee State University 2 m automatic spectroscopic telescope, and the 1 m coudé-feed spectrometer at Kitt Peak National Observatory. Very accurate (better than 0.5%) masses and radii are determined from analysis of the new light curves and radial velocity curves. Theoretical models match the absolute properties of the stars at an age of …

Surprising Variations In The Rotation Of The Chemically Peculiar Stars Cu Virginis And V901 Orionis, Zdeněk Mikulášek, Jiří Krtička, Gregory W. Henry, Jan Janík, Juraj Zverko, Jozef Žižňovský, Miloslav Zejda, Jiri Liška, Pavel Zvěřina, D. O. Kudrjavtsev, Iosif I. Romanyuk, N. A. Sokolov, Theresa Lüftinger, Corrado Trigilio, Coralie Neiner, S. N. De Villiers

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Context. The majority of magnetic chemically peculiar (mCP) stars exhibit periodic light, radio, spectroscopic and spectropolarimetric variations that can be adequately explained by the model of a rigidly rotating main-sequence star with persistent surface structures. CU Vir and V901 Ori belong among these few mCP stars whose rotation periods vary on timescales of decades.

Aims. We aim to study the stability of the periods in CU Vir and V901 Ori using all accessible observational data containing phase information.

Methods. We collected all available relevant archived observations supplemented with our new measurements of these stars and analysed the period variations of …

The Real Orbital Period Of The Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binary Hd 31738, Francis C. Fekel, Roger F. Griffin

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

No abstract provided.

New Precision Orbits Of Bright Double-Lined Spectroscopic Binaries. Vii. 47 Andromedae, 38 Cassiopeiae, And Hr 8467, Francis C. Fekel, Jocelyn Tomkin, Michael H. Williamson, Dimitri Pourbaix

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

Improved orbital elements for three double-lined spectroscopic binaries, 47 And, 38 Cas, and HR 8467, have been determined with extensive new radial velocities. For 38 Cas lines of the secondary have been detected for the first time. Given the orbital periods for these systems of 35.3682, 134.130, and 42.3813 days, respectively, it is not surprising that all three have either moderate or relatively high eccentricities. The orbital dimensions (a1sin i and a2sin i) and minimum masses (m1sin 3i and m2sin 3i) have accuracies of 0.5% or better. An astrometric orbit for 38 Cas, which was recomputed with Hipparcos astrometry and …

A Volume-Limited Photometric Survey Of 114 Γ Doradus Candidates, Gregory W. Henry, Francis C. Fekel, Stephen M. Henry

Information Systems and Engineering Management Research Publications

We have carried out a photometric survey of a complete, volume-limited sample of γ Doradus candidates. The sample was extracted from the Hipparcos catalog and consists of 114 stars with colors and absolute magnitudes within the range of known γ Doradus stars and that also lie within a specified volume of 266,600 pc3. We devoted one year of observing time with our T12 0.8 m automatic photometric telescope to acquire nightly observations of the complete sample of stars. From these survey observations, we identify 37 stars with intrinsic variability of 0.002 mag or more. Of these 37 variables, 8 have …