One of the most interesting results from the OGLE-III study of the LMC Cepheids is the large number of objects that pulsate simultaneously in the first and second overtone (denoted 1O/2O). Double-mode Cepheids yield important constraint on stellar evolution models. We show that great majority of the LMC 1O/2O Cepheids have masses M=3.0+/-0.5 Msun. According to current stellar evolution calculations, these masses are lower than needed for the blue loop in the helium burning phase to reach the instability strip. On the other hand, we found most of these stars significantly overluminous if they are crossing the instability before helium ignition. A possible solution of this discrepancy is to allow for a large overshooting from the convective core in the main sequence phase. We also discuss origin of double-mode pulsation. At the short period range we find two types of resonances that are conducive to this form of pulsation. However, at longer periods, it has a different (non-resonant) origin.
Until now, double mode Cepheids (or beat Cepheids) were known in the Galaxy, Magellanic Clouds and M33. Curiously, none of more than 2000 Cepheids in M31 was claimed to show two pulsation modes. We conducted a systematic search for double mode Cepheids in the archival data and discovered four such objects. We identify one of the stars as a first and second overtone pulsator even though its secondary period is subject to strong aliasing. Two stars turn out to pulsate in the fundamental mode and the first overtone. Their fundamental periods are 9.392 d and 9.163 d. This makes them the first cand…
We report the discovery of the first type II Cepheids (BL Herculis stars) pulsating solely in the first overtone. We found two such objects among tens of millions of stars regularly observed by the OGLE survey in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Our classification and the pulsation mode identification is based on the position of these stars on the period-luminosity and color-magnitude diagrams and on the light curve analysis. We discuss why single-mode first-overtone BL Her pulsators must be very rare. For the two discovered stars we present non-linear models that successfully reproduce their light…
A recently presented HST/FGS parallax measurement of the Polaris system has been interpreted as evidence for the Cepheid Polaris Aa to be pulsating in the second overtone. An age discrepancy between components A and B has been noted and discussed in terms of a stellar merger. Here I show that the new parallax of Polaris is consistent with a simpler interpretation of Polaris as a $7 \rm{M}_\odot,$ first-overtone, classical Cepheid near the hot boundary of the first instability strip crossing. This picture is anchored to rates of period change, the period-luminosity relation, the location in col…
The OGLE project led to discovery of earlier unknown forms of multiperiodic pulsation in Cepheids. Often, the observed periods may be explained in terms of simultaneous excitation of two or rarely three radial modes. However, a secondary variability at about 0.6 of the dominant period, detected in a number of the first overtone (1O) pulsators inhabiting the Magellanic Clouds, seems to require a different explanation. After reviewing a possibility of explaining this signal in terms of radial and nonradial modes, I find that only unstable modes that may reproduce the observed period ratio are f-…
V473 Lyrae is the only Galactic Cepheid with confirmed periodic amplitude and phase variations similar to the Blazhko effect observed in RR Lyrae stars. We collected all available photometric data and some radial velocity measurements to investigate the nature of the modulation. The comparison of the photometric and radial velocity amplitudes confirmed that the star pulsates in the second overtone. The extensive data set, spanning more than 40 years, allowed us to detect a secondary modulation cycle with a period of approximately 5300 days or 14.5 years. The secondary variations can be detecte…
We have analysed photometric data for the first overtone Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds from the OGLE collection. In more than 500 stars, we have detected additional variability with periods shorter than the first overtone period and period ratios in the (0.60, 0.65) range. The sample includes double periodic stars detected previously by the OGLE team as well as new discoveries. In the Petersen diagram, these stars form three well-separated sequences. In some stars, we have found simultaneously two close periodicities corresponding to two sequences in the Petersen diagram. In a significant …
We have obtained extensive high-quality spectroscopic observations of the OGLE-LMC-CEP-1718 eclipsing binary system in the Large Magellanic Cloud which Soszynski et al. (2008) had identified as a candidate system for containing two classical Cepheids in orbit. Our spectroscopic data clearly demonstrate binary motion of the Cepheids in a 413-day eccentric orbit, rendering this eclipsing binary system the first ever known to consist of two classical Cepheid variables. After disentangling the four different radial velocity variations in the system we present the orbital solution and the individua…
A systematic search for multi-mode Cepheids using the database of the ASAS-SN survey has led to the detection of thirteen new double-mode and two triple-mode Cepheids in the Galactic disk. These discoveries have increased the number of Galactic disk multi-mode Cepheids by 33%. One of the new triple-mode variables pulsates simultaneously in the fundamental and in the first and the second radial overtone modes and the other in the first three radial overtone modes. Overtone triple-mode Cepheids were identified only in the Galactic bulge and in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds previously.
Recent studies have revealed a hitherto unknown complexity of Cepheid pulsation. We implement local kernel regression to search for both period and amplitude modulations simultaneously in continuous time and to investigate their detectability, and test this new method on 53 classical Cepheids from the OGLE-III catalog. We determine confidence intervals using parametric and non-parametric bootstrap sampling to estimate significance and investigate multi-periodicity using a modified pre-whitening approach that relies on time-dependent light curve parameters. We find a wide variety of period and …
Spectroscopic binarity of the Cepheid variable HV914 in the Large Magellanic Cloud is pointed out from the published radial velocity observational data. The list of known binaries among Cepheid type variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds is published in tabular form. The census indicates a serious deficiency of Cepheids with known companions as compared with their Galactic counterparts, whose implications are also discussed. A particular amplitude ratio (A_{V_{rad}}/A_B) of individual Magellanic Cepheids is studied in order to select promising candidates of spectroscopic binaries worthy of th…
We present here the first spectroscopic and photometric analysis of the double-lined eclipsing binary containing the classical, first-overtone Cepheid OGLE-LMC-CEP-2532 (MACHO 81.8997.87). The system has an orbital period of 800 days and the Cepheid is pulsating with a period of 2.035 days. Using spectroscopic data from three high-class telescopes and photometry from three surveys spanning 7500 days we are able to derive the dynamical masses for both stars with an accuracy better than 3%. This makes the Cepheid in this system one of a few classical Cepheids with an accurate dynamical mass dete…
We report on the results of a comprehensive search for Cepheid variable stars in the fields photometricallymonitored by the OGLE Galaxy Variability Survey. We identify 742 Cepheids not included in the first release of the OGLE Collection of Galactic Cepheids and reclassify several dozen previously published variables. The upgraded collection comprises 1974 classical, 1625 type II, and 119 anomalous Cepheids located in the area of about 3000 square degrees covering the disk and bulge of the Milky Way. We present the most interesting objects in our sample: an isolated group of long-period double…
The quantity and quality of satellite photometric data strings is revealing details in Cepheid variation at very low levels. Specifically, we observed a Cepheid pulsating in the fundamental mode and one pulsating in the first overtone with the Canadian MOST satellite. The 3.7-d period fundamental mode pulsator (RT Aur) has a light curve that repeats precisely, and can be modeled by a Fourier series very accurately. The overtone pulsator (SZ Tau, 3.1 d period) on the other hand shows light curve variation from cycle to cycle which we characterize by the variations in the Fourier parameters. We …
The seventh part of the OGLE-III Catalog of Variable Stars (OIII-CVS) consists of 4630 classical Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The sample includes 2626 fundamental-mode (F), 1644 first-overtone (1O), 83 second-overtone (2O), 59 double-mode F/1O, 215 double-mode 1O/2O, and three triple-mode classical Cepheids. For each object basic parameters, multi-epoch VI photometry collected within 8 or 13 years of observations, and finding charts are provided in the OGLE Internet archive. We present objects of particular interest: exceptionally numerous sample of single-mode second-overtone…
We present multi-band Period-Luminosity (PL) relations for first-overtone mode Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). We derive optical band PL relations and the Wesenheit function using $VI$ mean magnitudes from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE-III) survey. We cross-match OGLE-III first-overtone mode Cepheids to the 2MASS and SAGE-SMC catalogs to derive PL relations at near-infrared ($JHK_s$) and mid-infrared ($3.6~\&~4.5μ\mathrm{m}$) wavelengths. We test for possible non-linearities in these PL relations using robust statistical tests and find a significant break onl…
Space-based photometric measurements first revealed low-amplitude irregularities in the pulsations of Cepheid stars, but their origins and how commonly they occur remain uncertain. To investigate this phenomenon, we present MOST space telescope photometry of two Cepheids. V473 Lyrae is a second-overtone, strongly modulated Cepheid, while U Trianguli Australis is a Cepheid pulsating simultaneously in the fundamental mode and first overtone. The nearly continuous, high-precision photometry reveals alternations in the amplitudes of cycles in V473 Lyr, the first case of period doubling detected in…
The period-luminosity (P-L) relation for Cepheid variables is important in modern astrophysics. In this work, we present the multi-band P-L relations derived from the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) Cepheids, based on the latest release of OGLE-III catalogs. In addition to the V I band mean magnitudes adopted from OGLE-III catalogs, we also cross-matched the LMC and SMC Cepheids to the 2MASS point source catalogs and publicly available Spitzer catalogs from SAGE program. Mean magnitudes for these Cepheids were corrected for extinction using available extinction ma…
We present a sample of the most interesting classical Cepheids selected from the OGLE collection of classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System. The main selection criterion for this sample was the presence of non-standard, unique pulsational properties. The sample contains the first known double-mode Cepheid pulsating in the second- and third-overtone modes and a large number of objects with non-radial modes excited. We also found Cepheids revealing Blazhko-like light curve modulation, objects ceasing pulsations or showing atypical shapes of their light curves. Additionally, the status of sev…
We analyse photometry for 138 first overtone Cepheids from the Small Magellanic Cloud, in which Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) team discovered additional variability with period shorter than first overtone period, and period ratios in the (0.60, 0.65) range. In the Petersen diagram these stars form three well separated sequences. The additional variability cannot correspond to other radial mode. This form of pulsation is still puzzling. We find that amplitude of the additional variability is small, typically 2-4 per cent of the first overtone amplitude, which corresponds to 2-…
Data on multimode Cepheids from OGLE-III catalog of the LMC Cepheids are confronted with results from model calculations. Models whose radial mode periods are consistent with observation are not always in agreement with published evolutionary models. Nonradial mode interpretation is considered for the cases of unusual period ratios. The greatest challenge for stellar pulsation theory is explanation of double-mode pulsators with period ratios near 0.6.
We present a photometric study of two new double-mode Cepheids, pulsating in the first and second overtones modes: V470 Cas and GSC 2901-00089. For the search of the double-mode variability, we used all available observations from the ROTSE-I/NSVS and SuperWASP online public archives. Our multicolour CCD observations in the B, V and R bands in Johnson's system confirm the double periodicity of these variables. We study period variations of the two stars; variations of the first overtone periods were reliably detected. In addition, we consider the Petersen diagram for the Galactic 1O/2O Cepheid…
This paper discusses the current uncertainties in luminosity calibration of the RR Lyrae variables. The difference in distance moduli between the SMC and LMC as derived from RR Lyrae stars and classical Cepheids is used to estimate a metallicity effect on the Cepheid PL(VI) relation of 0.29+-0.11 mag/dex. There is evidence that suggests RR Lyrae variables and type II Cepheids share a common K-log(P) relation. Metallicity and age gradients in the LMC are discussed from data on RR Lyrae variables and AGB stars.
We present a census of eclipsing binary systems with classical Cepheid as a component. All such systems known were found in the OGLE collection of classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System. We extend the list of potential candidates adding four new objects found in the OGLE-IV photometric data. One of the new Cepheids in the eclipsing system, OGLE-SMC-CEP-3235, revealed only one eclipse during 15 years of the OGLE photometric monitoring. However, it additionally shows very well pronounced light-time effect indicating that the binarity is real. We also search for the light-time effect in othe…
Classical Cepheids are key probes of both stellar astrophysics and cosmology as standard candles and pulsating variable stars. It is important to understand Cepheids in unprecedented detail in preparation for upcoming GAIA, JWST and extremely-large telescope observations. Cepheid eclipsing binary stars are ideal tools for achieving this goal, however there are currently only three known systems. One of those systems, OGLE-LMC-CEP1812, raises new questions about the evolution of classical Cepheids because of an apparent age discrepancy between the Cepheid and its red giant companion. We show th…
The phenomenon of double-periodic Cepheid pulsation is still poorly understood. Recently we rediscussed the problem of modelling the double-periodic pulsation with non-linear hydrocodes. We showed that the published non-resonant double-mode models are incorrect, because they exclude the negative buoyancy effects. Aims. We continue our efforts to verify whether the Kuhfuss one-equation convection model with negative buoyancy included can reproduce the double-periodic Cepheid pulsation. Methods. Using the direct time integration hydrocode, which implements the Kuhfuss convection model, we search…
V440 Per is a Population I Cepheid with the period of 7.57 day and low amplitude, almost sinusoidal light and radial velocity curves. With no reliable data on the 1st harmonic, its pulsation mode identification remained controversial. We obtained a radial velocity curve of V440 Per with our new high precision and high throughput Poznan Spectroscopic Telescope. Our data reach the accuracy of 130 m/s per individual measurement and yield a secure detection of the 1st harmonic with the amplitude of A_2= 140+/- 15 m/s. The velocity Fourier phase ϕ_21 of V440 Per is inconsistent at the 7.25 σlevel w…
The mode switching in Cepheids is studied using the methods of the nonlinear theory of stellar pulsation, depending on the main sequence mass $M_0$ and the abundance of elements heavier than helium $Z$. The grid of evolutionary and hydrodynamic models of core--helium burning Cepheids is represented by 30 evolutionary sequences of stars with initial masses $5.7M_\odot\le M_0\le 7.2M_\odot$ and $Z=0.014$, 0.018, 0.022. For considered values of $Z$ the periods of the fundamental mode and the first overtone at the oscillation mode switching are shown to depend on the mean density of the stellar ma…
In this article, we test the hypothesis that Cepheids have infrared excesses due to mass loss. We fit a model using the mass-loss rate and the stellar radius as free parameters to optical observations from the OGLE-III survey and infrared observations from the 2MASS and SAGE data sets. The sample of Cepheids have predicted minimum mass-loss rates ranging from zero to $10^{-8}M_\odot$ $yr^{-1}$, where the rates depend on the chosen dust properties. We use the predicted radii to compute the Period-Radius relation for LMC Cepheids, and to estimate the uncertainty caused by the presence of infrare…
We present a nearly complete collection of type II Cepheids in the Magellanic System. The sample consists of 338 objects: 285 and 53 variables in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, respectively. Based on the pulsation periods and light-curve morphology, we classified 118 of our type II Cepheids as BL Herculis, 120 as W Virginis, 34 as peculiar W Virginis, and 66 as RV Tauri stars. For all objects, we publish time-series VI photometry obtained during the OGLE-IV survey, from 2010 to the end of 2017. We present the most interesting individual objects in our collection: 16 type II Cepheids sh…
We present the first extensive and detailed theoretical scenario for the interpretation of Cepheid properties observed in the SDSS filters. Three sets of nonlinear convective pulsation models, corresponding to the chemical compositions of Cepheids in the Milky Way, the Large Magellanic Cloud and the Small Magellanic Cloud respectively, are transformed into the SDSS bands by relying on updated model atmospheres. The resulting observables, namely the instability strip boundaries and the light curves, as well as the Period-Luminosity, the Wesenheit and the Period-Luminosity-Colour relations, are …
In this paper we derive the Spitzer IRAC band period-luminosity (P-L) relations for the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) Cepheids, by matching the Spitzer archival SAGE-SMC data with the OGLE-III SMC Cepheids. We find that the 3.6micron and 4.5micron band P-L relations can be better described using two P-L relations with a break period at log(P)=0.4: this is consistent with similar results at optical wavelengths for SMC P-L relations. The 5.8micron and 8.0micron band P-L relations do not extend to sufficiently short periods to enable a similar detection of a slope change at log(P)=0.4. The slopes …
In this work we matched the AKARI archival data to the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment-III (OGLE-III) catalog to derive the mid-infrared period luminosity (PL) relations for Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) Cepheids. Mismatched AKARI sources were eliminated using random-phase colors obtained from the full I-band light curves from OGLE-III. It was possible to derive PL relations in the N3 and N4 bands only, although the S7, S11, L15, and L24 band data were also tested. Random-phase correction was included when deriving the PL relation in the N3 and N4 bands using the available time of obse…
The shape of light cures of fundamental-mode and of first-overtone pulsators, as observed in RR~Lyrae variables and Cepheids, differ characteristically. The stellar physical origin of the morphological differences is not well documented and the topic seems not to be part of the elementary curriculum of students of stellar variability. To ameliorate the situation, this exposition analyzes hydrodynamical simulations of radial pulsations computed with the newly available numerical instrument RSP in MESA. The stellar physical processes that affect the light curves are identified and contrasted to …
We present new estimates of the relative distance of the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) by using NIR and Optical-NIR Cepheid Period Wesenheit (PW) relations. The relative distances are independent of uncertainties affecting the zero-point of the PW relations, but do depend on the adopted pivot periods. We estimated the pivot periods for fundamental (FU) and first overtone (FO) Cepheids on the basis of their period distributions. We found that log P=0.5 (FU) and log P=0.3 (FO) are solid choices, since they trace a main peak and a shoulder in LMC and SMC period distributions. By using the above pivot p…
We present the final release of the OGLE collection of classical pulsators (Cepheids and RR Lyr stars) in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. The sky coverage has been increased from 670 to 765 square degrees compared to the previous edition of the collection. We also add some Cepheids and RR Lyr stars found by the Gaia team and reclassify three Cepheids. Ultimately, our collection consists of 9650 classical Cepheids, 343 type II Cepheids, 278 anomalous Cepheids, and 47828 RR Lyr stars inside and toward the Magellanic System.
We analyze Galactic, Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud Cepheids and RR Lyrae variables in terms of period-color (PC) and amplitude-color (AC) diagrams at the phases of maximum and minimum light. We compiled Galactic Cepheids $V$- and $I$-band data from the literature. We make use of optical bands light curve data from OGLE-III survey for Cepheids and RR Lyrae variables in the Magellanic Clouds. We apply the $F$-statistical test to check the significance of any variation in the slope of PC and AC relations for Cepheid variables. The PC relation at maximum light for Galactic Ceph…
We present here a nearly complete census of classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System. The sample extends the set of Cepheids published in the past by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) to the outer regions of the Large (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The entire collection consists of 9535 Cepheids of which 4620 belong to the LMC and 4915 are members of the SMC. We provide the I- and V-band time-series photometry of the published Cepheids, their finding charts, and basic observational parameters. Based on this unique OGLE sample of Cepheids we present updated period-…
We present a theoretical investigation of multifilter (U,B,V, I and K) light and radial velocity curves of five Classical Cepheids in NGC 1866, a young massive cluster of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The best fit models accounting for the luminosity and radial velocity variations of the five selected variables, four pulsating in the fundamental mode and one in the first overtone, provide direct estimates of their intrinsic stellar parameters and individual distances. The resulting stellar properties indicate a slightly brighter Mass Luminosity relation than the canonical one, possibly due to mi…
We present the largest near-infrared (NIR) data sets, $JHKs$, ever collected for classical Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds (MCs). We selected fundamental (FU) and first overtone (FO) pulsators, and found 4150 (2571 FU, 1579 FO) Cepheids for Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) and 3042 (1840 FU, 1202 FO) for Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Current sample is 2--3 times larger than any sample used in previous investigations with NIR photometry. We also discuss optical $VI$ photometry from OGLE-III. NIR and optical--NIR Period-Wesenheit (PW) relations are linear over the entire period range ($0.0<\log P_…
We briefly summarize the BRITE observations of classical Cepheids. Possible detection of modulation in a fundamental mode Cepheid, T Vul, and of additional non-radial modes in first overtone Cepheids, DT Cyg and V1334 Cyg, are reported.
We present new and independent estimates of the distances to the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) using near-infrared (NIR) and optical--NIR period--Wesenheit (PW) relations. The slopes of the PW relations are, within the dispersion, linear over the entire period range and independent of metal content. The absolute zero points were fixed using Galactic Cepheids with distances based on the infrared surface-brightness method. The true distance modulus we found for the Large Magellanic Cloud---$(m-M)_0 = 18.48 \pm 0.01 \pm 0.10$ mag---and the Small Magellanic Cloud---$(m-M)_0 = 18.94 \pm 0.01 \pm 0.10$ ma…
A catalog of Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) from the ASAS project is presented. It contains data on 65 fundamental mode pulsators with periods longer than about 8 days. The period-luminosity (PL) relation in the V-band does not significantly differ from the relation determined by Soszynski et al. (2008) from the OGLE data extended toward longer periods but with much larger spread. For objects with periods longer than 40 days there is an evidence for a shallower PL relation. The rates of long-term period variations significant at 3 sigma level are found only for 7 objects. The rat…
Surface brightness-colour relations of Milky Way and Magellanic Clouds classical Cepheids based on Gaia magnitudes
Université Côte d’Azur, Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur, CNRS(蔚蓝海岸大学,蔚蓝海岸天文台,法国国家科学研究中心);LIRA, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, CY Cergy Paris Université, CNRS(巴黎天文台 LIRA 实验室,巴黎文理研究大学,索邦大学,巴黎西岱大学,CY 塞尔吉巴黎大学,法国国家科学研究中心);French-Chilean Laboratory for Astronomy, IRL 3386, CNRS(中智天文学联合实验室,法国国家科学研究中心);Universidad de Concepción(康塞普西翁大学);Leibniz Institute for Astrophysics(波茨坦莱布尼茨天体物理研究所);Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences(波兰科学院尼古拉·哥白尼天文中心);Instituto de Alta Investigación, Universidad de Tarapacá(塔拉帕卡大学高等研究院)
We present a detailed analysis of Magellanic Bridge Cepheid sample constructed using the OGLE Collection of Variable Stars. Our updated Bridge sample contains 10 classical and 13 anomalous Cepheids. We calculate their individual distances using optical period--Wesenheit relations and construct three-dimensional maps. Classical Cepheids on-sky locations match very well neutral hydrogen and young stars distributions, thus they add to the overall Bridge young population. In three dimensions, eight out of ten classical Cepheids form a bridge-like connection between the Magellanic Clouds. The other…
Recent photometric observations of first-overtone classical Cepheids and RR Lyrae stars have led to the discovery of additional frequencies showing a characteristic period ratio of 0.60-0.65 with the main pulsation mode. In a promising model proposed by Dziembowski (2016), these signals are suggested to be due to the excitation of non-radial modes with degrees 7, 8 and 9 (Cepheids) or 8 and 9 (RR Lyrae). Such modes usually have low amplitudes in photometric data. Spectroscopic time series offer an unexplored and promising way forward. We simulated time series of synthetic line profiles for a r…
More than a century ago, Henrietta Leavitt discovered the first Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds together with the famous period-luminosity relationship revealed by these stars, which soon after revolutionized our view of the Universe. Over the years, the number of known Cepheids in these galaxies has steadily increased with the breakthrough in the last two decades thanks to the new generation of large-scale long-term sky variability surveys. Here we present the final upgrade of the OGLE Collection of Cepheids in the Magellanic System which already contained the vast majority of known Cepheid…
The VELOCE Modulation Zoo I. Spectroscopic detection of non-radial modes in the first-overtone Cepheids BG Crucis, QZ Normae, V0391 Normae, and V0411 Lacertae
Theoretical estimates of the pulsation period change rates in LMC Cepheids are obtained from consistent calculation of stellar evolution and nonlinear stellar pulsation for stars with initial chemical composition X=0.7, Z=0.008, initial masses 5M_\odot <= Mzams <= 9M_\odot and pulsation periods ranged from 2.2 to 29 day. The Cepheid hydrodynamical models correspond to the evolutionary stage of thermonuclear core helium burning. During evolution across the instability strip in the HR diagram the pulsation period of Cepheids is the quadratic function of the evolution time for the both fundamenta…
The eighth part of the OGLE-III Catalog of Variable Stars (OIII-CVS) contains type II Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The sample consists of 43 objects, including 17 BL Her, 17 W Vir and 9 RV Tau stars (first examples ever found in the SMC). Seven stars have been classified as peculiar W Vir stars - a recently identified subclass of type II Cepheids. These stars have distinctive light curves, are brighter and bluer than the ordinary W Vir variables. We confirm that a large fraction of the peculiar W Vir stars are members of binary systems. Three type II Cepheids exhibit eclipsing…
The sixth part of the OGLE-III catalog of Variable Stars presents δSct pulsators in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Altogether 2786 variable stars were found and amongst them 92 are multi-mode objects, including 67 stars pulsating in the fundamental mode and the first overtone (F/1O), nine double-mode pulsators with various combinations of the first three overtones excited (1O/2O, 2O/3O and 1O/3O pulsators), and two triple mode (F/1O/2O) δSct stars. In total 1490 of stars are marked as uncertain, due to scattered photometry and small amplitudes. For single-mode objects it was not possible to unamb…
We present Ks -band light curves for 299 Cepheids in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) of which 288 are new discoveries that we have identified using multi-epoch near-infrared photometry obtained by the VISTA survey of the Magellanic Clouds system (VMC). The new Cepheids have periods in the range from 0.34 to 9.1 days and cover the magnitude interval 12.9 <= Ks <= 17.6 mag. Our method was developed using variable stars previously identified by the optical microlensing survey OGLE. We focus on searching new Cepheids in external regions of the SMC for which complete VMC Ks-band observations are a…
Variable stars have been used for over one hundred years as probes for determining astronomical distances; these distances can be used to map the three-dimensional (3D) structure of nearby galaxies. Exploiting the effect that moving to the mid-infrared has on Cepheid magnitudes and light curves, we can now map our nearest galaxies in 3D at fidelities never before achievable. Combining data from the OGLE-IV catalogue with mid-infrared photometry from the Spitzer Space Telescope, around 5000 fundamental mode Cepheids are being used to trace the 3D structure of the Magellanic Clouds. An automated…
The nature of type II Cepheids and anomalous Cepheids is still not well known and their evolutionary channels leave many unanswered questions. We use complete collection of classical pulsating stars in the Magellanic Clouds discovered by the OGLE project, to compare their spatial distributions, which are one of the characteristic features directly related to the star formation history. In this analysis we use 9649 classical Cepheids, 262 anomalous Cepheids, 338 type II Cepheids and 46 443 RR Lyr stars from both Magellanic Clouds. We compute three-dimensional Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests for every …
The exploitation of the CoRoT treasure of stars observed in the exoplanetary field allowed the detection of a unusual triple-mode Cepheid in the Milky Way, CoRoT 0223989566. The two modes with the largest amplitudes and period ratio of 0.80 are identified with the first (P1=1.29 d) and second (P2=1.03 d) radial overtones. The third period, which has the smallest amplitude but able to produce combination terms with the other two, is the longest one (P3=1.89 d). The ratio of 0.68 between the first-overtone period and the third period is the unusual feature. Its identification with the fundamenta…
The study is devoted to radial pulsations in Population I Cepheids with masses from 5.4 to 6 Msun. Solution of the equations of radiation hydrodynamics and turbulent convection for nonlinear stellar pulsations was obtained with initial conditions as the core helium burning models of computed evolutionary sequences. For each value of the initial mass we considered stellar evolution from the zero age main sequence to central helium exhaustion with three values of the convective overshoot parameter: aov=0.1, 0.15 and 0.2. Models for the Cepheid SZ Tau with pulsation period 3.149 day can be constr…
Context. The properties of variable stars can give independent constraints on the star formation history of the host galaxy, by determining the age and metallicity of the parent population. Aims. We investigate the pulsation properties of 84 Anomalous Cepheids (ACs) detected by the OGLE-III survey in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), in order to understand the formation mechanism and the characteristics of the parent population they came from. Methods. We used an updated theoretical pulsation scenario to derive the mass and the pulsation mode of each AC in the sample. We also used a Kolmogorov…
We performed a new and accurate fit of light and radial velocity curves of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) Cepheid --OGLE-LMC-CEP-0227-- belonging to a detached double-lined eclipsing binary system. We computed several sets of nonlinear, convective models covering a broad range in stellar mass, effective temperature and in chemical composition. The comparison between theory and observations indicates that current theoretical framework accounts for luminosity --V and I band-- and radial velocity variations over the entire pulsation cycle. Predicted pulsation mass --M=4.14+-0.06 Mo-- and mean e…