Hot subdwarfs (sdO/Bs) are the helium-burning cores of red giants, which lost almost all of their hydrogen envelopes. This mass loss is often triggered by common envelope interactions with close stellar or even substellar companions. Cool companions like late-type stars or brown dwarfs are detectable via characteristic light curve variations like reflection effects and often also eclipses. To search for such objects we obtained multi-band light curves of 26 close sdO/B binary candidates from the MUCHFUSS project with the BUSCA instrument. We discovered a new eclipsing reflection effect system ($P=0.168938$~d) with a low-mass M dwarf companion ($0.116 M_{\rm \odot}$). Three more reflection effect binaries found in the course of the campaign were already published, two of them are eclipsing systems, in one system only showing the reflection effect but no eclipses the sdB primary is found to be pulsating. Amongst the targets without reflection effect a new long-period sdB pulsator was discovered and irregular light variations were found in two sdO stars. The found light variations allowed us to constrain the fraction of reflection effect binaries and the substellar companion fraction around sdB stars. The minimum fraction of reflection effect systems amongst the close sdB binaries might be greater than 15\% and the fraction of close substellar companions in sdB binaries might be as high as $8.0\%$. This would result in a close substellar companion fraction to sdB stars of about 3\%. This fraction is much higher than the fraction of brown dwarfs around possible progenitor systems, which are solar-type stars with substellar companions around 1 AU, as well as close binary white dwarfs with brown dwarf companions. This might be a hint that common envelope interactions with substellar objects are preferentially followed by a hot subdwarf phase.
The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims at finding hot subdwarf stars with massive compact companions (white dwarfs with masses $M>1.0 {\rm M_{\odot}}$, neutron stars or black holes). The existence of such systems is predicted by binary evolution calculations and some candidate systems have been found. We identified $\simeq1100$ hot subdwarf stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Stars with high velocities have been reobserved and individual SDSS spectra have been analysed. About 70 radial velocity variable subdwarfs have been s…
The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims to find sdBs with compact companions like massive white dwarfs, neutron stars or black holes. Here we provide classifications, atmospheric parameters and a complete radial velocity (RV) catalogue containing 1914 single measurements for an sample of 177 hot subluminous stars discovered based on SDSS DR7. 110 stars show significant RV variability, while 67 qualify as candidates. We constrain the fraction of close massive compact companions {of hydrogen-rich hot subdwarfs} in our sample to be smaller …
The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims at finding hot subdwarf stars with massive compact companions (massive white dwarfs M>1.0 Msun, neutron stars or stellar mass black holes). The existence of such systems is predicted by binary evolution theory and some candidate systems have been found. We classified about 1400 hot subdwarf stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) by colour selection and visual inspection of their spectra. Stars with high velocities have been reobserved and individual SDSS spectra have been analysed. In total…
The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (muchfuss) aims to discover subdwarf-B stars with massive compact companions such as overmassive white dwarfs (M > 1.0 M_sun), neutron stars or black holes. From the 127 subdwarfs with substantial radial-velocity variations discovered in the initial survey, a number of interesting objects have been selected for extensive follow-up. After an initial photometry run with BUSCA revealed that FBS 0117+396 is photometrically variable both on long and short timescales, we chose it as an auxiliary target during a 6-night …
High-velocity stars in the Galactic halo, e.g. the so-called hyper-velocity stars (HVS), are important tracers of the properties of the dark matter halo, in particular its mass. Based on the SDSS DR6 spectral database a search for the fastest stars among hot subdwarfs (sdB) in the halo is carried out to identify HVS, unbound to the Galaxy, and bound population II stars in order to derive a lower limit to the halo mass. The radial velocity measurements were verified at several telescopes to exclude radial velocity variable stars. Out of 88 stars observed in the follow-up campaign 39 stars were …
A campaign on the open cluster NGC 5617 was organized in order to characterize the pulsations and to better understand the internal structure of its stars. The variability of the cluster members was never studied before. We present the observations taken and an up-to-date analysis of the obtained time series, especially of several SPB candidates we discovered.
We examine the photometric variability of stars in the M 67 field using Kepler/K2-Campaign-5 light curves. Variabilities and periods were determined for 639 stars. The mean photometric period of 28 single Sun-like members stars in M 67 is 23.4 +/- 1.2 d. This corresponds to a gyro-age of 3.7 +/- 0.3 Gyr, assuming the periods can be associated with rotation. The intrinsic variabilities of the solar analogs are greater than the Sun's variability, as measure from VIRGO fluxes. We also find evidence that the single cluster members have a different distribution of variability than the binary member…
Deneb is often considered the prototypical A-type supergiant, and is one of the visually most luminous stars in the Galaxy. A-type supergiants are potential extragalactic distance indicators, but the variability of these stars needs to be better characterized before this technique can be considered reliable. We analyzed 339 high resolution echelle spectra of Deneb obtained over the five-year span of 1997 through 2001 as well as 370 Stromgren photometric measurements obtained during the same time frame. Our spectroscopic analysis included dynamical spectra of the H-alpha profile, H-alpha equiva…
Eclipsing binaries are important tools for studying stellar evolution and stellar interiors. Their accurate fundamental parameters are used to test evolutionary models, and systems showing apsidal motion can also be used to test the model's internal structure predictions. For this purpose, we present a photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the eclipsing binary BW Aquarii, an evolved F-type binary with slow apsidal motion. We model the K2 C3 light curve using the Eclipsing Light Curve code to determine several orbital and stellar parameters, as well as measure the eclipse times to determine…
The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims at finding hot subdwarf stars (sdBs) with massive compact companions such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, or stellar-mass black holes. In a supplementary programme we obtained time-resolved spectroscopy of known hot subdwarf binary candidates. Here we present orbital solutions of eight close sdB binaries with orbital periods ranging from 0.1 to 10 days, which allow us to derive lower limits on the masses of their companions. Additionally, a dedicated photometric follow-up campaign was conducted to …
Results of the 2010 eclipse campaign are described, and preliminary interpretations proposed. These include photometric, interferometric, spectroscopic, astrometric and polarimetric observational results. Next steps, along with continued monitoring, include simulations and other future work. Numerous acknowledgements are appropriate for the many participants in making this international effort a success.
We present results of a multi-site photometric campaign on the high-amplitude $δ$\,Scuti star KIC\,6382916 in the {\it Kepler} field. The star was observed over a 85-d interval at five different sites in North America and Europe during 2011. {\it Kepler} photometry and ground-based multicolour light curves of KIC\,6382916 are used to investigate the pulsational content and to identify the principal modes. High-dispersion spectroscopy was also obtained in order to derive the stellar parameters and projected rotational velocity. From an analysis of the {\it Kepler} time series, three independent…
We present Johnson-Kron-Cousins BVRI photometry of 228 candidate spectrophotometric standard stars for the external (absolute) flux calibration of Gaia data. The data were gathered as part of a ten-year observing campaign with the goal of building the external grid of flux standards for Gaia and we obtained absolute photometry, relative photometry for constancy monitoring, and spectrophotometry. Preliminary releases of the flux tables were used to calibrate the first two Gaia releases. This paper focuses on the imaging frames observed in good sky conditions (about 9100). The photometry will be…
We present an analysis of photometric observations of the eclipsing novalike variable DW UMa made by the CBA consortium between 1999 and 2015. Analysis of 372 new and 260 previously published eclipse timings reveals a 13.6 year period or quasi-period in the times of minimum light. The seasonal light curves show a complex spectrum of periodic signals: both positive and negative superhumps, likely arising from a prograde apsidal precession and a retrograde nodal precession of the accretion disc. These signals appear most prominently and famously as sidebands of the orbital frequency but the prec…
A multisite photometric campaign for the Beta Cephei and eclipsing variable 16 Lacertae is reported. 749 h of high-quality differential photoelectric Stromgren, Johnson and Geneva time-series photometry were obtained with ten telescopes during 185 nights. After removing the pulsation contribution, an attempt was made to solve the resulting eclipse light curve by means of the computer program EBOP. Although a unique solution was not obtained, the range of solutions could be constrained by comparing computed positions of the secondary component in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram with evolutionar…
Delta Scorpii is a double giant Be star in the forefront of the Scorpio, well visible to the naked eye, being normally of magnitude 2.3. In the year 2000 its luminosity rose up suddenly to the magnitude 1.6, changing the usual aspect of the constellation of Scorpio. This phenomenon has been associated to the close periastron of the companion, orbiting on a elongate ellipse with a period of about 11 years. The periastron, on basis of high precision astrometry, is expected to occur in the first decade of July 2011, and the second star of the system is approaching the atmosphere of the primary, w…
In this paper we continue the release of high-level data products from the multiyear photometric survey collected at the 67/92 cm Schmidt Telescope in Asiago. The primary goal of the survey is to discover and to characterise variable objects and exoplanetary transits in four fields containing five nearby open clusters spanning a broad range of ages. This second paper releases a photometric catalogue, in five photometric bands, of the Solar-age, Solar-metallicity open cluster M 67 (NGC 2682). Proper motions are derived comparing the positions observed in 2013 at the Asiago's Schmidt Telescope w…
Hundred observations of Delta Scorpii, from April to September 2011, made for AAVSO visually and digitally with a commercial CMOS camera have been plotted. The three most luminous pixels either of the target star and the two reference stars are used to evaluate the magnitude through differential photometry. The main sources of errors are outlined. The system of Delta Scorpii, a spectroscopic double star, has experienced a close periastron in July 2011 within the outer atmospheres of the two giant components. The whole luminosity of Delta Scorpii increased from about Mv=1.8 to 1.65 peaking arou…
Rotation period measurements of stars observed with the Kepler mission have revealed a lack of stars at intermediate rotation periods, accompanied by a decrease of photometric variability. Whether this so-called dearth region is a peculiarity of stars in the Kepler field, or reflects a general manifestation of stellar magnetic activity, is still under debate. Our goal is to measure stellar rotation periods and photometric variabilities for tens of thousands of K2 stars, located in different fields along the ecliptic plane, to shed light on the relation between stellar rotation and photometric …
We revisit the photometric variability of stars in the M 67 field using Kepler/K2-Campaign-5 light curves. In our previous work, we limited the search area around M\,67 to that of a recent ground-based study. In the present work, we expand the search area and apply a more rigorous period-finding algorithm to determine the rotation periods of 98 main sequence cluster members from the same data. In addition, we derive periods of 40 stars from the K2SC detrended light curves. We determine the mean period of single sun-like main sequence cluster members to be $29.6 \pm 0.6$ d. Assuming the periods…
We present revised stellar properties for 172 K2 target stars that were identified as possible hosts of transiting planets during Campaigns 1-17. Using medium-resolution near-infrared spectra acquired with the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility/SpeX and Palomar/TripleSpec, we found that 86 of our targets were bona fide cool dwarfs, 74 were hotter dwarfs, and 12 were giants. Combining our spectroscopic metallicities with Gaia parallaxes and archival photometry, we derived photometric stellar parameters and compared them to our spectroscopic estimates. Although our spectroscopic and photometric ra…
EE Cep is a unique system in which a Be star is eclipsed by a dark dusty disk, making this star similar to the famous epsilon Aur in many respects. The depth and the duration of the EE Cep eclipses change to a large extent. The last two eclipses were observed in the framework of extensive international campaigns. The joint analysis of these campaigns data and historical photometry, enabled us to propose a model of this system, which implies a disk precession with a period approximately 11-12 times larger than the orbital period. This model predicts that the forthcoming eclipse should be among …
Short-period high-amplitude pulsating stars of Population I ($δ$ Sct stars) and II (SX Phe variables) exist in the lower part of the classical (Cepheid) instability strip. Most of them have very simple pulsational behaviours, only one or two radial modes being excited. Nevertheless, BL Cam is a unique object among them, being an extreme metal-deficient field high-amplitude SX Phe variable with a large number of frequencies. Based on a frequency analysis, a pulsational interpretation was previously given. aims heading (mandatory) We attempt to interpret the long-term behaviour of the residuals …
We summarize our findings on three cool ZZ Ceti type pulsating white dwarfs. We determined eight independent modes in HS 0733+4119, of which seven are new findings. For GD 154, we detected two new eigenmodes, and the recurrence of the pulsational behaviour first observed in 1977. We discuss that GD 154 does not only vary its pulsations between a multiperiodic and a quasi-monoperiodic phase, but there are also differences between the relative amplitudes of the near-subharmonics observed in the latter phase. In the complex pulsator, Ross 808, we compared the pre- and post Whole Earth Telescope c…
CONTEXT: Recent progress in the seismic interpretation of field beta Cep stars has resulted in improvements of the physics in the stellar structure and evolution models of massive stars. Further asteroseismic constraints can be obtained from studying ensembles of stars in a young open cluster, which all have similar age, distance and chemical composition. AIMS: To improve our comprehension of the beta Cep stars, we studied the young open cluster NGC 884 to discover new B-type pulsators, besides the two known beta Cep stars, and other variable stars. METHODS: An extensive multi-site campaign wa…
Photometric monitoring of Beta Pictoris in 1981 showed anomalous fluctuations of up to 4% over several days, consistent with foreground material transiting the stellar disk. The subsequent discovery of the gas giant planet Beta Pictoris b and the predicted transit of its Hill sphere to within 0.1 au projected distance of the planet provided an opportunity to search for the transit of a circumplanetary disk in this $21\pm 4$ Myr-old planetary system. Continuous broadband photometric monitoring of Beta Pictoris requires ground-based observatories at multiple longitudes to provide redundancy and …
To improve our comprehension of the beta Cephei stars, we set up a photometric multi-site campaign on the open cluster NGC 884 (Chi Persei). Thirteen telescopes joined the 2005-2007 campaign which resulted in almost 78000 CCD frames. We present an up-to-date status of the analysis of these data, in which several interesting oscillating stars are pointed out. We end with the future prospects.
Young stars interact with their accretion disk through their strong magnetosphere. We investigate the magnetospheric accretion process in the young stellar system DoAr 44. We monitored the system over several rotational cycles, combining high-resolution optical and near-IR spectropolarimetry with long-baseline near-IR interferometry and multicolor photometry. DoAr 44 is a young 1.2 solar mass star, moderately accreting from its disk, and seen at a low inclination. We derive a rotational period of 2.96 d from the system's light curve. Several optical and near-IR line profiles probing the accret…
PDS 110 is a young disk-hosting star in the Orion OB1A association. Two dimming events of similar depth and duration were seen in 2008 (WASP) and 2011 (KELT), consistent with an object in a closed periodic orbit. In this paper we present data from a ground-based observing campaign designed to measure the star both photometrically and spectroscopically during the time of predicted eclipse in September 2017. Despite high-quality photometry, the predicted eclipse did not occur, although coherent structure is present suggesting variable amounts of stellar flux or dust obscuration. We also searched…
We report in this paper spectroscopic and photometric analysis of eight massive stars observed during Campaign 8 of the Kepler/K2 mission from January to March 2016. Spectroscopic data were obtained on these stars at OPD/LNA, Brazil, and their stellar parameters determined using SME. Periodic analyses of the light curves were performed through CLEANEST and PERIOD04 algorithms. Mass, luminosity, and radius of our stars were estimated employing CESAM+POSC grids. Three of our stars show significant periodicity. K2 ID 220679442 and K2 ID 220532854 have periods linked to the stellar rotation. K2 ID…
The preliminary results of a multisite photometric campaign on the Pleiades Delta Scuti variable V650 Tauri are reported. The star was observed photometrically for 14 days during 2008 November from three observatories distributed in Longitude around the Earth. As a result of the preliminary analysis we have detected in V650 Tauri at least nine oscillation frequencies above a 99% confidence level.
The preliminary results of a three-site CCD photometric campaign are reported. The $δ$ Scuti variable V650 Tauri belonging to the Pleiades cluster was observed photometrically for 14 days on three continents during 2008 November. An overall run of 164 hr of data was collected. At least five significant frequencies for V650 Tauri have been detected.
We present results from an optical imaging and spectroscopic monitoring campaign on the young, low-mass eruptive variable star V1647 Orionis. The star and associated nebulosity (McNeil's Nebula) were observed over the period February 2004 to February 2006 with observations commencing a few months after the original outburst event occurred. Using the Gemini North telescope, we obtained multi-band optical imaging photometry and medium-resolution long-slit spectroscopy of V1647 Ori on an approximately monthly interval. During this period, V1647 Ori remained at, or close to, peak brightness and th…
Kepler and K2 data analysis reported in the literature is mostly based on aperture photometry. Because of Kepler's large, undersampled pixels and the presence of nearby sources, aperture photometry is not always the ideal way to obtain high-precision photometry and, because of this, the data set has not been fully exploited so far. We present a new method that builds on our experience with undersampled HST images. The method involves a point-spread function (PSF) neighbour-subtraction and was specifically developed to exploit the huge potential offered by the K2 "super-stamps" covering the cor…
Rotation is one of the key stellar parameters which undergo substantial evolution during the stellar lifetime, in particular during the early stages. Stellar rotational periods can be determined on the basis of the periodic modulation of starlight produced by non-uniformities on the surface of the stars, due to manifestation of stellar activity. We present the results of an extensive search for rotational periods among NGC 2264 cluster members, based on photometric monitoring using the CoRoT satellite, with a particular attention to the distribution of classical and weak-line T-Tauri stars. NG…
We report on both high-precision photometry from the MOST space telescope and ground-based spectroscopy of the triple system delta Ori A consisting of a binary O9.5II+early-B (Aa1 and Aa2) with P = 5.7d, and a more distant tertiary (O9 IV P > 400 yrs). This data was collected in concert with X-ray spectroscopy from the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Thanks to continuous coverage for 3 weeks, the MOST light curve reveals clear eclipses between Aa1 and Aa2 for the first time in non-phased data. From the spectroscopy we have a well constrained radial velocity curve of Aa1. While we are unable to reco…
Determination of stellar age is a crucial task in astrophysics research. Different methods are nowadays used either model dependent or based on calibrated empirical relations. The most reliable results are generally obtained when different methods are used in complementary way. We propose a new method for the age determination of young stellar associations and open clusters (ages < 125 Myr), which can allow to further constrain the age when used together with other methods. We explore the amplitude of the photometric variability in bins of color and rotation period of five young associations a…
The Birth of Be Star Disks II. A High-Resolution Spectroscopic Campaign and TESS Observations of an Outburst of the Classical Be star λ Pavonis
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University（埃默里-里德尔航空大学）；DTU Space, Technical University of Denmark（丹麦技术大学空间中心）；LIRA, Observatoire de Paris, Université PSL, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Université Paris Cité, CY Cergy Paris Université（巴黎天文台LIRA实验室，巴黎文理研究大学，法国国家科学研究中心，索邦大学，巴黎西岱大学，CY塞尔吉-蓬图瓦兹大学）
After the failure of two reaction wheels and the end of its original mission, the Kepler spacecraft has begun observing stars in new fields along the ecliptic plane in its extended K2 mission. Although K2 promises to deliver high precision photometric light curves for thousands of new targets across the sky, the K2 pipeline is not yet delivering light curves to users, and photometric data from K2 is dominated by systematic effects due to the spacecraft's worsened pointing control. We present reduced light curves for 7743 targets proposed by the community for observations during Campaign 0 of t…
We present high-precision photometric light curves of five O-type stars observed with the refurbished {\it Kepler\/} satellite during its Campaign 0. For one of the stars, we also assembled high-resolution ground-based spectroscopy with the {\sc hermes} spectrograph attached to the 1.2-m Mercator telescope. The stars EPIC202060097 (O9.5V) and EPIC202060098 (O7V) exhibit monoperiodic variability due to rotational modulation with an amplitude of 5.6 mmag and 9.3 mmag and a rotation period of 2.63 d and 5.03 d, respectively. EPIC202060091 (O9V) and EPIC202060093 (O9V:pe) reveal variability at low…
The $K2$ Mission has photometrically monitored thousands of stars at high precision and cadence in a series of $\sim$80-day campaigns focused on sections of the ecliptic plane. During its second campaign, $K2$ targeted over 1000 young stellar objects (YSOs) in the $\sim$1-3 Myr $ρ$ Ophiuchus and 5-10 Myr Upper Scorpius regions. From this set, we have carefully vetted photometry from {\em WISE} and {\em Spitzer} to identify those YSOs with infrared excess indicative of primordial circumstellar disks. We present here the resulting comprehensive sample of 288 young disk-bearing stars from B throu…
We present our photometric observations of GM Cep, a solar type variable in the young (~4 Myr) open cluster Trumpler 37. The star is known as a classical T Tauri star with a circumstellar disk and active accretion. GM\,Cep was suspected to undergo an outburst, thus a candidate for an EXor-type variable. In our monitoring campaign observations in 2010-2011, GM Cep experienced a ~0.82 mag brightness decrease in the R band lasting for 39 days, and frequent, transient flare-like episodes with amplitude < 1 mag, each lasting for about 10 days. The brightening was accompanied with a bluer color, pre…
The most violent strange mode pulsations (SMPs) are expected in classical WR stars, the bare, compact helium-burning cores of evolved massive stars, where SMPs are predicted to manifest themselves in cyclic photometric variability with periods ranging from minutes to hours and amplitudes in the several to tens of mmag range. Since WR\,2 is one of the hottest WR stars known, it should make it an excellent candidate for SMPs. However, our high-precision near infrared photometric campaign shows no periodic variations with an amplitude higher than 2.5 mmag on a timescale of ~6 hours, which is more…
Massive stars play a significant role in the chemical and dynamical evolution of galaxies. However, much of their variability, particularly during their evolved supergiant stage, is poorly understood. To understand the variability of evolved massive stars in more detail, we present a study of the O9.2Ib supergiant $ζ$ Ori Aa, the only currently confirmed supergiant to host a magnetic field. We have obtained two-color space-based BRIght Target Explorer photometry (BRITE) for $ζ$ Ori Aa during two observing campaigns, as well as simultaneous ground-based, high-resolution optical CHIRON spectrosc…
A photometric campaign analysis of the star NSVS 7606408 has been conducted in order to determine the type of variability and high accuracy ephemeris. By combining the obtained data with other datasets available, it was tried to improve the determination of the period, highlighting, however, a possible minimal change of the period over the years.
The INT Photometric H-Alpha Survey (IPHAS) is particular effective in tracing asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars across the Galactic disk due to its use of broad-band r' and i' filters, and the clear separation of the dwarf and giant branches in the colour-colour diagram. Here we discuss some results from our studies of the Galactic AGB population that has been revealed by IPHAS. This includes a photometric study, our spectroscopic follow-up campaign, and the photometric technique that allows us to separate O-rich, S-type and carbon stars across the entire Galactic disk based on their IPHAS p…
Context. EE Cep is one of few eclipsing binary systems with a dark, dusty disk around an invisible object similar to ε Aur. The system is characterized by grey and asymmetric eclipses every 5.6 yr, with a significant variation in their photometric depth, ranging from ~ 0 m .5 to ~ 2 m .0. Aims. The main aim of the observational campaign of the EE Cep eclipse in 2014 was to test the model of disk precession (Galan et al. 2012). We expected that this eclipse would be one of the deepest with a depth of ~ 2 m .0. Methods. We collected multicolor observations from almost 30 instruments located in E…
APO & SMARTS flare star campaign observations I. Blue wing asymmetries in chromospheric lines during mid M dwarf flares from simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observation data
本文通过对三颗中期 M 矮星的同时光谱与测光观测，发现 7 次耀发在 Hα 等色球谱线中呈现蓝翼不对称性，并据此估计了可能的暗条爆发质量及其与 CME 的关系。
The preliminary results of new photometric observations of the $δ$ Scuti stars 7 Aql and 8 Aql are reported. 51 hr of $uvby-β$ photoelectric photometric data were obtained over the period June and July 2007 at the San Pedro Mártir Observatory, Mexico. Period analyses confirm the three pulsation modes discovered in 8 Aql in the framework of the STEPHI 2003 multisite campaign. For the star 7 Aql we were able to detect only the main pulsation modes. The standard magnitudes of both stars are obtained. The frequency, amplitude and phases of the frequency modes in different filters are presented.
We report the discovery by the Gemini NICI Planet-Finding Campaign of two low-mass companions to the young A0V star HD 1160 at projected separations of 81 +/- 5 AU (HD 1160 B) and 533 +/- 25 AU (HD 1160 C). VLT images of the system taken over a decade for the purpose of using HD 1160 A as a photometric calibrator confirm that both companions are physically associated. By comparing the system to members of young moving groups and open clusters with well-established ages, we estimate an age of 50 (+50,-40) Myr for HD 1160 ABC. While the UVW motion of the system does not match any known moving gr…
We present a multi-year survey aimed at collecting (1) high-precision (~5 milli-mag), (2) fast-cadence (~3 min), and (3) relatively long duration (~10 days) multi-band photometric series. The goal of the survey is to discover and characterize efficiently variable objects and exoplanetary transits in four fields containing five nearby open clusters spanning a broad range of ages. More in detail, our project will (1) constitute a preparatory survey for HARPS-N@TNG, which will be used for spectroscopic follow-up of any target of interest that this survey discovers or characterizes, (2) measure ro…
Symbiotic stars belong to a group of interacting binaries that display a wide variety of phenomena, including prominent outbursts connected with mass transfer, as well as stellar winds, jets, eclipses, or intrinsic variability of the components. Dozens of new symbiotic stars and candidates have been discovered in recent years. However, there are many objects which are still poorly studied. Some symbiotic candidates suspected in the literature have never been studied spectroscopically. In this contribution, we present the first results of the ongoing campaign focused on symbiotic candidates. In…
In a previous paper, using data from K2 Campaign 2, we identified 11 very low mass members of the $ρ$ Oph and Upper Scorpius star-forming region as having periodic photometric variability and phased light curves showing multiple scallops or undulations. All the stars with the "scallop-shell" light curve morphology are mid-to-late M dwarfs without evidence of active accretion, and with photometric periods generally $<$1 day. Their phased light curves have too much structure to be attributed to non-axisymmetrically distributed photospheric spots and rotational modulation. We have now identified …
We describe the preliminary results of a ground-based observing campaign aimed at building a grid of approximately 200 spectro-photometric standard stars (SPSS), with an internal $\simeq 1$\% accuracy (and sub-percent precision), tied to CALSPEC Vega and Sirius systems within $\simeq 1$\%, for the absolute flux calibration of data gathered by {\it Gaia}, the European Space Agency (ESA) astrometric mission. The criteria for the selection and a list of candidates are presented, together with a description of the survey's strategy and the adopted data analysis methods. All candidates were also mo…
We report a multisite photometric campaign for the Beta Cep stars V2052 Oph and V986 Oph. 670 hours of high-quality differential photoelectric Stromgren, Johnson and Geneva time-series photometry were obtained with eight telescopes on five continents during 182 nights. Frequency analyses of the V2052 Oph data enabled the detection of three pulsation frequencies, the first harmonic of the strongest signal, and the rotation frequency with its first harmonic. Pulsational mode identification from analysing the colour amplitude ratios confirms the dominant mode as being radial, whereas the other tw…
One of the most well-studied young stellar associations, Taurus-Auriga, will be observed by the extended Kepler mission, K2, in the spring of 2017. K2 Campaign 13 (C13) will be a unique opportunity to study many stars in this young association at high photometric precision and cadence. Using observations from the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) survey, we identify "dippers", stochastic variables, and periodic variables among K2 C13 target stars. This release of the KELT data (lightcurve data in e-tables) provides the community with long-time baseline observations to assist in the …
We present the first data release of the Kepler Smear Campaign, using collateral 'smear' data obtained in the Kepler four-year mission to reconstruct light curves of 102 stars too bright to have been otherwise targeted. We describe the pipeline developed to extract and calibrate these light curves, and show that we attain photometric precision comparable to stars analyzed by the standard pipeline in the nominal Kepler mission. In this paper, aside from publishing the light curves of these stars, we focus on 66 red giants for which we detect solar-like oscillations, characterizing 33 of these i…
Thousands of RR Lyrae stars have been observed by the \textit{Kepler} space telescope so far. We developed a photometric pipeline tailored to the light variations of these stars, called the Extended Aperture Photometry (EAP). We present the comparison of our photometric solutions for Campaigns 0 through 6 with the other pipelines available, e.g., SAP/PDCSAP, K2P2, EVEREST, and others. We focus on the problems caused by instrumental effects and the detectability of the low-amplitude additional modes.
We investigate photometric variations due to stellar activity which induce systematic radial-velocity errors (so-called "jitter") for the four targets in the Hyades open cluster observed by the K2 mission (EPIC 210721261, EPIC 210923016, EPIC 247122957, and EPIC 247783757). Applying Gaussian process regressions to the K2 light curves and the near-infrared (NIR) light curves observed with the IRSF 1.4-m telescope, we derive the wavelength dependences of the photometric signals due to stellar activity. To estimate the temporal variations in the photometric variability amplitudes between the two …
