First Kepler results on compact pulsators - I. Survey target selection and the first pulsators

R. H. Østensen, R. Silvotti, S. Charpinet, R. Oreiro, G. Handler, E. M. Green, S. Bloemen, U. Heber, B. T. Gänsicke, T. R. Marsh, D. W. Kurtz, J. H. Telting, M. D. Reed, S. D. Kawaler, C. Aerts, C. Rodríguez-López, M. Vučković, T. A. Ottosen, T. Liimets, A. C. QuintV. Van Grootel, S. K. Randall, R. L. Gilliland, H. Kjeldsen, J. Christensen-Dalsgaard, W. J. Borucki, D. Koch, E. V. Quintana

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

118 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present results from the first two quarters of a survey to search for pulsations in compact stellar objects with the Kepler spacecraft. The survey sample and the various methods applied in its compilation are described, and spectroscopic observations are presented to separate the objects into accurate classes. From the Kepler photometry we clearly identify nine compact pulsators and a number of interesting binary stars. Of the pulsators, one shows the strong, rapid pulsations typical of a V361-Hya-type sdB variable (sdBV); seven show long-period pulsation characteristics of V1093-Her-type sdBVs; and one shows low-amplitude pulsations with both short and long periods. We derive effective temperatures and surface gravities for all the subdwarf-B stars in the sample and demonstrate that below the boundary region where hybrid sdB pulsators are found, all our targets are pulsating. For the stars hotter than this boundary temperature a low fraction of strong pulsators (<10-per cent) is confirmed. Interestingly, the short-period pulsator also shows a low-amplitude mode in the long-period region, and several of the V1093-Her pulsators show low-amplitude modes in the short-period region, indicating that hybrid behaviour may be common in these stars, also outside the boundary temperature region where hybrid pulsators have hitherto been found.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1470-1486
Number of pages17
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume409
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2010

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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