The outer-halo globular cluster NGC 6229 – IV. Variable stars

We present time-series B , V photometry of NGC 6229, obtained with the purpose of providing the first extensive CCD variability study of this cluster. As a result, we were able to obtain periods for all NGC 6229 variables, with the exception of five stars from the candidate list of Borissova et al. located very close to the cluster centre. Two stars suspected to be variables by Carney, Fullton and Trammell are first-overtone RR Lyrae (RRc) stars, whereas seven of the 12 candidates of Borissova et al. are confirmed variables – three of them being fundamental RR Lyrae (RRab) pulsators, two first-overtone pulsators, one an eclipsing binary (most likely an Algol system) and one a bright star whose variability status could not be satisfactorily determined. A new image subtraction method (ISM) suggested by Alard has been employed which, together with the Welch–Stetson technique, has allowed us to discover twelve new RR Lyrae variables in the cluster, for which ephemerides are provided. Ten of these are RRabs, whereas the other two are RRcs. As originally suggested by Mayer, NGC 6229 is clearly an Oosterhoff type I globular cluster. We also confirm that V8 is a Population II Cepheid of the W Virginis type, and suspect that this is the case for V22 as well. The physical properties of the NGC 6229 RR Lyrae population are contrasted with those of M3 (NGC 5272) using several different methods, including a standard period-shift analysis. Possible differences between these two clusters are discussed.     

A search for variable stars in the globular cluster M3

We describe here the results of a photometric time-sequence survey of the globular cluster M3 (NGC 5272), in a search for contact and detached eclipsing binary stars. We have discovered only one likely eclipsing binary and one SX Phe-type star in spite of monitoring 4077 stars with V  < 20.0 and observing 25 blue straggler stars (BSS). The newly identified SX Phe star, V237, shows a light curve with a variable amplitude. Variable V238 shows variability either with a period of 0.49 d or with a period of 0.25 d. On the cluster colour–magnitude diagram, the variable occupies a position a few hundredths of a magnitude to the blue of the base of the red giant branch. V238 is a likely descendant of a binary blue straggler.   As a side result we obtained high-quality data for 42 of the previously known RR Lyrae variables, including 33 of Bailey type ab, seven type c and two double-mode pulsators. We used equations that relate the physical properties of RRc stars to their pulsation periods and Fourier parameters in order to derive masses, luminosities, temperatures and helium parameters for five of the RRc stars. We also tested equations that relate the [Fe/H], M _V and temperature of RRab stars to pulsation period and Fourier parameters. We derived [Fe/H]= −1.42 in good agreement with spectroscopic determinations.     

A catalogue of RR Lyrae stars from the Northern Sky Variability Survey

A search for RR Lyrae stars has been conducted in the publicly available data of the Northern Sky Variability Survey. Candidates have been selected by the statistical properties of their variation; the standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis with appropriate limits determined from a sample 314 known RRab and RRc stars listed in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars. From the period analysis and light-curve shape of over 3000 candidates 785 RR Lyrae have been identified of which 188 are previously unknown. The light curves were examined for the Blazhko effect and several new stars showing this were found. Six double-mode RR Lyrae stars were also found of which two are new discoveries. Some previously known variables have been reclassified as RR Lyrae stars and similarly some RR Lyrae stars have been found to be other types of variable, or not variable at all.     

The distance to Galactic globular clusters through RR Lyrae pulsational properties

By adopting the same approach outlined by De Santis & Cassisi, we evaluate the absolute bolometric magnitude of the zero-age horizontal branch (ZAHB) at the level of the RR Lyrae variable instability strip in selected Galactic globular clusters. This allows us to estimate the ZAHB absolute visual magnitude for these clusters and to investigate its dependence on the cluster metallicity. The derived M _V (ZAHB)–[Fe/H] relation, corrected in order to account for the luminosity difference between the ZAHB and the mean RR Lyrae magnitude, has been compared with some of the most recent empirical determinations in this field, such as the one provided by Baade–Wesselink analyses, RR Lyrae periods, Hipparcos data for field variables and main-sequence fitting based on Hipparcos parallaxes for field subdwarfs. As a result, our relation provides a clear support to the 'long' distance scale. We discuss also another method for measuring the distance to Galactic globular clusters. This method is quite similar to the one adopted for estimating the absolute bolometric magnitude of the ZAHB but it relies only on the pulsational properties of the Lyrae variables in each cluster. The reliability and accuracy of this method have been tested by applying it to a sample of globular clusters for which, owing to the morphology of their horizontal branch (HB), the use of the commonly adopted ZAHB fitting is a risky procedure. We notice that the two approaches for deriving the cluster distance modulus provide consistent results when applied to globular clusters, the RR Lyrae instability strip is well populated. As the adopted method relies on theoretical predictions on both the fundamental pulsational equation and the allowed mass range for fundamental pulsators, we give an estimate of the error affecting present results, owing to systematic uncertainties in the adopted theoretical framework.     

Variable stars in the globular cluster M5: application of the image subtraction method

We present V -band light curves of 61 variables from the core of the globular cluster M5 obtained using a newly developed image subtraction method (ISM). Four of these variables were previously unknown. Only 26 variables were found in the same field using photometry obtained with dophot software. Fourier parameters of the ISM light curves have relative errors up to 11 times smaller than parameters measured from dophot photometry. We conclude that the new method is very promising for searching for variable stars in the cores of the globular clusters and gives very accurate relative photometry with quality comparable to photometry obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope . We also show that the variable V104 is not an eclipsing star as has been suggested, but is an RRc star showing non-radial pulsations.     

HST colour–magnitude diagrams of six old globular clusters in the LMC

We report on HST observations of six candidate old globular clusters in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC): NGC 1754, 1835, 1898, 1916, 2005 and 2019. Deep exposures with the F555W and F814W filters provide us with colour–magnitude diagrams that reach to an apparent magnitude in V of ∼25, well below the main-sequence turn-off. These particular clusters are associated with significantly high LMC field star densities and care was taken to subtract the field stars from the cluster colour–magnitude diagrams accurately. In two cases there is significant variable reddening across at least part of the image, but only for NGC 1916 does the differential reddening preclude accurate measurements of the CMD characteristics. The morphologies of the colour–magnitude diagrams match well those of Galactic globular clusters of similar metallicity. All six have well-developed horizontal branches, while four clearly have stars on both sides of the RR Lyrae gap. The abundances obtained from measurements of the height of the red giant branch above the level of the horizontal branch are 0.3 dex higher, on average, than previously measured spectroscopic abundances. Detailed comparisons with Galactic globular cluster fiducials show that all six clusters are old objects, very similar in age to classical Galactic globulars such as M5, with little age spread among the clusters. This result is consistent with ages derived by measuring the magnitude difference between the horizontal branch and main-sequence turn-off. We also find a similar chronology by comparing the horizontal branch morphologies and abundances with the horizontal branch evolutionary tracks of Lee, Demarque &38; Zinn. Our results imply that the LMC formed at the same time as the Milky Way Galaxy.     

TRIFFID Photometry of Globular Cluster Cores — I. Photometric Techniques and Variable Stars in M15

The Galway/DIAS Image Sharpening Camera, TRIFFID, has been used to make observations in two colours of the centre of the post-core-collapse globular cluster M15. We present here our analysis of the photometry in B over two seasons. We have combined the complementary qualities of the HST 's high astrometric precision and TRIFFID's extended coverage and photometric precision, to perform crowded-field photometry in the innermost region of M15. Our technique virtually eliminates the problem of extreme crowding which has hitherto hampered studies of the variable star populations in globular cluster cores, and thereby provides an extension of the HST 's capability. Candidate variables detected with the HST have been confirmed and monitored over longer periods. We show that most of these are RR Lyrae stars, and that one is a short-period Type II Cepheid (the third to be discovered in M15). Our photometric study also produced evidence of a similar number of new variables. These also appear to be RR Lyrae stars, except for a possible eclipsing system. Further data from an upgraded version of TRIFFID have recently been obtained to help to refine the light curves of all these objects.     

The role of chemical composition in RR Lyrae pulsationalproperties – I. Periods

We analyse the periods of theoretical radial pulsators, covering the range of total masses, luminosities, effective temperatures and chemical compositions expected for RR Lyrae variables in both galactic fields and globular clusters.
We show that for fixed values of the structural parameters (mass, luminosity and effective temperature), the period of fundamental and first-overtone pulsators is independent of the helium content ( Y ), whereas it slightly increases as the amount of metals ( Z ) increases. Furthermore, we find that the period along the blue edge for first-overtone pulsation is a function of mass, luminosity and helium content, with a marginal dependence on Z .
On these grounds, new linear relations connecting the periods to stellar parameters are derived. Such new relations should allow a more accurate interpretation of the RR Lyrae observed periods and, in particular, they should help in ascertaining the calibration of the mean absolute magnitude of RR Lyrae stars in terms of metal content.     

The period–luminosity relation for type II Cepheids in globular clusters

We report the result of our near-infrared observations ( JHK _s) for type II Cepheids (including possible RV Tau stars) in galactic globular clusters. We detected variations of 46 variables in 26 clusters (10 new discoveries in seven clusters) and present their light curves. Their periods range from 1.2 d to over 80 d. They show a well-defined period–luminosity relation at each wavelength. Two type II Cepheids in NGC 6441 also obey the relation if we assume the horizontal branch stars in NGC 6441 are as bright as those in metal-poor globular clusters in spite of the high metallicity of the cluster. This result supports the high luminosity which has been suggested for the RR Lyr variables in this cluster. The period–luminosity relation can be reproduced using the pulsation equation     assuming that all the stars have the same mass. Cluster RR Lyr variables were found to lie on an extrapolation of the period–luminosity relation. These results provide important constraints on the parameters of the variable stars.
Using Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) data, we show that the type II Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) fit our period–luminosity relation within the expected scatter at the shorter periods. However, at long periods (   P > 40  d, i.e. in the RV Tau star range) the LMC field variables are brighter by about one magnitude than those of similar periods in galactic globular clusters. The long-period cluster stars also differ from both these LMC stars and galactic field RV Tau stars in a colour–colour diagram. The reasons for these differences are discussed.     

Cluster AgeS Experiment (CASE): deficiency of observed dwarf novae in globular clusters

We present the results of a search for dwarf novae (DNe) in globular clusters (GCs). It is based on the largest available homogeneous sample of observations, in terms of the time-span, number of observations and number of clusters. It includes 16 Galactic GCs and yielded two new certain DNe: M55-CV1 and M22-CV2. All previously known systems located in our fields were recovered, too. We surveyed M4, M5, M10, M12, M22, M30, M55, NGC 288, NGC 362, NGC 2808, NGC 3201, NGC 4372, NGC 6362, NGC 6752, ω Centauri (NGC 5139) and 47 Tucanae (NGC 104). The discovery of two DNe, namely M55-CV1 and M22-CV2, was already reported by Kaluzny et al. and Pietrukowicz et al., respectively. In the remaining 14 GCs, we found no certain new DNe. Our result raises the total number of known DNe in the Galactic GCs to 12 DNe, distributed among seven clusters. Our survey recovered all three already known erupting cataclysmic variables (CVs) located in our fields, namely M5-V101, M22-CV1, and V4 in the foreground of M30. To assess the efficiency of the survey, we analysed images with inserted artificial stars mimicking outbursts of the prototype DNe SS Cygni and U Geminorum. Depending on the conditions, we recovered between 16–100 per cent of these artificial stars. The efficiency seems to be predominantly affected by duty cycle/time-sampling and much less by distance/magnitude. Except for saturated tiny collapsed cores of M30, NGC 362 and NGC 6752 (and also the dense core of NGC 2808), crowding effects in the V band were avoided by our image subtraction technique augmented with auxiliary unsaturated B -band images. Our results clearly demonstrate that in GCs common types of DNe are very rare indeed. However, great care must be taken before these conclusions can be extended to the CV population in GCs.     

Pulsational MV versus [Fe/H] relation(s) for globular cluster RR Lyrae variables

We use the results from recent computations of updated non-linear convective pulsating models to constrain the distance modulus of Galactic globular clusters through the observed periods of first-overtone (RR _c ) pulsators. The resulting relation between the mean absolute magnitude of RR Lyrae stars 〈 M _V (RR)〉 and the heavy element content [Fe/H] appears well in the range of several previous empirical calibrations, but with a non-linear dependence on [Fe/H] so that the slope of the relation increases when moving towards larger metallicities. On this ground, our results suggest that metal-poor ([Fe/H]<−1.5) and metal-rich ([Fe/H]>−1.5) variables follow two different linear 〈 M _V (RR)〉−[Fe/H] relations. Application to RR Lyrae stars in the metal-poor globular clusters of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) provides an LMC distance modulus of the order of 18.6 mag, thus supporting the 'long' distance scale. The comparison with recent predictions based on updated stellar evolution theory is briefly presented and discussed.     

Optical monitoring of the central region of the globular cluster M 15 = NGC 7078: New variable stars

We obtained a series of more than two hundred R-band CCD images for the crowded central (115″×77″) region of the metal-poor globular cluster M 15 with an angular resolution of \(0\mathop .\limits^{''} 5 - 0\mathop .\limits^{''} 9\) in most images. Optimal image subtraction was used to identify variable stars. Brightness variations were found in 83 stars, 55 of which were identified with known cluster variables and the remaining 28 are candidates for new variables. Two of them are most likely SX Phe variables. The variability type of two more stars is uncertain. The remaining stars were tentatively classified as RR Lyrae variables. A preliminary analysis of published data and our results shows that the characteristics of RR Lyrae variables in the densest part (r<35″) of the cluster probably change. More specifically, the maximum of the period distribution of first-and second-overtone (RR1, RR2) pulsating stars shifts toward shorter periods; i.e., there is an increase in the fraction of stars pulsating with periods \( < 0\mathop .\limits^d 3\) and a deficiency of stars with \(0\mathop .\limits^d 35 - 0\mathop .\limits^d 40\). The ratio of the number of these short-period RR Lyrae variables to the number of fundamental-tone (RR0) pulsating variables changes appreciably. We found and corrected the error of transforming the coordinates of variables V128–155 in M 15 into the coordinate system used in the catalog of variable stars in globular clusters.     

[Fe/H] relations for c-type RR Lyrae variables based upon Fourier coefficients

[Fe/H]–φ₃₁– P relations are found for c-type RR Lyrae stars in globular clusters. The relations are analogous to that found by Jurcsik & Kovács for field ab-type RR Lyrae stars, where a longer period correlates with lower metallicity values for similar values of the Fourier coefficient φ₃₁. The relations obtained here are used to determine the metallicity of field c-type RR Lyrae stars, those within ω Cen, the Large Magellanic Cloud and toward the galactic bulge. The results are found to compare favourably to metallicity values obtained elsewhere.     

Variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 6362

We report the results of a CCD search for short-period variables in the field of a southern globular cluster NGC 6362. We identified 19 new candidate variables, five of which are cluster RR Lyraes, four are probable SX Phe-type stars and eight are eclipsing binaries. Of the discovered binaries, three are EA-type systems, two of which are located on the cluster CMD in the turn-off region and the third 1 mag above the turn-off point, in the yellow straggler region. Five other systems are of W UMa type, three of which are foreground objects and two are likely cluster members. The remaining two candidates exhibit a modulation of the brightness level with an amplitude of 0.1–0.2 mag; further observations are needed to reveal the nature of their variability. Phased VI light curves for 20 variables (18 RR Lyrae stars and two blue stragglers) located in the central region of the cluster are presented.     

Photographic UVB photometry of the globular clusters M 15 and NGC 6712

Photographic intermediate banduvb observations of RGB and some AGB stars in 7 × 7 arcmin fields centered on the globular clusters M 15 and NGC 6712 are obtained. The photometric data is not fully reduced to the standard system but it is converted in an unique instrumental system. The photometry confirms the existence of the gaps in the giant branch of M 15. For NGC 6712 the Stromgren colors show a bimodal distribution and point at a bimodal carbon abundance for the bright giants from the central part. The possibilities of theuvby system for a classification of RGB and AGB stars are briefly discussed.     

On the existence of differences in luminosity between horizontal branch stars in globular clusters and in the field

The discrepancy between a long distance-scale derived from Hipparcos -based distances to globular clusters via main-sequence fitting to local subdwarfs, and a short distance-scale derived from the absolute magnitude of field RR Lyraes via statistical parallaxes and the Baade–Wesselink method could be accounted for whether an intrinsic difference of about ∼0.1–0.2 mag was found to exist between horizontal branch (HB) stars populating the sparse general field and the dense globular clusters. In this paper we discuss the possible existence of such a systematic difference comparing the period-shifts observed for field and cluster RR Lyraes. Various approaches based on different parameters and data sets for both cluster and field variables were used in order to establish the size of such a hypothetical difference, if any. We find that on the whole very small not significant differences exist between the period–metallicity distributions of field and cluster RR Lyraes, thus confirming with a more quantitative approach, the qualitative conclusions by Catelan . This observational evidence translates into a very small difference between the horizontal branch luminosity of field and cluster stars, unless RR Lyraes in globular clusters are about 0.06 M_⊙ more massive than field RR Lyraes at same metallicity, which is to be proven.     

Mt. Suhora M dwarf survey - Detection of eight short-period variable stars

The Mt. Suhora M dwarf survey searching for pulsations in low mass main sequence stars has acquired CCD photometry of 46 M dwarf stars during the first year of the project (Baran et al., 2011). As a by-product of this search hundreds field stars have been checked for variability. This paper presents our initial result of a search for periodic variables in field stars observed in the course of the survey. On the basis of the periodicity and the shape of the light curves, eight new variables has been detected, among which five are δ Scuti stars and three likely RR Lyrae stars. Although variation in one of the stars has been previously detected, it was classified incorrectly. To support our classification, in August 2010, we performed spectroscopic observations to derive spectral types and luminosity classes for all eight variable stars.     

The red giant branch tip and bump of the Leo II dwarf spheroidal galaxy

We present V and I photometry of a  9.4 × 9.4 arcmin²  field centred on the dwarf spheroidal galaxy Leo II. The tip of the red giant branch (TRGB) is identified at   I ^TRGB= 17.83 ± 0.03  and adopting  〈[M/H]〉=−1.53 ± 0.2  from the comparison of RGB stars with Galactic templates, we obtain a distance modulus  ( m − M )₀= 21.84 ± 0.13  , corresponding to a distance   D = 233 ± 15 kpc  . Two significant bumps have been detected in the luminosity function of the RGB. The fainter bump (B1, at   V = 21.76 ± 0.05  ) is the RGB bump of the dominant stellar population while the actual nature of the brightest one (B2, at   V = 21.35 ± 0.05  ) cannot be firmly assessed on the basis of the available data; it may be due to the asymptotic giant branch clump of the main population or it may be a secondary RGB bump. The luminosity of the main RGB bump (B1) suggests that the majority of RGB stars in Leo II belong to a population that is ≳4 Gyr younger than the classical Galactic globular clusters. The stars belonging to the He-burning red clump are shown to be significantly more centrally concentrated than RR Lyrae and blue horizontal branch stars, probing the existence of an age/metallicity radial gradient in this remote dwarf spheroidal.     

RR Lyrae variables in M5 as a test of pulsational theory

We present B and V CCD photometry for variables in the cluster central region, adding new data for 32 variables and giving suitable light curves, mean magnitudes and corrected colours for 17 RR Lyrae variables. Adding the data given in this paper to similar data that have already appeared in the literature, we discuss a sample of 42 variables, as given by 22 RR_ab and 20 RR_c, in the light of recent predictions from pulsational theories. We find that the observational evidence concerning M5 pulsators appears in marginal disagreement with predictions concerning the colour of the first overtone blue edge (FOBE), whereas a clear disagreement appears between the zero-age horizontal branch (ZAHB) luminosities predicted through evolutionary and pulsational theories.     

Period–luminosity relations for type II Cepheids and their application

JHK _s magnitudes corrected to mean intensity are estimated for Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) type II Cepheids in the OGLE-III survey the third phase of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE). Period–luminosity (PL) relations are derived in JHK _s as well as in a reddening-free VI parameter. Within the uncertainties, the BL Her stars  ( P < 4 d)  and the W Vir stars (   P = 4  to 20 d) are colinear in these PL relations. The slopes of the infrared relations agree with those found previously for type II Cepheids in globular clusters within the uncertainties. Using the pulsation parallaxes of V553 Cen and SW Tau, the data lead to an LMC modulus uncorrected for any metallicity effects of  18.46 ± 0.10  mag. The type II Cepheids in the second-parameter globular cluster, NGC 6441, show a PL( VI ) relation of the same slope as that in the LMC, and this leads to a cluster distance modulus of  15.46 ± 0.11  mag, confirming the hypothesis that the RR Lyrae variables in this cluster are overluminous for their metallicity. It is suggested that the Galactic variable κ Pavonis is a member of the peculiar W Vir class found by the OGLE-III group in the LMC. Low-resolution spectra of OGLE-III type II Cepheids with   P > 20  d (RV Tau stars) show that a high proportion have TiO bands; only one has been found showing C₂. The LMC RV Tau stars, as a group, are not colinear with the shorter period type II Cepheids in the infrared PL relations in marked contrast to such stars in globular clusters. Other differences between LMC, globular cluster and Galactic field type II Cepheids are noted in period distribution and infrared colours.