2010
Ref: ASTROimport-453

The field high-amplitude SX Phe variable BL Cam: results from a multisite photometric campaign. II. Evidence of a binary - possibly triple - system

Fauvaud, S. ; Sareyan, J.-P. ; Ribas, I. ; Rodríguez, E. ; Lampens, P. ; Klingenberg, G. ; Farrell, J. A. ; Fumagalli, F. ; Simonetti, J. H. ; Wolf, M. ; Santacana, G. ; Zhou, A.-Y. ; Michel, R. ; Fox-Machado, L. ; Alvarez, M. ; Nava-Vega, A. ; López-González, M. J. ; Casanova, V. M. ; Aceituno, F. J. ; Scheggia, I. ; Rives, J.-J. ; Hintz, E. G. ; van Cauteren, P. ; Helvaci, M. ; Yesilyaprak, C. ; Graham, K. A. ; Král, L. ; Kocián, R. ; Kucáková, H. ; Fauvaud, M. ; Granslo, B. H. ; Michelet, J. ; Nicholson, M. P. ; Vugnon, J.-M. ; Kotková, L. ; Truparová, K. ; Ulusoy, C. ; Yasarsoy, B. ; Avdibegovic, A. ; Blaiek, M. ; Kliner, J. ; Zasche, P. ; Bartošíková, S. ; Vilášek, M. ; Trondal, O. ; van den Abbeel, F. ; Behrend, R. ; Wücher, H.


published in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 515, pp. A39 (2010)

Abstract: Context. 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: We attempt to interpret the long-term behaviour of the residuals that were not taken into account in the previous Observed-Calculated (O-C) short-term analyses. Methods: An investigation of the O-C times has been carried out, using a data set based on the previous published times of light maxima, largely enriched by those obtained during an intensive multisite photometric campaign of BL Cam lasting several months. Results: In addition to a positive (161 ± 3) × 10-9 yr-1 secular relative increase in the main pulsation period of BL Cam, we detected in the O-C data short- (144.2 d) and long-term (~3400 d) variations, both incompatible with a scenario of stellar evolution. Conclusions: Interpreted as a light travel-time effect, the short-term O-C variation is indicative of a massive stellar component (0.46 to 1 M_⊙) with a short period orbit (144.2 d), within a distance of 0.7 AU from the primary. More observations are needed to confirm the long-term O-C variations: if they were also to be caused by a light travel-time effect, they could be interpreted in terms of a third component, in this case probably a brown dwarf star (≥0.03 M_⊙), orbiting in ~3400 d at a distance of 4.5 AU from the primary. Table 2 is only available in electronic form at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr (130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsweb.u-strasbg.fr/cgi-bin/qcat?J/A+A/515/A39

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201014243
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The record appears in these collections:
Royal Observatory of Belgium > Astronomy & Astrophysics
Science Articles > Peer Reviewed Articles



 Record created 2016-07-01, last modified 2016-07-06