Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Abigail H. Chown, Victoria Scowcroft, Stijn Wuyts
Summary: The Cepheid Leavitt Law is a key tool for assembling the cosmic distance ladder, and has been used with data from the OGLE-IV catalog and the Spitzer Space Telescope to determine the Period-Luminosity relation for the Magellanic Clouds. The calibrated relations for the LL in the Magellanic Clouds were established using a Monte Carlo Markov Chain template fitting procedure, with the zero-point of the LL calibrated using parallaxes of Milky Way Cepheids from the Hubble Space Telescope and Gaia Data Release 2.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
R. Smolec, O. Ziolkowska, M. Ochalik, M. Sniegowska
Summary: We analyzed Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment photometry to search for additional periodicities beyond radial modes in classical Cepheids in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. We found new candidates for double-mode radial pulsations as well as other signals that cannot be attributed to radial modes. The statistical properties of these signals were analyzed, and a significant fraction were identified as non-radial modes. The study also unveiled differences in additional frequency content between the two Clouds.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Martino Romaniello, Adam Riess, Sara Mancino, Richard Anderson, Wolfram Freudling, Rolf-Peter Kudritzki, Lucas Macri, Alessio Mucciarelli, Wenlong Yuan
Summary: This study measured the iron and oxygen abundances of classical Cepheids in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) to understand the influence of chemical composition on their luminosity. The distribution of iron in LMC Cepheids can be accurately described by a single Gaussian, and the uniformity of abundance suggests that they cannot provide meaningful constraints on the dependence of the Cepheid period-luminosity relation on chemical composition at any wavelength.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
F. Espinoza-Arancibia, M. Catelan, G. Hajdu, N. Rodriguez-Segovia, G. Boggiano, K. Joachimi, C. Munoz-Lopez, C. Ordenes-Huanca, C. Orquera-Rojas, P. Torres, A. Valenzuela-Navarro
Summary: Studying pulsating stars through evolutionary tracks, theoretical instability strips, and period data can offer insights into their properties. The inclusion of Radial Stellar Pulsations as a new functionality aids in obtaining theoretical instability strip edges and linear periods. Relationships between period and other parameters were found in the study.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Vincenzo Ripepi, Laurent Chemin, Roberto Molinaro, Maria-Rosa L. Cioni, Kenji Bekki, Gisella Clementini, Richard de Grijs, Giulia De Somma, Dalal El Youssoufi, Leo Girardi, Martin A. T. Groenewegen, Valentin Ivanov, Marcella Marconi, Paul J. McMillan, Jacco Th van Loon
Summary: We analyzed the Y, J, and K-s light curves of delta Cepheid stars (DCEPs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) using the VISTA near-infrared YJK(s) survey. We found a break in the period-luminosity and period-Wesenheit PW relationships for 1O DCEPs at P = 0.58 d. By calculating the individual distances of DCEPs in the LMC, we determined the position angle and inclination of the galaxy. Additionally, we observed non-planar distribution and a flared, thick disc structure in the LMC.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ilaria Musella, Marcella Marconi, Roberto Molinaro, Giuliana Fiorentino, Vincenzo Ripepi, Giulia De Somma, Maria Ida Moretti
Summary: ULPs are hypothesized as extensions of Classical Cepheids with longer periods, higher masses, and luminosities. They have potential as standard candles for cosmological measurements, but more data and theoretical support are needed for conclusive results.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
R. Molinaro, V. Ripepi, M. Marconi, M. Romaniello, G. Catanzaro, F. Cusano, G. De Somma, I. Musella, J. Storm, E. Trentin
Summary: Classical Cepheids are important for measuring distances in galaxies. The Gaia mission provides accurate parallaxes to calibrate these measurements. This study uses an implicit method to determine the zero point correction for Gaia parallaxes, finding a value of -22 +/- 4 mu as, in agreement with previous literature.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
N. Rodriguez-Segovia, G. Hajdu, M. Catelan, F. Espinoza-Arancibia, G. Boggiano, C. Cenzano, E. H. Garces, K. Joachimi, C. Munoz-Lopez, C. Ordenes-Huanca, C. Orquera-Rojas, P. Torres, A. Valenzuela-Navarro
Summary: Studying PCR as a probe of changes in the interior structure and evolutionary stages of classical Cepheids in the LMC, researchers obtained accurate PCR values for 1303 stars, the largest single galaxy sample to date. The derived PCR values are largely consistent with theoretical expectations and previous computations, with the discovery of cyclic behavior in long-period sources and two first-crossing Cepheid candidates.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Kerdaris Kurbah, Sukanta Deb, Shashi M. Kanbur, Susmita Das, Mami Deka, Anupam Bhardwaj, Hugh Riley Randall, Selim Kalici
Summary: In this study, theoretical light curves were generated using the MESA-RSP code, and theoretical and observed Fourier parameters were compared. The multiphase period-luminosity (PL) relations were found to be more stringent in testing models, and adding the R-21 term to the PL relation improved the agreement between the distances to LMC/SMC determined using long period Cepheids and literature values.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
V Ripepi, G. Catanzaro, R. Molinaro, M. Gatto, G. De Somma, M. Marconi, M. Romaniello, S. Leccia, I Musella, E. Trentin, G. Clementini, V Testa, F. Cusano, J. Storm
Summary: Classical Cepheids are crucial for the extragalactic distance scale, with their period-luminosity and period-Wesenheit relations showing dependency on metallicity. This metallicity dependence significantly affects the intercept of the PLZ/PWZ relations, indicating a larger impact than previously thought. However, it remains inconclusive whether the slope of these relationships also depends on metallicity. The correction of Gaia parallaxes' zero-point offset reduces the size of metallicity dependence on the PLZ/PWZ relations.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
F. Cusano, M. Moretti, G. Clementini, V Ripepi, M. Marconi, M-R L. Cioni, S. Rubele, A. Garofalo, R. de Grijs, M. A. T. Groenewegen, J. M. Oliveira, S. Subramanian, N-C Sun, J. Th van Loon
Summary: An analysis of around 29000 RR Lyrae stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud revealed important details about individual star distances and the three-dimensional structure of the LMC, providing insights into the distribution and characteristics of these stars in the galaxy.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
V. Ripepi, G. Clementini, R. Molinar, S. Leccia, E. Plachy, L. Molnar, L. Rimoldini, I. Musella, M. Marconi, A. Garofalo, M. Audard, B. Holl, D. W. Evans, G. Jevardat de Fombelle, I. Lecoeur-Taibi, O. Marchal, N. Mowlavi, T. Muraveva, K. Nienartowicz, P. Sartoretti, L. Szabados, L. Eyer
Summary: This article discusses the importance of pulsating stars known as Cepheids in astrophysics, particularly in determining extragalactic distances and studying the Milky Way. The Gaia DR3 catalogue is also presented, which includes data on 15006 Cepheids from various locations.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
G. Clementini, V. Ripepi, A. Garofalo, R. Molinaro, T. Muraveva, S. Leccia, L. Rimoldini, B. Holl, G. Jevardat de Fombelle, P. Sartoretti, O. Marchal, M. Audard, K. Nienartowicz, R. Andrae, M. Marconi, L. Szabados, D. W. Evans, I. Lecoeur-Taibi, N. Mowlavi, I. Musella, L. Eyer
Summary: This study uses RR Lyrae stars as tracers of the oldest stars and as standard candles for distance measurements. The Gaia DR3 publishes a catalogue of these stars, which is validated and characterized using a specific pipeline. The resulting catalogue is the largest and most parameter-rich of all-sky RR Lyrae stars published so far.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Richard Anderson
Summary: This study estimates relativistic corrections for cosmic distance estimates based on stellar standard candles to achieve an unbiased 1% measurement of Hubble's constant in the future. The results suggest that all stellar standard candle observations require relativistic corrections for accurate distance measurements.
ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
W. S. Oh, T. Nordlander, G. S. Da Costa, M. S. Bessell, A. D. Mackey
Summary: We searched for extremely metal-poor stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud using SkyMapper photometry, Gaia parallax and proper motion cuts, and colour-magnitude cuts. We identified seven stars with [Fe/H] = -2.75, two of which have [Fe/H] = -3, based on low-resolution spectra obtained with the ANU 2.3m telescope/WiFeS spectrograph. The radial velocities of our sample candidates closely match the outer rotation curve of the LMC, indicating that they are robustly members of this galaxy. These stars constitute the most metal-poor stars discovered in the LMC so far.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
E. Aydi, K. L. Page, N. P. M. Kuin, M. J. Darnley, F. M. Walter, P. Mroz, D. A. H. Buckley, S. Mohamed, P. Whitelock, P. Woudt, S. C. Williams, M. Orio, R. E. Williams, A. P. Beardmore, J. P. Osborne, A. Kniazev, V. A. R. M. Ribeiro, A. Udalski, J. Strader, L. Chomiuk
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2018)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
E. Aydi, M. Orio, A. P. Beardmore, J. -U. Ness, K. L. Page, N. P. M. Kuin, F. M. Walter, D. A. H. Buckley, S. Mohamed, P. Whitelock, J. P. Osborne, J. Strader, L. Chomiuk, M. J. Darnley, A. Dobrotka, A. Kniazev, B. Miszalski, G. Myers, N. Ospina, M. Henze, S. Starrfield, C. E. Woodward
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2018)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
M. W. Feast, R. F. Griffin, G. H. Herbig, P. A. Whitelock
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2019)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
John W. Menzies, Patricia A. Whitelock, Michael W. Feast, Noriyuki Matsunaga
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2019)
Book Review
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Patricia Whitelock
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Yoshifusa Ita, John W. Menzies, Patricia A. Whitelock, Noriyuki Matsunaga, Masaki Takayama, Yoshikazu Nakada, Toshihiko Tanabe, Michael W. Feast, Takahiro Nagayama
Summary: This paper aims to characterize the light variation properties of Mira variables in the Small Magellanic Cloud. Interesting phenomena such as phase lags and color phase inversions were observed. Conclusions regarding bolometric correction and period relations were drawn from the analysis of a multi-epoch data set.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Howard E. Bond, Jacob E. Jencson, Patricia A. Whitelock, Scott M. Adams, John Bally, Ann Marie Cody, Robert D. Gehrz, Mansi M. Kasliwal, Frank J. Masci
Summary: The SPIRITS survey used the Spitzer telescope to search for infrared transients and variables in nearby galaxies. The variables were classified as transients, periodic variables, and irregular variables. The study found that many of these variables are associated with star-forming regions in late-type galaxies, suggesting an origin in massive stars.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Ravi Sankrit, Eric Omelian, Uma Gorti, R. Mark Wagner, Steven Goldman, Patricia A. Whitelock
Summary: In this study, we present mid-infrared spectra from our continued monitoring of the symbiotic Mira star R Aquarii. The analysis of the data indicates that the increase in the mid-IR flux is due to a higher dust density, and confirms previous findings that micron-size grains are present.
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Alemiye M. Yacob, Leonid N. Berdnikov, Elena N. Pastukhova, Alexei Y. Kniazev, Patricia A. Whitelock
Summary: In this study, the period changes of eight short-period Type II Cepheids of the BL Her subtype are investigated. The O - C diagrams constructed using observational data from ground and space surveys over one century reveal that these stars exhibit both increasing and decreasing periods, which are consistent with the theoretical evolutionary framework and stellar evolution models for BL Her stars.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Rajeev Manick, Brent Miszalski, Devika Kamath, Patricia A. Whitelock, Hans Van Winckel, Bruce J. Hrivnak, Brad N. Barlow, Shazrene Mohamed
Summary: The discovery of a long-period binary at the center of the Galactic bipolar PPN IRAS 08005-2356 is reported, with a spectroscopic orbit fitted with an eccentricity of 0.36. High-velocity outflows traced by Ha are likely produced via accretion onto a main-sequence companion, and the discovery highlights the importance of high-resolution spectroscopic monitoring surveys in revealing binarity among these systems.
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Caroline D. Huang, Adam G. Riess, Wenlong Yuan, Lucas M. Macri, Nadia L. Zakamska, Stefano Casertano, Patricia A. Whitelock, Samantha L. Hoffmann, Alexei V. Filippenko, Daniel Scolnic
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2020)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
V. R. Karambelkar, S. M. Adams, P. A. Whitelock, M. M. Kasliwal, J. E. Jencson, M. L. Boyer, S. R. Goldman, F. Masci, A. M. Cody, J. Bally, H. E. Bond, R. D. Gehrz, M. Parthasarathy, R. M. Lau
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
S. R. Goldman, M. L. Boyer, K. B. W. McQuinn, P. A. Whitelock, I McDonald, J. Th van Loon, E. D. Skillman, R. D. Gehrz, A. Javadi, G. C. Sloan, O. C. Jones, M. A. T. Groenewegen, J. W. Menzies
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2019)
Proceedings Paper
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Patricia A. Whitelock
STELLAR POPULATIONS AND THE DISTANCE SCALE: A CONFERENCE IN HONOR OF JEREMY MOULD
(2018)
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
R. Alex Arnold, M. Virginia McSwain, Joshua Pepper, Patricia A. Whitelock, Nina Hernitschek, David J. James, Rudolf B. Kuhn, Michael B. Lund, Joseph E. Rodriguez, Robert J. Siverd, Keivan G. Stassun
ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT SERIES
(2020)