Abstract
The first detection of the period doubling phenomenon is reported in the Kepler RR Lyrae stars RR Lyr, V808 Cyg and V355 Lyr. Interestingly, all these pulsating stars show Blazhko modulation. The period doubling manifests itself as alternating maxima and minima of the pulsational cycles in the light curve, as well as through the appearance of half-integer frequencies located halfway between the main pulsation period and its harmonics in the frequency spectrum. The effect was found to be stronger during certain phases of the modulation cycle. We were able to reproduce the period-doubling bifurcation in our non-linear RR Lyrae models computed by the Florida-Budapest hydrocode. This enabled us to trace the origin of this instability in RR Lyrae stars to a resonance, namely a 9:2 resonance between the fundamental mode and a high-order (ninth) radial overtone showing strange-mode characteristics. We discuss the connection of this new type of variation to the mysterious Blazhko effect and argue that it may give us fresh insights into solving this century-old enigma.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1244-1252 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society |
Volume | 409 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2010 |
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Keywords
- Stars individual: V355 Lyr
- Stars: individual: RR Lyrae
- Stars: individual: V808 Cyg
- Stars: oscillations
- Stars: variables: RR Lyrae
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Space and Planetary Science
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
Cite this
Does Kepler unveil the mystery of the Blazhko effect? First detection of period doubling in Kepler Blazhko RR Lyrae stars. / Szabó, R.; Kolláth, Z.; Molnár, L.; Kolenberg, K.; Kurtz, D. W.; Bryson, S. T.; Benkő, J.; Christensen-Dalsgaard, J.; Kjeldsen, H.; Borucki, W. J.; Koch, D.; Twicken, J. D.; Chadid, M.; Di Criscienzo, M.; Jeon, Y. B.; Moskalik, P.; Nemec, J. M.; Nuspl, J.
In: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 409, No. 3, 12.2010, p. 1244-1252.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Does Kepler unveil the mystery of the Blazhko effect? First detection of period doubling in Kepler Blazhko RR Lyrae stars
AU - Szabó, R.
AU - Kolláth, Z.
AU - Molnár, L.
AU - Kolenberg, K.
AU - Kurtz, D. W.
AU - Bryson, S. T.
AU - Benkő, J.
AU - Christensen-Dalsgaard, J.
AU - Kjeldsen, H.
AU - Borucki, W. J.
AU - Koch, D.
AU - Twicken, J. D.
AU - Chadid, M.
AU - Di Criscienzo, M.
AU - Jeon, Y. B.
AU - Moskalik, P.
AU - Nemec, J. M.
AU - Nuspl, J.
PY - 2010/12
Y1 - 2010/12
N2 - The first detection of the period doubling phenomenon is reported in the Kepler RR Lyrae stars RR Lyr, V808 Cyg and V355 Lyr. Interestingly, all these pulsating stars show Blazhko modulation. The period doubling manifests itself as alternating maxima and minima of the pulsational cycles in the light curve, as well as through the appearance of half-integer frequencies located halfway between the main pulsation period and its harmonics in the frequency spectrum. The effect was found to be stronger during certain phases of the modulation cycle. We were able to reproduce the period-doubling bifurcation in our non-linear RR Lyrae models computed by the Florida-Budapest hydrocode. This enabled us to trace the origin of this instability in RR Lyrae stars to a resonance, namely a 9:2 resonance between the fundamental mode and a high-order (ninth) radial overtone showing strange-mode characteristics. We discuss the connection of this new type of variation to the mysterious Blazhko effect and argue that it may give us fresh insights into solving this century-old enigma.
AB - The first detection of the period doubling phenomenon is reported in the Kepler RR Lyrae stars RR Lyr, V808 Cyg and V355 Lyr. Interestingly, all these pulsating stars show Blazhko modulation. The period doubling manifests itself as alternating maxima and minima of the pulsational cycles in the light curve, as well as through the appearance of half-integer frequencies located halfway between the main pulsation period and its harmonics in the frequency spectrum. The effect was found to be stronger during certain phases of the modulation cycle. We were able to reproduce the period-doubling bifurcation in our non-linear RR Lyrae models computed by the Florida-Budapest hydrocode. This enabled us to trace the origin of this instability in RR Lyrae stars to a resonance, namely a 9:2 resonance between the fundamental mode and a high-order (ninth) radial overtone showing strange-mode characteristics. We discuss the connection of this new type of variation to the mysterious Blazhko effect and argue that it may give us fresh insights into solving this century-old enigma.
KW - Stars individual: V355 Lyr
KW - Stars: individual: RR Lyrae
KW - Stars: individual: V808 Cyg
KW - Stars: oscillations
KW - Stars: variables: RR Lyrae
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=78649758558&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17386.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2010.17386.x
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:78649758558
VL - 409
SP - 1244
EP - 1252
JO - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
JF - Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
SN - 0035-8711
IS - 3
ER -