Period Variations of Delta Scuti Stars

Abstract

In most Delta Scuti stars, the measured period changes are considerably larger than those expected from stellar evolution. In order to study these period and amplitude changes, a few selected stars are measured photometrically for hundreds of nights with a dedicated telescope. These measurements cover several years or decades. The Delta Scuti stars provide more information (than classical pulsators) since a number of simultaneously excited radial and nonradial modes can be studied. The present results indicate the presence of at least two effects: beating of independent modes with close frequencies and stellar cycles. For period and amplitude changes with time scales less than one year, we confirm the beating hypothesis in three stars. This is shown by the correctly correlated relationship between amplitude and phase changes as well as the repetitions of these cycles. However, the observed period variations with longer time scales are not due to simple beating between two close frequencies. For the star 4 CVn we can derive accurate annual frequency values for at least seven radial and nonradial modes. The annual phases are in excellent agreement with predictions from nearby years, thereby confirming the values and their observed long-term changes. For prograde and retrograde modes, the period variations are of identical size, but with opposite signs. The radial mode shows no (or little) changes. Furthermore, all period variations show a reversal around 1990. These results suggest long-term, regular cycles affecting individual modes differently with some common systematic behavior.