A CLASS OF ECCENTRIC BINARIES WITH DYNAMIC TIDAL DISTORTIONS DISCOVERED WITH KEPLER

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/753/1/86· OSTI ID:22036911

Thompson, Susan E; Barclay, Thomas; Howell, Steve B; Still, Martin; Ibrahim, Khadeejah A ^[1]; Everett, Mark ^[2]; Mullally, Fergal; Rowe, Jason; Christiansen, Jessie L; Twicken, Joseph D; Clarke, Bruce D ^[3]; Kurtz, Donald W; Hambleton, Kelly ^[4]

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1. NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (United States)
2. National Optical Astronomy Observatory, Tucson, AZ 85719 (United States)
3. SETI Institute, 189 Bernardo Avenue, Suite 100, Mountain View, CA 94043 (United States)
4. Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston PR1 2HE (United Kingdom)

We have discovered a class of eccentric binary systems within the Kepler data archive that have dynamic tidal distortions and tidally induced pulsations. Each has a uniquely shaped light curve that is characterized by periodic brightening or variability at timescales of 4-20 days, frequently accompanied by shorter period oscillations. We can explain the dominant features of the entire class with orbitally varying tidal forces that occur in close, eccentric binary systems. The large variety of light curve shapes arises from viewing systems at different angles. This hypothesis is supported by spectroscopic radial velocity measurements for five systems, each showing evidence of being in an eccentric binary system. Prior to the discovery of these 17 new systems, only four stars, where KOI-54 is the best example, were known to have evidence of these dynamic tides and tidally induced oscillations. We perform preliminary fits to the light curves and radial velocity data, present the overall properties of this class, and discuss the work required to accurately model these systems.

• OSTI ID: 22036911
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 753, Issue 1; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
ASTRONOMY
ASTROPHYSICS
BINARY STARS
DIAGRAMS
OSCILLATIONS
PERIODICITY
PULSATIONS
RADIAL VELOCITY
STAR EVOLUTION
VARIABLE STARS
VISIBLE RADIATION