The space photometry revolution and our understanding of RR Lyrae stars

Szabó, R.; Benko, J.M.; Paparó, M.; Chapellier, E.; Poretti, E.; Baglin, A.; Weiss, W.W.; Kolenberg, K.; Guggenberger, E.; Le Borgne, J.-F.

doi:10.1051/EPJCONF/201510101003

Title

The space photometry revolution and our understanding of RR Lyrae stars

Author

Szabó, R.

Benko, J.M.

Paparó, M.

Chapellier, E.

Poretti, E.

Baglin, A.

Weiss, W.W.

Kolenberg, K.

Guggenberger, E.

Le Borgne, J.-F.

Abstract

The study of RRLyrae stars has recently been invigorated thanks to the long, uninterrupted, ultra-precise time series data provided by the Kepler and CoRoT space telescopes. We give a brief overview of the new observational findings concentrating on the connection between period doubling and the Blazhko modulation, and the omnipresence of additional periodicities in all RR Lyrae subtypes, except for non-modulated RRab stars. Recent theoretical results demonstrate that if more than two modes are present in a nonlinear dynamical system such as a high-amplitude RR Lyrae star, the outcome is often an extremely intricate dynamical state. Thus, based on these discoveries, an underlying picture of complex dynamical interactions between modes is emerging which sheds new light on the century-old Blazhko-phenomenon, as well. New directions of theoretical efforts, like multidimensional hydrodynamical simulations, future space photometric missions and detailed spectroscopic investigations will pave the way towards a more complete understanding of the atmospheric and pulsation dynamics of these enigmatic touchstone objects.

Language

English

Source (journal)

EPJ Web of Conferences

Source (book)

Symposium 3 on Space Photometry Revolution - CoRoT / Kepler KASC-7 Joint, Meeting, JUL 06-11, 2014, Toulouse, FRANCE

Publication

Cedex a : Edp Sciences , 2015

ISSN

2100-014X

DOI

10.1051/EPJCONF/201510101003