Solar-Like Oscillations in Low-Luminosity Red Giants: First Results From Kepler

Kepler Group

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Abstract

We have measured solar-like oscillations in red giants using time-series photometry from the first 34 days of science operations of the Kepler Mission. The light curves, obtained with 30 minute sampling, reveal clear oscillations in a large sample of G and K giants, extending in luminosity from the red clump down to the bottom of the giant branch. We confirm a strong correlation between the large separation of the oscillations (Delta nu) and the frequency of maximum power (nu(max)). We focus on a sample of 50 low-luminosity stars (nu(max) > 100 mu Hz, L less than or similar to 30 L-circle dot) having high signal-to-noise ratios and showing the unambiguous signature of solar-like oscillations. These are H-shell-burning stars, whose oscillations should be valuable for testing models of stellar evolution and for constraining the star formation rate in the local disk. We use a new technique to compare stars on a single echelle diagram by scaling their frequencies and find well-defined ridges corresponding to radial and non-radial oscillations, including clear evidence for modes with angular degree l = 3. Measuring the small separation between l = 0 and l = 2 allows us to plot the so-called C-D diagram of delta nu(02) versus Delta nu. The small separation delta nu(01) of l = 1 from the midpoint of adjacent l = 0 modes is negative, contrary to the Sun and solar-type stars. The ridge for l = 1 is notably broadened, which we attribute to mixed modes, confirming theoretical predictions for low-luminosity giants. Overall, the results demonstrate the tremendous potential of Kepler data for asteroseismology of red giants.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L176-L181
JournalAstrophysical Journal Letters
Volume713
Issue number2
Early online date31 Mar 2010
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 20 Apr 2010

Keywords

  • stars: individual (KIC8410637)
  • techniques: photometric
  • stars: fundamental parameters
  • stars: individual (Procyon A)
  • stars: oscillations
  • binaries: eclipsing
  • methods: data analysis
  • stars: interiors
  • open clusters and associations: individual (NGC 6819)

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