Studying Blazhko RR Lyrae stars with the 24-inch telescope of the Konkoly Observatory

Abstract

About a dozen field RR Lyrae stars have been observed with the 24-inch Heyde-Zeiss telescope of the Konkoly Observatory at Svábhegy, Budapest, since its refurbishment in 2003. Most of the observing time is allocated for the investigation of the Blazhko modulation, a phenomenon that still does not have a satisfactory explanation. The obtained multicolour CCD observations are unique in extent. The accuracy of the measurements makes it possible to detect low amplitude modulation of the light curve as well. The discovery of Blazhko stars with low modulation amplitudes warns that the incidence rate of the Blazhko modulation is, in fact, much larger than it was previously expected. This makes the efforts exploring the cause of the modulation even more important. A summary of our measurements and results achieved during the last 3 years is presented.

arXiv commentAccepted for publication in Astronomische Nachrichten (Astronomical Notes). 4 pages, 3 figs

References in corpus (7)

• The MACHO Project Large Magellanic Cloud variable star inventory. XI. Frequency analysis of the fundamental mode RR Lyrae stars
• Empirical relations for cluster RR Lyrae stars revisited
• Fourier decomposition and frequency analysis of the pulsating stars with P < 1day in the OGLE database. II. Multiperiodic RR Lyrae variables in the Galactic Bulge
• The Changing Blazhko Effect of XZ Cygni
• The shortest modulation period Blazhko RR Lyrae star: SS Cnc
• The triple-mode pulsating variable V823 Cas
• Resonant Excitation of Nonradial Modes in RR Lyr Stars

Cited by in corpus (7)

• An extensive photometric study of the Blazhko RR Lyrae star MW Lyr: I. Light curve solution
• An extensive photometric study of the Blazhko RR Lyrae star MW Lyr: II. Changes in the physical parameters
• The Multi-periodic Blazhko Modulation of CZ Lacertae
• Bright Blazhko RRab Lyrae stars observed by ASAS and the SuperWASP surveys
• A new method for determining physical parameters of fundamental mode RR Lyrae stars from multicolour light curves
• Can turbulent convective variations drive the Blazhko cycle? Dynamical investigation of the Stothers idea
• Pulsational and evolutionary analysis of the double-mode RR Lyrae star BS Com