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Gaia Data Release 2 : Variable stars in the colour-absolute magnitude diagram

Eyer, L. ; Rimoldini, L. ; Audard, M. ; Nienartowicz, K. ; Glass, F. ; Marchal, O. ; Grenon, M. ; Mowlavi, N. ; Holl, B. LU and Clementini, G. , et al. (2019) In Astronomy and Astrophysics 623.
Abstract

Context. The ESA Gaia mission provides a unique time-domain survey for more than 1.6 billion sources with G ≲ 21 mag. Aims. We showcase stellar variability in the Galactic colour-absolute magnitude diagram (CaMD). We focus on pulsating, eruptive, and cataclysmic variables, as well as on stars that exhibit variability that is due to rotation and eclipses. Methods. We describe the locations of variable star classes, variable object fractions, and typical variability amplitudes throughout the CaMD and show how variability-related changes in colour and brightness induce "motions". To do this, we use 22 months of calibrated photometric, spectro-photometric, and astrometric Gaia data of stars with a significant parallax. To ensure that a... (More)

Context. The ESA Gaia mission provides a unique time-domain survey for more than 1.6 billion sources with G ≲ 21 mag. Aims. We showcase stellar variability in the Galactic colour-absolute magnitude diagram (CaMD). We focus on pulsating, eruptive, and cataclysmic variables, as well as on stars that exhibit variability that is due to rotation and eclipses. Methods. We describe the locations of variable star classes, variable object fractions, and typical variability amplitudes throughout the CaMD and show how variability-related changes in colour and brightness induce "motions". To do this, we use 22 months of calibrated photometric, spectro-photometric, and astrometric Gaia data of stars with a significant parallax. To ensure that a large variety of variable star classes populate the CaMD, we crossmatched Gaia sources with known variable stars. We also used the statistics and variability detection modules of the Gaia variability pipeline. Corrections for interstellar extinction are not implemented in this article. Results. Gaia enables the first investigation of Galactic variable star populations in the CaMD on a similar, if not larger, scale as was previously done in the Magellanic Clouds. Although the observed colours are not corrected for reddening, distinct regions are visible in which variable stars occur. We determine variable star fractions to within the current detection thresholds of Gaia. Finally, we report the most complete description of variability-induced motion within the CaMD to date. Conclusions. Gaia enables novel insights into variability phenomena for an unprecedented number of stars, which will benefit the understanding of stellar astrophysics. The CaMD of Galactic variable stars provides crucial information on physical origins of variability in a way that has previously only been accessible for Galactic star clusters or external galaxies. Future Gaia data releases will enable significant improvements over this preview by providing longer time series, more accurate astrometry, and additional data types (time series BP and RP spectra, RVS spectra, and radial velocities), all for much larger samples of stars.

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publication status
published
subject
keywords
Binaries: eclipsing, Methods: data analysis, Stars: general, Stars: oscillations, Stars: variables: general, Surveys
in
Astronomy and Astrophysics
volume
623
article number
A110
publisher
EDP Sciences
external identifiers
  • scopus:85058841219
ISSN
0004-6361
DOI
10.1051/0004-6361/201833304
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ab252b3e-db02-427e-899e-fd5732545bdb
date added to LUP
2019-04-29 13:44:42
date last changed
2023-11-18 18:43:39
@article{ab252b3e-db02-427e-899e-fd5732545bdb,
  abstract     = {{<p>Context. The ESA Gaia mission provides a unique time-domain survey for more than 1.6 billion sources with G ≲ 21 mag. Aims. We showcase stellar variability in the Galactic colour-absolute magnitude diagram (CaMD). We focus on pulsating, eruptive, and cataclysmic variables, as well as on stars that exhibit variability that is due to rotation and eclipses. Methods. We describe the locations of variable star classes, variable object fractions, and typical variability amplitudes throughout the CaMD and show how variability-related changes in colour and brightness induce "motions". To do this, we use 22 months of calibrated photometric, spectro-photometric, and astrometric Gaia data of stars with a significant parallax. To ensure that a large variety of variable star classes populate the CaMD, we crossmatched Gaia sources with known variable stars. We also used the statistics and variability detection modules of the Gaia variability pipeline. Corrections for interstellar extinction are not implemented in this article. Results. Gaia enables the first investigation of Galactic variable star populations in the CaMD on a similar, if not larger, scale as was previously done in the Magellanic Clouds. Although the observed colours are not corrected for reddening, distinct regions are visible in which variable stars occur. We determine variable star fractions to within the current detection thresholds of Gaia. Finally, we report the most complete description of variability-induced motion within the CaMD to date. Conclusions. Gaia enables novel insights into variability phenomena for an unprecedented number of stars, which will benefit the understanding of stellar astrophysics. The CaMD of Galactic variable stars provides crucial information on physical origins of variability in a way that has previously only been accessible for Galactic star clusters or external galaxies. Future Gaia data releases will enable significant improvements over this preview by providing longer time series, more accurate astrometry, and additional data types (time series BP and RP spectra, RVS spectra, and radial velocities), all for much larger samples of stars.</p>}},
  author       = {{Eyer, L. and Rimoldini, L. and Audard, M. and Nienartowicz, K. and Glass, F. and Marchal, O. and Grenon, M. and Mowlavi, N. and Holl, B. and Clementini, G. and Aerts, C. and Mazeh, T. and Evans, D. W. and Szabados, L. and Vallenari, A. and Prusti, T. and De Bruijne, J. H.J. and Babusiaux, C. and Bailer-Jones, C. A.L. and Biermann, M. and Jansen, F. and Jordi, C. and Klioner, S. A. and Lammers, U. and Lindegren, L. and Luri, X. and Mignard, F. and Panem, C. and Pourbaix, D. and Randich, S. and Sartoretti, P. and Siddiqui, H. I. and Soubiran, C. and Van Leeuwen, F. and Walton, N. A. and Arenou, F. and Bastian, U. and Cropper, M. and Drimmel, R. and Katz, D. and Lattanzi, M. G. and Bakker, J. and Cacciari, C. and Castañeda, J. and Chaoul, L. and Cheek, N. and De Angeli, F. and Hobbs, D. and McMillan, P. J. and Michalik, D.}},
  issn         = {{0004-6361}},
  keywords     = {{Binaries: eclipsing; Methods: data analysis; Stars: general; Stars: oscillations; Stars: variables: general; Surveys}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  publisher    = {{EDP Sciences}},
  series       = {{Astronomy and Astrophysics}},
  title        = {{Gaia Data Release 2 : Variable stars in the colour-absolute magnitude diagram}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201833304}},
  doi          = {{10.1051/0004-6361/201833304}},
  volume       = {{623}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}