New Beta Cephei stars in the young open cluster NGC 637

TL;DR

This study identified four new Beta Cephei pulsators in the young open cluster NGC 637, enhancing its potential for ensemble asteroseismology and understanding stellar pulsation mechanisms.

Contribution

The paper reports the discovery of three new Beta Cephei stars and one candidate in NGC 637, increasing the known pulsators in this cluster and demonstrating its suitability for asteroseismic studies.

Findings

Four new Beta Cephei stars identified

NGC 637 now has six known Beta Cephei pulsators

Cluster is ideal for ensemble asteroseismology

Abstract

Studying stellar pulsations in open clusters offers the possibility to perform ensemble asteroseismology. The reasonable assumption that the cluster members have the same age, distance, and overall metallicity aids in the seismic modelling process and tightly constrains it. Therefore it is important to identify open clusters with many pulsators. New pulsating stars of the Beta Cephei type were searched for among the members of the open cluster NGC 637. Thirty-one hours of time resolved V filter CCD photometry were obtained. The measurements confirmed two previously known variables, and revealed three new Beta Cephei stars plus one more candidate. All four pulsators have amplitudes high enough for easy mode identification and are multiperiodic. With four certain pulsating members, NGC 637 is now among the six open clusters richest in Beta Cephei stars. It is thus an excellent target for ensemble asteroseismology, and to tackle the question what separates pulsating from apparently constant stars in the Beta Cephei domain.