First Overtone Cepheids of the OGLE Magellanic Cloud Collection -- beyond radial modes

TL;DR

This study analyzes OGLE photometry of first overtone Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds, discovering new double-periodic stars and evidence for non-radial pulsation modes, expanding understanding of stellar variability beyond radial modes.

Contribution

It provides the first extensive analysis of non-radial modes in first overtone Cepheids, identifying new classes of periodicities and their properties.

Findings

516 double-periodic stars with period ratios 0.60-0.65

28 stars with longer period variability below radial fundamental mode

Detection of signals likely due to non-radial pulsation modes

Abstract

We have analysed Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment photometry for first overtone classical Cepheids in the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds in search for additional periodicities beyond radial modes. We have used standard consecutive prewhitening technique in some cases followed by time-dependent prewhitening. We report new candidates for double-mode radial pulsations. However, majority of signals we have detected cannot be interpreted in terms of radial modes. We report 516 double-periodic stars with period ratios, $P_{\rm x}/P_{\rm 1O}$, in the range 0.60 and 0.65. We study the properties of this class and implications for model explaining these periodicities. We also report 28 stars in which additional variability is of longer period, below radial fundamental mode, with median period ratio, $P_{\rm 1O}/P_{\rm x}$, of 0.684. This class is an analogue of a class known in RR Lyrae stars. Hundreds of other signals were detected that cannot be attributed to radial modes or the above-mentioned classes. Statistical properties of these signals are analysed. We suggest that majority of these signals correspond to non-radial modes. In particular, a significant fraction can be attributed to non-radial modes of moderate degrees, tightly connected to a class with period ratios in between 0.60 and 0.65. In tens of stars, close to radial mode frequency, relatively large-amplitude and coherent signals are observed, that may represent yet another class. In 27 stars periodic modulation of pulsation was detected. Differences in additional frequency content between the two Clouds are discussed.