Deneb and the alpha Cygni Variables

TL;DR

This study analyzes long-term photometric data of Deneb and other alpha Cygni variables to characterize their irregular pulsations and resumptions, revealing variability patterns and questioning the homogeneity of this stellar group.

Contribution

It provides detailed characterization of Deneb's pulsation resumptions over 8.6 years and compares variability behaviors across multiple alpha Cygni stars, highlighting the complexity of their mechanisms.

Findings

Most common intervals between pulsation resumptions are 100-120 days.

Alpha Cygni variables may not share a single variability mechanism.

Data limitations prevent clear conclusions for some stars.

Abstract

Deneb, the prototype alpha Cygni variable, is a blue-white supergiant that shows irregular variability with quasi-period around 12 days in brightness and radial velocity. Abt et al. (2023) found that larger amplitude 12-day variations appear to resume abruptly and at an arbitrary phase and damp out after several cycles, with an interval of around 70 days between these resumptions. Here we make use of an 8.6-year photometric data set for Deneb from the Solar Mass Ejection Imager (SMEI) to better characterize this behavior. We find that the interval between pulsation resumptions is not exact, with the most common intervals between 100 and 120 days. Sometimes one or more intervals are skipped. We also examine AAVSO and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) light curves for alpha Cyg variables Rigel, Saiph, and Alnilam in Orion, Aludra in Canis Major, and 6 Cas to compare with the behavior of alpha Cyg. Except for 6 Cas, the time series are too short, or the observations too infrequent to draw any conclusions about similarities between the behavior of these stars and alpha Cyg. We also summarize results of evolution and pulsation modeling for Deneb and alpha Cyg variables from the literature. The alpha Cyg variables may not be a homogenous group with a common mechanism for their variability. It has not been determined whether they are on the first crossing of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram toward the red supergiant phase or are on their second crossing after having been red supergiants. Future plans include examining BRITE Constellation data for Deneb, processing SMEI data for other bright alpha Cyg variables, and comparing 6 Cas light curves from AAVSO and TESS data taken concurrently.