Study of KIC 8561221 observed by Kepler: an early red giant showing depressed dipolar modes
Abstract
Context. The continuous high-precision photometric observations provided
by the CoRoT and Kepler space missions have allowed us to understand the
structure and dynamics of red giants better using asteroseismic techniques. A small
fraction of these stars show dipole modes with unexpectedly low amplitudes. The reduction
in amplitude is more pronounced for stars with a higher frequency of maximum power,
νmax.Aims. In this work we want to characterise KIC 8561221 in order to
confirm that it is currently the least evolved star among this peculiar subset and to
discuss several hypotheses that could help explain the reduction of the dipole mode
amplitudes.Methods. We used Kepler short- and long-cadence data
combined with spectroscopic observations to infer the stellar structure and dynamics of
KIC 8561221. We then discussed different scenarios that could contribute to reducing the
dipole amplitudes, such as a fast-rotating interior or the effect of a magnetic field on
the properties of the modes. We also performed a detailed study of the inertia and damping
of the modes.Results. We have been able to characterise 36 oscillations modes, in
particular, a few dipole modes above νmax that exhibit nearly normal
amplitudes. The frequencies of all the measured modes were used to determine the overall
properties and the internal structure of the star. We have inferred a surface rotation
period of ~91 days and
uncovered a variation in the surface magnetic activity during the last 4 years. The
analysis of the convective background did not reveal any difference compared to “normal”
red giants. As expected, the internal regions of the star probed by the ℓ = 2 and 3 modes spin 4 to
8 times faster than the surface.Conclusions. With our grid of standard models we are able to properly
fit the observed frequencies. Our model calculation of mode inertia and damping give no
explanation for the depressed dipole modes. A fast-rotating core is also ruled out as a
possible explanation. Finally, we do not have any observational evidence of a strong deep
magnetic field inside the star.
Origin : Publication funded by an institution
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