We use cookies to distinguish you from other users and to provide you with a better experience on our websites. Close this message to accept cookies or find out how to manage your cookie settings.
About 25% of variable asymptotic giant branch stars in the LMC have light curves that are modulated by a long secondary period of length ~ 1–4 yr. Solar-vicinity analogs of these stars show radial velocity curves that are asymmetric and of small amplitude (~3–5km s−1). Possible explanations for the photometric and radial velocity variations include: eccentric motion of an orbiting companion of mass ~0.1 M⊙; radial and nonradial pulsation; rotation of an ellipsoidal-shaped red giant; episodic dust ejection; and star spot cycles. We find that there are severe difficulties with each of these models. Thus, the long secondary periods are the only unexplained type of large-amplitude stellar variability known at this time.
To send this article to your Kindle, first ensure no-reply@cambridge.org is added to your Approved Personal Document E-mail List under your Personal Document Settings on the Manage Your Content and Devices page of your Amazon account. Then enter the ‘name’ part of your Kindle email address below. Find out more about sending to your Kindle. Find out more about sending to your Kindle.
Note you can select to send to either the @free.kindle.com or @kindle.com variations. ‘@free.kindle.com’ emails are free but can only be sent to your device when it is connected to wi-fi. ‘@kindle.com’ emails can be delivered even when you are not connected to wi-fi, but note that service fees apply.
Find out more about the Kindle Personal Document Service.
To send this article to your Dropbox account, please select one or more formats and confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your <service> account. Find out more about sending content to Dropbox.
To send this article to your Google Drive account, please select one or more formats and confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your <service> account. Find out more about sending content to Google Drive.
Email your librarian or administrator to recommend adding this journal to your organisation's collection.
