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| Paper: |
Small Frequency Spacings in the Pulsation Spectra of sdB Stars: Two Years Later |
| Volume: |
392, Hot Subdwarf Stars and Related Objects |
| Page: |
359 |
| Authors: |
Fontaine, G.; Brassard, P.; Charpinet, S. |
| Abstract: |
We briefly rediscuss our analysis on the nature of the small frequency spacings that have been reported in the pulsation spectra of rapidly pulsating sdB stars at the La Palma meeting two years ago. Contrary to the inferences that were made at that time, we find that the proposed empirical relation for fitting observed frequencies (periods) contains, in fact, no physical information and is a purely numerical artefact. In particular, we show that the two best-fit frequency spacings used in the proposed relation correspond basically to the largest common denominators between the real frequency spacings in the observed sequence: one acting on a coarse scale and the other on a finer scale. As common denominators, the numerical values of these spacings depend sensitively on the S/N ratio of the observations and cannot, therefore, represent intrinsic properties of a pulsating star. We predict that no progress on the front of the asteroseismology of subdwarf B stars will ever come out of such an approach. Instead, we suggest that progress on that front might still best be done with the help of physical models such as those pioneered by ourselves in the past. |
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