Papers

Abstract The ability to automatically and robustly self-verify periodicity present in time-series astronomical data is becoming more important as data sets rapidly increase in size. The age of large astronomical surveys has rendered manual inspection of time-series data less practical. Previous efforts in generating a false alarm probability to verify the periodicity of stars have been aimed towards the analysis of a constructed periodogram. However, these methods feature correlations with features that do not pertain

Abstract The ability to automatically and robustly self-verify periodicity present in time-series astronomical data is becoming more important as data sets rapidly increase in size. The age of large astronomical surveys has rendered manual inspection of time-series data less practical. Previous efforts in generating a false alarm probability to verify the periodicity of stars have been aimed towards the analysis of a constructed periodogram. However, these methods feature correlations with features that do not pertain

ABSTRACT The mass accretion process controls pre-main-sequence evolution, although its intrinsic instability has yet to be fully understood, especially towards the protostellar stage. In this work, we have undertaken a thorough examination of the mid-infrared (MIR) variability of Spitzer-selected young stellar objects (YSOs) in the Cygnus-X star-forming region over the last decade, using the Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer time series. This work compares two groups of young stars: embedded Class I objects, and

ABSTRACT We have performed a comprehensive search of a VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) data base of 9.5 yr light curves for variable sources with ΔKs ≥ 4 mag, aiming to provide a large sample of high amplitude eruptive young stellar objects (YSOs) and detect unusual or new types of infrared variable source. We find 222 variable or transient sources in the Galactic bulge and disc, most of which are new discoveries. The

ABSTRACT We have performed a comprehensive search of a VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) data base of 9.5 yr light curves for variable sources with ΔKs ≥ 4 mag, aiming to provide a large sample of high amplitude eruptive young stellar objects (YSOs) and detect unusual or new types of infrared variable source. We find 222 variable or transient sources in the Galactic bulge and disc, most of which are new discoveries. The

ABSTRACT The growing number of multi-epoch optical and infrared sky surveys are uncovering unprecedented numbers of new variable stars, of an increasing number of types. The short interval between observations in adjacent near-infrared filters in the UKIDSS Galactic Plane Survey (UGPS) allows for the discovery of variability on the time-scale of minutes. We report on the nature of one such object, through the use of optical spectroscopy, time series photometry, and targeted X-ray observations. We

ABSTRACT Studying rotational variability of young stars is enabling us to investigate a multitude of properties of young star-disc systems. We utilize high cadence, multiwavelength optical time series data from the Hunting Outbursting Young Stars citizen science project to identify periodic variables in the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070). A double blind study using nine different period-finding algorithms was conducted and a sample of 59 periodic variables was identified. We find that a combination of four

ABSTRACT Studying rotational variability of young stars is enabling us to investigate a multitude of properties of young star-disc systems. We utilize high cadence, multiwavelength optical time series data from the Hunting Outbursting Young Stars citizen science project to identify periodic variables in the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070). A double blind study using nine different period-finding algorithms was conducted and a sample of 59 periodic variables was identified. We find that a combination of four

ABSTRACT During the pre-main-sequence evolution, Young Stellar Objects (YSOs) assemble most of their mass during the episodic accretion process. The rarely seen FUOr-type events are valuable laboratories to investigate the outbursting nature of YSOs. Here, we present multiwavelength detection of a high-amplitude eruptive source in the young open cluster VdBH 221 with an ongoing outburst, including optical to mid-infrared time series and near-infrared spectra. The initial outburst has an exceptional amplitude of >6.3 mag in

ABSTRACT The VISTA Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) survey obtained near-infrared photometry towards the Galactic bulge and the southern disc plane for a decade (2010–2019). We designed a modified Lomb–Scargle method to search for large-amplitude ($\Delta K_{s, 2-98{{\ \rm per\ cent}}}$ > 1.5 mag) mid to long-term periodic variables (P> 10 d) in the 2nd version of VVV Infrared Astrometric Catalogue (VIRAC2-β). In total, 1520 periodic sources were discovered, including 59 candidate periodic outbursting

ABSTRACT During the pre-main-sequence (pre-MS) evolution stage of a star, significant amounts of stellar mass are accreted during episodic accretion events, such as multidecade FUor-type outbursts. Here, we present a near-infrared spectroscopic follow-up study of 33 high-amplitude (most with ΔKs > 4 mag) variable sources discovered by the Vista Variables in the Via Lactea (VVV) survey. Based on the spectral features, 25 sources are classified as eruptive young stellar objects (YSOs), including 15 newly identified

ABSTRACT This paper is one in a series reporting results from small telescope observations of variable young stars. Here, we study the repeating outbursts of three likely Be stars based on long-term optical, near-infrared, and mid-infrared photometry for all three objects, along with follow-up spectra for two of the three. The sources are characterized as rare, truly regularly outbursting Be stars. We interpret the photometric data within a framework for modelling light-curve morphology, and find