Planets in stellar clusters extensive search. II. Discovery of 57 variables in the cluster NGC 2158 with millimagnitude image subtraction photometry

B. J. Mochejska, K. Z. Stanek, D. D. Sasselov, A. H. Szentgyorgyi, M. Westover, J. N. Winn

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

27 Scopus citations

Abstract

We have undertaken a long-term project, Planets in Stellar Clusters Extensive Search (PISCES), to search for transiting planets in open clusters. NGC 2158 is one of the targets we have chosen - an intermediate age, populous, rather metal-poor cluster. In this paper we present the results of a search for variable stars in the data from the first season of monitoring at the FLWO 1.2 m telescope. This is the first variability search ever conducted in this cluster. We present a catalog of 57 variable stars, most with low-amplitude variability. Among the variables is a cataclysmic variable (CV) that underwent a 2.5 mag outburst. If it is a member of NGC 2158, this would be the fourth CV known in an open cluster. We have also found five 6 Scuti stars, three of which have two or more detectable modes of pulsation. Of the 57 variables discovered, 28 have R-band amplitudes of 5% or below. Six of those vary at or below the 2% level, including one with 0.08% variability.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)312-322
Number of pages11
JournalAstronomical Journal
Volume128
Issue number1 1783
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2004
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Keywords

  • Binaries: eclipsing
  • Hertzsprung-russell diagram
  • Novae, cataclysmic variables
  • δ scuti

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