Delta-Scuti phase folded light curve equation

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on fitting a light curve for Delta Scuti stars, highlighting concerns about up-down asymmetry at minima rather than left-right asymmetry. The sharpness of the minima is questioned, prompting inquiries into potential explanations or equations. There is speculation about the accuracy of the folding period, suggesting that adjusting it could reveal alternating behaviors in the peaks. A proposed method involves using the equation y=A*sin(f(x))+B, with A and B determined by inspection and careful data handling. The results from a subset of raw data showed a resemblance to the original data, indicating that further analysis could lead to useful insights.
so_gr_lo
Messages
69
Reaction score
10
Homework Statement
Trying to fit a model to the phase folded light curve (v-band mag vs phase) from delta-scuti v-band data, tried to find an equation relating magnitude and phase for variable stars but can't find anything, is there a specific equation I can try to fit ? I've included the equation for asymmetric sinusoidal functions but not sure thats applicable
Relevant Equations
e.g. y=cos(x-1/2cos(x))

equation for calculating phase
[(t–to)/P]
data I'm trying to fit
1676928606971.png
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The left-right asymmetry does not seem to be the major issue. It's the up-down asymmetry that bothers me. How does it get to be so sharp at the minima?
But I'm no astrophysicist, so maybe this happens. If so, any known explanation that would suggest an equation form?

If you don't care about the physics and just want some equation that models it I'll have a go.

The thickening approaching the peak is also curious. Is it possible that your folding period isn't quite right, e.g. if you double it do you see alternating behaviours over successive peaks?

Edit: given the raw data, and the desire to express it as ##y=A\sin(f(x))+B##, I would determine A and B by inspection and plot ##\arcsin(\frac{y-B}A)## against x. Of course, you will need to arrange that ##|\frac{y_i-B}A|\leq 1\forall i##, either by exaggerating A or by smoothing the data.

Edit 2: I just tried that by extracting a subset of the raw data from your chart. The result looked remarkably like the raw data. Reiterating led to a series of curves tending towards a sawtooth. Of course, one does have to be careful with an ambiguity arising from arcsin, but that does not seem to be the problem.
 
Last edited:
Thread 'Help with Time-Independent Perturbation Theory "Good" States Proof'
(Disclaimer: this is not a HW question. I am self-studying, and this felt like the type of question I've seen in this forum. If there is somewhere better for me to share this doubt, please let me know and I'll transfer it right away.) I am currently reviewing Chapter 7 of Introduction to QM by Griffiths. I have been stuck for an hour or so trying to understand the last paragraph of this proof (pls check the attached file). It claims that we can express Ψ_{γ}(0) as a linear combination of...
Back
Top