KIC 10855535: An Elegant δ Scuti Pulsator with Amplitude and Phase Modulation

Abstract We investigated the pulsating behavior of KIC 10855535 using Kepler 4 yr long-cadence data. Two independent frequencies were detected: a pulsation frequency F0 = 17.733260(5) day −1 and a low frequency f 8 = 0.412643(8) day −1 . We identify F0 as the fundamental frequency, at which an equidistant quintuplet is centered, suggesting that the star orbits in a binary system. The fitted orbital parameters align well with those reported in previous literature. Long-term phase modulation caused by binarity has been confirmed by considering the light curve from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite. By removing the light-time effect, we measured a linear change in period of order <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" overflow="scroll"> <mml:mover accent="true"> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>P</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>̇</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> </mml:mover> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo stretchy="true">/</mml:mo> </mml:mrow> <mml:mi>P</mml:mi> <mml:mo>≃</mml:mo> <mml:mn>1.44</mml:mn> <mml:mo>×</mml:mo> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow> <mml:mn>10</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>7</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msup> <mml:mspace width="0.25em"/> <mml:msup> <mml:mrow> <mml:mi>yr</mml:mi> </mml:mrow> <mml:mrow> <mml:mo>−</mml:mo> <mml:mn>1</mml:mn> </mml:mrow> </mml:msup> </mml:math> , a value that could be indicative of stellar evolution. The star also exhibits a gradual and stable amplitude growth, thereby raising the possibility of structural changes during its evolution. We attributed f 8 and its two harmonics to rotation and surface spots, with further analysis suggesting characteristics evolving over time. Based on this hypothesis, KIC 10855535 may rotate slowly for its type, with a speed of 37(2) km s −1 . Overall, KIC 10855535 presents an exceptionally clean spectrum and a relatively slow rotation as a δ Sct pulsator, exhibiting a single pulsation mode that undergoes both amplitude and phase modulation.