Variability Analysis of Stars from TESS Sectors 6 & 7

Abstract

Variable stars are an important dataset for many fields of astrophysical research. Using light curves derived by a Cluster Difference Imaging Photometric Survey, we have begun to identify periodic variables among the light curves of stars for several clusters from sectors 6 and 7 of the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). For the variable stars identified, an analysis of characteristics via isochrone set fitting was conducted using the PAdova & TRieste Stellar Evolution Code (PARSEC). The aim of this study is to identify variable stars that are cluster members for further observation and research. We identified 41 variable stars from a set of 1,776 light curves from the clusters Trumpler 5, NGC 2287, and Collinder 69; clusters located in sector 6 of TESS. For these stars we produced phase-magnitude and time-magnitude plots, as well as a collective plot of stellar mass vs. variability period. Classification of stars as variable contributes to an important dataset for furthering the understanding of many processes of stellar behavior only dimly understood.