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Context. The Polarimetric and Helioseismic Imager (SO/PHI), on board the Solar Orbiter mission, is the first photospheric magnetograph and tachograph to observe the Sun from outside the Sun-Earth line. The Full Disc Telescope (FDT) of SO/PHI, images the whole solar disk with a spatial resolution that varies with the distance between the Sun and the spacecraft. Aims. We check for consistency between the magnetic field strength (B), the field inclination (γ), the line-of-sight (LoS) magnetic component (BLoS) and the field azimuth (ϕ), inferred by SO/PHI-FDT and the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI), on board Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and obtain linear correlation coefficients among them. Methods. We use data from both instruments obtained on 8 March 2022, when the angle between SDO and Solar Orbiter was 3.4° and the solar disk showed four developed active regions. Before comparing the magnetic field products of both instruments we perform a precise alignment of the data, including a matching of the plate scale. Further, in order to improve the homogeneity of the compared data products, the SDO/HMI data were convolved with the SO/PHI-FDT point spread function (PSF). The linear correlation coefficients are obtained through a linear regression of SDO/HMI to SO/PHI-FDT. Results. The two instruments yield comparable magnetic field data products. The slope coefficients for a linear fit are 1.37 for B, 1.11 for γ, 1.35 for BLoS and 1 for the azimuth. The corresponding fit offsets are −94 G, −9.8°, 5.2 G and 0.1°, respectively. The agreement between both instruments is significantly better when we take into account the different spatial resolution of both instruments. The fitting results vary slightly depending on the analyzed active region except for one of the four active regions, which shows larger differences and has been excluded from the comparison. The comparison of the LoS magnetic field products from SDO/HMI at 45 s and 720 s with SO/PHI-FDT shows a slope value of 1.17, with the offset less than 6 G, in both cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The existence of mixed modes in stars is a marker of stellar evolution. Their detection serves for a better determination of stellar age. Aims. The goal of this paper is to identify the dipole modes in an automatic manner without human intervention. Methods. I used the power spectra obtained by the Kepler mission for the application of the method. I computed asymptotic dipole mode frequencies as a function of the coupling factor and dipole period spacing, as well as other parameters. For each star, I collapsed the power in an echelle diagramme aligned onto the monopole and dipole mixed modes. The power at the null frequency was used as a figure of merit. Using a genetic algorithm, I then optimised the figure of merit by adjusting the location of the dipole frequencies in the power spectrum. Using published frequencies, I compared the asymptotic dipole mode frequencies with published frequencies. I also used published frequencies to derive the coupling factor and dipole period spacing using a non-linear least squares fit. I used Monte-Carlo simulations of the non-linear least square fit to derive error bars for each parameter. Results. From the 44 subgiants studied, the automatic identification allows one to retrieve within 3 μHz, at least 80% of the modes for 32 stars, and within 6 μHz, at least 90% of the modes for 37 stars. The optimised and fitted gravity-mode period spacing and coupling factor are in agreement with previous measurements. Random errors for the mixed-mode parameters deduced from the Monte-Carlo simulation are about 30−50 times smaller than previously determined errors, which are in fact systematic errors. Conclusions. The period spacing and coupling factors of mixed modes in subgiants are confirmed. The current automated procedure will need to be improved upon using a more accurate asymptotic model and/or proper statistical tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The recent claims of g-mode detection have restarted the search for these potentially extremely important modes. These claims can be reassessed in view of the different data sets available from the SoHO instruments and ground-based instruments. Aims. We produce a new calibration of the GOLF data with a more consistent p-mode amplitude and a more consistent time shift correction compared to the time series used in the past. Methods. The calibration of 22 yr of GOLF data is done with a simpler approach that uses only the predictive radial velocity of the SoHO spacecraft as a reference. Using p modes, we measure and correct the time shift between ground- and space-based instruments and the GOLF instrument. Results. The p-mode velocity calibration is now consistent to within a few percent with other instruments. The remaining time shifts are within ±5 s for 99.8% of the time series. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Binary star systems are important for understanding stellar structure and evolution, and are especially useful when oscillations can be detected and analysed with asteroseismology. However, only four systems are known in which solar-like oscillations are detected in both components. Here, we analyse the fifth such system, HD 176465, which was observed by Kepler. We carefully analysed the system's power spectrum to measure individual mode frequencies, adapting our methods where necessary to accommodate the fact that both stars oscillate in a similar frequency range. We also modelled the two stars independently by fitting stellar models to the frequencies and complementary parameters. We are able to cleanly separate the oscillation modes in both systems. The stellar models produce compatible ages and initial compositions for the stars, as is expected from their common and contemporaneous origin. Combining the individual ages, the system is about 3:0 ± 0:5 Gyr old. The two components of HD 176465 are young physicallysimilar oscillating solar analogues, the first such system to be found, and provide important constraints for stellar evolution and asteroseismology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Solar-like oscillations have been observed by Kepler and CoRoT in many solar-type stars, thereby providing a way to probe the stars using asteroseismology. Aims. We provide the mode linewidths and mode heights of the oscillations of various stars as a function of frequency and of effective temperature. Methods. We used a time series of nearly two years of data for each star. The 23 stars observed belong to the simple or F-like category. The power spectra of the 23 main-sequence stars were analysed using both maximum likelihood estimators and Bayesian estimators, providing individual mode characteristics such as frequencies, linewidths, and mode heights. We study the source of systematic errors in the mode linewidths and mode heights, and we present a way to correct these errors with respect to a common reference fit. Results. Using the correction, we can explain all sources of systematic errors, which could be reduced to less than ±15% for mode linewidths and heights, and less than ±5% for amplitude, when compared to the reference fit. The effect of a different estimated stellar background and a different estimated splitting will provide frequency-dependent systematic errors that might affect the comparison with theoretical mode linewidth and mode height, therefore affecting the understanding of the physical nature of these parameters. All other sources of relative systematic errors are less dependent upon frequency. We also provide the dependence of the so-called linewidth dip in the middle of the observed frequency range as a function of effective temperature. We show that the depth of the dip decreases with increasing effective temperature. The dependence of the dip on effective temperature may imply that the mixing length parameter a or the convective flux may increase with effective temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. The object HD43587Aa is a G0V star observed during the 145-day LRa03 run of the COnvection, ROtation and planetary Transits space mission (CoRoT), for which complementary High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher (HARPS) spectra with S/N > 300 were also obtained. Its visual magnitude is 5.71, and its effective temperature is close to 5950 K. It has a known companion in a highly eccentric orbit and is also coupled with two more distant companions. Aims. We undertake a preliminary investigation of the internal structure of HD43587Aa. Methods. We carried out a seismic analysis of the star, using maximum likelihood estimators and Markov chainMonte Carlo methods. Results. We established the first table of the eigenmode frequencies, widths, and heights for HD43587Aa. The star appears to have a mass and a radius slightly larger than the Sun, and is slightly older (5.6 Gyr). Two scenarios are suggested for the geometry of the star: either its inclination angle is very low, or the rotation velocity of the star is very low. Conclusions. A more detailed study of the rotation and of the magnetic and chromospheric activity for this star is needed, and will be the subject of a further study. New high resolution spectrometric observations should be performed for at least several months in duration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Solar-like oscillations have been observed by Kepler and CoRoT in several solar-type stars. Aims. We study the variations in the stellar p-mode linewidth as a function of effective temperature. Methods. We study a time series of nine months of Kepler data. We analyse the power spectra of 42 cool main-sequence stars and subgiants using both maximum likelihood estimators and Bayesian estimators to recover individual mode characteristics such as frequencies, linewidths, and mode heights. Results. We report on the mode linewidth at both maximum power and maximum mode height for these 42 stars as a function of effective temperature. Conclusions. We show that the mode linewidth at either maximum mode height or maximum amplitude follows a scaling relation with effective temperature, which is a combination of a power law and a lower bound. The typical power-law index is about 13 for the linewidth derived from the maximum mode height, and about 16 for the linewidth derived from the maximum amplitude, while the lower bound is about 0.3 μHz and 0.7 μHz, respectively. We stress that this scaling relation is only valid for cool main-sequence stars and subgiants, and does not have any predictive power outside the temperature range of these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze the photometric short-cadence data obtained with the Kepler mission during the first 8 months of observations of two solar-type stars of spectral types G and F: KIC 11395018 and KIC 11234888, respectively, the latter having a lower signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) compared with the former. We estimate global parameters of the acoustic (p) modes such as the average large and small frequency separations, the frequency of the maximum of the p-mode envelope, and the average line width of the acoustic modes. We were able to identify and to measure 22 p-mode frequencies for the first star and 16 for the second one even though the S/N of these stars are rather low. We also derive some information about the stellar rotation periods from the analyses of the low-frequency parts of the power spectral densities. A model-independent estimation of the mean density, mass, and radius is obtained using the scaling laws. We emphasize the importance of continued observations for the stars with low S/N for an improved characterization of the oscillation modes. Our results offer a preview of what will be possible for many stars with the long data sets obtained during the remainder of the mission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe and use two different statistical approaches to try and detect low-frequency solar oscillations in Sun-as-a-star data: a frequentist approach and a Bayesian approach. We have used frequentist statistics to search contemporaneous Sun-as-a-star data for coincident, statistically prominent features. However, we find that this approach leads to numerous false detections. We have also used Bayesian statistics to search for evidence of low-frequency p modes and g modes in Sun-as-a-star data. We describe how Bayesian statistics can be used to search near-contemporaneous data for coincident prominent features. Near-contemporaneous data were used to circumvent the difficulties in deriving probabilities that occur when common noise is present in the data. We find that the Bayesian approach, which is reliant on the assumptions made when determining the posterior probability, leads to significantly fewer false detections and those that are observed can be discredited using a priori knowledge. Therefore, we have more confidence in the mode candidates found with Bayesian statistics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the results of the latest solarFLAG hare-and-hounds exercise, which was concerned with testing methods for extraction of frequencies of low-degree solar p modes from data collected by Sun-as-a-star observations. We have used the new solarFLAG simulator, which includes the effects of correlated mode excitation and correlations with background noise, to make artificial time-series data that mimic Doppler velocity observations of the Sun-as-a-star. The correlations give rise to asymmetry of mode peaks in the frequency power spectrum. 10 members of the group (the hounds) applied their ‘peak-bagging’ codes to a 3456-d data set, and the estimated mode frequencies were returned to the hare (who was WJC) for comparison. Analysis of the results reveals a systematic bias in the estimated frequencies of modes above . The bias is negative, meaning the estimated frequencies systematically underestimate the input frequencies. We identify two sources that are the dominant contributions to the frequency bias. Both sources involve failure to model accurately subtle aspects of the observed power spectral density in the part (window) of the frequency power spectrum that is being fitted. One source of bias arises from a failure to account for the power spectral density coming from all those modes whose frequencies lie outside the fitting windows. The other source arises from a failure to account for the power spectral density of the weak and 5 modes, which are often ignored in Sun-as-a-star analysis. The Sun-as-a-star peak-bagging codes need to allow for both sources, otherwise the frequencies are likely to be biased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show how to take advantage of contemporaneous data from two different instruments in the search for low-frequency modes of oscillation of the Sun. Contemporaneous data allow searches to be made for prominent, sharp concentrations of power which are coincident in frequency. Crucial to determining objective measures of the joint probability of the random occurrence of such features, which are potential candidates for modes, is a good understanding of the characteristics of the background noise. In this paper we show how to make proper allowance, in the calculation of the probability, for noise that is common to data from different instruments. This common noise is solar in origin, and comes from the solar granulation. Its presence makes calculation of the probability a non-trivial problem. We demonstrate application of the technique in searches for low-frequency p modes. The data we searched comprised 3071 d of contemporaneous Sun-as-a-star Doppler velocity observations made by the ground-based Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON), and the GOLF instrument onboard the ESA/NASA SOHO spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on results from the first solar Fitting at Low-Angular degree Group (solar FLAG) hare-and-hounds exercise. The group is concerned with the development of methods for extracting the parameters of low- l solar p-mode data (‘peak bagging’), collected by Sun-as-a-star observations. Accurate and precise estimation of the fundamental parameters of the p modes is a vital pre-requisite of all subsequent studies. Nine members of the FLAG (the ‘hounds’) fitted an artificial 3456-d data set. The data set was made by the ‘hare’ (WJC) to simulate full-disc Doppler velocity observations of the Sun. The rotational frequency splittings of the l= 1, 2 and 3 modes were the first parameter estimates chosen for scrutiny. Significant differences were uncovered at l= 2 and 3 between the fitted splittings of the hounds. Evidence is presented that suggests this unwanted bias had its origins in several effects. The most important came from the different way in which the hounds modelled the visibility ratio of the different rotationally split components. Our results suggest that accurate modelling of the ratios is vital to avoid the introduction of significant bias in the estimated splittings. This is of importance not only for studies of the Sun, but also of the solar analogues that will be targets for asteroseismic campaigns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We make use of 9 yr of full-disc helioseismic data – as collected by the ground-based Birmingham Solar-Oscillations Network (BiSON) – to search for low-frequency, low-angular-degree (low-ℓ) acoustic modes. A range of tests are applied to the power spectrum of the observations that search for prominent mode-like structure: strong spikes, structure spanning several bins signifying the presence of width (from damping), and the occurrence of prominent multiplet structure at ℓ≥ 1 arising principally from the solar rotation and made from several spikes separated suitably in frequency. For each test we present analytical expressions that allow the probability that the uncovered structure is part of the broad-band noise background to be assessed. These make use of the cumulative binomial (Bernoulli) distribution and serve to provide an objective measure of the significance of the detections. This work has to date uncovered nine significant detections of non-broad-band origin that we have identified as low-ℓ modes with radial overtone numbers n ≤ 9. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard method of measuring rotational splitting from solar full-disc oscillation data, based on maximum-likelihood fitting of multi-Lorentzian profiles to oscillation power spectra, systematically overestimates the splitting. One of the reasons is that the maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) become unbiased only asymptotically as the number of data tends to infinity; for a finite data set they are often biased, inducing a systematic error. In this paper we assess by Monte Carlo simulations the amount of systematic error in the splitting measurement, using artificially generated power spectra. The simulations are carried out for multiplets of degree 2 and 3 with various signal-to-noise ratios, linewidths and observing times. We address the possible use of non-MLE estimators that could provide a smaller or negligible systematic error. The implication for asteroseismology is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]