OGLE-BLG-RRLYR-12245: From a Double- to Single-Mode Pulsation

We report the discovery of an RR Lyrae star that experienced a switching of its pulsation mode. OGLE-BLG-RRLYR-12245 was discovered as a double-mode RRd star from the observations conducted in years 2001-2006 during the third phase of the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE-III). The OGLE-IV observations carried out since 2010 reveal that this object is now a fundamental-mode RRab star, with no sign of the first-overtone pulsation. The analysis of the OGLE photometry shows that the final stage of the mode switching occurred on a relatively short timescale of a few months in 2005. We study the behavior of the star during this process, showing changes of the pulsational amplitudes and periods. We also discuss possible causes for the mode switching in RR Lyr stars.

OGLE-III and OGLE-IV light curves of OGLE-BLG-RRLYR-12245

PLEASE cite the following paper when using the data or referring to these OGLE results:
Soszyński et al. 2014, Acta Astronomica, 64, 1, (arXiv:1403.6476).

Any comments about the data and the form of their presentation are welcome. Send your messages to this address.

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