Two Centuries of a Pulsating Giant: How R Leonis Changed Its Rhythm and Dusty Veil
This paper shows that the variable star R Leonis has changed measurably over the past two centuries. Its pulsation period has slowly shortened, and the depths of its dimmest phases show strong long-term patterns rather than random variation. These trends are best explained by gradual changes in the star’s surrounding dust, revealing that even regular variable stars evolve on human timescales.
Echoes from the Cosmos: A Study of Massive Pulsating Stars
A study by Xiang-dong Shi and colleagues examined 155 massive O- and B-type pulsating stars using data from TESS, LAMOST, and Gaia. They identified two main types: Slowly Pulsating B (SPB) stars and β Cephei (BCEP) stars, mapping their pulsations and positions on evolutionary diagrams. Their findings reveal distinct frequency patterns and relationships between pulsation periods, luminosities, and temperatures, advancing our understanding of massive star evolution.