High Cadence Time-Series Photometry of V1647 Orionis

Abstract

We present high cadence (1-10 hr^-1) time-series photometry of the eruptive young variable star V1647 Orionis during its 2003-2004 and 2008-2009 outbursts. The 2003 light curve was obtained mid-outburst at the phase of steepest luminosity increase of the system, during which time the accretion rate of the system was presumably continuing to increase toward its maximum rate. The 2009 light curve was obtained after the system luminosity had plateaued, presumably when the rate of accretion had also plateaued. We detect a 'flicker noise' signature in the power spectrum of the lightcurves, which may suggest that the stellar magnetosphere continued to interact with the accretion disk during each outburst event. Only the 2003 power spectrum, however, evinces a significant signal with a period of 0.13 d. While the 0.13 d period cannot be attributed to the stellar rotation period, we show that it may plausibly be due to short-lived radial oscillations of the star, possibly caused by the surge in the accretion rate.