Low Dimensional Dynamics in a Pulsating Star

Abstract

We report the discovery of a low dimensional dynamical system in a 5.5 hr Hubble Space Telescope High Speed Photometer observation of a rapidly oscillating star. The topological description of the phase space orbits is given, as well as a dynamical model which describes the results. This model should motivate theorists of stellar pulsations to search for a three-dimensional system with the same topological structure to describe the mechanisms for pulsation. The equations are compatible with recently proposed nonlinear mode interaction models.