Physics of Eclipsing Binaries: Heartbeat Stars and Tidally Induced Pulsations

¹ Department of Astrophysics and Planetary Science, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Ave., Villanova, PA 19085, USA
² Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK
³ Instituut voor Sterrenkunde, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200D, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
⁴ Department of Physics and Astronomy, Vanderbilt University, VU Station B 1807, Nashville, TN 37235, USA
⁵ NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA
⁶ California Institute of Technology, TAPIR 350-17, 1200 E. California Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91125-0001, USA
⁷ Department of Astronomy and Physics, Eastern University, Saint Davids, PA 19087, USA
⁸ Département de Physique, Université de Montréal, CP 6128, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montreal, QC, H3C 3J7, Canada

Abstract

Heartbeat stars are a relatively new class of eccentric ellipsoidal variable first discovered by Kepler. An overview of the current field is given with details of some of the interesting objects identified in our current Kepler sample of 135 heartbeats stars. Three objects that have recently been or are undergoing detailed study are described along with suggestions for further avenues of research. We conclude by discussing why heartbeat stars are an interesting new tool to study tidally induced pulsations and orbital dynamics.