MOST Detects g-Modes in the Late-Type Be Star β Canis Minoris (B8 Ve)

The Microvariability and Oscillations of Stars (MOST) satellite has detected low-amplitude light variations (?m ~ 1 mmag) in the Be star ? CMi (B8 Ve). The observations lasted 41 days and the variations have typical periods ~0.3 days. We demonstrate that the dominant frequencies are consistent with prograde high-order g-modes of m = -1 excited by the Fe bump of opacity in an intermediate-mass (?3.5 M?) star with a nearly critical rotation period of 0.38 days. This is the first detection of nonradial g-mode pulsations in a Be star later than B6 leading to the possibility that pulsations are excited in all classical Be stars.

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