A&A 478, 461-465 (2008)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20077683

Searching for p-modes in MOST Procyon data: another view

F. Baudin¹, T. Appourchaux¹, P. Boumier¹, R. Kuschnig², J. W. Leibacher^{1, 3}, and J. M. Matthews<sup>2

1</sup>  Institut d'Astrophysique Spatiale, CNRS/Université Paris XI UMR 8617, 91405 Orsay, France
    e-mail: frederic.baudin@ias.u-psud.fr
²  Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver V6T 1Z1, Canada
³  National Solar Observatory, 950 N. Cherry Avenue, Tucson AZ 85719-4933, USA

(Received 20 April 2007 / Accepted 23 August 2007)

Abstract
Context.Photometry of Procyon obtained by the MOST satellite in 2004 has been searched for p modes by several groups, with sometimes contradictory interpretations.
Aims.We explore two possible factors that complicate the analysis and may lead to erroneous reports of p modes in these data.
Methods.Two methods are used to illustrate the role of subtle instrumental effects in the photometry: time-frequency analysis, and a search for regularly spaced peaks in a Fourier spectrum based on the echelle diagramme approach.
Results.We find no convincing evidence of a p-mode signal in the MOST Procyon data. We can account for an apparent excess of power close to the p-mode frequency range and signs of structure in an echelle diagramme in terms of instrumental effects.

Key words: stars: oscillations -- methods: data analysis

© ESO 2008

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