Determination of the uncertainties in frequency, amplitude and phase from Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract

Pulsation frequencies of a pulsating star appear as peaks in the frequency spectra of the star. The uncertainties of the detected frequencies may be expressed in terms of error limits based on the spectral resolution. Usually, amplitude A and phase φ of a given pulsation mode, as well as their respective standard deviations, σA and σφ, are calculated from linear sinusoidal fit. In this work we discuss the use of Monte Carlo simulations in the determination of σν, σA and σφ. We show that the values of σA and σφ derived from LSINF underestimate the actual values, which can endanger the correct interpretation of the statistical significance of data and results.