Solar-like Oscillations in α Centauri B

We have made velocity observations of the star α Centauri B from two sites, allowing us to identify 37 oscillation modes with l=0-3. Fitting to these modes gives the large and small frequency separations as a function of frequency. The mode lifetime, as measured from the scatter of the oscillation frequencies about a smooth trend, is similar to that in the Sun. Limited observations of the star δ Pav show oscillations centered at 2.3 mHz, with peak amplitudes close to solar. We introduce a new method of measuring oscillation amplitudes from heavily smoothed power density spectra, from which we estimated amplitudes for α Cen α and B, β Hyi, δ Pav, and the Sun. We point out that the oscillation amplitudes may depend on which spectral lines are used for the velocity measurements. Based on observations collected at the European Southern Observatory, Paranal, Chile (ESO Programme 71.D-0618).