Photometric Analysis and Period Investigation of the EW Type Eclipsing Binary V441 Lac

Four color light curves of the EW type eclipsing binary V441 Lac were presented and analyzed by the W–D code. It is found that V441 Lac is an extremely low mass ratio (q = 0.093±0.001) semi-detached binary with the less massive secondary component filling the inner Roche lobe. Two dark spots on the primary component were introduced to explain the asymmetric light curves. By analyzing all times of light minimum, we determined that the orbital period of V441 Lac is continuously increasing at a rate of dP/dt = 5.874(±0.007) × 10^?7 d yr^?1. The semi-detached Algol type configuration of V441 Lac is possibly formed by a contact configuration destroyed shallow contact binary due to mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one predicted by the thermal relaxation oscillation theory.     

Results of a long-term monitoring of the multiple system SZ Cam

We present the results of the reduction of our photometric and spectroscopic observations for the eclipsing binary SZ Cam performed with the telescopes at the Astronomical Observatory of the Ural Federal University and the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1996–2014. Based on an 11-year-long photometric monitoring of SZ Cam, we have obtained new elements of its photometric orbit and parameters of its components. We have detected low-amplitude periodic light variations in SZ Cam that are possibly related to the ellipsoidal shape of the components of the spectroscopic binary third body. Based on published data and our new spectroscopy, we have found new values for the mass ratio, q = 0.72 ± 0.01, and parameters of the radial velocity curves of the components, V ₀ = ?3.6 ± 1.7 km s^?1, K ₁ = 190.2 ± 1.9 km s^?1, and K ₂ = 263.0 ± 2.4 km s^?1. The component masses have been estimated to be M ₁ = 16.1 M _⊙ and M ₂ = 11.6 M _⊙. We have obtained new light elements and parameters of the radial velocity curves for the third body, V ₀ ^3b = 4.2 ± 0.6 km s^?1 and K ₁ ^3b = 26.6 ± 0.8 km s^?1. We have improved the period of the relative orbit of SZ Cam and the third body, P _orb = 55.6 ± 1.5 yr.     

Variability of hot supergiant IRAS 19336-0400 in the early phase of planetary nebula ionization

We present photoelectric and spectral observations of a hot candidate proto-planetary nebula—early B-type supergiant with emission lines in spectrum—IRAS 19336-0400. The light and color curves display fast irregular brightness variations with maximum amplitudes \(\Delta V = 0_ \cdot ^m 30\), \(\Delta B = 0_ \cdot ^m 35\), \(\Delta U = 0_ \cdot ^m 40\) and color-brightness correlations. By the variability characteristics IRAS 19336-0400 appears similar to other hot proto-planetary nebulae. Based on low-resolution spectra in the range λ4000–7500 Å we have derived absolute intensities of the emission lines Hα, Hβ, Hγ, [S II], [N II], physical conditions in gaseous nebula: n _e = 10⁴ cm^?3, T _e = 7000 ± 1000 K. The emission line Hα, Hβ equivalent widths are found to be considerably variable and related to light changes. By UBV-photometry and spectroscopy the color excess has been estimated: E _B-V = 0.50–0.54. Joint photometric and spectral data analysis allows us to assume that the star variability is caused by stellar wind variations.     

Spectral and photometric studies of polar CRTS CSS 130604 J 215427+155714

We present the results of spectroscopic and photometric studies of a new polar CRTS CSS130604 J 215427+155714, conducted at the telescopes of the SAO RAS. Analysis of the photometric series of observations allowed to clarify the orbital period of the system, P _o = 0_. ^d 0672879 (±0.0000003). We build radial velocity curves and trace the intensity variations in the Hβ and H_γ hydrogen lines and He II λ 4686 ?A ionized heliumline. Based on the Hβ and He II lines we build Doppler maps. It is shown that the line formation region is localized near the Lagrange point. The following parameter estimates of the system are obtained:M ₁ = 0.83 ± 0.10M _⊙, M ₂ = 0.15 ± 0.01M _⊙, q = M ₂/M ₁ = 0.18 ± 0.03, i = 53? ± 5?. Based on the results of spectral, photometric and previously published polarimetric observations the possible geometric model of the system is discussed.     

Symbiotic halo star LT Del: Phase variations of the emission spectrum and parameters of the cool component

Long-term photometric and spectroscopic observations of the yellow symbiotic star LT Del are analyzed. UBV light curves are presented. Based on the observations of 20 cycles, we have refined the orbital period of the star, P = 476 _· ^d 0 ± 1 _· ^d 0. The brightness has been found to be unstable at some orbital phases with an amplitude up to 0 _· ^m 3. We have measured the fluxes in hydrogen and helium emission lines and in continuum and investigated their relationship to the orbital period. The fluxes in hydrogen and HeI lines follow the UBV light curves in phase; the He II 4686 Å flux does not depend on the phase and is constant within the accuracy of our measurements. The intensity ratio of the 4686 Å andHβ lines changes from 0.2 to 0.9 over the period. We interpret the spectroscopic observations based on the hypothesis of heating and ionization of the stellar wind from a cool component by high-frequency radiation from a hot star with a temperature of 105 K. We have estimated the spectral type of the cool star from our photometry and its continuum energy distribution as a bright K2–4 red giant branch halo star. The bolometric luminosity and mass loss rate have been estimated for the K component to be L _bol ～ 700L _⊙ and \(\dot{M}\) ～ 10^?8 M _⊙ yr^?1, respectively.     

Photometric observations of Cepheids from the ASAS-3 catalog: Photoelectric <Emphasis Type="Italic">BV I</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> observations of 46 low-amplitude Cepheids

From December 2006 to January 2008, we performed 1699 BV I _c observations for 46 low-amplitude Cepheids discovered in the course of the ASAS project using the 76-cm telescope of the South-African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). We provide the tables of observations and V light and B-V and V-I _c color curves. These new observations, along with data from the ASAS-3 catalog, have been used to improve the elements of the light variations. Our data allow the number of known Galactic low-amplitude Cepheids to be almost doubled. This makes it possible to increase the number of distance indicators suitable for studying the structure of the inner Galactic arms by almost 15%.     

Quiescent and Active States of V1413 Aql I: Photometric Activity Criterion and the Detection of a Secondary Minimum

We present the results of our photometric UBV JHKL observations for the symbiotic star V1413 Aql obtained in 2012–2018. An analysis of the data has shown that inMay 2017 the system passed to a quiescent state with B ? V ≈ 0_? 6 for the first time since 1993. It lasted no more than five months. The J ? K color at the primary minimum of 2012 reached 1_? 5, which, given the interstellar reddening, corresponds to spectral type M5-M6 III of the cool component. A secondary minimum has been detected at φ ≈ 0.5 on the JK phase light curves constructed for the dates of observations with B ≥ 13.     

Spectrometric and photometric study of the eclipsing variable AM Leo

The results of quasi-simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations of a W UMatype eclipsing variable star AM Leo are presented. The observations were carried out with a 1.2-m telescope equipped with a high-resolution echelle spectrometer, and a telescope-reflector (D = 0.45m) of the Kourovka Astronomical Observatory of Ural Federal University. New values of semi-amplitudes of the radial velocity curves of the components, K₁ = 109.6kms^?1 and K₂ = 252.4kms^?1 and the systemic radial velocity V₀ =-9.3 kms^?1 are obtained, comparable to the data published in the literature. The semi-amplitude of the radial velocity curve of a more massive component K₁ and the mass ratio of the components q = 0.412 appeared to be slightly smaller than the values obtained by other authors. An assumption wasmade that a possible reason of this is the presence of hot and/or cold spots on the surface of the components, shifting the effective center of brightness of the visible disk of the component with respect to its center of mass position. It was shown that the AM Leo light curve variations on the time scales of one and more days, registered within the photometric part of the study may be described by the choice of appropriate model of the spot structure.     

Results of Complex Observations of Asteroid (596) Scheila at the Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory

Results of astrometric and BVRI photometric observations of the active asteroid (596) Scheila are presented. The observations were carried out at the Zeiss-1000 telescope of the Sanglokh International Astronomical Observatory of the Institute of Astrophysics of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan on June 16?17 and from July 30 to August 1, 2017. The coordinates of the object and its orbit were determined; and the apparent brightness in four filters, the absolute brightness in the V and R filters, and the color indices were obtained. The light curves suggest that no substantial changes in the asteroid’s brightness occurred during the observations. The absolute brightness of the asteroid in the V and R filters was (9.1 ± 0.05)^m and (8.8 ± 0.03)^m, respectively. The mean value of the asteroid diameter was (119 ± 2) km. The mean values of the color indices (B?V = (0.72 ± 0.05)^m, V?R = (0.29 ± 0.03)^m, and R?I = (0.31 ± 0.03)^m) agree well with the values for asteroids of the P- and D-types and its averages. The rotation period of the asteroid estimated from photometric observations was 16.1 ± 0.2 h. The analysis of the data has shown that the asteroid continues to exhibit the same values of absolute brightness and other characteristics as those before the collision with a small body in December 2010, though the latter resulted in the outburst event and cometary activity of the asteroid. Most likely, the collision of asteroid (596) Scheila with a small body did not lead to catastrophic changes in the surface of the asteroid or to its compete break-up.     

Rotation curve and mass distribution in the Galaxy from the velocities of objects at distances up to 200 kpc

Three three-component (bulge, disk, halo) model Galactic gravitational potentials differing by the expression for the dark matter halo are considered. The central (bulge) and disk components are described by the Miyamoto–Nagai expressions. The Allen–Santillán (I), Wilkinson–Evans (II), and Navarro–Frenk–White (III) models are used to describe the halo. A set of present-day observational data in the range of Galactocentric distances R from 0 to 200 kpc is used to refine the parameters of thesemodels. For the Allen–Santillán model, a dimensionless coefficient γ has been included as a sought-for parameter for the first time. In the traditional and modified versions, γ = 2.0 and 6.3, respectively. Both versions are considered in this paper. The model rotation curves have been fitted to the observed velocities by taking into account the constraints on the local matter density ρ _⊙ = 0.1 M _⊙ pc^?3 and the force K _z =1.1/2πG = 77 M _⊙ pc^?2 acting perpendicularly to the Galactic plane. The Galactic mass within a sphere of radius 50 kpc, M _G (R ≤ 50 kpc) ≈ (0.41 ± 0.12) × 10¹² M _⊙, is shown to satisfy all three models. The differences between the models become increasingly significant with increasing radius R. In model I, the Galactic mass within a sphere of radius 200 kpc at γ = 2.0 turns out to be greatest among the models considered, M _G (R ≤ 200 kpc) = (1.45 ±0.30)× 10¹² M _⊙, M _G (R ≤ 200 kpc) = (1.29± 0.14)× 10¹² M _⊙ at γ = 6.3, and the smallest value has been found in model II, M _G (R ≤ 200 kpc) = (0.61 ± 0.12) × 10¹² M _⊙. In our view, model III is the best one among those considered, because it ensures the smallest residual between the data and the constructed model rotation curve provided that the constraints on the local parameters hold with a high accuracy. Here, the Galactic mass is M _G (R ≤ 200 kpc) = (0.75 ± 0.19) × 10¹² M _⊙. A comparative analysis with the models by Irrgang et al. (2013), including those using the integration of orbits for the two globular clusters NGC 104 and NGC 1851 as an example, has been performed. The third model is shown to have subjected to a significant improvement.     

A new type of interaction between generalized Chaplygin gas and dark matter

In this paper, we investigate the model with a new type of interaction between generalized Chaplygin gas (GCG) and dark matter. It is shown that there exists a stable scaling attractor, which provides the possibility to alleviate the coincidence problem. The equation of state (EoS) of GCG approaches the attractor phase from either w _g >?1 or w _g w _g w _g w _g >?1), and next cross again the phantom divide (the transition from w _g >?1 to w _g Q can change its sign from Q<0 to Q>0 as the universe expands, which is different from the usual interaction. Moreover, we investigate the model from statefinder viewpoint. The statefinder diagnostic can not only discriminate the model with different coupling constant but also distinguish the model from other dark energy models.     

Eclipsing binary UU Cas: Radial-velocity curves

This paper reports the results of spectroscopic observations of UUCas obtained with the highresolution (R = 15 000) fiber-fed echelle spectrometer of the 1.2-m telescope of Kourovka Astronomical Observatory of Ural Federal University. The radial velocities of the secondary, more massive and fainter component are measured for the first time. The component mass ratio is found to be q = M ₁/M ₂ = 0.54. The component masses, M ₁ = 9.5M _⊙ and M ₂ = 17.7M _⊙, and the radius of the or bit, A = 52.7R _⊙, are computed for the published orbital inclination of i ~ 69°. Evidence is presented for a disk surrounding the more massive component and a common expanding envelope.     

Photometric observations of Cepheids from the ASAS-3 catalog: Photoelectric <Emphasis Type="Italic">BV I</Emphasis><Subscript>c</Subscript> observations of 33 classical Cepheids

Cepheids, the principal distance indicators, point to the existence of two inner Galactic spiral arms in the immediate solar neighborhood (within 5 kpc). However, the available Cepheids are clearly insufficient for a detailed study of the structure of these arms. Fortunately, southern-sky monitoring (the ASAS project) has led to the discovery of many new variable stars, more than one thousand of which have been identified as possible Cepheids. To improve the classification and to construct reliable light curves for new Cepheids, we have begun their regular photometric observations. Here, we present the first results: 1192 photoelectricBV I _c observations were performed for 33 classical Cepheidswith the 76-cm telescope of the South-African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO, the South-African Republic) from December 2006 to January 2008. We provide tables of observations and V light and B-V and V-I _c color curves. The new observations together with ASAS-3 data have been used to improve the elements of the light variations.     

Spots and activity cycles of the star FKCom—2013–2015 data analysis

We present an analysis of new photometric and spectropolarimetric observations of a chromospherically active star FKCom. Based on this observational data and the data from the literature sources, applying a common technique, we performed an analysis of a complete set of the available photometric data, which were divided into 218 individual light curves. For each of them a reverse problem of restoring largescale temperature irregularities on the surface of the star from its light curve was solved. We analyzed the time series for the brightness of the star in the U-, B-, and V-bands, the brightness variability amplitudes, the total area of the spots on the surface of the star, and the average brightness of each set considered. The analysis of determination results of the positions of active longitudes leads to the conclusion about the existence of two systems of active regions on the FKCom surface. It was determined that the positions of each of these systems undergo cyclic changes. This confirms the conclusion on the likely absence of a strongly pronounced regularity of the flip-flops in FKCom, earlier suggested by other researchers. The results of the new polarimetric observations FKCom in 2014–2015 are presented. These measurements evidence the legitimacy of the proposed interpretation the behavior of the longitudinal magnetic field strength 〈B_z〉, indicating the settling-in of a more symmetric distribution of magnetic region on the FKCom surface. An increasing activity of the star over the recent years, registered from the photometric observations is also consistent with the probable onset of growth in the 〈B_z〉 parameter starting from 2014.     

UGC 7388: A galaxy with two tidal loops

We present the results of our spectroscopic and morphological studies of the galaxy UGC 7388 with the 8.1-m Gemini North telescope. Judging by its observed characteristics, UGC 7388 is a giant late-type spiral galaxy seen nearly edge-on. The main body of the galaxy is surrounded by two faint (μ _B ～ 24 ^m /□″ and μ _B ～ 25 _· ^m 5/□″) extended (～ 20–30 kpc) loop-like structures. A large-scale rotation of the brighter loop about the main galaxy has been detected. We discuss the assumption that the tidal disruption of a relatively massive companion is observed in the case of UGC 7388. A detailed study and modeling of the observed structure of this unique galaxy can give important information about the influence of the absorption of massive companions on the galactic disks and about the structure of the dark halo around UGC 7388.     

The phase dependence of brightness and color of the lunar surface: a study based on integral photometric data

A procedure of an a posteriori correction of the available data on the integral photometry of the Moon is described. This procedure reduces the regular errors of the integral phase curves caused by variations of the libration parameters; the effect due to libration can reach 4%. A method allowing the integral measurements of the Moon to be compared correctly with the photometric measurements of the lunar areas or laboratory samples imitating the lunar soil has been developed. To approximate the phase curves of integral albedo in the phase-angle range from 6° to 120°, we proposed a simple empirical formula A _eq(α) = m _l e ^?ρα + m ₂ e ^?0.7α, where α is the phase angle, ρ is the factor of effective roughness, and m ₁ + m ₂ is the surface albedo at a zero phase angle. An empirical phase dependence of the slope of the lunar spectrum in the 360–1060 nm range has been obtained. The results may be used to test various theoretical models of the light scattering by the lunar surface and to calibrate the data of ground-based and space-borne spectrophotometric observations.     

Sunspot as an isolated magnetic structure: Stability and oscillations

A simple energy model of a sunspot as a compact magnetic feature is described where the main energy contribution is provided by the coolest and most compressed part of the magnetic force tube of the spot at depths ranging from Wilson’s depression level (300–500 km) down to 2–3 thousand km. The equilibrium and stability conditions for such a system are analyzed using the variation principle, and oscillations of the system as a whole about the inferred equilibrium position are studied. The sunspot is shown to be stable in the magnetic field strength interval from 0.8–1 to 4–5 kG. The dependence of the eigenfrequency on magnetic field strength ω(B) is computed for the main oscillatory mode, where only the umbra of the sunspot takes part in oscillations, ω = ω ₁ (B). Lower subharmonics may appear in the case where penumbra too becomes involved in the oscillatory process: ω ₂ = ω ₁/2, ω ₃ = ω ₁/3. Theoretical curves agree well with the observational data obtained in Pulkovo using various independent methods: from temporal variations of sunspot magnetic field and from line-of-sight-velocity measurements. The periods of oscillations found range from 40 to 200 minutes.     

Flare Characteristics from X-ray Light Curves

A new methodology is given to determine basic parameters of flares from their X-ray light curves. Algorithms are developed from the analysis of small X-ray flares occurring during the deep solar minimum of 2009, between Solar Cycles 23 and 24, observed by the Polish Solar Photometer in X-rays (SphinX) on the Complex Orbital Observations Near-Earth of Activity of the Sun-Photon (CORONAS-Photon) spacecraft. One is a semi-automatic flare detection procedure that gives start, peak, and end times for single (“elementary”) flare events under the assumption that the light curve is a simple convolution of a Gaussian and exponential decay functions. More complex flares with multiple peaks can generally be described by a sum of such elementary flares. Flare time profiles in the two energy ranges of SphinX (1.16?–?1.51 keV, 1.51?–?15 keV) are used to derive temperature and emission measure as a function of time during each flare. The result is a comprehensive catalogue – the SphinX Flare Catalogue – which contains 1600 flares or flare-like events and is made available for general use. The methods described here can be applied to observations made by Geosynchronous Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES), the Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) and other broad-band spectrometers.     

Refinement of the parameters of three selected model Galactic potentials based on the velocities of objects at distances up to 200 kpc

This paper is a continuation of our recent paper devoted to refining the parameters of threecomponent (bulge, disk, halo) axisymmetric model Galactic gravitational potentials differing by the expression for the dark matter halo using the velocities of distant objects. In all models the bulge and disk potentials are described by the Miyamoto–Nagai expressions. In our previous paper we used the Allen–Santillán (I), Wilkinson–Evans (II), and Navarro–Frenk–White (III) models to describe the halo. In this paper we use a spherical logarithmic Binney potential (model IV), a Plummer sphere (model V), and a Hernquist potential (model VI) to describe the halo. A set of present-day observational data in the range of Galactocentric distances R from 0 to 200 kpc is used to refine the parameters of the listed models, which are employed most commonly at present. The model rotation curves are fitted to the observed velocities by taking into account the constraints on the local matter density ρ_⊙= 0.1 M _⊙pc^?3 and the force K _z=1.1/2πG = 77M _⊙pc^?2 acting perpendicularly to the Galactic plane. The Galactic mass within spheres of radius 50 and 200 kpc are shown to be, respectively, M ₅₀ = (0.409 ± 0.020) × 10¹² M _⊙ and M ₂₀₀ = (1.395 ± 0.082) × 10¹² M _⊙ in model IV, M ₅₀ = (0.417 ± 0.034) × 10¹² M _⊙ and M ₂₀₀ = (0.469 ± 0.038) × 10¹² M _⊙in model V, and M ₅₀ = (0.417 ± 0.032) × 10¹² M _⊙ and M ₂₀₀ = (0.641 ± 0.049)× 10¹² M _⊙ in model VI. Model VI looks best among the three models considered here from the viewpoint of the achieved accuracy of fitting the model rotation curves to the measurements. This model is close to the Navarro–Frenk–White model III refined and considered best in our previous paper, which is shown using the integration of the orbits of two globular clusters, Lynga 7 and NGC 5053, as an example.     

3D stellar reddening map from 2MASS photometry: An improved version

An improved version of the 3D stellar reddening map in a space with a radius of 1200 pc around the Sun and within 600 pc of the Galactic midplane is presented. As in the previous 2010 and 2012 versions of the map, photometry with an accuracy better than 0.05 ^m in the J and Ks bands for more than 70 million stars from the 2MASS catalogue is used in the new version. However, the data reduction technique is considerably more complicated. As before, an analysis of the distribution of stars near the main-sequence turnoff on the (J ? Ks)?Ks diagram, where they form a distribution maximum, provides a basis for the method. The shift of this maximum, i.e., the mode (J ? Ks), along (J ? Ks) and Ks, given the spatial variations of the mean dereddened color (J ? Ks)₀ of these stars, is interpreted as a growth of the reddening with increasing distance. The main distinction of the new method is that instead of the fixed mean absolute magnitude, dereddened color, distance, and reddening for each cell, the individual values of these quantities are calculated for each star by iterations when solving the system of equations relating them. This has allowed one to increase the random accuracy of the map to 0.01 ^m and its spatial resolution to 20 pc in coordinates and distance and to 1° in longitude and latitude. Comparison with other reddening estimates for the same spatial cells and Gaia DR1 TGAS stars shows that the constructed map is one of the best maps for the space under consideration. Its systematic errors have been estimated to be σ(E(J ? Ks)) = 0.025 ^m , or σ(E(B ? V)) = 0.04 ^m . The main purpose of the map is to analyze the characteristics of Galactic structures, clouds, and cloud complexes. For this purpose, the reddening map within each spatial cell has also been computed by analyzing the reddening along each line of sight.