On using the beaming effect to measure spin-orbit alignment in stellar binaries with Sun-like components

The beaming effect (aka Doppler boosting) induces a variation in the observed flux of a luminous object, following its observed radial velocity variation. We describe a photometric signal induced by the beaming effect during eclipse of binary systems, where the stellar components are late type Sun-like stars. The shape of this signal is sensitive to the angle between the eclipsed star’s spin axis and the orbital angular momentum axis, thereby allowing its measurement. We show that during eclipse there are in fact two effects, superimposed on the known eclipse light curve. One effect is produced by the rotation of the eclipsed star, and is the photometric analog of the spectroscopic Rossiter-McLaughlin effect, thereby it contains information about the sky-projected spin-orbit angle. The other effect is produced by the varying weighted difference, during eclipse, between the beaming signals of the two stars. We give approximated analytic expressions for the amplitudes of the two effects, and present a numerical simulation where we show the light curves for the two effects for various orbital orientations, for a low mass ratio stellar eclipsing binary system. We show that although the overall signal is small, it can be detected in the primary eclipse when using Kepler Long Cadence data of bright systems accumulated over the mission lifetime.     

Kottamia 74-inch telescope discovery of the new eclipsing binary KAO-EGYPT J225702.44+523222.1.: First CCD photometry and light curve analysis

We present the first multicolor CCD photometry for the newly discovered binary system KAO-EGYPT J225702.44+523222.1. New times of light minimum and new ephemeris were obtained. The VR I light curves were analyzed using WD code, the difference in maximum light at phase 0.25 is modeled with a cool spot on the secondary component. The solution show that the system is A-subtype, overcontact binary with fill-out factor = 42% and low mass ratio, q = 0.275. The two components of spectral types K0 and K1 and the primary component is the massive one. The position of both components on the M-L and M–R relations revealed that the primary component is a main sequence star while the secondary is an evolved component.     

Analysis of a detached eclipsing binary at near the turnoff point of the open cluster NGC 6791 in Kepler field

We analyzed high-precision Kepler photometry and high–resolution UVES and GIRAFFE spectroscopy from ESO Science Archieve for a double–lined eclipsing binary star in the field of the high metallicity old open cluster NGC 6791. Earlier measurements of the masses and radii of the detached system were not accurate enough for photometric and spectroscopic data to demonstrate that there are significant differences between current stellar models. Here we improved on the result and add follow-up measurements of the system. Data from the Kepler archive makes it clear that the system has an inclination that is close to 90°. The combination of radial velocity and Kepler light curve of the system were analysed simultaneously, which allows us to determine a reliable mass for the primary and secondary star and radii for both stars, and to constrain the cluster age. The characteristics of the primary star at the cluster turnoff indicate an age of 8.5 ± 0.12 Gyr, consistent with earlier analysis of the color–magnitude diagram. The brighter star in the binary also produces a precision estimate of the distance modulus, independent of reddening estimates: (m-M)_V (mag)=13.899 ± 0.117. The secondary star is not expected to have evolved significantly, but its radius is more than 10% larger than predicted by models. The hallmark is useful for testing the idea that radius inflation can occur in short period binaries for stars with significant convective envelopes due to the inhibition of energy transport by magnetic fields.     

Physical parameters of some close binaries: ET Boo,V1123 Tau,V1191 Cyg,V1073 Cyg and V357 Peg

With the aim of providing new and up-to-date absolute parameters of some close binary systems, new BVR CCD photometry was carried out at the Ankara University Observatory (AUG) for five eclipsing binaries, ET Boo, V1123 Tau, V1191 Cyg, V1073 Cyg and V357 Peg between April, 2007 and October, 2008. In this paper, we present the orbital solutions for these systems obtained by simultaneous light and radial velocity curve analyses. Extensive orbital solution and absolute parameters for ET Boo system were given for the first time through this study. According to the analyses, ET Boo is a detached binary while the parameters of four remaining systems are consistent with the nature of contact binaries. The evolutionary status of the components of these systems are also discussed by referring to their absolute parameters found in this study.     

New observations,photometric study and preliminary elements of the W UMa system DF CVn

CCD (V) light curve of the EW‐type eclipsing variable DF CVn was obtained during seven nights in April–May, 2004. With our data we were able to determine 4 new times of minimum light. The light curve appears to exhibit a typical O'Connell effect, with Maximum I brighter than Maximum II by 0.013 mag. in V. TwoWilson‐Devinney (WD) code working sessions, using the V light curve, were done with and without spots. The analysis of the results shows that the best fit was obtained with the spotted solution and indicates contact geometry. The photometric mass ratio of the system is found to be q = 0.347 and its inclination i = 72°, the primary minimum shows a transit. The star may be classified as an A‐type W Uma system. Assuming a reasonable value for the mass of the primary component an estimate of the absolute elements of DF CVn has been made, with the assumption that the primary has a mass corresponding to its spectral type according to Straizys and Kuriliene (1981). (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

New CCD photometry and light curve analysis of two WUMaBinaries: 1SWASP J133417.80+394314.4 and V2790 Orion

We present a new multicolor CCD photometry and light curve analysis of two eclipsing binary systems, 1SWASP J133417.80 + 394314.4 and V2790 Orion. The photometric solutions for both binaries were carried out using the updated version of the Wilson– Devinney code. The results showed that first systems is A- type W UMa with mass ratios q = 0.158 while the second system is W- type with q = 3.2. The systems show over contact configuration with fill-out factors of f = 43% and 14% respectively. We calculated the orbital and absolute physical parameters for both systems and investigated their evolutionary state.     

The first CCD photometric analysis and modeling for short period eclipsing binary system 1SWASPJ210423.7+073140.4.

We present the first light curve analysis of the new eclipsing binary of WUMa type 1SWASP J2104. A detailed photometric analysis was carried out in VRI bands using the most recent version of Wilson–Devinney (WD) code. The absolute physical parameters of the system were obtained and the previously determined period was confirmed. The evolution state shows that the primary component is slightly evolved above the ZAMS track while the secondary is on TAMS track. Our results show that the spectral types of the primary and secondary stars of the studied system are K4 and K5, respectively. The distance to 1SWASP J2104 was calculated to be 307 ± 21pc.     

Hubble Space Telescope observations of SV Cam – I. The importance of unresolved star-spot distributions in light-curve fitting

We have used maximum entropy eclipse-mapping to recover images of the visual surface brightness distribution of the primary component of the RS CVn eclipsing binary SV Cam, using high-precision photometry data obtained during three primary eclipses with Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph aboard the Hubble Space Telescope ( HST ). These were augmented by contemporaneous ground-based photometry secured around the rest of the orbit. The goal of these observations was to determine the filling factor and size distribution of star-spots too small to be resolved by Doppler imaging. The information content of the final image and the fit to the data were optimized with respect to various system parameters using the χ² landscape method, using an eclipse-mapping code that solves for large-scale spot coverage. It is only with the unprecedented photometric precision of the HST data (0.000 15 mag) that it is possible to see strong discontinuities at the four contact points in the residuals of the fit to the light curve. These features can only be removed from the residual light curve by the reduction of the photospheric temperature, to synthesize high unresolvable spot coverage, and the inclusion of a polar spot. We show that this spottedness of the stellar surface can have a significant impact on the determination of the stellar binary parameters and the fit to the light curve by reducing the secondary radius from  0.794 ± 0.009  to  0.727 ± 0.009 R_⊙  . This new technique can also be applied to other binary systems with high-precision spectrophotometric observations.     

Infrared photometry of five long-period binaries

We present and discuss JHKLM photometry for five long-period binaries (VV Cep, ZZ CMi, WY Gem, ε Aur, and ζ Aur). The IR radiation from WY Gem may contain a component with a period of ～430 days, attributable to temperature pulsations of an M supergiant. The 3.5-and 5-μm radiation from the eclipsing binary ε Aur outside the eclipse exhibits excess (relative to the light from an F supergiant) fluxes which correspond to the emission from a cool source with a temperature of ～1000 K. For the eclipsing binary Aur, we present the hitherto unpublished results of our optical and IR photometry during 1982–1985, when a primary eclipse was observed in the system.     

Close binary systems in star-forming regions: EQ Ori in the Ori I association

Photoelectric (UBVR) observations of the eclipsing variable EQ Ori are presented. The ephemerides of primary minima are refined, and the range of the star’s light variations is determined. All light curves are solved by Lavrov’s direct method, and highly accurate photometric orbital elements are obtained for the system. The magnitudes and colors of each component are calculated and analyzed in two-color (U-B)-(B-V) and (U-B)-(V-R) diagrams. The system’s primary component is classified as a metallic-line Am star. The absolute parameters of the components are estimated, and the binary is classified as a detached system with a subgiant: A0 V and K2 IV. EQ Ori has a faint physical companion, which causes the epochs of primary minimum to be systematically displaced with a period of about 30 years. The expected parameters of the distant companion are estimated. The system’s components are at a pre-ZAMS evolutionary stage, with their age being 2×10⁶ years. EQ Ori is thought to be a member of the Ori I association.     

BD+36 3317: An algol type eclipsing binary in Delta Lyrae cluster

In this paper, we present standard Johnson UBV photometry of the eclipsing binary BD+36 3317 which is known as a member of Delta Lyrae (Stephenson 1) cluster. We determined colors and brightness of the system, calculated E(B − V) color excess. We discovered that the system shows total eclipse in secondary minimum. Using this advantage, we found that the primary component of the system has B9 − A0 spectral type. Although there is no published orbital solution, we tried to estimate the physical properties of the system from simultaneous analysis of UBV light curves with 2003 version of Wilson-Devinney code. Then we considered photometric solution results together with evolutionary models and estimated the masses of the components as M₁ = 2.5 M_⊙ and M₂ = 1.6 M_⊙. Those estimations gave the distance of the system as 353 pc. Considering the uncertainties in distance estimation, resulting distance is in agreement with the distance of Delta Lyrae cluster.     

Could we identify hot ocean-planets with CoRoT, Kepler and Doppler velocimetry?

Planets less massive than about 10 MEarth are expected to have no massive H-He atmosphere and a cometary composition (∼50% rocks, 50% water, by mass) provided they formed beyond the snowline of protoplanetary disks. Due to inward migration, such planets could be found at any distance between their formation site and the star. If migration stops within the habitable zone, this may produce a new kind of planets, called ocean-planets. Ocean-planets typically consist in a silicate core, surrounded by a thick ice mantle, itself covered by a 100 km-deep ocean. The possible existence of ocean-planets raises important astrobiological questions: Can life originate on such body, in the absence of continent and ocean-silicate interfaces? What would be the nature of the atmosphere and the geochemical cycles? In this work, we address the fate of hot ocean-planets produced when migration ends at a closer distance. In this case the liquid/gas interface can disappear, and the hot H₂O envelope is made of a supercritical fluid. Although we do not expect these bodies to harbor life, their detection and identification as water-rich planets would give us insight as to the abundance of hot and, by extrapolation, cool ocean-planets. The water reservoir of these planets seems to be weakly affected by gravitational escape, provided that they are located beyond some minimum distance, e.g. 0.04 AU for a 5-Earth-mass planet around a Sun-like star. The swelling of their water atmospheres by the high stellar flux is expected not to significantly increase the planets' radii. We have studied the possibility of detecting and characterizing these hot ocean-planets by measuring their mean densities using transit missions in space—CoRoT (CNES) and Kepler (NASA)—in combination with Doppler velocimetry from the ground—HARPS (ESO) and possible future instruments. We have determined the domain in the [stellar magnitude, orbital distance] plane where discrimination between ocean-planets and rocky planets is possible with these instruments. The brightest stars of the mission target lists and the planets closest to their stars are the most favorable cases. Full advantage of high precision photometry by CoRoT, and particularly Kepler, can be obtained only if a new generation of Doppler instruments is built.     

Photometric modelling of close binary star CN And

The results of two color photometry of active close binary CN And are presented and analyzed. The light curves of the system are obviously asymmetric, with the primary maximum brighter than the secondary maximum, which is known as the O’Conell effect. The most plausible explanation of the asymmetry is expected to be due to spot activity of the primary component. For the determination of physical and geometrical parameters, the most new version of W-D code was used, but the presence of asymmetry prevented the convergence of the method when the whole light curves were used. The solutions were obtained by applying mode 3 of W-D code to the first half of the light curves, assuming synchronous rotation and zero eccentricity. Absolute parameters of the system were obtained from combining the photometric solution with spectroscopic data obtained from radial velocity curve analysis. The results indicate the poor thermal contact of the components and transit primary minimum. Finally the O-C diagram was analyzed. It was found that the orbital period of the system is changing with a rate ofd P/dt = − 2.2(6) × 10⁻¹⁰ which corresponds to mass transfer from more massive component to less massive with the rate ofd M/dt ∼4.82 × 10⁻⁸ M _sun/year.     

The photometric period of 39 AY Ceti

Photoelectric photometry obtained in 1971 and 1972 is compared with that obtained in 1980–81 and 1981–82 to derive a photometric period of 77 ^d .65. JD 2444636.0 is an epoch of minimum light. The full amplitude has been as large as 0 ^m .18 inV. Curiously, the mean light level has dropped by almost 0 ^m .2 over the last ten years. This binary is additionally interesting because of the recently discovered white dwarf secondary component and because unpublished radial velocity measures of Fekel show a large (0.1) eccentricity and an orbital period (57 ^d .1) very different from our photometric period.     

Comprehensive photometric study of the eclipsing binary AW UMa

Due to its extreme mass ratio, the system AW UMa is considered as one of the most interesting contact binaries. In the present paper, a total of 1289 observations in VRI band were carried out from on 2006 March 7, 8, and 9 at Piszkesteto, Mountain Station of the Konkoly observatory (Hungary). VRI light curves were constructed and a photometric solution of these light curves was obtained by means of Willson-Devinney code. The results show that the primary component is more massive and hotter than the primary component by ～140 K. A secular period decrease with a rate dP/dE=2.436×10^?10 day/cycle was detected. Based on the physical parameters of the system, we investigate the evolutionary state of the components. The primary component is above the zero age main sequence (ZAMS) track, while the secondary component has a larger radius and luminosity than expected from its ZAMS mass.     

AD Cancri：A Contact Binary with Components in Poor Thermal Contact

We present the light curve and photometric solutions of the contact binary AD Cnc. The light curve appears to exhibit a typical O'Connell effect, with Maximum I brighter than Maximum II by 0.010 mag. in V. From 1987 to 2000, the light curve showed changes of shape: the depth of the primary eclipse increased by about 0.056m while that of the secondary eclipse decreased by about 0.032m, so the difference between the primary and the secondary eclipses increased by about 0.088m, while there was no obvious variation in the O'Connell effect. Using the present and past times of minimum light, the changes in the orbital period of the system are analyzed. The result reveals that the orbital period of AD Cnc has continuously increased at a rate of dp/dt = 4.4 ×10-7day yr-1. The light curve is analyzed by means of the latest version of the Wilson-Devinney code. The results show that AD Cnc is a W-subtype contact binary with a small mass ratio of 0.267 and the two components are in poor thermal contact. AD Cnc has     

Observations of variable stars with the R Coronae Borealis phenomenon and other unique objects

The results of photometry and polarimetry of the R Coronae Borealis type stars and other interesting objects are given. The observation of the former objects are obtained at the light maximum or at a brightness lower by 2-3 mag. The polarization of R CrB stars at light maximum has interstellar origin. The absolute magnitude of V 854 Cen is estimated to Ms_vw = −3^m, and for Y Mus it is M_v > −3^m.7. ρ Cas has a variable polarization and is probably a giant (M_v ≅ 0^m) rather than a supergiant. Many early stars in its surroundings are photometrically and polarimetrically variable. The protoplanetary star BD −0°3679 has a polarization with the Rayleigh component.     

Structural asymmetries, relativistic beaming and orientation effects in Lobe-Dominated Quasars

We have examined statistically, structural asymmetries and simple relativistic beaming/source orientation in a sample of Lobe-Dominated Quasars (LDQs) using the source size D as orientation parameter; relative core strength R as beaming parameter; arm-length ratio Q, apparent flux ratio R ^?, and bending angle Φ as asymmetric parameters. Our result for Q>1.5, based on the median value data is inconsistent with beaming scenario, where we expect stronger negative correlation for more asymmetric sources, between our beaming parameter R and orientation parameter D than for less asymmetric sources Q≤1.5. This observation indicates that structural asymmetries may depend more on intrinsic factors than beaming. Our kinematic asymmetric model of extra galactic radio sources suggests that larger (possibly older) sources are less asymmetric, which may be interpreted to be indicative of other factors other than beaming as responsible for the observed asymmetries in radio sources.     

Photometric investigation of the evolved contact binary system DN Aur

We present here the photometric light curve analyses of the eclipsing binary star DN Aur. The CCD photometry, performed at the Behlen observatory using the 0.76 m automated telescope gave 646 individual data points inV andR bandpass filters. From this data we have determined a new epoch and an orbital period of 0.6168891 days. The published spectral classification is F3.The Wilson-Devinney model was used to derive the photometric solutions. DN Aur is a W UMa type contact binary system. The mass ratio, (q=m ₂/m ₁0.210, where star 2 is eclipsed at the primary minimum) suggests that the system has A-type configuration. The computed light curve has a third light of about 22 percent and a total eclipse in the secondary minimum. A solution with a cool spot on the secondary component is also found. We recommend spectroscopic study of DN Aur even though the light curve analysis show it to be a single line spectroscopic system. Generally contact systems of spectral type F3 have periods ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 days. The longer period of DN Aur suggests that it is an evolved contact system with case A mass transfer.     

Photoelectric photometry of the eclipsing binary WX Cancri

We obtained 672 observed points in yellow and 674 in blue in our photoelectric light curve of the Algol-type binary WX Cnc and we give 2 each of the times of primary and secondary minima. Using the Russell-Merrill method, we derived four mutually consistent sets of orbital elements, and determined the spectral type to be F6V for the combined system, and F5V and F8V for the primary and secondary components, separately. We found WX Cnc to be a detached system of two main sequence stars.