The mass-ratio distribution of spectroscopic binary stars

In order to determine the mass-ratio distribution of spectroscopic binary stars, the selection effects that govern the observations of this class of binary systems are investigated. The selection effects are modelled numerically and analytically. The results of the models are compared to the data inThe Eighth Catalogue of the Orbital Elements of Spectroscopic Binary Stars (DAO8) compiled by Battenet al. (1989). The investigations involve binary systems with Main-Sequence primary components only, in order to avoid confusion of evolutionary and selection effects.For single-lined spectroscopic binaries (SBI) it is found that the mass ratios (q=M _sec/M _prim) in general adhere to a distribution _q q ^-2 forq>q ₀, withq ₀=0.3. The observations are consistent with a distribution that is flat forq<q ₀. The turn-over value varies fromq ₀=0.3 for systems with B-type primaries, toq ₀=0.55 for systems with K-type primaries. The semi-major axesa ₁ are distributed according to _a (a ₁)a ₁ ^-a with an average value of _a =1.3. The power varies from _a =1.7 for systems with B-type primaries to _a =0 for systems with K-type primaries. The eccentricitiese of the orbits of SBI systems are distributed according to _e (e)e ^-1.For double-lined spectroscopic binary stars (SBII) it is found that the shape of theq-distribution, as derived from observations, is almost entirely determined by selection effects. It is shown that the distribution is compatible with theq-distribution found for SBI systems. A sub-sample, consisting of the SBII systems from DAO8 with magnitudesm _V 5 ^m , is less hampered by selection effects, and shows the same shape of theq-distribution as the SBI systems, at theq-interval (0.67, 1).It is estimated that 19–45% of the stars in the solar neighbourhood are spectroscopic binary systems.     

Velocity curve analysis of the spectroscopic binary stars PV Pup,HD 141929, EE Cet and V921 Her by nonlinear regression

We use the method introduced by Karami & Mohebi (2007), and Karami & Teimoorinia (2007) which enable us to derive the orbital parameters of the spectroscopic binary stars by the nonlinear least squares of observed vs. curve fitting (o-c). Using the measured experimental data for radial velocities of the four double-lined spectroscopic binary systems PV Pup, HD 141929, EE Cet and V921 Her, we find both the orbital and the combined spectroscopic elements of these systems. Our numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained using the method of Lehmann-Filhés.     

Radial velocity measurements of the chromospherically-active stars (II)

From two sets of the spectroscopic observations covering a ten year period we have obtained 59 radial velocities of the chromospherically-active star HD 28591 = V492 Per. It is a G9III single-lined spectroscopic binary with a period of 21.2910 days and a circular orbit. Thev sini of 24.6 km s^–1, results in a minimum radius 10.3R . We estimate a distance of 165 ± 40 pc and an orbital inclination of 65 ± 25 degrees. The secondary is probably a mid to late-type K dwarf. The star is brighter than the limiting magnitude of theBright Star Catalogue. The mean photometric and the orbital periods are identical within their uncertainties. Since the star fills a significant fraction of its Roche lobe, about 62%, the photometric light curve may be the result of starspots and a modest ellipticity effect.Visiting astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, NOAO, operated by AURA, Inc., under contract with the NSF     

Spectroscopic Analysis of the Eclipsing Binary α CrB

The eclipsing binary α CrB, is a well-known double-lined spectroscopic binary. The system is considered unique among main-sequence systems with respect to its small mass ratio and large magnitude difference between the components. Our aim in the present paper is to compute the orbital parameters and to model the atmospheric parameters of the system. Synthetic spectral analysis of both the individual and disentangled spectra has been performed and yielded effective temperatures T _eff?=?10000±250 K, surface gravities logg?=?4±0.25 and projected rotational velocities $\emph{v}$ sini?=?110±5 km/sec for the primary component, and T _eff?=?6000±250 K and logg?=?4.5±0.25 for the secondary component. Evolutionary state of the system is investigated using stellar models.     

Velocity curve analysis of the spectroscopic binary stars V2082 Cyg,V918 Her,BW Dra,V2357 Oph,YZ Cas and V380 Cygni by the Artificial Neural Networks

We use an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to derive the orbital parameters of spectroscopic binary stars. Using measured radial velocity data of six double-lined spectroscopic binary systems V2082 Cyg, V918 Her, BW Dra, V2357 Oph, YZ Cas and V380 Cygni, we find corresponding orbital and spectroscopic elements. Our numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained by others using more traditional methods.     

54 Cam: A new variable star

Differential photometry of the RS CVn-type binary 54 Cam in 1978, 1979, and 1980 shows its light to be variable with a period of 10 _. ^d 163±0 _. ^d 009 and an amplitude inV (max. to min.) which increased from 0 _. ^m 03 to 0 _. ^m 06 between 1979.19 and 1980.82. An epoch of light minimum was JD 2444529.7. The 9% difference betweenP(phtm.)=10 _. ^d 163 andP(orb.)=11 _. ^d 0764,a much larger difference than is characteristic of other RS CVn binaries, is suggested as an explanation for the radio emission.Guest Investigator, Kitt Peak National Observatory,which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, under contract with the National Science Foundation.Of the AAVSO.     

Integration theory for the restricted problem of three axisymmetric bodies

In this paper the circular planar restricted problem of three axisymmetric ellipsoids S _i (i = 1, 2, 3), such that their equatorial planes coincide with the orbital plane of the three centres of masses, be considered. The equations of motion of infinitesimal body S ₃ be obtained in the polar coordinates. Using iteration approach we have given an approximation for another integral, which independent of the Jacobian integral, in the case of P-type orbits (near circular orbits surrounding both primaries).     

HD 52721 - A close binary system among the Ae/Be Herbig stars

Photometric and high resolution spectroscopic data for the Herbig star HD 52721 obtained from October 2009 through October 2010 are presented. We confirm the cyclical character of the photometric variability of HD 52721 discovered previously by others. The variability shows up as minima in the light curve of this star which repeat with a period P = 0^d.805 and are typical of eclipsing binary systems. ASAS data covering an observation period from September 2003 through December 2009 show that two neighboring photometric minima differ from one another, and the actual orbital period of the system must be twice as high (P = 1^d.610). This is confirmed by the spectroscopic data. These show that the center of gravity of the emission Hα line and the profile of the HeI 6678 line with a distinct, bright circumstellar component have a clear correlation with a period of 1^d.610. To all appearances, HD 52721 is a close binary system consisting of two class B2 stars with quite similar parameters. We propose that the observed cyclical variations in the circumstellar parameters may be related to the existence of a global azimuthal inhomogeneity within the shell which rotates synchronously with the orbital motion of the system components.     

Statistical properties of spectroscopic binary stars

As part of a study of the mass-ratio distribution of spectroscopic binary stars, the statistical properties of the systems in theEighth Catalogue of the Orbital Elements of Spectroscopic Binary Stars, compiled by Battenet al. (1989), are investigated.Histograms are presented of the distributions of various parameters of the systems in the catalogue as a whole, and compared to those of the previous edition.Histograms of binaries of various spectral types are presented. It is noted that the early-type binaries in the catalogue have on average higher radial-velocity amplitudes, shorter periods, and smaller semi-major axes than late-type binaries. Late-type binaries have relatively more eccentric orbits. Whether the differences noticed between the early- and late-type binaries have any significance with respect to the population of binary stars in the Galaxy is not clear, because it is very hard to assess the extent to which the catalogue is a statistically representative and complete sample.The distribution of semi-major axesa ₁ sini varies considerably among different subsamples.The mass-ratio distribution of single-lined spectroscopic binaries is, for all (sub-)samples, characterized by a decrease in the number of systems according to a power law asq1, forq=M _sec/M _prim>0.25.The mass-ratio distribution of double-lined spectroscopic binaries (SBII) is, for all (sub-)samples but one, characterized by an increase in numbers according to a power law, asq1. The exception to this general behaviour is the sample of SBII systems with magnitudesm5 ^m , which has its maximum atq0.65.The distributions are presented as they are, without corrections for selection effects.     

Radial velocity measurements of the chromospherically-active stars. i. BD + 25°2511

This paper is the first of a series on radial velocities measures of the chromospherically-active and suspected stars. The chromospherically-active star BD + 25°2511 = HZ Com is found to be double-lined spectroscopic binary with an orbital period of3.558317 days and an eccentricity of0.013 ± 0.006. The orbital period does not differ substantially from the previously determined photometric period. If the photometric period is correct, this system is rotating synchronously and imposes important constraints on theories of synchronization and circularization of binary systems.     

Orbital period investigations of two short-period early-type overcontact binaries BH Cen and V701 Sco in two extremely young galactic clusters IC 2944 and NGC 6383

Both V701 Sco and BH Cen are two early-type short-period overcontact systems (P = 0.^d762 and P = 0.^d792, respectively). V701 Sco is a member of the young galactic cluster NGC 6383, while BH Cen is a component of a younger galactic cluster IC 2944 where star formation is in process. They provide good opportunity to understand the formation and evolution of binary stars. In the present paper, orbital period changes of the two binaries are investigated. It is discovered that the orbital period of BH Cen shows a long-term increase with a rate of dP/dt = +1.70(±0.39) × 10⁻⁷ days/year while it undergoes a cyclic oscillation with a period of 44.6 years and an amplitude of A₃ = 0.^d0216. For V701 Sco, its O-C curve reveals a periodic change with a period of 41.2 years and amplitude of A₃ = 0.^d0158. The mass ratio of BH Cen is 0.84, but V701 Sco contains twin B1-1.5V type stars with a mass ratio of unit. The continuous period increase of BH Cen is caused by the mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one at a rate of dM₂/dt = 3.5 × 10⁻⁶ days/year.The cyclic period changes of both systems can be plausibly explained as the results of light-travel time effects suggesting that they are triple systems. The astrophysical parameters of the unseen tertiary components in the two systems have been determined. We think that the invisible tertiary components in both binaries played an important role in the formations and evolutions of the overcontact configurations by bringing angular momentum out from the central systems. For BH Cen, this process created the initial short period and will support its evolution into an overcontact configuration via a Case A mass transfer within the life time of the extremely young cluster IC 2944. For V701 Sco, two identical zero-age main-sequence components in an overcontact configuration suggest that it may have been formed by fission, possibly by the fission of the third body. The fact that no long-term continuous period variations were found for V701 Sco may suggest that an overcontact binary with the mass ratio of unity can be in an equilibrium revealing that the original configuration of the binary was overcontact as is its present state. It has been reported that faint stars in the two extremely young clusters are relatively scare. From the present study, it is shown that faint stars in young clusters are usually formed as companions of OB stars (including binaries). It is very difficult to detect them because of their low luminosity when compared with the more luminous OB stars.     

Analysis of the optical emission of the young precataclysmic variables HS 1857+5144 and ABELL 65

We analyze the physical state and the properties of the close binary systems HS 1857+5144 and Abell 65. We took the spectra of both systems over a wide range of orbital phases with the 6-m telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SAO RAS) and obtained their multicolor light curves with the RTT150 and Zeiss-1000 telescopes of the SAO RAS. We demonstrate that both Abell 65 and HS 1857+5144 are young precataclysmic variables (PV) with orbital periods of P _orb = 1. ^d 003729 and P _orb = 0. ^d 26633331, respectively. The observed brightness and spectral variations during the orbital period are due to the radiation of the cold component, which absorbs the short-wave radiation of the hot component and reemits it in the visual part of the spectrum. A joint analysis of the brightness and radial velocity curves allowed us to find the possible and optimum sets of their fundamental parameters. We found the luminosity excesses of the secondary components of HS 1857+5144 and Abell 65 with respect to the corresponding Main Sequence stars to be typical for such objects. The excess luminosities of the secondary components of all young PVs are indicative of their faster relaxation rate towards the quiescent state compared to the rates estimated in earlier studies.     

Photoelectric and visual observations of AM Cas

According to statistical informations the orbital period of this cataclysmic binary of Z Camelopardalis type should be in the range between 0^d.10 and 0^d.19. A sole deep minimum was found photoelectrically. It lasted about 40 minutes and had an amplitude of nearly 2 mag in U. For reasons described in detail it can hardly be interpreted as an eclipsing one. Possibly there is no contribution to the light variation of AM Cas from orbital motion.     

HR 7275: A new variable star

Differential photometry of the KI IV-III RS CVn-type binary HR 7275 in 1978, 1979, and 1980 at nine different observatories shows it definitely to be variable, thus confirming the suspicion of Herbst. The photometric period determined two ways was 27 _. ^d 91 or 27 _. ^d 65, thus about 3% shorter than the spectroscopically determined orbital period of 28 _. ^d 59. The total variation observed during the three years was 0 _. ^m 22 in theV. The light curve was always asymmetrical, with a stillstand on the rising branch in 1978 but on the falling branch in 1980.Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, under contract with the National Science Foundation.Of the AAVSO.     

The Cepheid impostor HD 18391 and its anonymous parent cluster

New and existing photometry for the G0 Ia supergiant HD 18391 is analyzed in order to confirm the nature of the variability previously detected in the star, which lies off the hot edge of the Cepheid instability strip. Small‐amplitude variability at a level of δV = 0.016 ± 0.002 is indicated, with a period of P = 123^d.04 ± 0^d.06. A weaker second signal may be present at P = 177^d.84 ± 0^d.18 with δV = 0.007 ± 0.002, likely corresponding to fundamental mode pulsation if the primary signal represents overtone pulsation (123.04/177.84 = 0.69). The star, with a spectroscopic reddening of E_B–V = 1.02 ± 0.003, is associated with heavily‐reddened B‐type stars in its immediate vicinity that appear to be outlying members of an anonymous young cluster centered ∼10′ to the west and 1661 ± 73 pc distant. The cluster has nuclear and coronal radii of r_n = 3.5′ and R_c = 14′, respectively, while the parameters for HD 18391 derived from membership in the cluster with its outlying B stars are consistent with those implied by its Cepheid‐like pulsation, provided that it follows the semi‐period‐luminosity relation expected of such objects. Its inferred luminosity as a cluster member is M_V = –7.76 ± 0.10, its age (9 ± 1) × 10⁶ years, and its evolutionary mass ∼19 M_⊙. HD 18391 is not a classical Cepheid, yet it follows the Cepheid period‐luminosity relation closely, much like another Cepheid impostor, V810 Cen (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Preliminary results on the fundamental parameters of the eclipsing binary V398 Lacertae

The Hipparcos Space Astrometry Mission photometric observations of V398 Lac, led to the discovery of its variability, allowing to classify it as an eclipsing binary with an orbital period of about 5.4 days. This prompted us to acquire highresolution échelle spectra with the aim of performing accurate radial velocity measurements and to determine the main physical parameters of the system's components. We present, for the first time, a double‐lined radial velocity curve and determine the orbital and physical parameters of the two components, that can be classified both as late B‐type stars. In particular, we obtained an orbital inclination i ∼ 85°. With this value of the inclination, we deduced masses M₁ = 3.83±0.35 M_⊙ andM₂ = 3.29±0.32 M_⊙, and radii R₁ = 4.89±0.18 R_⊙ and R₂ = 2.45±0.11 R_⊙ for the more massive and less massive components, respectively. Both components are well inside their own Roche lobes. The mass ratio is M₂/M₁ ∼ 0.86. We derived also the projected rotational velocities as v₁ sin i = 79±2 km s^–1 and v² sin i = 19±2 km s^–1. Our measurements indicate that the rotation of the primary star is essentially pseudo‐synchronized with the orbital velocity at the periastron, while the secondary appears to rotate very slowly and has not yet attained synchronization. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photometry of the contact binary system V471 Cas

UBV photoelectric observations of the W UMa-type binary V471 Cas were made from September to November 1984. Its colour indices were found to be(B-V)=0 _. ^m 771±0 _. ^m 02 and(U-B)=0 _. ^m 196±0 _. ^m 02. TheU, B, andV light curves of V471 Cas show some photometric fluctuations. We found that its orbital period is not 0.335998 days which was given by GCVS (1986), but 0.405356 days.Photometric orbital elements of V471 Cas were found using the Wilson-Devinney method. V471 Cas is a contact system, in which the overcontact factor is 0.19, its mass ratio of two components is 0.5947, and orbital minclination is in 83.29 degrees.     

A period investigation of two chromospherically active binary stars: RT Coronae Borealis and PW Herculis

Orbital period variations of two chromospherically active binary systems, RT CrB and PW Her, are presented. It is shown that the orbital period of RT CrB undergoes a cyclic oscillation with a period of 53.9 years. For PW Her, an alternate change, with a period of 42.7 years, is found to superimpose on a rapid secular increase (dP/dt=+3.53×10⁻⁶ days/year). If the period oscillations of those two systems are caused by the light-time effect of a third body, the analysis for RT CrB indicates that the third body would be a low-mass main-sequence star, while, for PW Her, the mass of the third body should be no less than 7.8 M_⊙. Since no spectral lines of the third body were seen in PW Her from the spectroscopic study by Popper [AJ 100 (1990) 247], if there is a third body in the system, it can only be a black hole. However, as both components in the two binary stars were showing strong chromospheric activity, the alternate period variations are more plausibly explained as the result of magnetic activity cycles. No secular period changes of RT CrB are found, which is in agreement with the detached evolved configuration of the system. The long-term period increase of PW Her may indicate that it is on an active phase of mass transfer (dm/dt=2.17×10⁻⁶ M_⊙/year).     

V792 Her=HD 155638: A totally eclipsing RS CVn binary

Photometry of HD 155638=V792 Her has been analyzed to determine the elements of this totally eclipsing RS CVn binary. The light variation outside eclipse was found to have a period of 27^d.07±0^d.07, which is slightly different from the 27^d.5384±0^d.0045 orbital period. Analysis of the eclipses was achieved by a modification of the Russell-Merrill technique. With the aid of radial velocity measures, absolute elements were obtained for the hot and cool stars, respectively;R _h=2.58R ,R _c=12.28R ,M _h=1.40M ,M _c=1.46M ,i=80^o.61 and velocity semi-amplitudesK _c=48.36 km s^–1±0.79 km s^–1, andK _h=50.50 km s^–1±0.33 km s^–1. The apparent magnitudes areV _h=9 ^m .73 andV _c=8 ^m .48. The distance to HD 155638 was estimated to be 310 parsecs.