Fourier analysis of the light changes of four Algol-type eclipsing variables

The aim of the present paper is to present the analysis of the light curves of four totally-eclipsing systems (BM Ori, VW Cyg, TW Dra, and RW Mon), using the automated Fourier techniques in the frequency-domain, developed recently by Kopal and his school at Manchester University.New Physical and geometrical elements for the above systems are derived.     

黑洞的搜寻和证认(II):脉冲星-黑洞(PSR-BH)双星系统的研究和搜寻

综述了脉冲星-黑洞（PSR－BH）系统的诞生率理论并指出近期发现该系统的可能性。通过综述和分析脉冲星-中子星（PSR－NS）系统的观测特性,特别是脉冲星精确守时性对精确确定双星轨道参量和验证引力理论的重要意义,推测了PSR－BH系统的可能性质,指出发现PSR-BH系统对黑洞的搜寻和最终证认的重要意义。最后简介目前搜寻PSR-BH系统的现状和我们搜寻短轨道周期脉冲双星的计划。     

Effects of Wind-Wind Collision in Close Binary Stars

Various observational appearences of the effects of wind-wind collision for binary stellar systems have been discovered recently in X-ray, UV, optical, IR and radio ranges. Recent 3D gas-dynamic simulations of the wind-wind collision regions in WR+O, O+O and symbiotic binary systems allow to understand the physics of wind-wind collision effects, provide interpretation of observational data and constrain basic parameters of winds as well as those of binary systems. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Relationship of groups of submillimeter starless condensations to radial systems of dark globules

The recently discovered groups of submillimeter starless condensations at the junction of HII regions and molecular clouds, which are invisible in the optical and near IR ranges, are similar in many ways to visible radial systems of dark globules, specifically, in their densities of molecular hydrogen, sizes, proximity to bright stars of early classes (which may be responsible for their formation), etc. It is proposed that the groups of submm starless condensations are radial systems of dark globules that are optically invisible because they lie behind dark clouds. Thus, it is shown that these groups of condensations are not a new type of object.     

A photometric study of two recently discovered,contact binaries-II: UCAC4 479-113658 and UCAC4 479-113711

In a previous paper, we have presented photometric studies of four recently discovered contact binaries (Djurašević, et al., 2016; hereafter Paper I) that were observed by the 1.88 m telescope of the Kottamia Astronomical Observatory (KAO) in Egypt. In this paper we continue studying two more recently discovered, by some of us, contact binaries UCAC4 479-113658 and UCAC4 479-113711, and analyze their light curves to determine orbital and physical parameters using the modeling program of G. Djurašević as in Paper I. The analysis shows that the two systems are W UMa contact binaries of late type main-sequence stars with a bright spot on the secondary less massive cool star of the first system; and spot on each component of the later system. We also conclude that both systems are most likely to be of the A-type class.     

Undamped oscillations of collisionless stellar systems: Spheres,spheroids and discs

The collisionless Boltzmann equation governing self-gravitating systems such as galaxies has recently been shown to admit exact oscillating solutions with planar and spherical symmetry. The relation of the spherically symmetric solutions to the Virial theorem, as well as generalizations to non-uniform spheres, uniform spheroids and discs form the subject of this paper. These models generalize known families of static solutions. The case of the spheroid is worked out in some detail. Quasiperiodic as well as chaotic time variation of the two axes is demonstrated by studying the surface of section for the associated Hamiltonian system with two degrees of freedom. The relation to earlier work and possible implications for the general problem of collisionless relaxation in self gravitating systems are also discussed     

Magnetic activity and dynamics of close binaries

The connection between orbital period modulation and magnetic activity in close binaries is reviewed with an emphasis on the comparison between observational data for RS CVn systems and recently proposed theoretical models. The orbital period changes occurring on timescales of the order of a few decades can be accounted for by means of a standing torsional Alfven wave in the convection zone of the magnetically active components of such systems. Two resonant excitation mechanisms based on the coupling between the wave and an αΩ dynamo are discussed from a qualitative point of view. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Infrared Observations of High-Mass X-Ray Binaries

We present the first results of our ISO program on High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs). Infrared photometry, obtained at different aspect angles of the systems, is used to investigate the massive star's disrupted stellar wind and the accretion flow towards the compact X-ray source. Scenarios for massive binary evolution predict that HMXBs receive a large kick velocity during the supernova explosion of the compact star's progenitor. One might, therefore, expect to observe wind bow shocks around these systems such as observed around many OB-runaway stars. Such a wind bow shock has recently been discovered around the system Vela X-1. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The GSU/CHARA program of binary star

A new catalog of speckle interferometric measurements of binary stars has recently been compiled; some statistics of the catalog are presented. Capabilities of the technique of speckle interferometry are demonstrated by new orbital elements of four binary star systems.     

Self-similar solutions in the theory of flare-ups in novae,I

The aim of this paper will be to present the geometrical elements of a group of totally-eclipsing close binary systems of W UMa-type, evaluated in the frequency-domain by a method developed recently by one of us (Kopal, 1982a, b) which takes account of photometric effects caused by mutual distortion of the components within eclipses. The outcome discloses that the geometry of such systems conforms more closely to that of a pair of contact configurations of the respective mass-ratio than that previously deduced from the same photometric evidence by more elementary methods; and strengthens our earlier surmise (Kopal, 1955) that the components of such systems are not actually separated from each other by any significant gap.     

The first gravitational-wave burst GW150914, as predicted by the scenario machine

The Advanced LIGO observatory recently reported (Abbott et al., 2016a) the first direct detection of gravitational waves predicted by Einstein (1916). The detection of this event was predicted in 1997 on the basis of the Scenario Machine population synthesis calculations (Lipunov et al., 1997b) Now we discuss the parameters of binary black holes and event rates predicted by different scenarios of binary evolution. We give a simple explanation of the big difference between detected black hole masses and the mean black hole masses observed in of X-ray Nova systems. The proximity of the masses of the components of GW150914 is in good agreement with the observed initial mass ratio distribution in massive binary systems, as is used in Scenario Machine calculations for massive binaries.     

Formation of planetary and satellite systems

A solar nebula-type theory recently published by the author can explain much more about our planetary system and the satellite systems than all other theories known to date. Here only a few additional and relatively simple aspects are pointed out, especially the formation of the Moon and of the Martian satellites.     

Stability in the Full Two-Body Problem

Stability conditions are established in the problem of two gravitationally interacting rigid bodies, designated here as the full two-body problem. The stability conditions are derived using basic principles from the N-body problem which can be carried over to the full two-body problem. Sufficient conditions for Hill stability and instability, and for stability against impact are derived. The analysis is applicable to binary small-body systems such as have been found recently for asteroids and Kuiper belt objects.     

Precession and nutation in close binary ststems

The precession of the orbital plane in a close binary system can provide an important observational tool for investigating dynamical properties of the components. Tidal evolution will always tend to align the rotation axes perpendicular to the orbital plane, thereby eliminating precession. It is pointed out, however, that if observations indicate the existence of a circular orbit and synchronous rotation of the components-which is the outcome of tidal evolution-then precession may still be present, provided the interior of one of the components is, or recently has been, radiative, and is not strongly coupled to the surface layers (where tidal dissipation is greatest). The equations governing precession and nutation are derived in a concise form, and applied to the numerical study of two binary systems. The observational effects are also discussed. Finally, it is pointed out that precession may be present in a subclass of the X-ray binary systems, and its observational significance is briefly discussed.     

Partial averaging near a resonance in planetary dynamics

An analytical treatment of the evolutionary dynamics of a three-body planetary system subject to dynamical friction with an interplanetary medium is presented. The analysis presented here is in connection with the results of numerical integrations of such systems recently published by Haghighipour. Using the method of partial averaging near a resonance, the dynamics of a restricted, circular, planar three-body system, with the inner body more massive, is studied and the time variation of quantities such as the orbital angular momentum and the eccentricity of the outer planet, which were previously obtained from numerical integrations, is analytically verified.     

Superhumps: confronting theory with observation

We review the theory and observations related to the 'superhump' precession of eccentric accretion discs in close binary systems. We agree with earlier work, although for different reasons, that the discrepancy between observation and dynamical theory implies that the effect of pressure in the disc cannot be neglected. We extend earlier work that investigates this effect to include the correct expression for the radius at which resonant orbits occur. Using analytic expressions for the accretion disc structure, we derive a relationship between the period excess and mass ratio with the pressure effects included. This is compared to the observed data, recently derived results for detailed integration of the disc equations and the equivalent empirically derived relations and used to predict values for the mass ratio based on measured values of the period excess for 88 systems.     

First Post-Newtonian Angular Momentum In Relativistic Celestial Mechanics

With a new theory on the 1PN celestial mechanics recently developed by Damour, Soffel and Xu (1991,1992,1993,1994), definitions and expressions of the 1PN spin angular momentum are investigated and analysed. The total spin angular momentum of a system of extended bodies such as the solar system is calculated and expressed as the function of local parameters and observables under reasonable assumptions, which would find its application in the evolution and dynamics of systems of celestial bodies. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Force-free pulsar magnetospheres

The equations to the steady, axisymmetric, charged pulsar magnetosphere given recently by Michel (1973a, b) and Scharlemann and Wagoner (1972, preprint) are generalized to non-axisymmetric systems that are steady in the frame rotating with the pulsar. It is shown that in all nonsingular models with cylindrical (but not axial) symmetry, and with a non-zero magnetic field component parallel to the axis, the magnetic field lines emanating from the pulsar are all trapped within the light-cylinder, so that there is no net electromagnetic energy flow across the light cylinder.     

The substructure of the local group

The subclustering within the Local Group is studied by means of the recently developed treediagram technique, enabling one to establish substructures of different boundness. Thirty-two galaxies from 39 listed are shown to form an interacting system which includes Milky Way and M31 giant spirals; we define the Local Group as that interacting system only. Second-level boundness indicates two clear subsystems, influenced by Milky Way and that of M31. The search of systems bound stronger, specifies several pair galaxies of similar morphology.