Photometric study of eclipsing binaries in the Large Magellanic Cloud——I.W UMa type binaries in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Eclipsing binaries are among the most important sources of information on stellar parameters like radii,masses,luminosities,etc.We present the analysis of six W UMa systems discovered in the Large Magellanic Cloud using the Wilson-Devinney method.     

Photometric study of W UMa type binaries in the intermediate open cluster NGC 7789

The light curve solutions of two W UMa binary systems in the intermediate open cluster NGC 7789 are presented in this paper. These variables were observed using the 2 m telescope of the IUCAA-Girawali Observatory. The V passband photo-metric solutions of the two W UMa binaries were obtained using the latest version of the W–D program. The result shows that both systems are H-subtype W UMa binaries with high mass ratios.     

Photometric study of the W UMa eclipsing binaries VW LMi and BX Dra

New ephemeris and the absolute parameters—masses, radii and luminosities—of the contact systems VW LMi and BX Dra have been obtained, by means of the analysis of the minima data available in the literature (for the determination of the ephemeris) and combining the previously published spectroscopic information and the results of the Wilson-Devinney method using photometric data (for the determination of the absolute parameters). The VW LMi O−C analysis confirms the multiplicity of the system detected previously from the spectroscopic data. Masses of the VW LMi contact system primary and secondary components are 1.67 ± 0.02M _⊙ and 0.70 ± 0.02M _⊙, respectively. The corresponding radii are 1.709 ± 0.007R _⊙ and 1.208 ± 0.006R _⊙, respectively. For the BX Dra contact system the masses are 2.19 ± 0.13M _⊙ and 0.63 ± 0.06M _⊙, and the radii, 2.13 ± 0.04R _⊙ and 1.26 ± 0.03R _⊙, for the primary and secondary, respectively. In both cases, the estimated luminosities seem to be slightly greater that the values derived from the Hipparcos distances.     

Photometric study of an eclipsing binary in the field of M37

CCD photometric observations with B and V passbands were performed on the contact binary V3 in the field of open cluster M37. The solutions were obtained for data from both B and V passbands along with R passband given by Hartman et al.using the Wilson-Devinney code. The positive O'Connell effect was observed in all the three passbands and its associated cool spot parameters were derived. The results indicate that the spot parameters have not shown any significant variability during the last four years. The spot radius was found to be 40and located close to the equator of the secondary component. The absolute parameters of the system were derived using the empirical relations given by Gazeas et al.     

A Photometric Study of the W UMa-Type Contact Binary RZ Corn

We present results of CCD photometric observations of the short-period W UMatype contact binary system, RZ Com. The light curve of the binary has changed from Wsubtype to A-subtype from 1998 to 2003, then back to W-subtype in 2004. An analysis was carried out using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney code. It is confirmed that RZ Com is a low-degree, overcontact f = 20.1% (±7.4%) binary system with a high inclination of i = 81.°40 (±0.°40), and a mass ratio q = 2.351 (±0.031). Combining four newly determined times of light minimum with others in the literature, the variations in orbital period is examined. A small-amplitude oscillation (A=0.0065d), with a period of 41.5 year, is discovered superimposed on a long-term increase at rate dP/dt = +3.97×10-8d yr-1. The period oscillation can be explained either by the light-time effect due to the presence of an unseen third body, or by cycles of magnetic activity on the components. Combining our photometric solution with the spectroscopic elements obtained by Mclean & Hilditch, the absolute dimensions of RZ Com are: M1 = 1.14 (+0.19)Mo, M2 = 0.50 (-4-0.09)Mo, R1= 1.12 (±0.01)R⊙, R2 = 0.78 (±0.01)R⊙ and A = 2.41 (±0.02)R⊙.     

Photometric analysis of 8 newly discovered short-period eclipsing binaries at Astronomical Observatory at Kolonica Saddle

We present photometric analysis of 8 short-period eclipsing binaries discovered and observed at Astronomical Observatory at Kolonica Saddle between 2007 and 2010 with different instruments. We determined their orbital periods and performed photometric analysis of their light curves. We found that 3 systems are detached binaries, 4 systems are over-contact binaries of W UMa type and one system is semi-detached with the secondary component filling its Roche lobe. Light curves of 2 systems exhibit asymmetries, explained by spot(s) on the surface of the components.     

Photometric study of the light curve of the neglected eclipsing binary FU Ara

The unique (1954–1956) photoelectric B and V light curves of the EB‐type eclipsing variable FU Ara are here analyzed. The Wilson‐Devinney Differential Correction program was used and the analysis of the results shows that the best fit was obtained at photometric mass ratio q = 0.399 and inclination i = 83°, the primary minimum shows a transit. The star is a semi‐detached system with the secondary that accurately fills its limiting lobe. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The MOA catalogue of eclipsing binary stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud

We present a catalogue of 167 eclipsing binary stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) derived from the data base of time-series photometry for 400 000 SMC stars acquired by the Microlensing Observations in Astrophysics (MOA) project during 1997. We print coordinates, ephemerides, magnitudes and light curves for the 35 new detections; similar data and finding charts are available electronically for the whole catalogue. The majority of periods lie within the range 0.4 to 20 d; six systems are possibly eccentric while 14 are probably or certainly so. The majority of the newly identified systems lie in the outer regions of the SMC.     

Photometric solution of the eclipsing binary system EF Boötis

The EF Boo eclipsing binary system is studied in the context of optical light curves and radial velocity curves published in the literature. The best‐solution leads to an over‐contact configuration of W–subclass of WUMa systems with a fill‐out factor of 28%. Absolute parameters based on simultaneous solution of light and radial velocity curves are presented. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

A photometric study of an EW-type binary system： GV Leo

A photometric study of a contact binary system, GV Leo is presented. New observations were done using the B VR filter bands. We find that a revised orbital period is 0.26673171 d and the orbital period of this system is decreasing at a rate of dP/ dt = -4.95 × 10-7 d yr-1. The photometric solutions are fairly well fitted at a mass ratio of q = 0.1879, with a fillout factor of f = 17.74%. The results indicate that there exists mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one at a rate of relative mass exchange, 6zl/m = -1.09× 10-7 yr-1. It is possible that this weak- contact system, that shows a decreasing orbital period, may undergo contraction of the inner and outer critical Roche lobes and evolve into a deep-contact binary.     

Spectroscopic orbits of eclipsing binaries: WX Cancri

We have determined for the first time a spectroscopic orbit for WX Cnc. The orbital elements are V₀ = +9.8 km/s, k₁ = 110.2 km/s, K₂ = 149.0 km/s, T_o = HJD 2446 480.0309. After combining with the published photometric results, we derive the the following absolute parameters: A = 6.32R, R₁ = 1.53R, R₂=1.18R, M₁ = 1.29 M, M₂ = 0.96M. The spectroscopic mass-ratio is q = 0.74.     

Light curve solutions for eclipsing binaries in NGC 188

We present light curve solutions for the W UMa-type eclipsing binaries EP, EQ, ER, ES, and V369 Cep in the old open cluster NGC 188. Using light curve solution parameters combined with reasonable mass estimates, we determine the distance modulusV-M _vof the cluster. Our aim is to examine if current uncertainties in the cluster's distance and age can be resolved. Three binaries yield distance moduli close to 10 _. ^m 80 (±0 _. ^m 08), two others give values around 11 _. ^m 40(±0 _. ^m 09). Depending on the amount of reddening, we find a weighted mean distance modulus for all five binaries between 11 _. ^m 01 and 11 _. ^m 05 (±0 _. ^m 06), which lends modest support for the lower distance (1.65 kpc) and older age (10 Gyr) of the cluster.Participants in the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program at Florida International University, sponsored by the National Science Foundation.     

Eclipsing binaries in the MOST satellite fields

Sixteen new eclipsing binaries have been discovered by the MOST satellite among guide stars used to point its telescope in various fields. Several previously known eclipsing binaries were also observed by MOST with unprecedented quality. Among the objects we discuss in more detail are short‐period eclipsing binaries with eccentric orbits in young open clusters: V578 Mon in NGC 2244 and HD 47934 in NGC 2264. Long nearly‐continuous photometric runs made it possible to discover three long‐period eclipsing binaries with orbits seen almost edge‐on: HD 45972 with P = 28.1 days and two systems (GSC 154 1247 and GSC 2141 526) with P > 25 days. The high precision of the satellite data led to discoveries of binaries with very shallow eclipses (e.g., HD 46180 with A = 0.016 mag, and HD 47934 with A = 0.025 mag). Ground‐based spectroscopy to support the space‐based photometry was used to refine the models of several of the systems (© 2010 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

CCD photometry of variable stars in the Magellanic Clouds — VI. The eclipsing binary HV 982 in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Using improved techniques, high-quality CCD uvbyVI photometry has been obtained for the eclipsing binary HV 982 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). International Ultraviolet Explorer ultraviolet spectrophotometry was also obtained. These data have been analysed using the Wilson–Devinney synthetic light-curve code and Kurucz low-metallicity model atmospheres as well as the EBOP code. The system is detached and the orbit is eccentric. Apsidal motion is detected with apsidal period 205 ± 7 yr. The effective temperatures of the components are found via flux fitting to be T _eff,1 = 28 000 ± 5000 K and T _eff,2 = 27 200 ± 5000 K. The large errors result from uncertainties over the appropriate interstellar extinction correction. The system plausibly comprises two ∼ 8 M stars of radius 6–7 R separated by ∼ 30 R. For pedagogical and historical interest, the near simultaneity of the eclipse minima at different wavelengths is used to constrain the constancy of the speed of light with wavelength and the mass of the photon, yielding m _γ < 10⁻⁴¹ kg. Because of the great distance to HV 982, this limit is some 10² times smaller than previously achieved with eclipse timings, but it is nevertheless 10 orders of magnitude less stringent than that which is provided by satellite measurements of planetary magnetic fields.