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 and periodic investigations of W-type W UMa eclipsing binary BB Peg

In this study, photometry was conducted for the W UMa type eclipsing binary BB Peg through V and R Johnson filters during several nights in September and October 2016. The light curves were obtained at Dr. Mojtahedi Observatory, of the University of Birjand, Iran. Data reduction was performed using IRIS software. Orbital parameters were obtained by analyzing the light curves using PHOEBE software. The radial velocity information was then used to obtain the absolute parameters of the system. Some minimum light times were obtained forthe system and variations in the orbital period of BB Peg were analyzed by adding the new minimum light times to the O-C diagram to obtain a new ephemeris for the system. The period change appeared to be due to the light-time effect. A justifiable fit was obtained using the third and fourth stars. However, this fit was not confirmed and it may need revision when further data are obtained. The variation could be attributed to other sources, such as magnetic cycles or non-conservative mass transfer from the system.     

Ten CoRoT eclipsing binaries: Photometric solutions

Ten eclipsing binaries, identified in the scope of the CoRoT Space Mission, were selected for analysis. The photometric light curves were processed and analyzed, resulting in the first study of eclipsing binary candidates with their possible photometric solution, in the context of the above-mentioned Space Mission. The selected targets are detached and overcontact systems, for which we computed 2MASS temperatures, in addition to different physical parameters, including orbital period, orbit inclination angle, and temperatures, radius and luminosity ratios. This study reveals a large diversity of eclipsing binary systems obtained from the CoRoT data.     

Photometric analysis of two eclipsing binaries in the magellanic clouds

B, V andI light curves of the eclipsing binaries HV12634 in the LMV, and HV2208 in the SMC (cf. Westet al., 1992), have been analysed with the aid of optimal curve-fitting techniques. Parameter derivation involves a successive approximations procedure. The results of this are combined with a standard mass:luminosity relation to explore tentative absolute parameters. The combined evidence shows some disparity with standard MS-like models. It also demonstrates some relative insensitivity of photometric analysis, in isolation, to elucidate clear facts on such possibly atypical, remote, hot stars. Auxilliary spectroscopic data are required to resolve remaining ambiguities.     

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 investigation and orbital period analyses of the W UMa binaries FP Lyn,FV CVn and V354 UMa

New light curves and photometric solutions of FP Lyn, FV CVn and V354 UMa are presented.We found that these three systems are W-subtype shallow contact binaries. In addition, it is obvious that the light curves of FP Lyn and V354 UMa are asymmetric. Therefore, a hot spot was added on the primary star of FP Lyn and a dark spot was added on the secondary star of V354 UMa. At the same time, we added a third light to the photometric solution of FP Lyn for the final result. The obtained mass ratios and fill-out factors are q = 1.153 and f = 13.4% for FP Lyn, q = 1.075 and f = 4.6% for FV CVn, and q = 3.623 and f = 10.7% for V354 UMa respectively. The investigations of orbital period for these three systems indicate that the periods are variable. FP Lyn and V354 UMa were discovered to have secularly increasing components with rates of dp/dt = 4.19 × 10~(-7) d yr~(-1) and dp/dt = 7.70 × 10~(-7) d yr~(-1) respectively,which are feasibly caused by conservative mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive component. In addition, some variable components were discovered for FV CVn, including a rate of dp/dt =~(-1).13 × 10~(-6) d yr~(-1) accompanied by a cyclic oscillation with amplitude and period of 0.0069 d and 10.65 yr respectively. The most likely explanation for the long-term decrease is angular momentum loss.The existence of an additional star is the most plausible explanation for the periodic variation.     

A photometric study of the contact binaries V523 Cas and TY UMa

Broad-band V and I photometry of the short-period W UMa-type contact binaries V523 Cas and TY UMa are reported. From the light curves, the system parameters have been determined and evidence is presented for extensive spot activity in both systems, with V523 Cas being the more active system. A compilation of all the available photoelectric and CCD-based timings of eclipse minima is made; the O–C diagrams show evidence for an increasing period in the case of V523 Cas and a decreasing period in TY UMa. In addition we derive a more accurate astrometric position for V523 Cas from our CCD images.     

Photometric observations and interpretation of the eclipsing binary system XY UMa

Photometric observations of eclipsing binary star XY UMa have been presented. The light curve analysis have been carried out on two colours,B andV, by inferring as much information as possible about the sarr from other published data and then synthesizing light curves and comparing them with our own observations.The light fluctuations of outside eclipses caused by intrinsic light variation of primary component have been obtained by deconvolution of the theoretical light curve from observed one. It has been shown that the intrinsic light variation of primary component can be interpreted in terms of cool star-spot covering 8% of the stellar photosphere.Finally, the significance of star-spot has been discussed.     

Photometric and polarimetric studies of three W UMa-type binaries: FZ Ori,V407 Peg and LP UMa

We present analyses of new optical photometric observations of three W UMa-type contact binaries FZ Ori, V407 Peg and LP UMa. Results from the first polarimetric observations of the FZ Ori and V407 Peg are also presented. The periods of FZ Ori, V407 Peg and LP UMa are derived to be 0.399986, 0.636884 and 0.309898 d, respectively. The O?C analyses indicate that the orbital periods of FZ Ori and LP UMa have increased with the rate of 2.28×10^?8 and 1.25×10^?6 d?yr^?1, respectively and which is explained by transfer of mass between the components. In addition to the secularly increasing rate of orbital period, it was found that the period of FZ Ori has varied in sinusoidal way with oscillation period of ～30.1 yr. The period of oscillations are most likely to be explained by the light-time effect due to the presence of a tertiary companion. Small asymmetries have been seen around the primary and secondary maxima of light curves of all three systems, which is probably due to the presence of cool/hot spots on the components. The light curves of all three systems are analysed by using Wilson-Devinney code (WD) and the fundamental parameters of these systems have been derived. The present analyses show that FZ Ori is a W-subtype, and V407 Peg and LP UMa are A-subtype of the W UMa-type contact binary systems. The polarimetric observations in B, V, R and I bands, yield average values of polarization to be 0.26±0.03, 0.22±0.02, 0.22±0.03 and 0.22±0.05 per cent for FZ Ori and 0.21±0.02, 0.29±0.03, 0.31±0.01 and 0.31±0.04 per cent for V407 Peg, respectively.     

The first photometric analysis of the totally eclipsing contact binary V811 Cep

The first photometric analysis of V811 Cep was carried out.The first complete light curves of V,R and I bands are given.The analysis was carried out by the Wilson-Devinney(W-D) program,and the results show that V811 Cep is a median-contact binary(f=33.9(±4.9) %) with a mass ratio of 0.285.It is a W-subtype contact binary,that is,the component with less mass is hotter than the component with more mass,and the light curves are asymmetric(O' Connell effect),which can be explained by the existence of a hot spot on the component with less mass.The orbital inclination is i=88.3°,indicating that it is a totally eclipsing binary,so the parameters obtained are reliable.Through the O-C analyzing,it is found that the orbital period decreases at the rate of ■=-3.90(±0.06) × 10~(-7)d yr~(-1),which indicates that the mass transfer occurs from the more massive component to the less massive one.     

A simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric study of two eclipsing binaries: V566 Oph and V972 Her

In this study, we have performed simultaneous solutions of light and radial velocity curves of two eclipsing binary systems, V566 Oph and V972 Her. We observed both systems spectroscopically with a very recently installed spectrograph on the 40 cm telescope, T40, located in Ankara University Kreiken Observatory (AUKR), for the first time. We made use of the photometric data from the Hipparcos satellite for V972 Her, while we obtained the photometric observations of V566 Oph by using the 35 cm telescope, T35, located also in our observatory campus. We derived the absolute parameters for both systems and discussed their evolutionary states. In addition to the simultaneous analysis, we have also analyzed the change in mid-eclipse times for V566 Oph, and found cyclic variations, for which we have discussed light-time effect and magnetic activity as their potential origin, superimposed on a secular change due to a mass transfer between the components of the binary.     

Photometric investigation of two contact binaries in the young open cluster NGC 957

We present V- and R- band time-series CCD photometry of two contact binaries in the region of the young open cluster NGC 957. The two eclipsing binaries were discovered by Bukowiecki et al., 2009. OEJV 112, 1 and named as V4 and V5, respectively. In the present paper, the first detailed studies of the two contact binary systems are carried out. Firstly, based on the light curves, 28 times of minimum light were detected for V4 and 21 times of minimum light for V5, respectively. Secondly, the orbital periods of V4 and V5 were redetermined as P_V4 = 0.40032(5) days and P_V5 = 0.30752 (4)days, respectively. The photometric solutions were analyzed by using Wilson Decinny Code. The results reveal that both V4 and V5 are W UMa-type contact binaries with a degree of f_V4 = 31(± 1)% and f_V5 = 65(± 1)%. The mass ratios were determined to be q_V4 = 0.30 and q_V5 = 0.19. For V5, the well known O’Connell effect was detected in the dataset, which effect can be explained by employing a dark spot placed on the more massive primary component. Finally, based on the distances of the two contact binaries, which were calculated by using an relation given by Gettel et al., the two contact binaries are judged to be foreground stars in the open cluster NGC 957.     

First period analyses of five neglected Algol-type eclipsing binaries: TT And, V342 Aql, RW Cap, BZ Cas and TW Lac

We present the first study of the orbital period variations of five neglected Algol-type eclipsing binaries TT And, V342 Aql, RW Cap, BZ Cas and TW Lac, using their O–C diagrams gathered from all available times of eclipse minima. These O–C diagrams indicate that short term periodic variations superimposed on secular period increases as expected in mass transferring Algols. However, due to short time coverage of the data, the secular period increase is not clear in the case of BZ Cas and V342 Aql. The secular period increase is interpreted in terms of the combined effect of mass transfer between the components of the system and the mass loss by a stellar wind from the system. The mass transfer rates from the less massive secondary components to the more massive primaries for non-conservative cases would be about 10⁻⁷M/yr and 10⁻⁸M/yr for RW Cap and V342 Aql, respectively, and 10⁻⁹M/yr for TT And and TW Lac. Therefore, the Algol systems RW Cap and V342 Aql have the largest mass transfer rate, which could be in Case AB type, while those of the Algol systems TT And and TW Lac display the slow mass transfer rate and they could be in Case B type. The sinusoidal forms of the orbital period variations of all five Algol systems can be due to either by the light-time effects due to unseen components in these systems, or by the cyclic magnetic activity effects of the cool secondary components. The possible third bodies in all five Algol binaries would have masses larger than one solar mass. If these hypothetical large massive third bodies were normal stars, they should be detectable. Therefore, new photometric and spectroscopic observations of these systems and careful analyses of those data are required. Otherwise, the cyclic magnetic activity effects of the secondary components could be the basis of a working hypothesis in explaining the cyclic period variations of these systems.     

Early-type W UMa contact binary system: New data on V535 Ara

This paper presents the results of spectroscopic and photometric observations of the early-type W UMa system V535 Ara. New high-resolution spectra were taken at the Mt. John University Observatory in 2007. Radial velocities and spectroscopic orbital elements of the system were determined by applying KOREL spectral disentangling. The resulting orbital elements were: a₁sini = 0.0047 ± 0.0001 AU, a₂sini = 0.0146 ± 0.0001 AU, M₁sin³i = 1.85 ± 0.01 M_⊙, and M₂sin³i = 0.59 ± 0.01 M_⊙. The components were found to be in synchronous rotation following examination of their disentangled Hγ line profiles. Four photometric data-sets (1966 BV, 1967 BV, HIPPARCOS and ASAS) were modeled using the Wilson-Devinney method. The model describes V535 Ara as an A sub-type W UMa type eclipsing binary which has a fill out factor of 0.22 in marginal contact configuration. The simultaneous solution of light and radial velocity curves gave the following absolute parameters: M₁ = 1.94 ± 0.04 M_⊙, M₂ = 0.59 ± 0.02 M_⊙, R₁ = 2.09 ± 0.03 R_⊙, R₂ = 1.23 ± 0.02R_⊙, L₁ = 18 ± 3 L_⊙ and L₂ = 6 ± 1 L_⊙. The distance to V535 Ara was calculated as 123 ± 20 pc using distance modulus with correction for interstellar extinction.     

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.     

Synthetic light curves of two eclipsing binary systems,U Sge and AW UMa

Photometric curve fits have been investigated by means of numerical quadratures to develop theoretical light curves appropriate to stars built up in accordance with the Roche model. The method has been applied previously to β Per (Al-Naimiy and Budding, 1977) on the basis of available observations in red and infrared, while presently applied to two systems with contact components.

1. U Sge, spherical primary totally eclipsed by a contact component secondary. Improved photometric elements of the system have been found, and compared with those obtained by Kopal's method in the frequency domain. The outcome of the curve fitting corresponds well with the results of an analysis in the frequency domain.
2. AW UMa, exhibiting the shallowest minima known for totally eclipsing W UMa systems. The physical and geometrical elements of the system have been found, and the contact nature of the two components confirmed.

     

Apsidal motion elements of three eccentric eclipsing binaries: V397 Cep,V493 Car and BW Aqr

The apsidal motion analysis of the eccentric eclipsing binaries: V397 Cep, V493 Car and BW Aqr have been presented. The method described by Lacy (1992) [Lacy, C.H S., 1992. AJ 104, 2213] has been used for the apsidal motion analysis. The apsidal motion periods have been found to be 174.2 ± 1.4, 277.3 ± 21.3 and 7195 ± 174 years for V397 Cep, V493 Car and BW Aqr, respectively.     

The eclipsing binary V 836 Cygni: Photometric evidence for an early evolutionary status

ThreeUBV light curves of the short-period EB-type eclipsing binary V 836 Cyg, observed in 1971, 1976 and 1980, are presented. The instability of the light curve found by previous authors is confirmed. However, the activity was not very strong between 1971 and 1980. From the observed period variation, previous light-curve analysis data and spectroscopic data it is concluded that V 836 Cyg consists of two main-sequence stars, and will undergo rapid mass exchange before terminating the main sequence (case A evolution). Visiting astronomer, Kitt Peak National Observatory, operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under contract with the National Science Foundation