Velocity curve studies of spectroscopic binary stars V380 Cygni, V401 Cyg, V523 Cas, V373 Cas and V2388 Oph

Using measured radial velocity data of five double lined spectroscopic binary systems V380 Cygni, V401 Cyg, V523 Cas, V373 Cas and V2388 Oph, we find corresponding orbital and spectroscopic elements via the method introduced by Karami & Mohebi (2007) and Karami & Teimoorinia (2007). Our numerical results are in good agreement wit. those obtained by others using more traditional methods.     

New photoelectric observations and elements of the eclipsing W UMa-type system V839 Oph

The W UMa-type system V839 Oph was observed photoelectrically in two wavebands (B andV) during 1985 at the Kryonerion Astronomical Station of the National Observatory of Greece. The light curves of the system are analysed using the frequency-domain techniques and new geometric and photometric elements are given. The light variations of the system are also discussed.     

The early spectroscopy of V2670 Oph (Nova Oph 2008)

We report the spectroscopic observations of nova V2670 Oph secured at the Loiano Observatory, Italy, 39 days after the outburst. The spectra of V2670 Oph showed auroral lines, suggesting that ionization was increasing. V2670 Oph is a fast nova, with a decline rate by three magnitudes of 42 days. We have estimated the absolute magnitude at maximum and the distance of V2670 Oph. The nova achieved an absolute magnitude at maximum in the interval −7.9,…,−7.4. The distance of V2670 Oph is in the range 4.7–5.8 kpc.     

Possible third body effects in the period changes of four Algol binaries: RY Aqr,SZ Her,RV Lyr and V913 Oph

An investigation of the orbital period changes of the neglected eclipsing binaries, RY Aqr, SZ Her, RV Lyr and V913 Oph, is presented based on all published minima times. Although the explanation of magnetic activity on the surface of the secondaries of the studied Algols is still open, the preferred light‐time effect due to the unseen components around the systems seems more plausible in explaining the tilted sinusoidal variations with relatively high‐amplitudes. The minimal mass values of possible tertiary components have been estimated to be about 1.06, 0.25, 0.78 and 2.85 M_⊙ for RY Aqr, SZ Her, RV Lyr and V913 Oph, respectively and the results indicate that their contributions to the total light of the eclipsing pairs are measurable with high accuracy photometric and spectroscopic data, if they exist. Applegate's (1992) model has been discussed as an alternative mechanism assuming that the cooler components have magnetic cycles. It is found that the model parameters of RY Aqr and V913 Oph are consistent with the required values in Applegate's model. In addition to the first detailed orbital study on these systems, a statistical survey on the character of the O – C variations of classical Algols has revealed that about 50 percent of the systems show cyclic behavior. This means that the presence of possible third bodies around classical Algols should be tested with careful analysis using new data. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

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.     

Velocity Curve Analysis of Spectroscopic Binary Stars AI Phe, GM Dra, HD 93917 and V502 Oph by Nonlinear Regression

We introduce a new method to derive the orbital parameters of spectroscopic bi-nary stars by nonlinear least squares of (o-c). Using the measured radial velocity data of the four double lined spectroscopic binary systems, AI Phe, GM Dra, HD 93917 and V502 Oph, we derived both the orbital and combined spectroscopic elements of these systems. Our numerical results are in good agreement with the those obtained using the method of Lehmann-Filhe's.     

The Period Variation of V839 Oph

In this study we present the results of the preliminary analysis of the period variation of V839 Oph based on the extensive series of minima times collected from the literature. The character of the (O–C) diagram can be approximated with a cyclic variation superimposed on a quadratic variation. The quadratic variation can be explained in terms of mass exchange/loss mechanism in the system, while the cyclic variation could be attributed to the light-time effect of a gravitationally bound third body to the system or the magnetic activity cycle of the primary component.     

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.     

The eccentric orbit of the short-period eclipsing binary V 1010 Oph

Radial velocity observations of V 1010 Oph obtained at Asiago from 23 spectra combined with those published by Guinan and Koch (1977) reveal a significant eccentricity (e0.20±0.03) with a periastron angle close to 90° at 1 level. This underlines the need for a new analysis of the light curve for photometric elements.On leave from Konkoly Observatory, Budapest, Hungary     

Broadband X-ray spectrum of the intermediate polar V2400 Oph

We present the results of our analysis of the observations of the intermediate polar V2400 Oph by the INTEGRAL and RXTE observatories. We reconstructed the spectrum of the source over a wide (3–100 keV) energy range. The spectrum obtained can be fitted by a computed theoretical model of the post-shock emitting region with T_max～22 keV. As a result, we estimated the mass (0.59M_⊙) and radius (8.8×10⁸ cm) of the white dwarf in the system V2400 Oph.     

Cyclical period changes in the dwarf novae V2051 Oph and V4140 Sgr

We report on the identification of cyclical changes in the orbital period of the eclipsing dwarf novae V2051 Ophiuchi and V4140 Sagittarii. We used sets of white dwarf mid-eclipse timings to construct observed-minus-calculated diagrams covering, respectively, 25 and 16 yr of observations. The V2051 Oph data present cyclical variations that can be fitted by a linear plus sinusoidal function with period of  22 ± 2 yr  and amplitude of  17 ± 3 s  . The statistical significance of this period by an F-test is larger than 99.9 per cent. The V4140 Sgr data present cyclical variations of similar amplitude and period of  6.9 ± 0.3 yr  which are statistically significant at the 99.7 per cent level. We derive upper limits for secular period changes of     and     for V2051 Oph and V4140 Sgr, respectively.
We have combined our results with those in the literature to construct a diagram of the amplitude versus period of the modulation for a sample of 11 eclipsing cataclysmic variables (CVs). If the cyclical period changes are the consequence of a solar-type magnetic activity cycle in the secondary star, then magnetic activity is a widespread phenomenon in CVs, being equally common among long- and short-period systems. This gives independent evidence that the magnetic field (and activity) of the secondary stars of CVs do not disappear when they become fully convective. We also find that the fractional cycle period changes of the short-period CVs are systematically smaller than those of the long-period CVs.     

High Temporal Resolution Spectroscopic Observations of the Flare Star V1054 Oph

We present the results of a high temporal resolution spectroscopic monitoring of the flare (UV Cet type) star V1054 Oph (Wolf 630AB), classified as a dM3.5e visual binary system. Intermediate resolution spectra have been taken during four nights (2–5 April 2001) using the IDS spectrograph of the 2.5 m Isaac Newton Telescope (INT) (La Palma, Canary Islands, Spain). The V1054 Oph spectra show very strong emission lines even in its quiescent state. The analysis of the temporal evolution of the observed emission lines (from H_β to H₁₁ and the Ca II H and K lines) reveals four strong flares and several weak flares. We have studied in detail the behaviour of the chromospheric lines during the different phases (pre-flare, impulsive and gradual decay) of these flares. The observed flares last from ～25 to 95 min. The equivalent width of the H_β line changes by a factor up to ～2.3. Broad wings and asymmetric (red-shifted) lines are observed as well.     

A photometric study of V566 ophiuchi

The A-type W UMa system V566 Oph was observed photoelectrically in two wavebands (B andV) in the years 1988-1989 at the Kryonerion Astronomical Station of the National Observatory of Athens, Greece. The light curves of the system are analyzed using frequency-domain techniques and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. These elements are combined with the more recent spectroscopic data based on Reticon observations to yield the absolute parameters of the system. The evolutionary status of the system is considered and it is found that V566 Oph has started its evolution away from the Main Sequence. The period of the system continues to increase.     

Long‐term photometry of three active red giants in close binary systems: V2253 Oph,IT Com and IS Vir

We present and analyze long‐term optical photometric measurements of the three active stars V2253 Oph, IT Com and IS Vir. All three systems are single‐lined spectroscopic binaries with an early K giant as primary component but in different stages of orbital‐rotational synchronization. Our photometry is supplemented by 2MASS and WISE near‐IR and mid‐IR magnitudes and then used to obtain more accurate effective temperatures and extinctions. For V2253 Oph and IT Com, we found their spectral energy distributions consistent with pure photospheric emission. For IS Vir, we detect a marginal mid‐IR excess which hints towards a dust disk. The orbital and rotational planes of IT Com appear tobe coplanar, contrary to previous findings in the literature. We apply a multiple frequency analysis technique to determine photometric periods, and possibly changes of periods, ranging from days to decades. New rotational periods of 21.55±0.03 d, 65.1±0.3 d, and 23.50±0.04 d were determined for V2253 Oph, IT Com, and IS Vir, respectively. Splitting of these periods led to tentative detections of differential surface rotations of δP/P ≈ 0.02 for V2253 Oph and 0.07 for IT Com. Using a time‐frequency technique based on short‐term Fourier transforms we present evidence of cyclic light variations of length ≈ 10 yr for V2253 Oph and 5–6 yr for IS Vir. A single flip‐flop event has been observed for IT Com of duration 2–3 yr. Its exchange of the dominant active longitude had happened close to a time of periastron passage, suggesting some response of the magnetic activity from the orbital dynamics. The 21.55‐d rotational modulation of V2253 Oph showed phase coherence also with the orbital period, which is 15 times longer than the rotational period, thus also indicating a tidal feedback with the stellar magnetic activity. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

On the Overcontact Binary V2388 Oph and An Improved M–R Relation for Ltcbs

The evolutionary stage of the low-temperature contact binary (LTCB) V2388 Oph has been investigated. V2388 Oph was previously classified as an A-type W UMa star, and is the brighter member of the visual binary Fin 381. When compared to other well-known LTCBs it is evident that the primary component has evolved to the TAMS, and the companion also seems to be more evolved than a ZAMS star. Mochnacki proposed a new subgroup of W UMa stars, namely of OO Aql type, distinct from A and W types. V2388 Oph is suggested to be a member of this new group.     

Binaries in the vicinity of the open cluster IC 4665.I. V 378 Oph

Erste Ergebnisse unseres Programms zur Untersuchung von Doppelsternen, die mögliche Mitglieder von offenen Sternhaufen sind, werden vorgestellt. Daneben wurde die Verteilung von spektroskopischen Variablen und Bedeckungsveränderlichen in der weiteren Umgebung des offenen Haufens IC 4665 ermittelt. Desweiteren wird über eine photometrische Studie des Variablen V 378 Oph berichtet. Über dieses Objekt gibt es, den Helligkeitswechsel betreffend, widersprüchliche Daten. Unsere Beobachtungen bestätigen, daß V 378 Oph ein Doppelstern vom Typ ß Lyrae ist. Seine Periode wurde bestimmt und eine mittlere Lichtkurve ermittelt. Es wird auf einige Besonderheiten hingewiesen, die zusätzliche lichtelektrische und photometrische Beobachtungen erfordern. Anschließend wird diskutiert, ob V 378 Oph zu Mel 186 (Cr 359) oder IC 4665 gehört.     

Modeling the 2004.5 Brightening of the Contact Binary V839 Oph

Time-series CCD photometry of the contact system V839 Oph on May, June and July 2004 showed a continuous brightening of the system in all phases of the light curve. A possible explanation of this brightening could be enhanced (magnetic) activity of the system, also noticed in the past. Mass transfer and/or energy exchange between the two components can explain the observed increase of brightness. All possible cases, concerning the location and shape of the spotted area, are discussed and the most probable model is presented.     

Optical evolution of Nova Ophiuchi 2007 = V2615 Oph

The moderately fast Nova Oph 2007 reached maximum brightness on 2007 March 28 at   V = 8.52, B − V =+1.12, V − R _C=+0.76, V − I _C=+1.59  and   R _C− I _C=+0.83  , after fast initial rise and a pre-maximum halt lasting a week. Decline times were   t ^V ₂= 26.5, t ^B ₂= 30, t ^V ₃= 48.5  and   t ^B ₃= 56.5  d. The distance to the nova is   d = 3.7 ± 0.2 kpc  , the height above the Galactic plane is   z = 215 pc  , the reddening is   E ( B − V ) = 0.90  and the absolute magnitude at maximum is   M ^max _V =−7.2  and   M ^max _B =−7.0  . The spectrum four days before maximum resembled a F6 supergiant, in an agreement with broad-band colours. It later developed into that of a standard 'Fe  ii '-class nova. Nine days past maximum, the expansion velocity estimated from the width of Hα emission component was  ∼730 km s⁻¹  , and the displacement from it of the principal and diffuse-enhanced absorption systems was ∼650 and  1380 km s⁻¹  , respectively. Dust probably formed and disappeared during the period from 82 to 100 d past maximum, causing (at peak dust concentration) an extinction of  Δ B = 1.8  mag and an extra  Δ E ( B − V ) = 0.44  reddening.     

XMM–Newton observations of the eclipsing polar V2301 Oph

We present XMM–Newton observations of the eclipsing polar V2301 Oph which cover nearly 2.5 binary orbital cycles and two eclipses. This polar is believed to have the lowest magnetic field strength (7 MG) of any known polar. We find evidence for structure in the X-ray eclipse profile which shows a 'standstill' feature lasting  26 ± 4  s. This allows us to place an upper limit on the mass of the white dwarf of  ∼1.2 M_⊙  . We find no evidence for quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in the frequency range 0.02–10 Hz. This coupled with the absence of QPOs in RXTE data suggests that, if present, any oscillations in the shock front have a minimal effect on the resultant X-ray flux. We find no evidence for a distinct soft X-ray component in its spectrum – it therefore joins another seven systems which do not show this component. We suggest that those systems which are asynchronous, have low mass-transfer rates or have accretion occurring over a relatively large fraction of the white dwarf are more likely to show this effect. We find that the specific mass-transfer rate has to be close to 0.1 g cm⁻² s⁻¹ to predict masses which are consistent with that derived from our eclipse analysis. This may be due to the fact that the low magnetic field strength allows accretion to take place along a wide range of azimuth.     

Seven years photometry of the W UMa‐type eclipsing binary V2612 Oph

We present the first long‐term Johnson UBVR observations and comprehensive photometric analysis of the W UMa‐type eclipsing binary V2612 Oph. Observations in the time interval between 2003 and 2009 enabled us to reveal the seasonal and long‐term variations of the light curve. Hence, we found that the mean brightness level of the light curve shows a variation with a period of 6.7 years. Maximum and minimum brightness levels of the light curve exhibit a variation from year to year which we attribute to a solar‐like activity. The O – C variation of eclipse timings of the system shows a decreasing parabolic trend and reveals a period decrease at a rate of P = 6.27×10^‐7 day yr^‐1 with an additional low‐amplitude sinusoidal variation that has a similar period as the long‐term brightness variations. Our light curve analysis shows that the system is a W‐subtype W UMa eclipsing binary. We calculated masses and radii of the primary and secondary components as M₁ = 1.28 M_⊙, M₂ = 0.37 M_⊙ and R₁ = 1.31 R_⊙, R₂ = 0.75 R_⊙, respectively. The derived absolute photometric parameters allow us to calculate a distance of 140 pc, which confirms that the system is a foreground star in the sky field of the Galactic open cluster NGC 6633. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)