Absolute Parameters of Early-Type Close Binaries in the LMC

A project is presented which aims at high-precision determination of absolute parameters of close early-type eclipsing binaries in the LMC. We will use multi-object spectrographs (MOS) to measure RV curves of a large number of program stars selected from the MACHO archive. Spectroscopic mass ratios will be used as input for our light curve analysis code MORO. Application of the Simplex-based algorithm FITSB2 will achieve spectrum disentangling and fitting of NLTE model (TLUSTY) atmospheres, yielding orbital and atmospheric parameters. The method was extensively tested by application to time series of synthetic binary spectra for the expected range of S/N and MOS instrumental resolution. log g and T _eff were reestablished with a precision of better than 5%, radial velocity amplitudes with errors of <3%. An important by-product of our project will be the improvement of the distance modulus of the LMC, a topic which is still being intensely discussed.     

A Possible Explanation of the O‘Connell Effect in Close Binary Stars

A theoretical model for explaining the O‘Connell effect of close binary stars is given based on the hypothesis that the circumstellar material of a binary system is captured by its components.The results inferred form the model suggest that late-type and /or short-period binaries can easily produce obvious O‘Connell effect and that the occurrence of O‘Connell effect has no relation with the type of binaries,These conclusions are in agreement with the observed results.The observed O‘Connell effects of six binary systems are examined by the model.For three W-subtype W UMa binaries(YY Eri,BX Per and SW Lac).the densities of the materials captured by the two components are assumed to be equal,and the calculated O‘Connell effect is found to be almost equal to the observed effect.For three A-subtype W UMa systems(CN And,FG Hya and AU Ser),the two densities are assumed to be different,and are calculated separately.The calculated O‘Connell effect turns out to agree better with the observed effect than that was formerly obtained.     

The Evolution of Massive Close Binaries

We present results of evolutionary computations for massive close binaries with the Brussels simultaneous evolution code for conservative and non-conservative Roche lobe overflow (RLOF). We discuss mass transfer in massive close binaries during phases of RLOF, common envelope, spiral-in and merging. We examine the effects of stellar wind during successive stellar evolution phases and the final fate of primaries. We show how our library can be used to explain well-known binaries such as the WR + OB system V444 Cyg, HMXBs Vela X-1 and Wray 977, LMXBs like Her X-1, and binary pulsars. More details on the evolution of massive close binaries can be found in “The Brightest Binaries” (Vanbeveren et al., 1998).     

密近双星自转的测量和研究（Ⅰ）观测和处理结果

用相同的仪器条件在美国ＫｉｔｔＰｅａｋ国立天文台观测了一批密近双星，并用两种方法得出其自转速度，最后给出了７５个双星系统的９９个子星的自转速度，其中５４个子星是首次进行自转测量。这批高精度的自转值为研究双星的同步性和检验各种同步机制提供了可靠的观测资料。     

Planets and Planet-Sized Binaries from the OGLE Transit Survey

The OGLE survey for transiting planets has identified 177 transit candidates. Subsequent radial velocity follow-up of these candidates has allowed the detection of five transiting planets, as well as several dozen eclipsing binaries.Some of these systems consist of solar-type stars transited by small M dwarf companion, including the smallest stellar companions yet measured by transit. As a result, the OGLE transit survey has yielded a wealth of data on the mass-radius relation of planets and low-mass stars. In particular, two planet-sized stars were found, an empirical proof of the model predictions on Jupiter-sized main-sequence stars.     

Stability of Binary Asteroids

The stability and final outcome of a strongly interacting binary asteroid system is considered. We discuss the implications of the system transferring energy and angular momentum between rotational and translational motion while conserving the total system energy and angular momentum. Using these results we can develop a set of sufficient conditions for stability against escape and impact. These allow us to delineate several classes of final outcomes for a binary asteroid system, each of which may have implications for asteroid observations. The effects of energy dissipation on an asteroid binary system are also considered and are shown to be able to change the stability of the system against escape and impact. An example computation for the near-Earth asteroid binary 1996 FG3 is given along with a series of numerical explorations of an evolving binary system consisting of an ellipsoid and a sphere of equal mass.     

The X-ray pulse profile of BG CMi

We present an analysis of the X-ray data of a magnetic cataclysmic variable, BG CMi, obtained with ROSAT in March 1992 and with ASCA in April 1996. We show that four peaks clearly exist in the X-ray pulse profile, unlike a single peak found in the optical profile. The fluxes of two major pulses are 2–5 times larger than those of two minor pulses. The fraction of the total pulsed flux increases from 51% to 85% with increasing energy in 0.1–2.0 keV, whereas it decreases from 96% to 22% in 0.8–10 keV. We discuss the implications of our findings for the origin of the pulse profile and its energy dependence.     

Photometric Mass Ratios of Eclipsing Binary Stars

Following a brief history of measurement of eclipsing binary mass ratios from light curves, we show that photometric mass ratios for overcontact and semi-detached binaries are reliable because the relative stellar radii, R/a, are accurately measured and not, as commonly claimed, because of information in the light variation outside eclipse. We explore the accuracy of photometric mass ratios by solving synthetic data of typical precisions for a semi-detached and an overcontact binary for orbital inclinations from 89^∘ down into the partial eclipse range.     

Mass loss from “Hot Jupiters”—Implications for CoRoT discoveries, Part II: Long time thermal atmospheric evaporation modeling

We investigate the efficiency of the atmospheric mass loss due to hydrodynamic blow-off over the lifetime of the exoplanet HD209458b by studying numerically its hydrogen wind for host star X-ray and EUV (XUV) fluxes between 1 and 100 times that of the present Sun. We apply a time-dependent numerical algorithm which is able to solve the system of hydrodynamic equations straight through the transonic point of the flow including Roche lobe effects. The mass loss rates are calculated as functions of the absorbed energy in the thermosphere. Depending on the heating efficiency for a hydrogen-rich thermosphere the maximum temperature obtained in our study at 1.5R_pl by neglecting IR cooling is about 5000-10,000 K for heating efficiencies of 10% and 60%, respectively. We find that the upper atmosphere of HD209458b experiences hydrodynamic blow-off even at such low temperatures if one does not neglect gravitational effects caused by the proximity of the planet to its Roche lobe boundary. Depending on the heating efficiency, we find from the solution of the hydrodynamic equations of mass, momentum, and energy balance that energy-limited mass loss rate estimations overestimate the realistic mass loss rate at present time for HD209458b by several times. Using the maximum heating efficiency for hydrogen-rich atmospheres of 60% we find that HD209458b may experience an atmospheric mass loss rate at present time of about . The mass loss rate evolves to higher values for higher XUV fluxes expected during the early period of the planet's host star evolution, reaching values of several times . The integrated mass loss is found to be between 1.8% and 4.4% of the present mass of HD209458b. We found that the influence of the stellar tidal forces on atmospheric loss (the Roche lobe effect) is not significant at 0.045 AU. For a similar exoplanet, but at closer orbital distances , the combined effect of the Roche lobe and the high XUV radiation result in much higher thermal loss rates of about and even more for early stages. This leads to a total loss over 4 Gyr of 27.5% of the planetary mass.     

Orbits of Ten Visual Binary Stars

We present the orbits of ten visual binary stars: WDS 01015 6922, WDS 01424– 0645, WDS 01461 6349, WDS 04374–0951, WDS 04478 5318, WDS 05255–0033, WDS 05491 6248, WDS 06404 4058, WDS 07479–1212, and WDS 18384 0850. We have also determined their masses, dynamical parallaxes and ephemerides.     

Close binary system GO Cyg

In this study, we present long term photometric variations of the close binary system GO Cyg. Modelling of the system shows that the primary is filling Roche lobe and the secondary of the system is almost filling its Roche lobe. The physical parameters of the system are M₁ = 3.0 ± 0.2M_⊙, M₂ = 1.3 ± 0.1M_⊙, R₁ = 2.50 ± 0.12R_⊙, R₂ = 1.75 ± 0.09R_⊙, L₁ = 64 ± 9L_⊙, L₂ = 4.9 ± 0.7L_⊙, and a = 5.5 ± 0.3R_⊙. Our results show that GO Cyg is the most massive system near contact binary (NCB). Analysis of times of the minima shows a sinusoidal variation with a period of 92.3 ± 0.5 yr due to a third body whose mass is less than 2.3M_⊙. Finally a period variation rate of −1.4 × 10⁻⁹ d/yr has been determined using all available light curves.     

小质量密近双星Case A演化和几乎相接双星的形成

计算了总质量为3.9M,具有不同初始质比和两子星间距的一组模型在总质量、总角动量守恒假设下的Case A演化,以探求Case A演化与几乎相接双星(NCS)可能的联系.结果表明确实存在经过Case A质量交流演化为NCS系统的途径。并且这样形成的NCS系统其随后的演化有两种前景:一种随即演化为相接系统;另一种则经由慢速质量交流成为较稳定的半接或不接系统.但能够演化为NCS状态的初始模型范围极为狭窄,本文大致确定了它们的初始质比、子星间距等参量范围. 结合模型计算结果,对已知29个NCS系统作了统计研究,结果表明NCS系统与相接双星在演化上有很密切的联系.     

Abundances from Disentangled Component Spectra of Close Binary Stars: An Observational Test of an Early Mixing in High-Mass Stars

Recent theoretical calculations of stellar evolutionary tracks for rotating high-mass stars suggests that the chemical composition of the surface layers changes even whilst the star is evolving on the Main Sequence. The abundance analysis of binary components with precisely known fundamental stellar quantities allows a powerful comparison with theory. The observed spectra of close binary stars can be separated into the individual spectra of the component stars using the method of spectral disentangling on a time-series of spectra taken over the orbital cycle. Recently, Pavlovski and Hensberge (2005, A&A, 439, 309) have shown that, even with moderately high line-broadening, metal abundances can be derived from disentangled spectra with a precision of 0.1 dex. In a continuation of this project we have undertaken a detailed abundance analysis of the components of another two high-mass binaries, V453 Cyg, and V380 Cyg. Both binaries are well-studied systems with modern solutions. The components are close to the TAMS and therefore very suitable for an observational test of early mixing in high-mass stars.     

The dimensions of gaseous rings in Close Binary Systems

The observational data seem to indicate that the upper limit of the dimensions of gaseous rings in Close Binary Systems coincides with the upper boundary of the domain of stability of singly periodic orbits around the component in question. As was shown by Kruszewski, the lower limit is determined by the amount of angular momentum carried by the mass particles ejected near the Lagrangian pointL ₁ from the surface of the companion.     

Period Changes of Close Binary Systems

A brief review of the physical mechanisms that could produce the observed orbital period changes in close binaries, the methods used to study them, and a general discussion is given.     

The Eclipsing Binary bx Andromedae and its Orbital Period Behaviour

The orbital period variations of the eclipsing binary BX And are examined analysing its (O–C) diagram 1) with the standard method, in which the minima times are fitted by the quadratic ephemeris combined with an assumed light-time effect, and 2) with the first continuous method. The results from the use of the two methods are, as was expected, different.     

Towards Asteroseismology from Space, the EVRIS experiment. Opto-mechanical characteristics and pointing performances of the EVRIS/PAIS complex

EVRIS is the first space experiment dedicated to asteroseismology. It is designed to measure the relative time variations of the flux of several bright stars and to detect their modes of pulsation. As the amplitudes of these oscillations should be very small (a few ppm), the instrument has to perform relative photometry with an extremely high accuracy, i.e. hundred times better than the classical accuracy reached from the ground. The experiment is composed of a star tracker and a photometer, mounted on a pointing platform PAIS. This paper describes the mechanical and optical design and the performance of EVRIS, as well as the properties of the pointing system. It is shown that the EVRIS/PAIS complex meets the scientific specifications for a list of targets well suited for asteroseismology. The EVRIS collaboration is composed of: G. Epstein, J.P. Michel, F. Rakotoarivelo, F. Roubaud and A. Mangeney Observatoire de Paris (DESPA) 92195 Meudon, FranceA. Magnan, J.C. DavidLaboratoire d'Astronomie Spatiale, BP8 - Traverse du Siphon, 13012 Marseille, FranceJ.T. BueyObservatoire de Paris (DESPA) 92195 Meudon, FranceObservatoire de Paris (DASGAL) 92195 Meudon, FranceR. BellengerDépartement d'Astrophysique Extragalactique et de Cosmologie, Observatoire de Paris, FranceM. Gelbmann, U. Heiter, F. Hiesberger, R. Kuschnig and E. PaunzenInstitut für Astronomie, Wien Austria     

Dynamical evolution of NEAs: Close encounters, secular perturbations and resonances

We discuss the main mechanisms affecting the dynamical evolution of Near-Earth Asteroids (NEAs) by analyzing the results of three numerical integrations over 1 Myr of the NEA (4179) Toutatis. In the first integration the only perturbing planet is the Earth. So the evolution is dominated by close encounters and looks like a random walk in semimajor axis and a correlated random walk in eccentricity, keeping almost constant the perihelion distance and the Tisserand invariant. In the second integration Jupiter and Saturn are present instead of the Earth, and the 3/1 (mean motion) and v ₆ (secular) resonances substantially change the eccentricity but not the semimajor axis. The third, most realistic, integration including all the three planets together shows a complex interplay of effects, with close encounters switching the orbit between different resonant states and no approximate conservation of the Tisserand invariant. This shows that simplified 3-body or 4-body models cannot be used to predict the typical evolution patterns and time scales of NEAs, and in particular that resonances provide some fast-track dynamical routes from low-eccentricity to very eccentric, planet-crossing orbits.On leave from the Department of Mathematics, University of Pisa, Via Buonarroti 2, 56127 Pisa, Italy, thanks to the G. Colombo fellowships of the European Space Agency.