Photoelectric elements of the eclipsing binary XY Ceti

The absolute elements of the system XY Ceti have been obtained on the basis of the spectroscopic elements given by Popper (1971) and the photoelectric elements derived by us. The colours of the components have been obtained. Both components are found to lie fairly on the Main Sequence. The primary component of the system, however, is slightly more evolved as it shows a tendency to drift away from the Main Sequence. The spectral classes now assigned are A5V (primary) and A7V (secondary). The values of Roche constants indicate that the system is a detached one.     

The first photometric analysis of the near-contact binary star V370 Cygni

The first complete CCD light curves of the eclipsing binary system V370 Cygni have been obtained in the B, V, R and I filters during 5 consecutive nights in 2005 at Kryoneri Observatory, Greece. These curves were analyzed with the Wilson–Devinney program in order to determine the geometrical and physical parameters of the system. The analysis indicates a semi-detached configuration and a mildly evolved state of the system.      

Das System des Bedeckungssterns TT Lyrae

For this typical Algol system with the period 5.24 days, complete light curves in two colours have been derived from 160 photoelectric measurements in B and 173 in V. The primary minimum has been found to be total and asymmetric. To get a satisfactory photometric solution it was necessary to allow for the dissimilarity of the components. For the coefficients of limbdarkening of the Ao-component the values x = 0.35 · 0.11 (B) and 0.44 · 0.10 (V) have been deduced.     

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.     

Optimization analysis of the light curves of eccentric eclipsing binary systems

The iterative optimization procedures described in a previous paper by the author have been extended to cover unrectified light curves of eccentric eclipsing binary systems. Two stars have been studied in detail: namely, Coronae Borealis and V477 Cygni. In both cases improved element sets have been obtained. Moreover, in the case of V477 Cygni the obtained values of the longitude of periastron for three different light curves are found to provide a useful basis for discussion of the apsidal motion of this system.     

New findings based on long-term photometric observations of the eclipsing binary V471 Tauri

The post-common envelope and pre-cataclysmic binary V471 Tau has been observed by the authors since 1973. At least a complete light curve in B and V bands and more than two eclipse timings were obtained in each year. All the available data published so far (including the authors') have been collected and analysed for the brightness and orbital period changes. The system brightened about 0.22 mag in both B and V bands more or less regularly up to 1997 and started to decrease afterwards. A search for periodicity of this variation yields a period longer than 85 yr. In addition to this long-period variation, a small amplitude of about 0.08 mag and short time-interval fluctuations on the mean brightness have been detected. The variations of the mean brightness have been discussed and plausible causes suggested. The changes of the apparent period have been attributed to a third body. Analysis of all the 'observed−calculated' (O−C) data yields a period of 32.4 yr, with a semi-amplitude of 151 s and an eccentricity of 0.30 for the third-body orbit. For orbital inclinations greater than 34° the mass of the third body would possibly match to a brown dwarf. One of the most interesting features in the light curve of V471 Tau is the decrement of the eclipse depth with time. The depth of the eclipse in the B band has been decreased from 0.082 to 0.057 mag over 34 yr. Subtracting the variation of the depth due to the brightening of the red dwarf star, the actual variation in depth, originated from from the white dwarf, was found to be about 0.012 mag. This change in the brightness of the compact object has been attributed to the mass accretion from its primary component via thermally driven wind and/or flare-like events.     

Radial distribution of types I and II supernovae in spiral and elliptical galaxies

Photoelectric light curves of the double-lined binaries XY Cet and V380 Cyg, known to be detached systems, have been reanalyzed by means of Wood's program in order to obtain homogeneous photometric elements. Masses, radii and luminosities are given.We find that the basic elements of both components of the metallic-line binary XY Cet are consistent with current views of the metallicity phenomenon. The early-type system V380 Cyg turns out to be composed of an evolved (giant) primary and a Main Sequence companion.     

The peculiar eclipsing star BD+13°3496 (V508 ophiuchi): New BV observations and light curve analysis

New BV photoelectric observations of the W UMa-type system V508 Ophiuchi, made in 1986 at the Kryonerion Astronomical Center of the National Observatory of Athens, Greece, are given. The corresponding mean light curves, as well as those obtained in 1981 at the same station using the same instruments, are analysed using frequency-domain techniques. The geometrical and photometric elements of the system have been found. These are combined with the now available spectroscopic data of the system to get its absolute elements. A general discussion for the light variations between the old and the new observations is made. From the light curve analysis it was found that V508 Oph is an A-type W UMa binary with both of its components to fill their corresponding Roche lobes.     

Revised photometric elements of BF Vir

TheB light curve of BF Vir published by Mallama and Witt (1976) has been re-analyzed using the Wilson and Devinney (1971) approach and the absolute dimensions have been computed. The system turns out to be a semi-detached system, with an A2V primary and an evolved G2 undermassive secondary which fills its Roche lobe; the primary, even if detached, is not far from contact.     

RR Lyrae variables in the globular cluster M3 (NGC 5272) — I. BVI CCD photometry

New BVI CCD photometry is presented for 60 RR Lyrae variables in the globular cluster M3. Light curves have been constructed and ephemerides have been (re)-derived for all of them. Four stars (i.e. V29, V136, V155 and V209), although recognized as variables, had no previous period determinations. Also, the period derived for V129 is significantly different from the one published by Sawyer-Hogg. Light curve parameters, i.e. mean magnitudes, amplitudes and rise times, have been derived.   The discussion of these results in the framework of the stellar evolution and pulsation theories will be presented in a forthcoming paper.     

V348 Puppis: a new SW Sex star in the period gap

We present time-resolved optical spectroscopy and photometry of the nova-like cataclysmic variable V348 Puppis. The system displays the same spectroscopic behaviour as SW Sex stars, so we classify V348 Pup as a new member of the class. V348 Pup is the second SW Sex system (the first is V795 Herculis) which lies in the period gap. The spectra exhibit enhanced He  ii λ 4686 emission, reminiscent of magnetic cataclysmic variables. The study of this emission line gives a primary velocity semi-amplitude of     . We have also derived the system parameters, obtaining:     ,         ,     and     . The spectroscopic behaviour of V348 Pup is very similar to that of V795 Her, with the exception that V348 Pup shows deep eclipses. We have computed the '0.5-absorption' spectrum of both systems, obtaining spectra that resemble the absorption spectrum of a B0 V star. We propose that absorption in SW Sex systems can be produced by a vertically extended atmosphere which forms where the gas stream re-impacts the system, either at the accretion disc or at the magnetosphere of the white dwarf (assuming a magnetic scenario).     

Spectral evolution of the classical symbiotic star V1413 Aql during a new activity cycle

We present the results of our spectroscopic observations for the classical symbiotic star V1413 Aql performed in 2008–2011. Various states of the hot component are considered: almost quiescence in 2008, very slow outburst onset in 2009, outburst maximum in 2010, and gradual brightness decline in the erupted hot component in 2011. We have established that, according to a spectroscopic criterion, in 2008 the system was in quiescence. We have shown that the parameters of the hot component during its outburst can be determined only by modeling the differences of the spectra taken at different eclipse phases. The active hot component of V1413 Aql at the outburst maximum is shown to have had the record late (for a symbiotic star) spectral type K2. At various stages of the new activity cycle, we have modeled the continuumenergy distribution based on a standard three-componentmodel, a model including a standard accretion disk and a red giant, and amodel including a supergiant (of various spectral types) and a red giant. The parameters of the system’s components have been determined.     

VV Orionis: A well-behaved early-type eclipsing binary system

VV Orionis is a detached eclipsing binary system consisting of stars of spectral types B1 V and B4 V with a period of 1.^d4854. There is also a third component whose orbital period about the eclipsing pair is about 120 days. In recent years there have been several new photoelectric and spectroscopic investigations of this system, and the results of these are compared. Both the geometric and photometric orbital elements appear to be well determined. VV Ori A appears to be of normal size and mass for its spectral class, but VV Ori B seems to be somewhat smaller than would be expected for a normal B4 V star. Linear limb-darkening coefficients are derived for VV Ori A, and these are in good agreement with theory. This system is of particular importance, because it is only one of very few earlytype systems for which reliable limb-darkening coefficients can be expected to be obtained. The contribution of the light of the third component to the system has also been determined, and it appears most likely that VV Ori C is a star of spectral type A3 V.Paper presented at the Lembang-Bamberg IAU Colloquium No. 80 on Double Stars: Physical Properties and Generic Relations, held at Bandung, Indonesia, 3–7 June, 1983.     

Analysis of photoelectric light curves of V448 CYG taking the Roche geometry into account

Three-color photoelectric UBV light curves of the close binary system V448 Cyg obtained at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory are analyzed using a new code by Djurasevi. A new value for the ratio of the masses of the components, which is the fundamental parameter for determining the absolute elements of the system, has recently been published. The parameters obtained in our analysis differ substantially from those published previously because the new mass ratio has been employed. The location of the components of V448 Cyg on a mass-logg plot shows that this system, similarly to XZ Cep and V382 Cyg, is in a phase subsequent to a rapid transfer of mass.Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 59–68 (February 2005).     

Light curve variations of the eclipsing binary V367 Cygni

The long-period eclipsing binary star V367 Cygni has been observed photoelectrically in two colours,B andV, in 1984, 1985, and 1986. These new light curves of the system have been discussed and compared for the light-variability with the earlier ones presented by Heiser (1962). Using some of the previously published photoelectric light curves and the present ones, several primary minima times have been derived to calculate the light elements. Any attempt to obtain a photometric solution of the binary is so complicated by the peculiar nature of the light curve caused by the presence of the circumstellar matter in the system. Despite this difficulty, however, some approaches are being carried out to solve the light curves which will be discussed shortly.     

Study of photoelectric observations of the eclipsing binary system FZ-Delphinus

Photoelectric observations in B and V for the FZ Del system are presented and its light curves are analyzed. Absolute parameters are obtained. The system shows a near contact subgaint secondary component with a likely K1 spectral type. The O-C curve is presented and probably a secular orbital period variations is detected on a timescale of about 6.9×10⁶ yrs, suggesting thermal timescale mass transfer. A new light elements for the system have been obtained. The system can be considered as an early stage of conservative case of mass transfer. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Variable stars in the globular cluster NGC 4590 (M68)

We present results of time series photometry to search for variable stars in the field of metal-poor globular cluster NGC 4590 (M68). Periods have been revised for 40 known variables and no significant changes were found. A considerable change in Blazhko effect for V25 has been detected. Among nine newly discovered variable candidates, 5 stars are of RRc Bailey type variables while 4 stars are unclassified. The variable stars V10, V21, V50 and V51 are found to be cluster members based on the radial velocity data taken from literature.     

Photoelectric light and colour variations in V471 Tauri

A new investigation of the variations in the light curves and in the period of the eclipsing binary V471 Tau is presented. The collected observational data have been re-examined and, in addition to old information, it was found that (i) the decrease in the period of the system slows down and (ii) that the mean brightness of the system has been increasing and this is greater at the longer wavelength. For the last seven years the increase in the brightness is estimated to be 0.15 mag inB and 0.18 mag inV bands respectively. Therefore, we conclude that the colour of the system is about 0.03 mag redder in 1980 than in 1973.     

Synthetic light curve solutions for the W UMa-system BV draconis

Synthetic light curve solutions for the W UMa-system BV Dra have been determined by applying the Wilson and Devinney approach toUBV-observations of 1979–1980 andBV-observations of 1976. All solutions are very similar and correspond to a system with an overcontact configuration and an A-type light curve. A reasonable solution results from the assumption of a G1V spectral type for the primary component. Solutions with a F7V spectral type for the primary component are also presented. The photometric mass ratios are close to the spectroscopic values.     

Photometric study of the unusual binary system vsx j052807.9 + 725606

Results are reported from a three color (B, V, and R) photometric study of the recently discovered, unusual binary system VSX J052807.9 + 725606 = USNO-B1.0 1629–0064825. This system is extremely similar to the system V361 Lyr, which had previously been regarded as unique. We confirm the strong asymmetry of the phase curve and find that its amplitude depends on wavelength. This is interpreted using a model of a “direct impact” of the accretion flow with the atmosphere of the accreting component and the formation of a “hot spot.” The color temperatures are determined. The characteristics of the hot spot are estimated. We have also calculated new ephemerides for VSX J052807.9 + 725606.