Period study of AX draconis

A new period (P = 0 _. ^d 5681643) for AX Draconis, based on all available times of minima, has been given. O-C diagrams for the star, based on various periods, have been given. A sinusoidal variation is apparent in figures, which is suggestive of the possible presence of a third body, having a period of more than 80 years.     

Period study of IT Persei

A new period (P=1 _. ^d 533731) of the eclipsing binary system IT Persei has been given, which is based on all available times of minima. O-C diagrams of IT Persei, based on the period given in PPEN (1980) and based on the new period, have been given.Long-term period changes are not present in the system, however, some period fluctuations of the order of 10^–5d are seen around the years 1907, 1921, and 1933.     

Period changes in EI Cephei

A new period (P=8^d.439422) of the eclipsing binary system EI Cephei has been given, which is based on all available times of minima. Periods using Strohmeier's (1958) epoch have also been presented for the observations given by other investigators. Period based on only photoelectric minima comes out to be 8^d.439336, which is lesser than the earlier periods given in the literature. O-C diagrams of EI Cephei have been presented for the first time, and period variations have been estimated in different portions of the O-C diagram (Figure 2) of EI Cephei. Strong period changes have occurred around the years 1959 and 1965. The total change in period (P/P) ranges from 6.7×10^–5 to 4.3×10^–4. Thus, P of the order of 10^–3 d are present, which fact suggests that strong period variations are present in EI Cephei. However, periods given by various investigators show no systematic trend of period variations. The existence of a third body in the system could not be confirmed.     

A period study of V450 Herculis

A detailed period study of the eclipsing binary system V450 Her has been presented. A new period (P= _. ^d 12724) has been given. The period changes in different portions of the O-C diagram, based on new period, have been estimated. The total period change ranges from 3.28×10^–6 d to 7.06×10^–5 d, which is appreciable.     

Period variations in SZ Arietis

A new period (P=1^d.7175405) of the eclipsing binary system SZ Arietis has been presented. Period changes in different portions of the O-C diagram, with new period, have been estimated. The total change in period (P) ranges from 3.64×10^–5 d to 4.24×10^–4 d, which is appreciably large. However, leaving the unusual value, the average period change comes out to be of the order of 6×10^–5 d. The period changes around the years 1903, 1943, and 1977 are apparent in the O-C diagrams. A sinusoidal variation is also visible in the O-C diagrams which indicates that SZ Ari may be a three-body system, having a period of nearly 66 years.     

Period study of AW UMa

A detailed period study of the eclipsing binary system AW UMa is presented. A new period (P=0^d.4387317) is given. Period changes in different portions of the O-C diagram, based on new period, have been estimated. The total change in period (P) ranges from 2.2×10^–7 to 2.8×10^–6 d, which is normal for AW UMa systems. Two distinct linear trends of period are visible in the O-C diagram. A third trend shows a new change in the period behaviour, which is yet to be confined.     

Very short-term behaviour of the flare star EV Lac

Sinusoidal variations in Johnson'sB-band of the flare star EV Lac have been confirmed at its quiet state luminosity. The cycle lengths are more than one hour and less than two hours with amplitudes varying from 0 _. ^m 105 to 0 _. ^m 306. These registered cycles have agreed with cycles detected by Mavridis and Varvoglis (1990) and Mavridis (1990). In the same time, the cycles have confirmed the light variation detection in Johnson'sV-band in the same flare star by Pettersen (1980) with a cyclic period equals about 4 _. ^d 378 and an amplitude of about 0 _. ^m 07. Our net results confirm, to some extent, the presence of active region(s) as an origin of stellar flare phenomenon of UV Ceti type flare stars. We can cautiously say that the solar and stellar flare phenomenon have a similar origin.     

Period study of GH Pegasi

The period study of the eclipsing binary system GH Pegasi has been presented for the first time. A new period (P=2^d.556135) of GH Peg, based on all available times of minima, has been given. O–C diagrams of the system have also been presented for the first time, and the period changes present in the system have been analysed. The period shows changes around the year 1972 and 1981. The total period change in different portions of the O–C diagram, based on the corrected period, ranges from 5.2×10^–6 d to 7.0×10^–5 d. The photoelectric minima show sufficiently large scatter in the system.     

Short-term variations of some UV-ceti type flare stars

Sinusoidal variations in bothV - andB-bands were detected in some flare stars of the UV Ceti type outside of flares. This detection has confirmed the light variation detection in Johnson'sV -band in EV Lac at quiet-state luminosity by Pettersen (1980) with a cyclic period equals about 4 _. ^d 378 and an amplitude of about 0 _. ^m 07. An interpretation of these short cyclic periods is that they are due to intensity modulations from a photospheric spot group as a result of stellar equatorial rotations. A short period of 14 days with an amplitude of 0 _. ^m 099 was detected inB-band in AD Leo. For the two flare stars, BD+55° 1823 and DO Cep in bothV- andB-bands, cyclic periods of more than 3 days and less than 17 days with amplitudes more than 0 _. ^m 090 and less than 0 _. ^m 250 have been registered. A significant contribution has been found in the flare star EV Lac in bothV- andB-bands at its quiescent-state luminosity where the detected cyclic periods are agreed with that which was detected by Pettersen (1980) in the same flare star in Johnson'sV-band, about 4 days. Furthermore, we found the same cyclic period in the colour index,B - V (about 4 days) which strengthens starspot phenomenon. This colour index period could not be detected by Pettersen (1980).     

Period study of XY Ceti

A first period study of the eclipsing binary XY Ceti is presented. A new period (P=2^d.7807135), based on all available times of minima, is given. Period changes in different portions of the O–C diagram, with a new period, have been estimated. The total change in period (P/P) ranges from 1.1×10^–5 d to 1.2×10^–4 d, thus, P ranges from 3.1×10^–5 d to 3.3×10^–4 d. The O–C diagram suggests that the trend of the period has changed around the year 1959. Two portions of increasing and decreasing trends also reveal that the period changes (P/P) of the order of 10^–5 d are present, which are appreciably large.     

A new period and period trend of IZ Persei

A new period (P=3^d.687664) of the eclipsing binary system IZ Persei is given, based on 16 observed times of the minima. O–C diagrams of IZ Per have been presented for the first time, and the period variations have been estimated in different portions of the O–C diagram. Significant period changes do not appear to have occurred in IZ Per. The O–C diagrams suggest that the period of the system is continuously increasing at a rate of 25^s yr^–1. Period variations of the order of 10^–5 d appear to have occurred around the years 1969, 1972, and 1978. The period increases are stronger than the period decreases; but these are yet to be confirmed. The overall picture of IZ Per suggests that strong period changes are not present in the system; however, slow increase of period is apparent in IZ Per. The total period change (3×10^–6 d) till the last epoch is in agreement with the newly derived period of IZ Per.     

An analysis of the light changes of the eclipsing binary XY ceti in the frequency-domain

The photoelectric observations of the eclipsing binary XY Ceti presented by us (see Srivastava and Padalia, 1975) have been analysed by Okazaki (1978) and Ramellaet al. (1980). They presented different sets of elements from the same set of our observations. This necessitated us to obtain the elements of XY Ceti again employing recent method of determination of elements.The revised geometrical elements of the eclipsing binary XY Ceti have been obtained by the method of Fourier analysis of the light changes in the frequency-domain, which was developed by Kopal (1979). These have been compared with our earlier (Srivastava and Padalia, 1975) results obtained by employing Russell and Merrill's (1952) method. The revised absolute dimensions of XY Ceti have been obtained using the spectroscopic elements given by Popper (1971), and the newly derived geometrical elements. The Roche radii have been derived to discuss the evolution of the system. The secondary component lies reasonably near to the Main Sequence, while the primary component falls above it. The evolutionary discussion indicates that the system is a detached one.     

ST Persei: A possible multi-body system

Detailed period study of the eclipsing binary ST Per is presented. A new period (P=2^d.648339) is given. Period changes in different portions of the O-C diagram with a new period have been estimated. The total changes in period (P) ranges from 2.17×10^–5d to 2.64×10^–4d which is appreciably large. Sufficient number of minima in the time interval 1934 to 1985 for this system are available. Distinct increasing and decreasing trends are evident, the change in the tendency appears to have occurred around 1947. Sinusoidal variation is seen between cycles 7000–10000, which indicates that ST Per is a three-body system, the period of the third body being about 22 years. However, the sinusoidal variation is not perfectly symmetric in shape, therefore, it is suspected that ST Per is a four-(or multi-) body system.     

RS CVn-binary RW com: A possible three-body system

A first detailed period study of the eclipsing RS CVn-binary system RW Com is presented. A new period (P=0^d.2373455) based on 223 minima is given. The O–C diagrams of RW Com have been presented for the first time. Types of ten minima have been corrected judging the period trend. Period changes in different portions of the O–C diagram (Figure 2) have been estimated. The total change in period (P/P) ranges from 5.5×10^–7 to 6.4×10^–6. Thus, P ranges from 1.3×10^–7 d to 1.5×10^–6 d. Numerous minima are available in the time interval 1967 to 1986. This part of the O–C diagram (Figure 2) shows a sinusoidal variation, thus, it is suspected that RW Com could be a three-body system. The period of variation due to third body appears to be nearly 16 years.     

Period variations in BZ Eridani

The O-C diagram of BZ Eri has been presented for the first time, and the period variations present in the system have been analysed. In all, eight period decreases and eight period increases are noticed. Of these, four period decreases and seven period increases are appreciable. The strongest period changes are noticed in the interval 1960 to 1962. The total period change in different portions of the O-C diagram ranges from 1.17×10^–3 d to 3.96×10^–6 d. The trend of the period variation appears to have reversed around the year 1980.     

Photoelectric study of AW UMa

UBV photoelectric photometry of the eclipsing binary system AW UMa has been presented. A slightly improved period of 0 _. ^d 4387304 has been given. The colour of the system has been discussed. Eccentricity is present in the system. Light and colour curves show that intrinsic light variations may be present in the system. The presence of mass transfer is a possibility.     

Photometric modelling of close binary star CN And

The results of two color photometry of active close binary CN And are presented and analyzed. The light curves of the system are obviously asymmetric, with the primary maximum brighter than the secondary maximum, which is known as the O’Conell effect. The most plausible explanation of the asymmetry is expected to be due to spot activity of the primary component. For the determination of physical and geometrical parameters, the most new version of W-D code was used, but the presence of asymmetry prevented the convergence of the method when the whole light curves were used. The solutions were obtained by applying mode 3 of W-D code to the first half of the light curves, assuming synchronous rotation and zero eccentricity. Absolute parameters of the system were obtained from combining the photometric solution with spectroscopic data obtained from radial velocity curve analysis. The results indicate the poor thermal contact of the components and transit primary minimum. Finally the O-C diagram was analyzed. It was found that the orbital period of the system is changing with a rate ofd P/dt = − 2.2(6) × 10⁻¹⁰ which corresponds to mass transfer from more massive component to less massive with the rate ofd M/dt ∼4.82 × 10⁻⁸ M _sun/year.     

U - B - V photometry of the spectroscopic-visual triple HD 165590

HD 165590 is a visual binary (dG0 + dG5,P = 20 _. ^y 25,e = 0.96) whoseA component is an SB1 double (dG5 + dM:P = 0 _. ^d 88,e0.0). TheA pair (Aa +Ab) undergoes partial eclipses. PhotoelectricUBV photometry from Lines and one of the Automatic Photoelectric Telescopes, andV photometry from Scarfe are examined here. The data are from the 1977, 1984, 1985, and 1986 observing seasons. The non-eclipse light variations are analyzed with a FORTRAN program which does a sinusoidal curve fitvia least squares repeatedly to obtain the best period. Periods found from each observing season and passband are consistent with Boydet al. (1985): the greatest variations seem to be produced by a rotating (0 _. ^d 88), spotted, G0 star (theAa component). To the residuals from the first analysis a further curve fit is made to determine characteristics of the wave due to the ellipticity effect. An early limit on the spectral type of the unseenAb component, based on the primary eclpse depth and the upper limit on the depth of the unseen secondary eclipse, is K2. Eclipse depths and widths seen here suggest that theA pair's inclination = 74 _. ⁰ 9 ± 1⁰, close to theA +B inclination of 82 _. ⁰ 7 ± 2⁰ (Battenet al., 1979). TheA pair's orbital period does not appear to vary, appearing instead to be well-described by a new linear ephemeris (Hel. J.D. = 2443665.4568 + 0 _. ^d 8795045E) which does, however, take into account a variable light-travel-times as theA component orbits theA +B center of mass with a 20 _. ^y 25 period. The maximum light-travel-time O-C thus produced is + /–8 _. ^m 4 = + /–0 _. ^d 0059.     

Period study of XX cassiopeiae

New period (P=3^d.067182) of the eclipsing binary system XX Cassiopeiae has been given, which is based on thirty-nine minima. O–C diagram of XX Cas has been presented for the first time, and the period variations present in the system have been analysed. In all seven period increases and four period decreases are noted in the time-interval 1922 to 1983. Strongest period change occurs in the time-interval 1929 to 1933. The total period change in different portions of the O–C diagram ranges from 6.1×10^–7 d to 6.3×10^–4 d. Appreciable period fluctuations are noted in the time-interval 1922 to 1936. The possibility of the presence of a third body has been suspected.     

A new period and period changes in VZ Hydrae

A new period (P=2 _. ^d 9042997) of the eclipsing binary system VZ Hydrae has been given, which is based on all the available times of minima. The period based on the photoelectric epochs has also been presented. The O?C diagram and detailed period study of VZ Hya have been presented for the first time, and the period changes have been estimated in different portions of the O?C diagram. Significant period changes do not appear to have occurred in VZ Hya, however, the O?C diagram suggests that the period of the system shows a slow tendency to increase. Period changes of 10^?5 d (?) to 10^?7 d have occurred around the years 1933, 1971, and 1975. All four period changes are noted in the time-interval 1918 to 1978. Upward treands appear stronger than the declining trends. Secondary minima show larger fluctuations than the primary minima. The fluctuations of the O?C values around the zero-line of VZ Hya demands notice for searching out the cause of period variations such as the presence of a third body.