Constancy of period in XX Leonis

An updated period study of XX Leonis gives a revised period,P = 0 _. ^d 970939, and indicates constancy of the period since its earliest observation.     

The orbital period and variability of the dwarf nova ES Draconis

A radial velocity study of the cataclysmic variable ES Dra (PG 1524+622) is presented. ES Dra is found to have an orbital period of 0.17660 ± 0.00006 day (4.2384 ± 0.0014 h). The mass-losing secondary star of ES Dra is detectable in the spectrum, and it has a spectral type of M2 ± 1. From this, we estimate the absolute magnitude of ES Dra during our spectroscopic observations to have been M_R = 6.5 ± 0.5, and its distance to be 720 ± 150 pc. The long-term light curve of ES Dra compiled by the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) shows that ES Dra is a Z Cam star, which between 1995 and 2009 spent most of its time in standstill.     

Cyclic light and period variations of the UV Leonis system

Solutions of the new standard V‐light curves for the EA type binary UV Leo are obtained using the PHOEBE code (0.31a version). Absolute parameters of the stellar components were then determined, enabling them to be positioned on the absolute magnitude‐color (l.e. M_V vs. B – V) isochrones diagram, based on which the age of the system is estimated to be >4×10⁹ yr. Also times of minima data (“O – C curve”) have been analyzed. Apart from an almost sinusoidal variation with a period of 29.63 yr, which modulates the orbital period, and was attributed to a third body orbiting around the system, other cyclic variation in the orbital period and also brightness, with time scales of 24.25 and 22.77 yr were found, respectively. We associate this with a magnetic activity cycle newly reported here for UV Leo (© 2011 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The orbital period distribution of subdwarf-B binaries

We present the results of a 3.5 year long campaign to measure orbital periods of subdwarf-B (sdB) star binaries. We directly compare our observed orbital period distribution with that predicted by using binary population synthesis. Up to now, most of our systems seem to have been formed through two of the formation channels discussed by Han et al. (2003, MNRAS 341, p. 669), i.e. the first and the second common envelope ejection (CE) channels. At this point, thanks to the long baseline of our observations, we are starting to detect also very long orbital period systems. These have probably come from a complete different formation path, the first stable Roche Lobe overflow (RLOF) channel in which the first mass transfer phase is stable. This channel is expected to lead to the formation of very wide binaries with typical orbital periods ranging from 1 month to 1 year.     

The orbital period variations of AH Virginis

We present a study of orbital period changes in AH Virginis. We perform a careful literature search for all available minima times, from which we derived a new linear ephemeris and constructed an O- C curve. We found that the orbital period of AH Virginis shows a long-term increase, d P/dt =(2.1869 ± 0.0161) × 10-7d yr-1,and a small periodic variation with a period of 37.19 yr. Since AH Virginis is an overcontact system and the primary component shows strong Hα and Mg II emission lines,we discuss the possible connection between mass transfer, magnetic activity and orbital period changes.     

Y Leonis: light curve solution revised and search for photometric variations of the primary minima

The interest in the study of the Algol binary system Y Leonis is justified not only by its light curve having a very deep primary minimum, and pulsating character of its primary component, but also by the complex behavior of its O–C curve which is featured by the presence of long and short time scale modulations. Taking into account the previously inferred K spectral type of the secondary component, one may expect that one of the involved periodicities could be related to magnetic cycles of this star. We gave the Wilson-Devinney solution of the eclipse light curve using our observational data obtained during 2009. The long- and short-term photometric variability of Y Leo is approached both through literature data and new CCD data. Even though these data are scarce, they revealed significant variability in the maximum and minimum brightness of this binary system at long time-scale. The nature of the rapid photometric variations during the deepest phase of primary minima can hardly be explained only by weak δ Scuti pulsations of the primary component which is still visible in partial eclipses.     

The minimum orbital period in thermal time-scale mass transfer

We show that the usual picture of supersoft X-ray binary evolution as driven by conservative thermal time-scale mass transfer cannot explain the short orbital periods of RX J0537.7–7034 (3.5 h) and 1E 0035.4–7230 (4.1 h). Non-conservative evolution may produce such periods, but requires very significant mass loss, and is highly constrained.     

The orbital period of HDE 226868/Cyg X-1

We present epoch 1996, high-quality radial velocity data for HDE 226868, the optical counterpart of Cygnus X-1. Combining our results with all published historical data, we have derived a new ephemeris for the system of HJD 245 0235.29 + n  × 5.5998, which allows accurate orbital phase calculations to be made for any X-ray observations over the last 30 years. We find no evidence for any period change such as that suggested by Ninkov, Walker &38; Yang. We discuss the shortcomings of previous work in establishing the period and orbital elements.     

The highest rate orbital period increasing contact binary LP UMa revisited

Complete BV(RI)_c photometry for the contact binary LP UMa was derived on 2015 February 23 using the 1.0 m telescope at Weihai Observatory of Shandong University. By compiling 66 newly determined times of light minimum with those published in the literature, we investigated the orbital period variation of this binary star. A possible cyclic variation, with a period of 14.84 years and an amplitude of 0.0031 days, was discovered to be superimposed on a long-term period increase (9.32 s century${}^{-1}$). The highest rate of orbital period increase was confirmed, which can be explained by the mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one. The cyclic period oscillation was possibly caused by the light travel time effect due to the presence of a third body. The multiple light curves were simultaneously analysed using the W-D program. It was found that LP UMa has a mass ratio of $q=0.331,$ a contact degree of $f=7.9\%,$ and the temperature difference between the two components was only about 90 K, which are quite different with the previous results. A hot spot on the primary component was employed to explain the asymmetric light curve of this binary.     

Quasars in the field of 88 Leonis

We present spectroscopically confirmed quasars in the 25 sq. degrees A1-field to a limiting magnitude of m_B = 18.0. Our estimate of the quasar density of 0.28 ± 0.11 objects per sq. degree based on the “complete” sample of A1-qusars is in agreement with the observed integral number-magnitude relation. However, we consider this value as still a lower limit of the quasar density in the A1-field due to the uncertainties during the colour based selection of objects, especially their brightness dependence, resulting in serious selection effects. Thus, the quasar density of the A1 survey may be underestimated up to 30% and does not contradict the recently estimated incompletness of the BQS survey.     

Photoelectric light-curves of the eclipsing binary XY Leonis

We have obtained photoelectric light cureves in B and V of the eclipsing binary XY Leonis. Comapring our results with those of Koch of 1956, we have found obvious changes in the shape of the light curve. We have obtained one princiapl and two secondary minimum epochs and thereby further confirmed the periodic character in the change in period of this binary.     

Study on the Period Changes of xy Leonis

XY Leo (BD+18° 2307, p = 0d .28) was observed each season from 1992 through 1995 at Yunnan Observatory with the 1 m telescope and 37 new heliocentric times of minimum light were determined. The newly expanded database of the minimum times,including these new epochs, definitely confirm the sine-like variation of its O–C values. Observations and analyses strongly supported the viewpoint that the variation of the O–C values of the minimum times is mainly caused by the light- time effect. Based on this newly expanded database, new light elements for the eclipsing system XY Leo and new light-time orbit for this complex system have been obtained with much better accuracy than before by means of the least squares fitting to the light-time equation. It's also noted that the additional period variation for XY Leo probably may not be ruled out besides the light-time effect. The method of analysis and the discussion of the results are presented in this paper. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Period changes and photometric solution of AP Leonis

The results of BV photometry of AP Leonis are presented. Photometric analysis is carried out by using the Wilson-Devinney program. The solution shows that the system is an over-contact binary with an over-contact degree of 23.5% and its mass ratio q equal to 0.301. A starspot group is found in the low latitude region on the secondary component. The average temperature of the spot is about 1220 K lower than that of surrounding photosphere.

The light minimum times observed over ninety years are collected. The O-C curve of minima reveals that the period of AP Leo changes with the time in a pseudo-sinusoidal pattern and there is probably a third body in the system.     

On the period variability of GP andromedae

The present paper deals with the pulsation period variability of the high-amplitude δ Scuti star GP Andromedae using a data set covering a time base of 26.9 years. The possibility of a periodic component (reflecting the light-time effect induced by a hypothetic binarity) in the O-C curve is inferred. The presence of this periodicity in the period variation of GP And leads to a diminution of the discrepancy between predicted and observed relative period change rates. The hypothesis of the existence of an unseen companion is discussed. The statistical analysis of the final O-C residuals distribution, indicates their normal or close to normal character. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A cyclical period variation detected in the updated orbital period analysis of TV Columbae

Two CCD photometries of the intermediate polar TV Columbae are made for obtaining two updated eclipse timings with high precision. There is an interval time ～17 yr since the last mid-eclipse time observed in 1991. Thus, the new mid-eclipse times might offer an opportunity to check the previous orbital ephemerides. A calculation indicates that the orbital ephemeris derived by Augusteijn et al. (Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. Ser. 107:219, 1994) should be corrected. Based on the proper linear ephemeris (Hellier in Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc. 264:132, 1993), the new orbital period analysis suggests a cyclical period variation in the O–C diagram of TV Columbae. Using Applegate’s mechanism to explain the periodic oscillation in the O–C diagram, the required energy is larger than the energy that a M0-type star can afford over a complete variation period of ～31.0(±3.0) yr. Thus, the light travel-time effect indicates that the tertiary component in TV Columbae may be a dwarf with a low mass, which is near the lower mass limit of ～0.08M _⊙ as long as the inclination of the third body is high enough.     

The orbital period and negative superhumps of the nova-like cataclysmic variable V378 Pegasi

A radial velocity study is presented of the cataclysmic variable V378 Pegasi (PG 2337 + 300). It is found to have an orbital period of 0.13858 ± 0.00004 d (3.32592 ± 0.00096 h). Its spectrum and long-term light curve suggest that V378 Peg is a nova-like variable, with no outbursts. We use the approximate distance and position in the Galaxy of V378 Peg to estimate E(B − V) = 0.095, and use near-infrared magnitudes to calculate a distance of 680 ± 90 pc and M_V = 4.68 ± 0.70, consistent with V378 Peg being a nova-like. Time-resolved photometry taken between 2001 and 2009 reveals a period of 0.1346 ± 0.0004 d (3.23 ± 0.01 h). We identify this photometric variability to be negative superhumps, from a precessing, tilted accretion disk. Our repeated measurements of the photometric period of V378 Peg are consistent with this period having been stable between 2001 and 2009, with its negative superhumps showing coherence over as many as hundreds or even thousands of cycles.     

Variation in the orbital period of W UMa-type contact systems

The secular variation in the orbital period P_orb is studied as a function of the mass ratio q of the components in a sample of 73 contact systems of class W UMa constructed from a survey of current (1991–2003) published photometric and spectroscopic data. Almost all the W UMa-systems (>93% of this sample) are found to have a variation in their orbital periods P_orb which alternates in sign independently of their division into A-and Wsubclasses. A statistical study of this sample in terms of the observed characteristics dP_orb/dt and q showed that on the average the numbers of increases (35 systems) and decreases (33 systems) in the periods are the same, which indicates the existence of flows directed alternately from one component to the other and illustrates the cyclical character of the thermal oscillations. An analysis of the behavior of dP_orb/dt as a function of the mass interval of the primary component yields a more accurate value for the mass ratio, q ≈ 0.4 ÷ 0.45 at which contact binaries are separated into A-and W-subclasses. No correlations were observed between the fill-out factor for the outer contact configuration, the total mass of the contact system, and the mass ratio of the components, on one hand, and the sign of the secular variation in the period. The physical properties and evolutionary features of these systems are discussed. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 49, No. 3, pp. 419–432 (August 2006).