First photometric investigation of two short-period eclipsing binaries NSVS 7377756 and for UCAC3 276-106147

We present the first CCD sets of complete light curves for two W Ursae Majoris Systems, UCAC3 276-106147 and NSVS 7377756. These light curves are here analyzed and modelled using the latest version of the Wilson-Devinney Code. We found that UCAC3 276-106147 is a W-subtype shallow-contact eclipsing binary (fill-out factor 7.5%), with a mass ratio of q = 2.88 (1/q = 0.347), a small temperature difference between the components of about ΔT =200K. NSVS 7377756 is an H-subtype binary system with a high mass ratio of q = 1.09 (1/q = 0.947), a weak degree of contact factor f = 3.8% and a temperature difference between the components of ΔT = 398 K. The light curves of both the systems appear to be unspotted. By using our 4 and 7 times of minimum light and the 30 and 104 ToMs extract from the SWASP observations, respectively for UCAC3 276-106147 and NSVS 7377756, the orbital periods are here revised. The elements obtained from this analysis are used to compute the physical parameters of the systems combining our photometric solution with the 3-D correlation obtained for contact binaries by Gazeas (2009). Based on these estimated parameters the evolutionary state of the components of the systems is investigated and discussed.     

The K spectral type contact binary NSVS 1557555: Photometric solution and preliminary elements

We present the first CCD sets of complete light curves for the W Ursae Majoris system NSVS 1557555.The observations were performed in the B, V and I_c bands using the 0.25  m telescope of the Stazione Astronomica Betelgeuse Northern Italy, during 8 nights in October and November 2016.Based on our new eleven Time of Minima (ToM), and two recent ones found in bibliography, the short orbital period of the system is confirmed and revised to P = 0.2725163 days .A reasonable fit of the synthetic light curves of the data indicate that NSVS 1557555 is a late-type (K1+K3) shallow contact binary system of W-Subtype of the W Ursae Majoris systems, with a mass ratio of q = 1.8, a degree of contact factor f = 12.5%, a temperature difference between the components of 240K and inclination i = 85°.The light curves show asymmetries at the maxima with the maximum at phase 0.75 higher the other one (inverse O’Connell effect).To explain the light asymmetries we used a model that involves an hot spotted region on the surface of the cooler star.The definitive solution is only possible with a large amount of third light (L₃ = 0.58 in B Filter). It may come from a hot tertiary component.The absolute dimensions of the system are estimated. From the logM-logL diagram it is seen that both components of NSVS 1557555 follow the general pattern of the W subtype W Ursae Majoris systems.The orbital angular momentum is compared with those of other W UMa type binaries and is normal.     

Photometric analysis of the contact binary star V829 Hercules using light curves on three consecutive years

New BVR light curves and photometric analysis of the contact binary star V829 Her are presented. The light curves were obtained at the ÇOMU Observatory in the consecutive years 2003, 2004 and 2005. Firstly, the variation of the orbital period of the system was studied. The sinusoidal and secular changes were found and examined in terms of two plausible mechanisms, namely (i) the conservative mass transfer between the components of the system and (ii) the light-time effect due to an unseen component in the system. The instrumental magnitudes of all observed stars in this study were converted into standard magnitudes. We also study nature of asymmetries and the intrinsic variability in the light curves of the system. Light variations are summarized: (a) changes of light levels of both maxima and (b) changes of the depths of both primary and secondary eclipses. These peculiar asymmetries were interpreted in terms of dark spot(s) on the surface of the large and more massive component star. The present BVR light curves and radial velocity curves obtained by Lu, W., Rucinski, S. M., 1999. AJ 118, 515 were analysed by means of the latest version of the Wilson–Devinney program, simultaneously. Thus, the absolute parameters of the system were also derived.     

Photometric Analysis and Period Investigation of the EW Type Eclipsing Binary V441 Lac

Four color light curves of the EW type eclipsing binary V441 Lac were presented and analyzed by the W–D code. It is found that V441 Lac is an extremely low mass ratio (q = 0.093±0.001) semi-detached binary with the less massive secondary component filling the inner Roche lobe. Two dark spots on the primary component were introduced to explain the asymmetric light curves. By analyzing all times of light minimum, we determined that the orbital period of V441 Lac is continuously increasing at a rate of dP/dt = 5.874(±0.007) × 10^?7 d yr^?1. The semi-detached Algol type configuration of V441 Lac is possibly formed by a contact configuration destroyed shallow contact binary due to mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one predicted by the thermal relaxation oscillation theory.     

Photometric study of three contact binary systems

The first complete light curves of two eclipsing binaries in Camelopardalis, NX Cam and V584 Cam, are here presented together with the new observations of the system NSVS 2643686 obtained in 2014. The light curves were modelled using the latest version of the Wilson-Devinney code. Our results show that all the three systems have an extreme mass ratio q < 0.2, two of them, NX Cam and NSVS 2643686, having the fill-out f > 50%, belong to the class of the so called Deep Low Mass Ratio systems (DLMR) but show different physical characteristics. The two above systems are totally eclipsed binaries with the duration of the secondary eclipse of 87 min for NX Cam and 51 min for NSVS 2643686. The other system, V584 Cam, shows a middle fill-out value of f = 33% and low inclination. Using our Times of Minima (ToM) derived from the observations as well as those found in the literature, the ephemerides of the three systems are here revised. The absolute dimensions are estimated and, from statistical diagram, it is found that all the components of the systems follow the general pattern of the well known W UMa contact binaries.     

RV Piscium: a marginal contact binary system

The first complete charge-coupled device (CCD) light curves in B and V bands of the short-period binary system, RV Psc, are presented. It is found that the light curves of RV Psc are symmetric and belong to the EW type rather than the EA type as described in the 4th edition of the GCVS. Photometric solutions were derived by using the 2003 version of the Wilson–Devinney (W-D) method. It is shown that RV Psc is a marginal contact system (f=5.8%±6.6%) with a mass ratio of q=0.5978±0.0096. The temperature difference between both components is only 17 K. Analysis of the O-C curve suggests that the period of RV Psc shows a long-term continuous decrease at a rate of dP/dt=?5.89×10^?8 days/year. The long-time period decrease, the marginal-contact configuration, and the astrophysical parameters of the binary system, all suggest that it is a newly formed marginal contact binary from a case A mass transfer and will evolve into a normal overcontact binary.     

A photometric study of a new short period eclipsing sdB binary NSVS 07826147

NSVS?07826147 and NSVS?04818255 were suspected as possible eclipsing sdB binary systems by Kelley and Shaw. In order to investigate the short period eclipsing sdB binaries, we have listed them as our observing targets and began to monitor it from March 2009. Till now, we have obtained four complete CCD light curves and 16 high precise times of light minimum of NSVS?07826147. All light curves show strong reflection and a very narrow eclipse, which implies that NSVS?07826147 should be a new short period eclipsing sdB binary. For the system NSVS?04818255, no eclipse character was found in the light curves according to our observations. However, we found that a star near NSVS?04818255 is a close binary system with a period of about 0.32498 days. Up to now, only seven short period eclipsing sdB binary systems have been found, including NSVS?07826147. With the new precise epochs obtained by us, the new period of this system is derived as 0.16177046(5) days, which can be used to predict the epochs of light minimum. Furthermore, the light curves of NSVS?07826147 are analyzed using the Wilson–Van Hamme code and the testing photometric solutions are presented and discussed.     

Light curve variation and period changes of VW Cep

PhotometricUBV-observations of VW Cep, a W UMa-type eclipsing binary, were made in 1971 and 1978–79. The (O-C)-diagram, with the newly determined times of minima extended, shows sudden increases and decreases in the period of VW Cep. The difference light curves (the observed light curves compared with a reference light curve) show some correlations with the sudden change of the period. In particular, the difference between the two light curves from 1971 and 1978 is also presented. The system may be in marginal contact, and as such is possibly unstable with respect to mass exchange between its components. In accordance with the variation of (O-C)-values the mass transfer between the both components is discussed. The difference between the depths of the two minima shows irregular changes, while that between the heights of the two maxima shows a long term variation on which irregular fluctuations are superimposed.     

Global parameters of the totally-eclipsing W UMa stars NSVS 6673994, NSVS 4316778, PP Lac and NSVS 1926064

Photometric observations of four totally-eclipsing W UMa binaries, NSVS 6673994, NSVS 4316778, PP Lac and NSVS 1926064, are presented. Their global parameters were determined from the light curve solutions and GAIA distances. The main results are as follows: (i) NSVS 6673994, NSVS 4316778 and PP Lac are of W subtype while NSVS 1926064 is of A subtype; (ii) The mass ratios of NSVS 4316778 and NSVS 1926064 are close to the lower mass-ratio limit; (iii) NSVS 4316778 has double contact configuration while NSVS 1926064 is in deep contact; (iv) The changes of the PP Lac period seem cyclic and are accompanied with episodes of essentially constant value; (v) The relations between the global parameters of the four W UMa stars differ considerably from those of Main Sequence (MS) stars. The deviations of the radii, temperatures and luminosities of the stellar components from those of MS stars with the same masses are bigger for the two targets with extremely small mass ratio.     

First photometric study of the W UMa system GSC 1042-2191

We present new photometric observations covering eight minima times for the eclipsing binary GSC 1042-2191. The light curves in $\mathit{BVRI}$ colors were analyzed by using WD-code for the system parameters. Eight minima times were obtained from the new observations. The system is found a low mass ratio (q = 0.148), A-type over-contact binary with a fill out parameter of f = 65.01 ± 12.18%. The preliminary absolute dimensions (M₁= 1.26 ± 0.06 M_⊙, M₂ = 0.18 ± 0.06 M_⊙, R₁ = 1.54 ± 0.20 R_⊙, R₂ = 0.69 ± 0.01 R_⊙, ${\mathit{L}}_1$ =3.30 ± 0.30 L_⊙ and ${\mathit{L}}_2$ = 0.59 ± 0.20 L_⊙) indicate the very much oversized and over-luminous secondary component, by assuming the present luminosity of the secondary is its main sequence luminosity, we predict the original mass is about 0.8 M_⊙, this means the present secondary could be transferred and/or lost 77% of its original mass and only its core is left.     

Light Curve Modelling and Evolutionary Status of the Short Period Binary 1SWASP J092328.76+435044

Light curve modeling for the newly discovered super contact low-mass WUMa system 1SWASPJ092328.76+435044 was carried out by using a new BVR complete light curves. A spotted model was applied to treat the asymmetry of the light curves. The output model was obtained by means of Wilson–Devinney code, which reveals that the massive component is hotter than the less massive one with about ΔT ～ 40 K. A total of six new times of minima were estimated. The evolutionary state of the system components was investigated based on the estimated physical parameters.     

Gravitational radiation from approaching neutron stars and the rotational explosion mechanism for collapsing supernovae

We consider the evolution of a neutron star binary system under the effect of two factors: gravitational radiation and mass transfer between the components. Gravitational radiation is specified under the justified assumption of a circular orbit and point masses and in the approximation of a weak gravitational field at nonrelativistic velocities of the binary components. During the first evolutionary phase determined only by gravitational radiation, the neutron stars approach each other according to a simple analytical solution. The second evolutionary phase begins at the time of Roche-lobe filling by the low-mass component, when the second factor, mass transfer as a result of mass loss by the latter, also begins to affect the evolution. Under the simplest assumptions of conservative mass transfer and exact equality between the Roche-lobe radius and the radius of the low-mass neutron star, it is still possible to extend the analytical solution of the problem of evolution to its second phase. We present this complete solution at both phases and, in particular, give theoretical light curves of gravitational radiation that depend only on two dimensionless parameters (m _t and δ ₀). Based on the solution found, we analyze the theoretical gravitational signals from SN 1987A; this analysis includes the hypothesis about the rotational explosion mechanism for collapsing supernovae.     

Photometric elements and apsidal motion of the eclipsing binary NSV 18773

The photometric elements of the eclipsing binary NSV 18773 (HD 99898) have been determined for the first time by analyzing its V-and I-band light curves from the ASAS-2 and ASAS-3 catalogs. Based on these elements and using other published spectroscopic and photometric data, we constructed a consistent system of geometrical and physical parameters for the system that consists of two stars (M ₁ = 20M _⊙, Sp₁=B0V, R ₁ = 5.0R _⊙ and M ₂ = 14M _⊙, Sp₂ = B1V, R ₂ = 6.5R _⊙) in elliptical orbits (P = 5 _. ^d 049, e = 0.365, a = 40.1R _⊙). The distance to the system is d = 3.3 kpc, the interstellar extinction is A _V = 2 _. ^m 0, and the age is t = 2.8 × 10⁶ yr. NSV 18773 is a visual binary with components V _A = 9 _. ^m 9 and V _B = 10 _. ^m 3 separated by 0 _. ^" 8. The third light (L ₃ = 0.61) that we found by analyzing the light curves shows that the eclipsing binary is the system’s fainter component B. We confirmed the rapid apsidal motion of the star detected by Otero and Wils (2006) and refined its observed period: U _obs = 150 ± 6 yr. Our photometric elements and physical parameters allowed the apsidal parameter $\bar k_2^{obs} = 0.0135(14)$ , which reflects the density distribution along the radii of the component stars, to be determined. Within the error limits, the derived parameter agrees with its theoretically expected value, $\bar k_2^{th} = 0.0119(8)$ , from current evolutionary models of stars of the corresponding masses and ages.     

XZ And a semidetached asynchronous binary system

In this work the light curves (LCs) solutions along with the radial velocity curve of the semidetached binary systemXZ And are presented using the PHOEBE program(ver 0.31a). Absolute parameters of the stellar components were then determined, enabling us to discuss structure and evolutionary status of the system. The analysis indicates that the primary is a non-synchronous (i.e., F1 = 3.50 ± 0.01) Main Sequence (MS) star and the secondary is a bit more evolved, and fills its Roche critical surface. In addition, times of minima data (“O ? C curve”) were analyzed. Apart from an almost parabolic variation in the general trend of O ? C data, which was attributed to a mass transfer from the secondary with the rate ?₂ = (9.52 ± 0.41) × 10^?10 M _⊙ yr^?1; two cyclic variations with mean periods of 34.8 ± 2.4 and 23.3 ± 3.0 yr, modulating the orbital period, were found, which were attributed to a third body orbiting around the system, and magnetic activity cycle effect, respectively.     

Photometric investigation of the evolved contact binary system DN Aur

We present here the photometric light curve analyses of the eclipsing binary star DN Aur. The CCD photometry, performed at the Behlen observatory using the 0.76 m automated telescope gave 646 individual data points inV andR bandpass filters. From this data we have determined a new epoch and an orbital period of 0.6168891 days. The published spectral classification is F3.The Wilson-Devinney model was used to derive the photometric solutions. DN Aur is a W UMa type contact binary system. The mass ratio, (q=m ₂/m ₁0.210, where star 2 is eclipsed at the primary minimum) suggests that the system has A-type configuration. The computed light curve has a third light of about 22 percent and a total eclipse in the secondary minimum. A solution with a cool spot on the secondary component is also found. We recommend spectroscopic study of DN Aur even though the light curve analysis show it to be a single line spectroscopic system. Generally contact systems of spectral type F3 have periods ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 days. The longer period of DN Aur suggests that it is an evolved contact system with case A mass transfer.     

The MODEST questions: Challenges and future directions in stellar cluster research

We present a review of some of the current major challenges in stellar cluster research, including young clusters, globular clusters, and galactic nuclei. Topics considered include: primordial mass segregation and runaway mergers, expulsion of gas from clusters, the production of stellar exotica seen in some clusters (e.g., blue stragglers and extreme horizontal-branch stars), binary populations within clusters, the black-hole population within stellar clusters, the final parsec problem, stellar dynamics around a massive black hole, and stellar collisions. The Modest Questions posed here are the outcome of discussions which took place at the Modest-6A workshop held in Lund, Sweden, in December, 2005. Modest-6A was organised as part of the activities of the Modest Collaboration (see www.manybody.org for further details).     

A photometric study of the short-period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J204932.94-654025.8, showing strong third light

1SWASP J204932.94-654025.8 (hereafter J2049) is a newly discovered eclipsing binary system with an orbital period of 0.2299103 days. BVR_c light curves (LCs) are presented and analyzed by using the 2013 version of the Wilson–Devinney (W–D) program. Because the observed LCs are asymmetric, a hot star-spot was employed on the secondary component during our analysis. We found that J2049 is a W-subtype shallow contact eclipsing binary system with an orbit inclination of 62^∘.69 ± 0^∘.95 and a mass ratio of q =1.326 ± 0.056. More importantly, we found the presence of a strong third light, with an average luminosity contribution of 31.3% of the total light. Based on times of the light minima, the orbital period changes of J2049 are studied for the first time, and there is no evidence for any significant dp/dt now. Considering the presence of the third light and the short time span of the eclipse times, more observations are needed in the future.