Two similar detached binary systems: AT and AZ camelopardalis

Photoelectric BV observations of AT Cam are presented. The O-C diagram of the times of light minimum shows a probable long-term variation in the period. Photometric solutions using the Wilson-Devinney method were made for both AT Cam and AZ Cam. Both are found to be detached systems, but the components are close to the critical surfaces. For AT Cam, there are two probable solutions around the mass-ratio, q=0.60 and 3.45, both giving a detached configuration. For AZ Cam, q=1.52, the primary eclipse is a partial occultation at an inclination i=80.5°. A brief discussion is given on their evolutionary stages, based on the fractional radii and the mass-ratios obtained.     

Accretion disk evolution

Three aspects of mass transfer instability models of dwarf novae are examined. The hydrodynamic development of instabilities in the secondary are examined within Roche geometry and shown to extend at least a few degrees away from the line of centres. The form of the outburst light curves observed in SS Cygni are shown to be a natural consequence of mass transfer bursts with a duration either less than, or greater than, the disk viscous timescale. Finally the two-dimensional structure of the disc in the plane of the orbit is studied. As with -disks the viscous evolution time following a burst of mass transfer determines the size of viscosity within the disk. Significant deviations from axial symmetry are found to be present.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

食双星船底ST(ST Car)和印第安RY(RY Ind)的光变曲线Roche模型分析

本文采用Wilson-Devinney的Roche模型,对两颗短周期食双星ST Car和RY Ind的光变曲线,进行了再分析。结果表明ST Car的测光质比q=0.60,RY Ind的q=0.50,两颗均属分离的不接双星,但它们的小质量次子星几乎充满Roche临界面。两星的测光特性说明,它们可能是Algol演化阶段后的双星。     

The libration of a satellite caused by the tidal field of its planet

The tidal field caused by the second order zonal harmonic of the gravitational field of a planet is discussed according to the fernwirkungsgesetz (principle of local action) of Weyl (1921) introducing an accurate and simple form of the gravitational potential of the planet in elliptic coordinates. It is seen that the tidal field can be described at each point as a small rotation of the local canonical frame which causes a libration and a precession of the axis of rotation of the satellites of the planet. It is also shown that at each point P, is one third of the angle between the line of force through P and the line from P to the center of mass of the planet. All the formulae obtained, to compute and , are in closed form.     

Photoelectric photometry of V541 cassiopeiae

We give the results of two-colour photoelectric photometry of V541 Cas made in 1982 Sept-Dec. Using the Wilson-Devinney method, we obtained a photometric solution which showed the system to be a detached binary, with a mass ratio 2.083, and the less massive component filling its Roche lobe more closely. Its light curve is very similar to those of AT and AZ Cam.     

The gravity-darkening of highly distorted stars in close binary systems

From a quantitative analysis of the photometric ellipticity effect, values of the exponent of gravity-darkening have been empirically deduced for the components of sixteen W UMa systems with accurate cross-correlation spectroscopic mass ratios. In the analysis, the exponents for both components of a W UMa system are assumed to be the same. In view of the generally unstable nature of their light curves and the consequent difficulty to find an unique set of the fractional radii of both components, -values have been derived for various equipotential surfaces with boundary cases set at the inner and outer Roche lobes.The results indicate that if the fill-out factors are less than 0.5 (as is so for most of the actual cases), the deduced -values are all greater than Lucy's conventional value of 0.32. The empirical -values as a whole are found to increase with the mean effective temperature of the components and, furthermore, they show a tendency to decrease with increasing mass ratio, particularly for A-type systems. Thus, a W UMa system consisting of two components of quite different masses has a large empirical -value. These observational evidences indicate that the structure of the photosphere of contact components of W UMa systems is significantly different from that of normal Main-Sequence stars of similar spectral type and may provide a clue to solve puzzles of W UMa stars.     

Light Curve Synthesis for the Eclipsing Binary BB Peg

Using Wood's (1972) model we have reanalyzed Cerruti-Sola and Scaltriti's (1980) photoelectric observations of the eclipsing binary BB Peg. Our photometric elements, which turn out to be considerably different from the earlier preliminary results, describe BB Peg as a contact system, in which the component eclipsed at the deeper minimum is smaller than its companion. BB Peg appears to conform to the general properties of the W-type subclass of W UMa systems.     

Photometric analysis of 8 newly discovered short-period eclipsing binaries at Astronomical Observatory at Kolonica Saddle

We present photometric analysis of 8 short-period eclipsing binaries discovered and observed at Astronomical Observatory at Kolonica Saddle between 2007 and 2010 with different instruments. We determined their orbital periods and performed photometric analysis of their light curves. We found that 3 systems are detached binaries, 4 systems are over-contact binaries of W UMa type and one system is semi-detached with the secondary component filling its Roche lobe. Light curves of 2 systems exhibit asymmetries, explained by spot(s) on the surface of the components.     

Evolution of close binaries and origin of Algol-type systems

The evolution of close binary systems was followed for ten systems with the initial mass of the primary in the range 1–4M and with different initial mass ratios and initial separations. A brief discussion of the evolution of the contact component is presented for two separate cases: when the primary reaches its Roche lobe during central hydrogen burning (case A) and after the exhaustion of hydrogen in the center (case B).The models obtained are compared with observed semi-detached systems separately for massive (with total mass greater than 5M ) and low mass (with total mass below 4M ) binaries. It is shown that the contact components of the observed massive binaries are probably burning hydrogen in the core. On the contrary, the majority of contact components of the observed low-mass binaries are burning hydrogen in the shell. The observed distribution of such binaries as a function of different luminosity excesses of contact components seems to indicate that their origin is connected with case A rather than with case B.     

The Photometric Observations and the Light Curve Analysis of U Pegasi

The system of U Pegasi was observed photometrically in B and V filtersin 1998 at Birouni Observatory, University of Shiraz, Iran. Two Lightcurves were obtained and have been analyzed separately of Wilson-Devinneycode. New geometrical and physical elements for the system are given. Theabsolute dimensions of the binary have been derived by combining thephotometric solution with spectroscopic data of the system. The lightcurves analysis indicate that U peg is an overcontact W UMa system with Wtype components which fill their corresponding Roche lobe. The resultsobtained in this study indicate that U Peg may be lied on main sequencewith estimated masses of 0.565 M and 0.362 M .     

Regularity of Extrasolar Planetary Systems and the Role of the Star Metallicity in the Formation of Planets (Review)

The discovery in 1995 of the first extrasolar giant planet 51 Peg b initiated the physics of extrasolar planetary systems. By May 2004, the total number of the detected planets orbiting other stars was 122, including 24 hot jupiters, which have a semimajor axis of the orbit of less than 0.15 AU. Due to the high activity of researchers who work with the radial-velocity method, the probable candidates, say, in the 75-parsec radius, are quickly exhausted. The OGLE-type objects, even if their number increases, may only slightly contribute to the physics of extrasolar planets (or exoplanets), because even to determine the type of the companion (a giant planet, brown dwarf, or star of small mass) is extremely problematic for such weak objects. A search for Earth-like planets is still far beyond the technical capabilities: the Keplerian velocity of the Sun induced by the Earth is only 0.09 m/s, which requires to improve the results obtained by a factor of 20–30. Particularly important results were obtained in the observations of transits of the object HD 209458b, which became the only object of this type namely due to transits. The hope of finding another short-period object with similar transits is becoming less and less. The important role of the star metallicity in the formation of planetary systems predicted during the first years after the discovery of exoplanets has gained recognition and been developed successfully. Metallicity has become an indicator of the possible presence of planetary systems and, probably, even determines the type of planets. This review also considers the statistical data on the orbital and mass characteristics of exoplanets.     

Critical equipotential surfaces in close binary systems

The well-known problem of reckoning the critical surfaces (equipotential zero-velocity surfaces) in the close binary systems is approached by an independent method. The formulation of the problem is based on the assumptions of the binary's matter consisting of ionized hydrogen, the system possessing black-body radiation, a potential magnetic field, being in adiabatic equilibrium. Total pressure and total internal energy are examined. The model, implying synchronous rotation of the components, is described by hydromagnetic equations. For a statical case, however, it is representable by the equation of motion alone. Next, the temperature field is reproduced whereby the ratioP _r/P_g= is playing part of a free parameter. The resulting potential functions, applied to particular binaries, furnish the Lagrangian collinear points, critical surfaces and potentials over them in terms of . The families of surfaces thus obtained, compared with those springing from the Roche model, differ qualitatively in their geometry, position of the collinear equilibrium points, number of possible equilibrium states and the values of critical potentials. At identifying the allowed and forbidden regions of the gas motion new areas have been disclosed across which the gas outflow can take place and more possibilities of shell forming both around the individual components and the system as a whole. As the gas enthalpy and radiation are increased, the surfaces' geometry is undergoing changes. The method enables the intensity of gas velocity to be ascertained at any point in the system.The results of the method outlined here complement the picture of possible equilibrium states in the close binary systems in the presence of radiation and magnetic field.     

Photometric and polarimetric studies of three W UMa-type binaries: FZ Ori,V407 Peg and LP UMa

We present analyses of new optical photometric observations of three W UMa-type contact binaries FZ Ori, V407 Peg and LP UMa. Results from the first polarimetric observations of the FZ Ori and V407 Peg are also presented. The periods of FZ Ori, V407 Peg and LP UMa are derived to be 0.399986, 0.636884 and 0.309898 d, respectively. The O?C analyses indicate that the orbital periods of FZ Ori and LP UMa have increased with the rate of 2.28×10^?8 and 1.25×10^?6 d?yr^?1, respectively and which is explained by transfer of mass between the components. In addition to the secularly increasing rate of orbital period, it was found that the period of FZ Ori has varied in sinusoidal way with oscillation period of ～30.1 yr. The period of oscillations are most likely to be explained by the light-time effect due to the presence of a tertiary companion. Small asymmetries have been seen around the primary and secondary maxima of light curves of all three systems, which is probably due to the presence of cool/hot spots on the components. The light curves of all three systems are analysed by using Wilson-Devinney code (WD) and the fundamental parameters of these systems have been derived. The present analyses show that FZ Ori is a W-subtype, and V407 Peg and LP UMa are A-subtype of the W UMa-type contact binary systems. The polarimetric observations in B, V, R and I bands, yield average values of polarization to be 0.26±0.03, 0.22±0.02, 0.22±0.03 and 0.22±0.05 per cent for FZ Ori and 0.21±0.02, 0.29±0.03, 0.31±0.01 and 0.31±0.04 per cent for V407 Peg, respectively.     

AV Hydrae: A Near-Contact Semi-Detached Binary with Possible Massand Angular Momentum Loss

The photoelectric observations of the neglected binary AV Hya published by Srivastava and Kandpal (1980) have been re-analyzed using Wilson-Devinney's synthetic light-curve program. The binary turns out to be a near-contact semi-detached system. The primary, more massive, more luminous and greater component, eclipsed at primary minimum, is detached from its Roche lobe (85%). The secondary fills its Roche lobe and has a temperature difference of T=,-3414 K. As with other semi-detached binaries, the secondary is more evolved than that of the primary. Thetimes of light minima of the eclipsing have been analyzed,showing that the orbital period of AV Hya undergoes acontinuous decrease with a rate of dP/dE=-8.26×10^-8 day/year. The mass transfer between the twocomponents can not explain the present orbital period variationsince the secondary component is filling the Roche lobe. Theorbital period change demonstrates that the system may undergoa secular mass and angular momentum loss and the system mayevolve from the present short-period near-contact system intoan A-type contact binary.     

Search for extrasolar planets by polarimetry

Optical polarimetry is suggested as a new method for detecting “hot Jupiter” planets around stars. The polarimetric search method has been tested experimentally; for this purpose, the necessary astronomical observations and their processing have been performed. The results obtained allow us to assert with caution that the suggested method yields positive results and can be of use both in searching for exoplanets and in refining their masses. According to our results, a tangential transit of the planet 51 Peg b may be observed. The angle between the orbital plane of 51 Peg b and the observer’s direction must then be small, sin i ≈ 1, and the mass of 51 Peg b must be close to 0.46 M _J (Jupiter mass).     

Roche limit for homogeneous incompressible masses

The aim of the present investigation has been to establish the minimum distance (commonly referred to as the ‘Roche limit’), to which a small satellite can approach its central star without the loss of its stability. In order to do so, we shall depart from hydrodynamical equations governing small oscillations of stellar structures, and set out to establish the limit at which their distorted form of equilibrium can no longer vibrate periodically in response to arbitrary perturbations. To this end, such equations will be rewritten in terms of curvilinear Clairaut coordinates (Kopal, 1980) in which the gravitational potential defining equilibrium surfaces plays the role of the radial coordinate; and their solution constructed for the classical Roche problem in which the oscillating satellite of infinitesimal mass consists of material which is homogeneous and incompressible, while its primary component acts gravitationally as a mass-point. The outcome of such a solution agrees satisfactorily with that previously established by Chandrasekhar (1963) on the basis of the virial theorem; but the method employed by us lends itself more readily to a generalization of the Roche limit to systems of finite mass ratios and consisting of the components of finite size.     

CaseA evolution of massive close binary systems

The caseA evolution of close binary systems with total mass of 20.4M is investigated by following the evolution of both components simultaneously. The evolution is followed up to the stage at which a system overflows the outer critical surface or evolves into the phase of modeBr mass-transfer. It is found that the evolution of the systems can be classified into six types. The ranges of initial parameters which lead systems to each type of evolution are shown on the initial-parameter plane. The evolutionary features of each evolution type are described in detail.     

Physical parameters of some close binaries: ET Boo,V1123 Tau,V1191 Cyg,V1073 Cyg and V357 Peg

With the aim of providing new and up-to-date absolute parameters of some close binary systems, new BVR CCD photometry was carried out at the Ankara University Observatory (AUG) for five eclipsing binaries, ET Boo, V1123 Tau, V1191 Cyg, V1073 Cyg and V357 Peg between April, 2007 and October, 2008. In this paper, we present the orbital solutions for these systems obtained by simultaneous light and radial velocity curve analyses. Extensive orbital solution and absolute parameters for ET Boo system were given for the first time through this study. According to the analyses, ET Boo is a detached binary while the parameters of four remaining systems are consistent with the nature of contact binaries. The evolutionary status of the components of these systems are also discussed by referring to their absolute parameters found in this study.