A photometric study of the contact binary AZ Virginis

New light curves and photometric solutions of the contact binary AZ Vir are presented in this paper. The light curves appear to exhibit a typical O'Connell effect, with Maximum I being 0.021 mag (V) and 0.023 mag (B) brighter than Maximum II, respectively. From the observations, six times of minimum light were determined and from the present times of minimum light and those collected from the references, the light elements of the system were improved. The light curves were analyzed by means of the Wilson‐Devinney program. The results suggest that AZ Vir is a W‐subtype contact binary with a mass ratio of q = 0.623(2). The asymmetry of the light curves is explained by star spot models. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Information limit optimization techniques applied to AB Doradus

UBVRI light curves of the rapidly rotating chromospherically active single star AB Doradus were modeled using circular starspots. Several different methods were employed to calculate corresponding temperatures, resulting in a range of values slightly beyond 1000 K below the photosphere. Grid searches varying the spot latitudes were performed at a range of inclinations in the expectation that an optimum combination of these parameters could be found. However, the best fits, in a ² sense, for each inclination tested, were essentially the same. When minimum spot area is included as an additional criterion an inclination of 70 deg appears to be preferred, in reasonable agreement with literature values. A spot evolution sequence is discussed for this data. An analysis of Rucinski's (1982) data is also presented in support of a call for further accurate photometry of this system.     

A photometric light variation and a 1500 days secondary period in the W UMa system TZ bootis

Photoelectric observations of the eclipsing variable TZ Bootis, obtained in 1983 and 1986, in the two coloursB andV are presented: They are compared with the previous light curves of the system. The light curve changes show that the system TZ Bootis has a solar-like activity cycle with a period of 1500 days. The primary shows a transit, whereas the secondary shows an occultation minima. The maxima exhibit a large difference suggesting a large complication in the system. The (O-C) trend indicates that the period did not remain constant; a satisfactory representation of all the observed time of minimum light was obtaiend assuming a linear trend in the (O-C)s. The star may be classified to A-type W UMa systems.     

Photometric behaviour of the Be star EW Lacertae

The night-to-night and short-term variations inUBV light curves of EW Lac which were made during 1982–1984 at Yonsei University Observatory are discussed. The long-term variability in the photometric behaviour of the star is examined with our own data as well as those of Harmanecet al. (1980).Paper presented at the IAU Third Asian-Pacific Regional Meeting, held in Kyoto, Japan, between 30 September–6 October, 1984.Yonsei University Observatory Contribution No. 23.     

CK Bootis: a W UMa system with a small mass ratio

We present an analysis of BV R light curves of an eclipsing binary CK Bootis, a system with a very small mass ratio. The light curves appear to exhibit a typical O'Connell effect. The light curves are analyzed by means of the latest version of the WD program. The asymmetry of the light curves is explained by a cool star spot model. The simultaneous BV R synthetic light curve analysis gives a tiny mass ratio of 0.12, an extremely large fill‐out factor of 0.65, and a very small difference between the component temperatures of 90 K. The absolute parameters of the system were also derived by combining the photometric solutions with the radial velocity data. The mass of the secondary is very low (0.15 M_⊙) and it continues losing mass. Thirty seven new times of minimum are reported. It is found that the orbital period of the system has a quasi periodic variation, superimposed on a period increase. The long‐term period increase rate is deduced to be dP/dt = 3.54x10^–7 d yr^–1, which can be interpreted as being due to mass transfer from the less massive star to the more massive component. (© 2005 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

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.     

Photoelectric photometry of the eclipsing binary MM herculis: Preliminary results

The RS CVn-type eclipsing binary star MM Her has been observed in two colours,B andV, in 1979, 1980, and 1983. Several minima times were obtained during the observations and new light elements calculated. The light curves of the system obtained in blue and yellow lights show a significant wave-like distortion which migrates towards the decreasing orbital phases. Its migration period was estimated to be about 3.5 yr. The amplitudes of the wave-like distortion inB andV appear to change each year. The primary minimum of the system is a total eclipse with a duration of 0^d.08.     

UBV observation and analysis of VV Orionis

TheUBV photoelectric observation of the eclipsing binary star VV Ori were made at Al-Battani Observatory, Baghdad, Iraq, during nine nights in November and December, 1984 and January, 1985. As a result, three light curves were completed.An analysis of theB andV normal points light curves using the optimization method shows the existence of a slight shift in the primary mid-minimum epoch and the temperature of the secondary component is consistent with B5-type star. A new set of geometrical and physical elements is also presented.     

Photoelectric photometry of the peculiar system RT Lacertae

The observations of the peculiar eclipsing binary RT Lac were continued during the observing seasons of 1982 and 1983. The salient properties of the light curves were presented. The shallowest primary eclipse was observed in 1983. When the light curves, obtained in six years sucessively, are interpreted together it is seen that the variations of the brightness at mid-primary and second maximum are too similar to each other. The colour variations at mid-primary also follow those variations in the brightness. These circumstances indicate that the starspot hypothesis is insufficient alone to explain all the phenomena observed. The earlier spectral type G9 companion may be intrinsically variable and the unusual distortion on the light curves following the secondary eclipse may arise from the gas-stream from larger K star to the G9 star.     

Simultaneous solutions for photometric and spectroscopic observations of TX UMa

B andV light curves for one epoch and radial velocity curves of three different epochs have been analyzed to revise the solution of TX UMa. The solution has been adjusted simultaneously in the light curves and radial velocity curves by the method of Wilson and Devinney's differential correction. The primary star's surface rotation rate to synchronous rate is determined as 1.768 from one of the radial velocity curves. The absolute dimension of the system has been deduced based on the simultaneous solution. The primary star is well fitted to the evolutionary track for a single star while the secondary star, while filling its Roche lobe, is fitted to the evolutionary track for a close binary system.     

Photometric study of the active binary star V1430 Aquilae

New BVR light curves and a photometric analysis of the eclipsing binary star V1430 Aql are presented. The light curves were obtained at the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Observatory in 2004. The light curves are generally those of detached eclipsing binaries, but there are large asymmetries between maxima. New BVR light curves were analysed with an ILOT procedure. Light curve asymmetries of the system were explained in terms of large dark starspots on the primary component. The primary star shows a long‐lived and quasi‐poloidal spot distribution with active longitudes in opposite hemispheres. Absolute parameters of the system were derived.We also discuss the evolution of the system: the components are likely to be pre‐main sequence stars, but a post‐main sequence stage cannot be ruled out. More observations are needed to decide this point. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Evolution of starspot regions in DM UMa

B andV photometry of DM UMa obtained between January, 1980 and June, 1984 is presented. Analysis yields a mean photometric period 7^d.478±0^d.010, compared to the known oribital period of 7^d.492±0^d.009. Light curves obtained during any two seasons do not agree in any of the following: shape, amplitude, phases of the light maxima and minima, mean light level, or brightness at the light maxima and minima. From the change inB-V over the photometric period, we concludethat the hemisphere visible during the light minimum is cooler than that seen during light maximum. The mean colorB-V=1^m.065±0^m.002 is consistent with K1 III or K2 IV. Phases of light minima lie on two well-separated groups with different slopes; the corresponding periods are 7^d.471±0^d.002 and 7^d.481±0^d.001, in dicating that both migrate linearly towards decreasing orbital phase. In terms of the starspot model this indicates that two respective centers of activity were situated at different longitudes and latitudes on a differentially rotating star. From circumstantial evidence we infer that the dark region seen from 1979 onwards disintegrated sometime between the 1982 and 1983 observing seasons, leaving behind an area of relatively high surface brightness. We can put a lower limit of about four years on the lifetime of a center of activity.     

Photometric observations and interpretation of the eclipsing binary system XY UMa

Photometric observations of eclipsing binary star XY UMa have been presented. The light curve analysis have been carried out on two colours,B andV, by inferring as much information as possible about the sarr from other published data and then synthesizing light curves and comparing them with our own observations.The light fluctuations of outside eclipses caused by intrinsic light variation of primary component have been obtained by deconvolution of the theoretical light curve from observed one. It has been shown that the intrinsic light variation of primary component can be interpreted in terms of cool star-spot covering 8% of the stellar photosphere.Finally, the significance of star-spot has been discussed.     

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.     

Solving wolf’s uvbyRI light curves for the star BM Ori

We solve the uvbyRI light curves obtained by Wolf (1994) with a CCD photometer. Wolf did not solve the light curves, while particular interest in them stems from the fact that a secondary minimum, which other observers failed to detect, is clearly seen in the byRI light curves. This enables us to consider a new eclipse model in which we hypothesize that the secondary component at primary minimum completely obscures the primary, smaller B star, but, at the same time, the light from a third star is observed. Based on this hypothesis, we computed the brightness of each of the three stars for the six bands by analyzing the depths of the primary and secondary minima. Satisfactory agreement between theoretical and observed light curves was achieved by assuming the following parameters for the stars: effective temperature T ₁=17000 K, radius R ₁ = 2.5 R _⊙, spectral type Sp₁ = B3—B4 for the primary; T ₂=5700 K, R ₂ = 8.4 R _⊙, Sp₂ = G0—G2 for the secondary; and T ₃=29000 K, R ₃ = 1.0 R _⊙, Sp₃=B0 for the third star. In the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, the first star lies on the zero-age main sequence, the second is on the way from the birthline to the main sequence in the region of giants, and the third falls within the region of hot subdwarfs.     

Study on spot activity of BH Virginis

In this paper we parameterize the photoelectric waves in the light curves of BH Vir in B and λ 5125Å bands by Hoffmann (1982) by using the Wilson-Devinney program. The principal results are as follows: (1) The mass ratio obtained from the photoelectric light curves is q =m₂/m₁ = 0.967. (2) The photosphere temperature of the primary is T₁ = 5947 K. (3) The distortion waves in the light curves can be fitted satisfactorily with the spot model of two hot spot activities on the primary star.     

Two-Color Observations of AM Her

Observations and light curves of the variable star AM Her observed in the b and v proper color system of the Abastumani two-channel photometer are presented.     

A CCD photometric study of the late type contact binary EK Comae Berenices

We present CCD photometric observations of the W UMa type contact binary EK Comae Berenices using the 2 m telescope of IUCAA Girawali Observatory, India. The star was classified as a W UMa type binary of subtype-W by Samec et al. (1996). The new V band photometric observations of the star reveal that shape of the light curve has changed significantly from the one observed by Samec et al. (1996). A detailed analysis of the light curve obtained from the high-precision CCD photometric observations of the star indicates that EK Comae Berenices is not a W-type but an A-type totally eclipsing W UMa contact binary. The photometric mass ratio is determined to be 0.349 ± 0.005. A temperature difference of ΔT = 141 ± 10 K between the components and an orbital inclination of i[°] = 89.800 ± 0.075 were obtained for the binary system. Absolute values of masses, radii and luminosities are estimated by means of the standard mass-luminosity relation for zero age main-sequence stars. The star shows O’Connell effect, asymmetries in the light curve shape around the primary and secondary maximum. The observed O’Connell effect is explained by the presence of a hot spot on the primary component.     

Light‐curve inversions with truncated least‐squares principal components: Tests and application to HD 291095 = V1355 Orionis

We present a new inversion code that reconstructs the stellar surface spot configuration from the light curve of a rotating star. Our code employs a method that uses the truncated least‐squares estimation of the inverse problem's objects principal components. We use spot filling factors as the unknown objects. Various test cases that represent a rapidly‐rotating K subgiant are used for the forward problem. Tests are then performed to recover the artificial input map and include data errors and input‐parameter errors. We demonstrate the robustness of the solution to false input parameters like photospheric temperature, spot temperature, gravity, inclination, unspotted brightness and different spot distributions and we also demonstrate the insensitivity of the solution to spot latitude. Tests with spots peppered over the entire stellar surface or with phase gaps do not produce fake active longitudes. The code is then applied to ten years of V and I ‐band light curve data of the spotted sub‐giant HD291095. A total of 22 light curves is presented. We find that for most of the time its spots were grouped around two active longitudes separated on average by 180°. Switches of the dominant active region between these two longitudes likely occurred about every 3.15±0.23 years while the amplitude modulation of the brightness occurred with a possible period of 3.0±0.15 years. For the first time, we found evidence that the times of the activity flips coincide with times of minimum light as well as minimum photometric amplitude, i.e. maximum spottedness. From a comparison with simultaneous Doppler images we conclude that the activity flips likely take place near the rotational pole of the star. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Photometric observations of NY Cephei

NewUBV photoelectric observations of NY Cep were made from 1982 to 1989 with GOTO 61-cm telescope at the Yonsei University Observatory. Seven times of minimum light were obtained. An improved orbital period of 15.27566 day was determined. The light curves were analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney method. It is confirmed that NY Cep is a detached system and the absolute dimensions are also obtained. It is found that the secondary eclipse does not occur due to large eccentricity and inclination.