Possible Light-Time Effect in the Eclipsing Binary System TY Boo

The O − C diagram for the eclipsing binary system TY Boo was constructed with the new minima times observed at the Ankara University Observatory along with the collected ones from the literature. The O − C diagram shows a cyclic variation superimposed on a quadratic variation. The quadratic variation can be explained in terms of mass loss/exchange mechanism in the system while the cyclic variation is attributed to a possible light-time effect caused by a third body revolving around the close binary.     

The Period Variation of V839 Oph

In this study we present the results of the preliminary analysis of the period variation of V839 Oph based on the extensive series of minima times collected from the literature. The character of the (O–C) diagram can be approximated with a cyclic variation superimposed on a quadratic variation. The quadratic variation can be explained in terms of mass exchange/loss mechanism in the system, while the cyclic variation could be attributed to the light-time effect of a gravitationally bound third body to the system or the magnetic activity cycle of the primary component.     

Monitoring Possible Light-Time Effect in the Orbital Period of Some Eclipsing Binaries at the Ankara University Observatory

A significant number of close binaries are known to be members of physically bound triple or multiple star systems. The O – C analysis technique which is based on the minima times of an eclipsing binary can reveal the light-time effect due to the presence of gravitationally bound and generally unseen close component(s) in the system. In this study we present shortly the O – C analysis results based on the light-time effect possibilities for two of the eclipsing binaries observationally followed by our group; TZ Boo and CF Tau.     

Automated Analysis of Light Curves of OGLE LMC Binaries: The Period distribution

We present a new algorithm, the Eclipsing Binary Automated Solver (EBAS) to analyse lightcurves of eclipsing binaries. To replace human visual assessment, we introduce a new ‘alarm’ goodness-of-fit statistic that takes into account correlation between neighbouring residuals. We apply the new algorithm to the whole sample of 2580 binaries found in the OGLE photometric survey of the LMC and derive the photometric elements for 1931 systems. To obtain the statistical properties of the short-period binaries of the LMC we construct a well defined subsample of 938 eclipsing binaries with main-sequence B-type primaries. Correcting for observational selection effects, we derive the distributions of the fractional radii of the two components and their sum, the brightness ratios and the periods of the short-period binaries. Somewhat surprisingly, the results are consistent with a flat distribution in log P between 2 and 10 days.     

Photometric Studies of Bright Southern Binary Systems: ε Cra and ψ Ori

We present results from detailed analyses of new data combined with previously published light curves of ε Cra and ψ Ori. Based on the shape of the secondary minimum of ε CrA we found that the discrepancy between the photometric and spectroscopic mass ratio, although marginal, is statistically significant. We propose a third light as a possible solution and derive the absolute parameters of components. The physical parameters of components of the early-type binary system ψ Ori were also obtained from the light curve modelling. Our solution indicate that ψ Ori is a detached, grazing-eclipse system.     

X-ray Emission from the Pre-Main Sequence Systems FU Orionis and T Tauri

We present new results from recent X-ray observations of the accreting pre-main sequence stars FU Orionis and T Tauri. XMM-Newton observations of the close binary system FU Ori reveal an unusual X-ray spectrum consisting of a cool moderately-absorbed component and a hot component viewed through much higher absorption. The two components thus originate in physically distinct regions. The double absorption spectrum is qualitatively different than observed in typical coronal sources and may signal either non-coronal emission or separate unresolved X-ray contributions from more than one star in the system. High-resolution Chandra imaging of the T Tau triple system shows that its X-ray emission is dominated by the optically-revealed northern component T Tau N. X-ray spectra of T Tau obtained with XMM can be acceptably fitted with a moderately absorbed two-temperature thermal plasma model. Its spectral properties are similar to those seen in coronal X-ray sources.     

On the variation of pulsar periods in close binary systems

X-ray pulsars, which form together with a main sequence star or a giant a close binary system, show strong variations in their pulse period. Epochs of spin-up and spin-down interchange on timescales of some tens up to some thousand days.

We study this phenomenon in the framework of the disk-fed model by Ghosh and Lamb, which we generalize by allowing for an inclination angle χ between the magnetic dipole moment μ and the rotation axis. Moreover, we take into account the relatively small magnetic field induced by currents in the magnetosphere flowing along the dipole field lines. This component, which we calculate numerically, leads to a torque perpendicular to the rotation axis and induces a precession of it. Due to this additional degree of freedom, the calculated pulse period history is much smoother than in the classical Ghosh and Lamb model. Within this extended model we compute, as an example, the pulse period history of Cen X-3 using the observed X-ray flux as a measure for the mass accretion rate. Qualitative accordance with the measured pulse period data (see e.g. Nelson et al., 1997 [ApJ, 488, L117]) is found to be good.     

Hα Photometry of Two Contact Binaries

We carried out optical and Hα photometry of two contact binaries (V861 Herculis, EQ Tauri). The light curve modeling revealed stellar spots in both contact systems and strong Hα excess in the position of the observed stellar spots. A correlation was found between the V−R and R−H_α colour indices of V861 Her.     

Abundances from Disentangled Component Spectra of Close Binary Stars: An Observational Test of an Early Mixing in High-Mass Stars

Recent theoretical calculations of stellar evolutionary tracks for rotating high-mass stars suggests that the chemical composition of the surface layers changes even whilst the star is evolving on the Main Sequence. The abundance analysis of binary components with precisely known fundamental stellar quantities allows a powerful comparison with theory. The observed spectra of close binary stars can be separated into the individual spectra of the component stars using the method of spectral disentangling on a time-series of spectra taken over the orbital cycle. Recently, Pavlovski and Hensberge (2005, A&A, 439, 309) have shown that, even with moderately high line-broadening, metal abundances can be derived from disentangled spectra with a precision of 0.1 dex. In a continuation of this project we have undertaken a detailed abundance analysis of the components of another two high-mass binaries, V453 Cyg, and V380 Cyg. Both binaries are well-studied systems with modern solutions. The components are close to the TAMS and therefore very suitable for an observational test of early mixing in high-mass stars.     

Properties of Components in Contact Systems

A new sample of contact systems, consisting of more than 100 stars, was created for binaries for which the physical parameters have been determined using both photometric light curves and radial velocity measurements of both components. Properties of components are discussed including their evolutionary status.     

Coalescing neutron stars as gamma ray bursters?

We investigate the dynamics and evolution of coalescing neutron stars. The three-dimensional Newtonian equations of hydrodynamics are integrated by the Piecewise Parabolic Method on an equidistant Cartesian grid. The code is purely Newtonian, but does include the emission of gravitational waves and their back-reaction. The properties of neutron star matter are described by the equation of state of Lattimer and Swesty (1991). Energy loss by all types of neutrinos and changes of the electron fraction due to the emission of electron neutrinos and antineutrinos are taken into account by an elaborate neutrino leakage scheme. We simulate the coalescence of two identical, cool neutron stars with a baryonic mass of 1.6M and a radius of 15 km and with an initial center-to-center distance of 42 km. The initial distributions of density and electron concentration are given from a model of a cold neutron star in hydrostatic equilibrium. We investigate three cases which differ by the initial velocity distribution in the neutron stars. The orbit decays due to gravitational-wave emission and after one revolution the stars are so close that dynamical instability sets in. Within 1 ms the neutron stars merge into a rapidly spinning (P 1 ms), high-density body ( 10¹⁴ g/cm³) with a surrounding thick disk of material with densities 10¹⁰ – 10¹² g/cm³ and orbital velocities of 0.3-0.5 c. The peak emission of gravitational waves has a maximum luminosity of a few times 10⁵⁵ erg/s and is reached for about 1 ms. The amplitudes of the gravitational waves are close to 3 10^–23 at a distance of 1 Gpc and the typical frequency is near the dynamical value of the orbital motion of the merging neutron stars of 2 KHz. In a post-processing step, the rate of neutrino-antineutrino annihilation is calculated from the neutrino luminosities generated during the hydrodynamical simulations. We find the integral annihilation rate to be a few 10⁵⁰ erg/s during the phase of strongest neutrino emission, which is too small to generate the observed bursts considering the fact that the merged object of about 3M will most likely collapse to a black hole within milliseconds.     

Dynamical constraints on some orbital and physical properties of the WD0137-349A/B binary system

In this paper I deal with the WD0137-349 binary system consisting of a white dwarf (WD) and a brown dwarf (BD) in a close circular orbit of about 116 min. I, first, constrain the admissible range of values for the inclination i by noting that, from looking for deviations from the third Kepler law, the quadrupole mass moment Q would assume unlikely large values, incompatible with zero at more than 1-sigma level for i≲35 deg and i≳43 deg. Then, by conservatively assuming that the most likely values for i are those that prevent such an anomalous behavior of Q, i.e. those for which the third Kepler law is an adequate modeling of the orbital period, I obtain i=39±2 deg. Such a result is incompatible with the value i=35 deg quoted in literature by more than 2 sigma. Conversely, it is shown that the white dwarf’s mass range obtained from spectroscopic measurements is compatible with my experimental range, but not for i=35 deg. As a consequence, my estimate of i yields an orbital separation of a=(0.59±0.05)R_⊙ and an equilibrium temperature of BD of T _eq=(2087±154) K which differ by 10% and 4%, respectively, from the corresponding values for i=35 deg.     

Masses and Radii of Low-Mass Stars: Theory Versus Observations

Eclipsing binaries with M-type components are still rare objects. Strong observational biases have made that today only a few eclipsing binaries with component masses below 0.6 M_⊙ and well-determined fundamental properties are known. However, even in these small numbers the detailed comparison of the observed masses and radii with theoretical predictions has revealed large disagreements. Current models seem to predict radii of stars in the 0.4--0.8 M_⊙ range to be some 5--15% smaller than observed. Given the high accuracy of the empirical measurements (a few percent in both mass and radius), these differences are highly significant. I review all the observational evidence on the properties of M-type stars and discuss a possible scenario based on stellar activity to explain the observed discrepancies.     

Wind Ionization Structure of the Short-Period Eclipsing LMC Wolf-Rayet Binary BAT99-129: Preliminary Results

BAT99-129 is a rare, short-period eclipsing Wolf-Rayet binary in the Large Magellanic Cloud. We present here medium-resolution NTT/EMMI spectra that allow us to disentangle the spectra of the two components and find the orbital parameters of the binary. We also present VLT/FORS1 spectra of this binary taken during the secondary eclipse, i.e. when the companion star passes in front of the Wolf-Rayet star. With these data we are able to extract, for the first time in absolute units for a WR + O binary, the sizes of the line emitting regions.Based on observations obtained at the La Silla and Paranal Observatories, European Southern Observatory (Chile).     

AB Dor: A single star with RSCVn like activity in X-ray band

Using the archival ROSAT PSPC observations, AB Dor is found to be variable in X-rays. The periodic variations are consistent with previously reported rotational period of 0 ^d .514. The average spectrum of AB Dor is best represented with two-temperature Raymond-Smith model with kT values of 0.19±0.07 and 1.17±0.02 keV. The quiescent luminosity of the system is found to be 4.36±0.6×10³⁰ ergs s^–1. A flare with a rise time of 350 seconds is detected during which X-ray luminosity rises from 5.8±1.6×10³⁰ to 15.8±4.9×10³⁰ ergs s^–1. We conclude that AB Dor is very similar to the active components of RS CVn binaries and other active classes. In view of the wide separation from the binary companion Rst 137B, this activity must be intrinsic to the active star.     

Long gamma-ray burst progenitors: boundary conditions and binary models

The observed association of Long Gamma-Ray Bursts (LGRBs) with peculiar Type Ic supernovae gives support to Woosley‘s collapsar/hypernova model, in which the GRB is produced by the collapse of the rapidly rotating core of a massive star to a black hole. The association of LGRBs with small star-forming galaxies suggests low-metallicity to be a condition for a massive star to evolve to the collapsar stage. Both completely-mixed single star models and binary star models are possible. In binary models the progenitor of the GRB is a massive helium star with a close companion. We find that tidal synchronization during core-helium burning is reached on a short timescale (less than a few millennia). However, the strong core-envelope coupling in the subsequent evolutionary stages is likely to rule out helium stars with main-sequence companions as progenitors of hypernovae/GRBs. On the other hand, helium stars in close binaries with a neutron-star or black-hole companion can, despite the strong core-envelope coupling in the post-helium burning phase, retain sufficient core angular momentum to produce a hypernova/GRB.     

Dynamical determination of the quadrupole mass moment of a white dwarf

In this paper we dynamically determine the quadrupole mass moment Q of the magnetic white dwarf WD 0137-349 by looking for deviations from the third Kepler law induced by Q in the orbital period of the recently discovered brown dwarf moving around it in a close 2-hr orbit. It turns out that a purely Newtonian model for the orbit of WD 0137-349B, assumed circular and equatorial, is adequate, given the present-day accuracy in knowing the orbital parameters of such a binary system. Our result is Q=(−1.5±0.9)×10⁴⁷ kg m² for i=35 deg. It is able to accommodate the 3-sigma significant discrepancy of (1.0±0.3)×10⁻⁸ s⁻² between the inverse square of the phenomenologically determined orbital period and the inverse square of the calculated Keplerian one. The impact of i, for which an interval Δ i of possible values close to 35 deg is considered, is investigated as well.