Possible third body effects in the period changes of four Algol binaries: RY Aqr,SZ Her,RV Lyr and V913 Oph

An investigation of the orbital period changes of the neglected eclipsing binaries, RY Aqr, SZ Her, RV Lyr and V913 Oph, is presented based on all published minima times. Although the explanation of magnetic activity on the surface of the secondaries of the studied Algols is still open, the preferred light‐time effect due to the unseen components around the systems seems more plausible in explaining the tilted sinusoidal variations with relatively high‐amplitudes. The minimal mass values of possible tertiary components have been estimated to be about 1.06, 0.25, 0.78 and 2.85 M_⊙ for RY Aqr, SZ Her, RV Lyr and V913 Oph, respectively and the results indicate that their contributions to the total light of the eclipsing pairs are measurable with high accuracy photometric and spectroscopic data, if they exist. Applegate's (1992) model has been discussed as an alternative mechanism assuming that the cooler components have magnetic cycles. It is found that the model parameters of RY Aqr and V913 Oph are consistent with the required values in Applegate's model. In addition to the first detailed orbital study on these systems, a statistical survey on the character of the O – C variations of classical Algols has revealed that about 50 percent of the systems show cyclic behavior. This means that the presence of possible third bodies around classical Algols should be tested with careful analysis using new data. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Zum optischen Langzeitverhalten von AM Herculis I. Das Beobachtungsmaterial,die Langzeitlichtkurve und der bahninduzierte Lichtwechsel

For the variable binary AM Herculis, which is the proto-type of a subgroup of cataclysmic stars, results from the study of long-term behaviour are given. The following part of the publication concerns the observation series, the long-term light curve and the orbital light changes. On the base of 1275 photographic observations in B, V and U, most of B, covering the time interval between the years 1982 and 1991 new statements can be made about the common photometric behaviour of the star, its low and high states and the mutual correlations between them, the individual influences of the orbital light changes superimposed to the total brighhtness and last but not least about the colour behaviour of the star within these individual occurrences and the whole time interval, which is object of the second part of this study.     

A new suspected apsidal period for HS Herculis

From a preliminary analysis of observed minima of the eclipsing binary HS Herculis, a new apsidal period is postulated. A general possible error in Oapsidal period is emphasized.