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.     

Photometric study of the newly discovered short period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J133105.91 + 121538.0

A total of 311 BVRI observations were carried out on 4 May 2013 for the new short period W UMa system 1SWASP J133105.91 + 121538.0 using the 1.88 m reflector telescope of Kottamia Astronomical Observatory (KAO) at NRIAG. A photometric solution of these light curves was obtained by means of Wilson–Devinney (WD) code. A spotted model was applied to treat the asymmetry of the light curve. The results show that the more massive component is hotter than the less massive one with about ΔT ∼ 300 K. The system is at a distance of 89 ± 3.6 pc. Based on the physical parameters of the system, we investigate the evolutionary state of the components. Both components are above the zero age main sequence (ZAMS) track by about 0.2 magnitudes.     

1SWASP J024148.62+372848.3: A spotted overcontact binary system under the short-period limit

With the 2013 version of W-D code, we derived the photometric solutions for the new discovered extremely short-period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J024148.62+372848.3 based on its complete RI_c light curves. The results show that the system is a W-type overcontact system with a filling-out factor of 23% and a mass ratio of q = 1.23, thus it is a new target which belongs to the rare group of overcontact binary with period under the short period limit (0.22 days). The obviously asymmetries found in its light curves could be explained well by the high spots coverage on the two components which have strong magnetic activities due to their late type nature. A third light contributing about 40% of the total light has been detected during the light curve analysis. This additional component may play an important role in the formation of 1SWASP J024148.62+372848.3, just like those in other overcontact binaries below the limit.     

Orbital solution and evolutionary state for the eclipsing binary 1SWASP J080150.03+471433.8

We present an orbital solution study for the newly discovered system 1SWASP J080150.03+471433.8 by means of new CCD observations in VRI bands. Our observations were carried out on 25 Feb. 2013 using the Kottamia optical telescope at NRIAG, Egypt. 12. New times of minima were estimated and the observed light curves were analysed using the Wilson–Devinney code. The accepted orbital solution reveals that the primary component of is more massive and hotter than the secondary one by about 30 K. The system is an over-contact one with fillout ratio ∼29% and is located at a distance of about 195 Pc. The evolutionary status of the system is investigated by means of stellar models and empirical data.     

1SWASP J034439.97+030425.5: a short-period eclipsing binary system with a close-in stellar companion

First multi-wavelength photometric light curves(LCs) of the short-period eclipsing binary(EB)1 SWASP J034439.97+030425.5(hereafter J0344) are presented and analyzed by using the 2013 version of the Wilson-Devinney(W-D) code. To explain the asymmetric LCs of J0344, a cool star-spot on the less massive component was employed. The photometric solutions suggest that J0344 is a W-subtype shallow contact EB with a contact degree of f = 4.9% ± 3.0% and a mass ratio of q = 2.456 ± 0.013. Moreover,an obvious third light was detected in our analysis. We calculated the average luminosity contribution of the third light to the total light, and that value reaches up to 49.78%. Based on the O-C method,the variations of the orbital period were studied for the first time. Our O-C diagram reveals a secular decrease superimposed on a cyclic oscillation. The orbital period decreases at a rate of d P/dt =-6.07 ×10~(-7) d yr~(-1), which can be explained by the mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one. Besides, its O-C diagram also shows a cyclic oscillation with an amplitude of 0.0030 d and a period about 7.08 yr, which can be explained by the presence of a third body with a minimum mass of M3 min= 0.15 ± 0.02 M_⊙. The third component may play an important role in the formation and evolution of J0344 by drawing angular momentum from the central system.     

Investigation of the shortest period Am type eclipsing binary TYC 6408–989–1

The first BV bands photometric observations and the low-resolution spectrum of the shortest period Am type eclipsing binary TYC 6408-989-1 have been obtained.The stellar atmospheric parameters of the primary star were obtained through the spectral fitting as follows:Teff=6990±117 K,log g=4.25±0.26 cm s^-2,[Fe/H]=-0.45±0.03 dex.The original spectra obtained by European Southern Observatory(ESO)were processed with an IRAF package by us.Based on the ESO blue-violet spectra,TYC 6408-989-1 was concluded as a marginal Am(Am:)star with a spectral type of kA3 hF1 mA5Ⅳ-Ⅴidentified through the MKCLASS program.The observed light curves were analyzed through the WilsonDevinney code.The final photometric solutions show that TYC 6408-989-1 is a marginal contact binary with a low mass ratio(q=0.27).The temperature of the secondary component derived through the light curve analysis is significantly higher than main sequence stars.In addition,TYC 6408-989-1 is a poor thermal contact binary.The temperature differences between the two components is about 1800 K.TYC6408-989-1 should be located in the oscillation stage predicted by the thermal relaxation oscillations theory(TRO)and will evolve into the shallow contact stage eventually.The very short period(less than one day),marginal Am peculiarity and quite large rotational velocity(v sin i■160 km s^-1)make TYC 6408-989-1 become a challenge to the cut-off of rotation velocities and periods of Am stars.We have collected the well known eclipsing Am binaries with absolute parameters from the literature.     

First photometric study of ultrashort-period contact binary 1SWASP J140533.33+114639.1

In this paper,CCD photometric light curves for the short-period eclipsing binary 1 SWASP J140533.33+114639.1(hereafter J1405) in the BV R bands are presented and analyzed using the 2013 version of the Wilson-Devinney(W-D) code. It is discovered that J1405 is a W-subtype shallow contact binary with a contact degree of f = 7.9±0.5% and a mass ratio of q = 1.55±0.02. In order to explain the asymmetric light curves of the system,a cool starspot on the more massive component is employed. This shallow contact eclipsing binary may have been formed from a short-period detached system through orbital shrinkage due to angular momentum loss. Based on the(O-C) method,the variation of orbital period is studied using all the available times of minimum light. The(O-C) diagram reveals that the period is increasing continuously at a rate of d P/dt = +2.09×10~(-7) d yr~(-1),which can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one.     

Light curve analysis of the short period eclipsing binary RT and

We have analysed the 1978 UBV photoelectric observations of the short-period (RS CVn type) binary system RT And, using the rectifiable methods of Russell and Merrill (1952) and Kitamura (1965). The primary minimum is a transit. The solutions allow us to classify the system as a detached one, but a certain disagreement results with respect to solutions of previous epochs. A graphical test of the reliability of the solution is given.     

An orbital period investigation of the Algol-type eclipsing binary VW Hydrae

Orbital period variations of the Algol-type eclipsing binary, VW Hydrae, are analyzed based on one newly determined eclipse time and the other times of light minima collected from the literature. It is discovered that the orbital period shows a continuous increase at a rate of dP/dt = +6.34×10-7 d yr-1 while it undergoes a cyclic change with an amplitude of 0.0639 d and a period of 51.5 yr. After the long-term period increase and the large-amphtude period oscillation were subtracted from the O-C curve, the residuals of the photoelectric and CCD data indicate a small-amplitude cyclic variation with a period of 8.75 yr and a small amplitude of 0.0048d. The continuous period increase indicates a conservative mass transfer at a rate of dM2/dt = 7.89×10-8 M⊙ yr-1 from the secondary to the primary. The period increase may be caused by a combination of the mass transfer from the secondary to the primary and the angular momentum transfer from the binary system to the circumbinary disk. The two cyclic period oscillations can be explained by light-travel time effects via the presence of additional bodies. The small-amplitude periodic change indicates the existence of a less massive component with mass M3 > 0.53 M⊙, while the large-amplitude one is caused by the presence of a more massive component with mass M4 > 2.84 M⊙. The ultraviolet source in the system reported by Kviz & Rufener (1987) may be one of the additional components, and it is possible that the more massive one may be an unseen neutron star or black hole. The rapid period increase and the possibility of the presence of two additional components in the binary make it a very interesting system to study. New photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic observations and a detailed investigation of those data are required in the future.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Suzaku</Emphasis> observation of the eclipsing high mass X-ray binary pulsar XTE J1855-026

We report results from analysis performed on an eclipsing supergiant high mass X-ray binary pulsar XTE J1855-026 observed with the X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) on-board Suzaku Observatory in April 2015. Suzaku observed this source for a total effective exposure of \(\sim \)87 ks just before an eclipse. Pulsations are clearly observed and the pulse profiles of XTE J1855-026 did not show significant energy dependence during this observation consistent with previous reports. The time averaged energy spectrum of XTE J1855-026 in the 1.0–10.5 keV energy range can be well fitted with a partial covering power law model modified with interstellar absorption along with a black-body component for soft excess and a gaussian for iron fluorescence line emision. The hardness ratio evolution during this observation indicated significant absorption of soft X-rays in some segments of the observation. For better understanding of the reason behind this, we performed time-resolved spectroscopy in the 2.5–10.5 keV energy band which revealed significant variations in the spectral parameters, especially the hydrogen column density and iron line equivalent width with flux. The correlated variations in the spectral parameters indicate towards the presence of clumps in the stellar wind of the companion star accounting for the absorption of low energy X-rays in some time segments.     

New period study of the eclipsing binary V865 Cygni

Several new precise times of minima, based on CCD observations, have been secured for the relatively seldom studied eclipsing binary V865 Cyg (P=0^d.365 days). Its O–C diagram was analysed and new light elements are given. We showed that there is probably no parabolic period increase in V865 Cyg. Instead, a single abrupt period increase can be distinguished in the O–C diagram.     

Photometric investigation of the short period eclipsing binary star V719 Her

The Behlen observatory 0.76 m telescope CCD photometer is used to obtain 347 observations of the short period (P0^d.4) eclipsing binary star V719 Her. The observations done withV andR bandpass filters were made on 6 nights in 1993. Previously published light elements and the present five timings of minimum provide a new epoch and a more accurate orbital period of 0.4009828 days. Our analyses show that the period of the system appears to decrease. We recommend future monitoring of the eclipse minima for this system. No published spectral classification for V719 Her exists. From the color,V-R=0.391, we estimate it to be about F5.The 1993 version of the Wilson Devinney model gave the photometric solutions. The adopted solution indicates that V719 Her is a W UMa type contact binary. The mass ratio,q=(m ₂/m ₁, where star 1 eclipse at the primary minimum)=0.296 suggests that V719 Her is a WUMa system with type-A (transit during primary eclipse) configuration. The secondary minimum shows a total eclipse. V719 Her with period less than 0.5 and spectral class F5, is probably a zero-age contact system. Since our photometric solution shows that the luminosity difference between the components is very large, we suspect that V719 Her is most likely a single line spectroscopic binary. We recommend spectroscopic study of this system.     

A mass ratio limit for primordial black holes

We augment our scenario for the formation of astronomical objects from macroscopic superstrings by the assumption that the central matter keeps its identity in the fragmentation. From the condition that the angular momentum per mass squared of this matter should be less than the Kerr limit G/c, we obtain upper limits for the ratio of the mass of central black holes M(BH) to the mass M of the host object. This limit is M(BH)/M ≈ 0.001, and, expressed in observed quantities, approximately M(BH)/M ≈ σ²/(v · c) where σ is the r.m.s. velocity, v the rotational velocity and c the velocity of light. The valuesM(BH) agree with the observed behaviour both in order of magnitude and in the variation with velocity dispersion. (© 2003 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

The spectroscopic orbit of the short period eclipsing binary V 836 Cygni

Spectroscopic elements of the single-lined spectroscopic binary V 836 Cyg are presented.     

A study of the eclipsing binary XX Cas

UBV photometry of the eclipsing binary system XX Cas has been presented. Primary eclipse appears to be a total occultation rather than a partial transit (Pierce, 1938). A slightly improved period of 3^d.0671708 has been obtained, and the colour of the system discussed.     

The mass dependence of the overshooting parameter determined from eclipsing binary data

We report the discovery of emission features in the X-ray spectrum of GRO J1655–40 obtained with RXTE during the observation of 1997 February 26. We have fitted the features first by two Gaussian lines which in four spectra analysed have average energies of 5.85±0.08 and 7.32±0.13 keV, strongly suggestive that these are the red- and blueshifted wings of an iron disc line. These energies imply a velocity of ∼0.33 c . The blue wing is less bright than in the calculated profiles of disc lines near a black hole subject to Doppler boosting; however, known Fe absorption lines in GRO J1655–40 at energies between ∼7 and 8 keV can reduce the apparent brightness of the blue wing. Secondly, we have fitted the spectra using the disc line model of Laor based on a full relativistic treatment plus an absorption line, and show that good fits are obtained. This gives a rest-frame energy of the disc line between 6.4 and 6.8 keV, indicating that the line is iron K α emission probably of significantly ionized material. The Laor model shows that the line originates in a region of the accretion disc extending from ∼10 Schwarzschild radii from the black hole outwards. The line is direct evidence for the black hole nature of the compact object, and is the first discovery of a highly red- and blueshifted iron disc line in a Galactic source.