The Near-Contact System V387 Cygni: BVRI Photometry and Modelling

The first complete CCD BVRI-filter light curves of the eclipsing near-contact binary V387 Cyg were obtained during 5 nights in 2004 at Kryoneri Observatory, Greece. Their analysis with the W-D program indicates a semi-detached configuration with possible cool spots, although no O' Connell effect is present and a strong asymmetry after Min II can be explained assuming either a strong flare or circumstellar matter.     

A photometric and spectroscopic study of the binary V1430 Aql

We present the first infrared light curves of the binary V1430 Aql, in the bands J and K, plus V, R and I light curves and spectra covering the ranges of H_β, H_α and Ca II-IRT lines. Our VRIJK data, together with published radial velocity curves, are analyzed to determine the orbital and stellar parameters of the system. Both stellar components present spectroscopic evidence of chromospheric activity, with emission excesses in the H_β, H_α and Ca II-IRT lines. The measured ratio of the lines H_β/H_α emission excesses can be interpreted as originated in plages. Our light curves also show photometric evidence of cool spots at least on one of the stars.     

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.     

New photometric investigation of the low-mass-ratio contact binary star V1853 Orionis

Four-color charge-coupled device(CCD) light curves in the B, V, Rc and I c bands of the totaleclipsing binary system V1853 Orionis(V1853 Ori) are presented. By comparing our light curves with those published by previous investigators, it is determined that the O'Connell effect on the light curves has disappeared. By analyzing those multi-color light curves with the Wilson-Devinney code(W-D code),it is discovered that V1853 Ori is an A-type intermediate-contact binary with a degree of contact factor of f = 33.3%(3.7%) and a mass ratio of q = 0.1896(0.0013). Combining our 10 newly determined times of light minima together with others published in the literature, the period changes of the system are investigated. We found that the general trend of the observed minus calculated(O-C) curve shows a downward parabolic variation that corresponds to a long-term decrease in the orbital period with a rate of d P/dt =-1.96(0.46)×10^-7 d yr^-1. The long-term period decrease could be explained by mass transfer from the more-massive component to the less-massive one. By combining our photometric solutions with data from Gaia DR_2, absolute parameters were derived as M_1 = 1.20 M⊙, M_2 = 0.23 M⊙, R_1 = 1.36 R⊙and R_2 = 0.66 R⊙. The long-term period decrease and intermediate-contact configuration suggest that V1853 Ori will evolve into a high fill-out overcontact binary.     

The first light-curve analysis of eclipsing binaries observed by the INTEGRAL/OMC

Three Algol-type binaries in Cygnus constellation were selected for an analysis from a huge database of observations made by the INTEGRAL/OMC camera. These data were processed and analyzed, resulting in a first light-curve study of these neglected eclipsing binaries. The temperatures of the primary components range from 9500 K to 10,500 K and the inclinations are circa 73° (for PV Cyg and V1011 Cyg), while almost 90° for V822 Cyg. All of them seem to be main-sequence stars, well within their critical Roche lobes. Nevertheless, further detailed analyses are still needed.     

A photometric study of a weak-contact binary: V873 Per

We present a photometric study of a weak-contact binary V873 Per. New observations in BVR filter bands showed asymmetric light curves to be a negative type of the O’Connell effect, which can be described by magnetic activity of a cool spot on the more massive component. Our photometric solutions showed that V873 Per is a W-type with a mass ratio of q = 2.504(±0.0029), confirming the results of Samec et al. (2009). The derived contact degree was found to be f = 18.10%(±1.36%). Moreover, our analysis found the cyclic variation with the period of about 4 yr that could be due to existence of the third companion in the system or the mechanism of magnetic activity cycle in the binary. While available data indicated that the long-term orbital period tends to be stable rather than decreasing.     

Determination of tidal distortion in the eclipsing binary system V621 Cen by means of deviations from the third Kepler law

In this paper we determine the tidal distortion parameter k_m of the secondary partner (mass loser) of the semi-detached eclipsing binary system V621 Cen by comparing the phenomenologically determined orbital period P_b=3.683549(11) d to the Keplerian one P^Kep computed with the values of the relevant system’s parameters determined independently of the third Kepler law itself. Our result is k_m=-1.5±0.6. Using the periastron precession, as traditionally done with other eclipsing binaries in eccentric orbits, would have not been possible because of the circularity of the V621 Cen path.     

Near-contact binaries among short-period Algols: the case of BF Velorum with a pulsating component

A photometric analysis of the short-period Algol eclipsing binary system BF Velorum based for the first time on complete BVRI CCD light curves is presented. The new photometric solution obtained with the Wilson-Devinney program reveals that BF Vel is a near-contact semi-detached system with its secondary component filling its Roche lobe. Moreover, we discovered pulsations of one member of the binary system, the analysis of which shows main frequencies of 44.9386 and 33.6731 cycles/day. Absolute elements of the system were calculated, and the evolutionary status of its members was estimated.      

Absolute dimensions of the close binary systems V453 Monocerotis and V523 Cassiopeiae

We present multi-colour CCD observations of the low-temperature contact binaries, V453 Mon and V523 Cas. Their light curves are modelled to determine a new set of stellar and orbital parameters. Analysis of mid-eclipse times yields a new linear ephemeris for both systems. A period decrease (dP/dt=2.3×10⁻⁷ days/yr) in V453 Mon is discovered. V523 Cas, however, is detected to show a period increase (dP/dt=9.8×10⁻⁸ days/yr) because of the mass transfer of a rate of 1.1×10⁻⁷ M_⊙ yr⁻¹, from a less massive donor. Using these findings we can determine the physical parameters of the components of V523 Cas to be M ₁=0.76 (3)M _⊙, M ₂=0.39 (2)M _⊙, R ₁=0.74 (2)R _⊙, R ₂=0.55 (2)R _⊙, L ₁=0.19 (3)L _⊙, L ₂=0.14 (3)L _⊙, and the distance of system as 46(9) pc.     

New findings based on long-term photometric observations of the eclipsing binary V471 Tauri

The post-common envelope and pre-cataclysmic binary V471 Tau has been observed by the authors since 1973. At least a complete light curve in B and V bands and more than two eclipse timings were obtained in each year. All the available data published so far (including the authors') have been collected and analysed for the brightness and orbital period changes. The system brightened about 0.22 mag in both B and V bands more or less regularly up to 1997 and started to decrease afterwards. A search for periodicity of this variation yields a period longer than 85 yr. In addition to this long-period variation, a small amplitude of about 0.08 mag and short time-interval fluctuations on the mean brightness have been detected. The variations of the mean brightness have been discussed and plausible causes suggested. The changes of the apparent period have been attributed to a third body. Analysis of all the 'observed−calculated' (O−C) data yields a period of 32.4 yr, with a semi-amplitude of 151 s and an eccentricity of 0.30 for the third-body orbit. For orbital inclinations greater than 34° the mass of the third body would possibly match to a brown dwarf. One of the most interesting features in the light curve of V471 Tau is the decrement of the eclipse depth with time. The depth of the eclipse in the B band has been decreased from 0.082 to 0.057 mag over 34 yr. Subtracting the variation of the depth due to the brightening of the red dwarf star, the actual variation in depth, originated from from the white dwarf, was found to be about 0.012 mag. This change in the brightness of the compact object has been attributed to the mass accretion from its primary component via thermally driven wind and/or flare-like events.     

A comprehensive photometric study of the marginal-contact binary BE Cephei

New photometry for the eclipsing binary BE Cephei was performed from 2008 to 2011. The light-curve synthesis indicates that it is a marginal-contact binary with a mass ratio of q = 2.340(±0.009) and a degree of contact of f = 6.9%(±2.3%). From the O − C curve, it is discovered that the orbital period changes show a sinusoidal curve superimposed on a downward parabola. The period and semi-amplitude of the cyclic variation are P_mod = 59.26(±0.52) yr and A = 0.^d0067(±0.^d0010), which may be possibly attributed to light-time effect via the presence of an unseen third body. The long-term period decreases at a rate of dP/dt = −4.84(±0.31) × 10⁻⁸ d yr⁻¹, which may result from mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one, accompanied by angular momentum loss. With the period decreasing, the degree of contact will increase. Finally, the marginal-contact binary BE Cep may be evolving into a deep-contact configuration.     

Colliding winds in V1016 Cygni

We present MERLIN observations of the symbiotic nova V1016 Cygni made at 6 cm between 1992 and 1997 and at 18 cm in 1993 and 1997. In the 6-cm images we find complex structure which has not been previously seen, in particular three bright components. These components do not appear to be expanding as would be expected from the remains of a hot wind resulting from the nova outburst. The change in positions of two of the features exhibits tentative east–west movement. The brightness temperature of the peak with the highest flux density remains above 50 000 K in all epochs, thereby confirming the presence of shocked material in the system. At 18 cm there is no evidence of any non-thermal emission as might be expected from comparison with a sister star, HM Sge.     

Near-infrared observations of the novae V2491 Cygni and V597 Puppis

We present results obtained from near-infrared JHK spectroscopic observations of novae V2491 Cygni and V597 Puppis in the early declining phases of their 2007 and 2008 outbursts, respectively. In both objects, the spectra displayed emission lines of H  i , O  i , He  i and N  i . In V597 Pup, the He  i lines were found to strengthen rapidly with time. Based on the observed spectral characteristics, both objects are classified as He/N novae. We have investigated the possibility of V2491 Cyg being a recurrent nova as has been suggested. By studying the temporal evolution of the linewidths in V2491 Cyg, it appears unlikely that the binary companion is a giant star with heavy wind as in recurrent novae of the RS Oph type. Significant deviations from that of recombination case B conditions are observed in the strengths of the H  i lines. This indicates that the H  i lines, in both novae, are optically thick during the span of our observations. The slope of the continuum spectra in both cases was found to have a  λ^−(3−3.5)  dependence which deviates from a Rayleigh–Jeans spectral distribution. Both novae were detected in the post-outburst supersoft X-ray phase; V2491 Cyg being very bright in X-rays has been the target of several observations. We discuss and correlate our infrared observations with the observed X-ray properties of these novae.     

Charge-coupled device observations of V388 Cyg

We present BVR full-light curves of V388 Cyg to provide a complete photometric solution for the first time. The light curves show a high degree of asymmetry (O'Connell effect). The maxima at 0.25 phase (Max I) are 0.023, 0.018 and 0.012 mag higher than those at 0.75 phase (Max II) in B , V and R , respectively. Three possible spot models are applied to fit the asymmetric light curves of V388 Cyg, in order to explain the O'Connell effect. We conclude that the model of the cool spot on the cooler star is the most reasonable model for V388 Cyg. The continuous period variation is confirmed by recently collected times of minima, including one minimum that is determined in this paper. The period decrease rate is estimated as d p /d t =−2.055×10⁻⁷ d yr⁻¹ .     

Eclipsing phenomena of the symbiotic star CH Cygni

Eclipsing phenomena of the inner binary with a period of 756 d in the triple symbiotic system CH Cyg may have been detected in detailed spectrophotometric observations. The eclipse of the hot component by the red giant started on 1994 October 11 and finished between 1995 January 8 and 18. The ingress duration was less than one day. The radius of the red giant is estimated to be 288 ± 15 R⊙ from the duration of the eclipse. Assuming the bolometric correction of the red giant (M7 III) as 4, the distance to this object is estimated to be 307 ± 32 pc, which agrees well with that obtained in the observations by Hipparcos . The interstellar extinction in the direction of this object may be much lower than that in the nearby areas. It has been suggested that the outer binary system with an orbital period of about 15 yr is an eclipsing one. It seems unlikely, however, that the variation of the activity of this object with a time-scale of more than 10 yr was a result of eclipses.     

Accretion disc in the massive V448 Cygni system

The UBV light curves of the early-type eclipsing binary V448 Cygni, obtained at the Abastumani Astrophysical Observatory from 1964 to 1967, are re-analysed here. The analysis was made assuming the presence of an accretion disc in the system, as inferred from the light-curve shape and spectroscopic characteristics of the system. The Roche model of a binary was used, containing a geometrically and optically thick accretion disc around the hotter and more massive star. By solving the inverse problem, the orbital elements and the physical parameters of the system components and of the accretion disc were estimated. This result is important for understanding the star formation and evolution processes in the systems with massive components.