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At least 685 records · Page 38
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DOE OSTI2013

Orbital parameters for the two young binaries VSB 111 and VSB 126

We report orbital parameters for two low-mass, pre-main-sequence, double-lined spectroscopic binaries: VSB 111 and VSB 126. These systems were originally identified as single-lined on the basis of visible-light observations. We obtained high-resolution infrared spectra with the 10 m Keck II telescope, detected absorption lines of the secondary stars, and measured radial velocities of both components in the systems. The visible-light spectra were obtained with the 1.5 m Wyeth reflector at the Oak Ridge Observatory, the 1.5 m Tillinghast reflector at the F. L. Whipple Observatory, and the 4.5 m equivalent Multiple Mirror Telescope. The combination of our visible and infrared observations of VSB 111 leads to a period of 902.1 ± 0.9 days, an eccentricity of 0.788 ± 0.008, and a mass ratio of 0.52 ± 0.05. VSB 126 has a period of 12.9244 ± 0.0002 days, an eccentricity of 0.18 ± 0.02, and a mass ratio of 0.29 ± 0.02. Visible-light photometry, using the 0.8 m telescope at Lowell Observatory, provided rotation periods for the primary stars in both systems: 3.74 ± 0.02 days for VSB 111 and 5.71 ± 0.07 days for VSB 126. Both binaries are located in the young, active star-forming cluster NGC 2264 at a distance of ∼800 pc. The difference in the center-of-mass velocities of the two systems is consistent with the radial velocity gradient seen across NGC 2264. To test the evolutionary models for accuracy and consistency, we compare the stellar properties derived from several sets of theoretical calculations for pre-main-sequence evolution with our dynamical results.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

An extensive analysis of the triple W UMa type binary FI BOO

We present a detailed analysis of the interesting W UMa binary FI Boo in view of the spectroscopic signature of a third body through photometry, period variation, and a thorough investigation of solution uniqueness. We obtained new BVR{sub c}I{sub c} photometric data that, when combined with spectroscopic data, enable us to analyze the system FI Boo and determine its basic orbital and physical properties through PHOEBE, as well as the period variation by studying the times of the minima. This combined approach allows us to study the long-term period changes in the system for the first time in order to investigate the presence of a third body and to check extensively the solution uniqueness and the uncertainties of derived parameters. Our modeling indicates that FI Boo is a W-type moderate (f = 50.15% ± 8.10%) overcontact binary with component masses of M {sub h} = 0.40 ± 0.05 M {sub ☉} and M {sub c} = 1.07 ± 0.05 M {sub ☉}, temperatures of T {sub h} = 5746 ± 33 K and T {sub c} = 5420 ± 56 K, and a third body, which may play an important role in the formation and evolution. The results were tested by heuristic scanning and parameter kicking to provide the consistent and reliable set of parameters that was used to obtain the initial masses of the progenitors (1.71 ± 0.10 M {sub ☉} and 0.63 ± 0.01 M {sub ☉}, respectively). We also investigated the evolutionary status of massive components with several sets of widely used isochrones.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photometric properties for selected Algol-type binaries. VI. The newly discovered oEA star FR Orionis

New photometry of the neglected eclipsing binary FR Orionis was obtained in 2012 November and December. Using the updated Wilson-Devinney program, the photometric elements were deduced from two-color light curves. The results indicate that this system is a semi-detached binary, with a mass ratio of 0.325(± 0.002) and a fill-out factor of the primary of f{sub p} = 73.5(± 0.2)%. The oscillating light curves imply that FR Ori may be an oscillating EA (oEA)-type star with a rapidly pulsating, mass-accreting primary component. After we removed the theoretical light curves from the observations, Fourier analysis revealed that the more massive component possibly shows a δ Scuti type pulsation with four detected frequencies. The dominant frequency is f {sub 1} = 38.6c day{sup –1} (i.e., P {sub puls} = 37.3 minutes), and the pulsation constant is Q = 0.014 days. Based on all available eclipsing times, the orbital period is undergoing a secular period increase with a rate of dP/dt = +8.85(±0.66) × 10{sup –8} day yr {sup –1}, which may be interpreted by mass transfer from the secondary to the primary. We expect that the more massive component will fill its Roche lobe due to mass transfer of the secondary. Therefore, the oEA star FR Ori may evolve into a contact configuration.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Absolute properties of the eclipsing binary system AQ Serpentis: A stringent test of convective core overshooting in stellar evolution models

We report differential photometric observations and radial-velocity measurements of the detached, 1.69 day period, double-lined eclipsing binary AQ Ser. Accurate masses and radii for the components are determined to better than 1.8% and 1.1%, respectively, and are M {sub 1} = 1.417 ± 0.021 M {sub ☉}, M {sub 2} = 1.346 ± 0.024 M {sub ☉}, R {sub 1} = 2.451 ± 0.027 R {sub ☉}, and R {sub 2} = 2.281 ± 0.014 R {sub ☉}. The temperatures are 6340 ± 100 K (spectral type F6) and 6430 ± 100 K (F5), respectively. Both stars are considerably evolved, such that predictions from stellar evolution theory are particularly sensitive to the degree of extra mixing above the convective core (overshoot). The component masses are different enough to exclude a location in the H-R diagram past the point of central hydrogen exhaustion, which implies the need for extra mixing. Moreover, we find that current main-sequence models are unable to match the observed properties at a single age even when allowing the unknown metallicity, mixing length parameter, and convective overshooting parameter to vary freely and independently for the two components. The age of the more massive star appears systematically younger. AQ Ser and other similarly evolved eclipsing binaries showing the same discrepancy highlight an outstanding and largely overlooked problem with the description of overshooting in current stellar theory.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Magnetic activity and orbital period variation of the short-period eclipsing binary DV Psc

We present six new BVR{sub c}I{sub c} CCD light curves of a short-period RS CVn binary DV Psc obtained in 2010-2012. The light curve distortions change on both short and long timescales, which is explained by two starspots on the primary component. Moreover, five new flare events were detected and the flare ratio of DV Psc is about 0.082 flares per hour. There is a possible relation between the phases (longitude) of the flares and starspots for all of the available data of late-type binaries, which implies a correlation of the stellar activity of the spots and flares. The cyclic oscillation, with a period of 4.9 ± 0.4 yr, may result from the magnetic activity cycle, identified by the variability of Max. I-Max. II. Until now, there were no spectroscopic studies of chromospheric activity indicators of the H{sub β} and H{sub γ} lines for DV Psc. Our observations of these indicators show that DV Psc is active, with excess emissions. The updated O – C diagram with an observing time span of about 15 yr shows an upward parabola, which indicates a secular increase in the orbital period of DV Psc. The orbital period secularly increases at a rate of dP/dt = 2.0×10{sup –7} days yr{sup –1}, which might be explained by the angular momentum exchanges or mass transfer from the secondary to primary component.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Binary stars observed with adaptive optics at the starfire optical range

In reviewing observations taken of binary stars used as calibration objects for non-astronomical purposes with adaptive optics on the 3.5 m Starfire Optical Range telescope over the past 2 years, one-fifth of them were found to be off-orbit. In order to understand such a high number of discrepant position angles and separations, all previous observations in the Washington Double Star Catalog for these rogue binaries were obtained from the Naval Observatory. Adding our observations to these yields new orbits for all, resolving the discrepancies. We have detected both components of γ Gem for the first time, and we have shown that 7 Cam is an optical pair, not physically bound.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photometric analysis of the overcontact binary CW Cas

New CCD photometric observations of overcontact binary CW Cas were carried out in 2004 and 2011. In particular, the light curve obtained in 2004 shows a remarkable O'Connell effect. Compared with light curves in different observing seasons, variations were found. These variations can be explained by dark spot activities on the surface of at least one component. Using the Wilson-Devinney code with a spot model, we find that the photometric solutions confirm CW Cas is a shallow W-subtype overcontact binary with a spotted massive component. Our new determined times of minimum light together with the others published in the literature were analyzed to find a change of orbital period. From the O – C curves, the period of the system shows a cyclic period change (P {sub 3} = 69.9 yr, A {sub 3} = 0.03196 days) superposed on the linear increase. The cyclic variation, if explained as the light-travel time effect, reveals the presence of a tertiary companion.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

Photometric analysis of overcontact binaries AK Her, HI Dra, V1128 Tau, and V2612 Oph

We analyze new, high quality multicolor light curves of four overcontact binaries: AK Her, HI Dra, V1128 Tau, and V2612 Oph, and determine their orbital and physical parameters using the modeling program of G. Djurasevic and recently published results of radial velocity studies. The achieved precision in absolute masses is between 10% and 20%, and the precision in absolute radii is between 5% and 10%. All four systems are W UMa-type binaries with bright or dark spots indicative of mass and energy transfer or surface activity. We estimate the distances and the ages of the systems using the luminosities computed through our analysis, and perform an O – C study for V1128 Tau, which reveals a complex period variation that can be interpreted in terms of mass loss/exchange and either the presence of the third body, or the magnetic activity on one of the components. We conclude that further observations of these systems are needed to deepen our understanding of their nature and variability.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

FIRST PRECISION LIGHT CURVE ANALYSIS OF THE NEGLECTED EXTREME MASS RATIO SOLAR-TYPE BINARY HR BOOTIS

HR Bootis is a neglected binary that is found to be a solar-type (G2V) extreme mass ratio binary (EMRB). It was discovered by Hanley and Shapley in 1940. Surprisingly, little has been published in the intervening years. In 1999 it was characterized by a 0.31587 day orbital period. Since that time it has been observed by various observers who have determined ∼20 timings of minimum light over the past ∼15,000 orbits. Our observations in 2012 represent the first precision curves in the BVR{sub c}I{sub c} Johnson–Cousins wavelength bands. The light curves have rather low amplitudes, averaging some 0.5 magnitudes, yet they exhibit total eclipses, which is typical of the rare group of solar-type EMRBs. An improved linear ephemeris was computed along with a quadratic ephemeris showing a decaying orbit, which indicates magnetic breaking may be occurring. The light curve solution reveals that HR Boo is a contact system with a somewhat low 21% Roche-lobe fill-out but a mass ratio of q = 4.09 (0.2444), which defines it as an EMRB. Two spots, both hot, were allowed to iterate to fit the light curve asymmetries. Their radii are 32° and 16°. Both are high-latitude polar spots indicative of strong magnetic activity. The shallow contact yet nearly equal component temperatures makes it an unusual addition to this group.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

OBSERVATIONS OF BINARY STARS WITH THE DIFFERENTIAL SPECKLE SURVEY INSTRUMENT. V. TOWARD AN EMPIRICAL METAL-POOR MASS–LUMINOSITY RELATION

In an effort to better understand the details of the stellar structure and evolution of metal-poor stars, the Gemini North telescope was used on two occasions to take speckle imaging data of a sample of known spectroscopic binary stars and other nearby stars in order to search for and resolve close companions. The observations were obtained using the Differential Speckle Survey Instrument, which takes data in two filters simultaneously. The results presented here are of 90 observations of 23 systems in which one or more companions was detected, and six stars where no companion was detected to the limit of the camera capabilities at Gemini. In the case of the binary and multiple stars, these results are then further analyzed to make first orbit determinations in five cases, and orbit refinements in four other cases. The mass information is derived, and since the systems span a range in metallicity, a study is presented that compares our results with the expected trend in total mass as derived from the most recent Yale isochrones as a function of metal abundance. These data suggest that metal-poor main-sequence stars are less massive at a given color than their solar-metallicity analogues in a manner consistent with that predicted from the theory.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

APSIDAL MOTIONS OF 27 BINARY SYSTEMS IN THE SMALL MAGELLANIC CLOUD

We present the periods of apsidal motion for 27 early-type eclipsing binaries with high eccentricity located in the Small Magellanic Cloud. New times of minima were derived from the light curves constructed by the MACHO, Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE)-II, and OGLE-III survey data. The eclipse timing diagrams of the binary systems were analyzed using those timings and the elements of apsidal motions were obtained in detail for the first time. The apsidal motion periods of all systems were estimated by detailed analysis of both eclipse timings and light curves; a strong correlation value between both methods is shown. We confirm that OGLE-SMC-ECL-2194 shows the shortest known apsidal motion period of 7.1 yr in a detached system with main sequence stars. Nineteen systems show intermediate apsidal motion periods between 10 and 100 yr, and seven systems exhibit long apsidal periods of more than 100 yr.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

TIME-SERIES SPECTROSCOPY OF THE ECLIPSING BINARY Y CAM WITH A PULSATING COMPONENT

We present the physical properties of the semi-detached Algol-type eclipsing binary Y Cam based on high resolution spectra obtained using the Bohyunsan Optical Echelle Spectrograph. This is the first spectroscopic monitoring data obtained for this interesting binary system, which has a δ Sct-type pulsating component. We obtained a total of 59 spectra over 14 nights from 2009 December to 2011 March. Double-lined spectral features from the hot primary and cool secondary components were well identified. We determined the effective temperatures of the two stars to be T{sub eff,1} = 8000 ± 250 K and T{sub eff,2} = 4629 ± 150 K. The projected rotational velocities are v{sub 1}sin i{sub 1} = 51 ± 4 km s{sup −1} and v{sub 2}sin i{sub 2} = 50 ± 10 km s{sup −1}, which are very similar to a synchronous rotation with the orbital motion. Physical parameters of each component were derived by analyzing our radial velocity data together with previous photometric light curves from the literature. The masses and radii are M{sub 1} = 2.08 ± 0.09 M{sub ⊙}, M{sub 2} = 0.48 ± 0.03 M{sub ⊙}, R{sub 1} = 3.14 ± 0.05 R{sub ⊙}, and R{sub 2} = 3.33 ± 0.05 R{sub ⊙}, respectively. A comparison of these parameters with the theoretical evolution tracks showed that the primary component is located between the zero-age main sequence and the terminal-age main sequence, while the low-mass secondary is noticeably evolved. This indicates that the two components have experienced mass exchange with each other and the primary has undergone an evolution process different from that of single δ Sct-type pulsators.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2015

APSIDAL MOTION AND A LIGHT CURVE SOLUTION FOR 13 LMC ECCENTRIC ECLIPSING BINARIES

New CCD observations for 13 eccentric eclipsing binaries from the Large Magellanic Cloud were carried out using the Danish 1.54 m telescope located at the La Silla Observatory in Chile. These systems were observed for their times of minimum and 56 new minima were obtained. These are needed for accurate determination of the apsidal motion. Besides that, in total 436 times of minimum were derived from the photometric databases OGLE and MACHO. The O – C diagrams of minimum timings for these B-type binaries were analyzed and the parameters of the apsidal motion were computed. The light curves of these systems were fitted using the program PHOEBE, giving the light curve parameters. We derived for the first time relatively short periods of the apsidal motion ranging from 21 to 107 years. The system OGLE-LMC-ECL-07902 was also analyzed using the spectra and radial velocities, resulting in masses of 6.8 and 4.4 M{sub ⊙} for the eclipsing components. For one system (OGLE-LMC-ECL-20112), the third-body hypothesis was also used to describe the residuals after subtraction of the apsidal motion, resulting in a period of about 22 years. For several systems an additional third light was also detected, which makes these systems suspect for triplicity.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

DISTRIBUTION OF HIGH-MASS X-RAY BINARIES IN THE MILKY WAY

Observations of the high-energy sky, particularly with the INTEGRAL satellite, have quadrupled the number of supergiant X-ray binaries observed in the Galaxy and revealed new populations of previously hidden high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs), raising new questions about their formation and evolution. The number of detected HMXBs of different types is now high enough to allow us to carry out a statistical analysis of their distribution in the Milky Way. For the first time, we derive the distance and absorption of a sample of HMXBs using a spectral energy distribution fitting procedure, and we examine the correlation with the distribution of star-forming complexes (SFCs) in the Galaxy. We show that HMXBs are clustered with SFCs with a typical cluster size of 0.3 {+-} 0.05 kpc and a characteristic distance between clusters of 1.7 {+-} 0.3 kpc. Furthermore, we present an investigation of the expected offset between the position of spiral arms and HMXBs, allowing us to constrain age and migration distance due to supernova kick for 13 sources. These new methods will allow us to assess the influence of the environment on these high-energy objects with unprecedented reliability.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE INTERIOR STRUCTURE CONSTANTS AS AN AGE DIAGNOSTIC FOR LOW-MASS, PRE-MAIN-SEQUENCE DETACHED ECLIPSING BINARY STARS

We propose a novel method for determining the ages of low-mass, pre-main-sequence stellar systems using the apsidal motion of low-mass detached eclipsing binaries. The apsidal motion of a binary system with an eccentric orbit provides information regarding the interior structure constants of the individual stars. These constants are related to the normalized stellar interior density distribution and can be extracted from the predictions of stellar evolution models. We demonstrate that low-mass, pre-main-sequence stars undergoing radiative core contraction display rapidly changing interior structure constants (greater than 5% per 10 Myr) that, when combined with observational determinations of the interior structure constants (with 5%-10% precision), allow for a robust age estimate. This age estimate, unlike those based on surface quantities, is largely insensitive to the surface layer where effects of magnetic activity are likely to be most pronounced. On the main sequence, where age sensitivity is minimal, the interior structure constants provide a valuable test of the physics used in stellar structure models of low-mass stars. There are currently no known systems where this technique is applicable. Nevertheless, the emphasis on time domain astronomy with current missions, such as Kepler, and future missions, such as LSST, has the potential to discover systems where the proposed method will be observationally feasible.

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DOE OSTI2013

SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF X-RAY BINARIES IN CENTAURUS A

We present a spectral investigation of X-ray binaries (XBs) in NGC 5128 (Cen A), using six 100 ks Chandra observations taken over two months in 2007. We divide our sample into thermally and non-thermally dominated states based on the behavior of the fitted absorption column N{sub H}, and present the spectral parameters of sources with L{sub x} {approx}> 2 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 37} erg s{sup -1}. The majority of sources are consistent with being neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries (NS LMXBs) and we identify three transient black hole (BH) LMXB candidates coincident with the dust lane, which is the remnant of a small late-type galaxy. Our results also provide tentative support for the apparent 'gap' in the mass distribution of compact objects between {approx}2-5 M{sub Sun }. We propose that BH LMXBs are preferentially found in the dust lane, and suggest this is because of the younger stellar population. The majority ({approx}70%-80%) of potential Roche lobe filling donors in the Cen A halo are {approx}> 12 Gyr old, while BH LMXBs require donors {approx}> 1 M{sub Sun} to produce the observed peak luminosities. This requirement for more massive donors may also explain recent results that claim a steepening of the X-ray luminosity function with age at L{sub x} {>=} 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 38} erg s{sup -1} for the XB population of early-type galaxies; for older stellar populations, there are fewer stars {approx}> 1 M{sub Sun }, which are required to form the more luminous sources.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

CHARACTERIZING THE COOL KOIs. V. KOI-256: A MUTUALLY ECLIPSING POST-COMMON ENVELOPE BINARY

We report that Kepler Object of Interest 256 (KOI-256) is a mutually eclipsing post-common envelope binary (ePCEB), consisting of a cool white dwarf (M{sub *} = 0.592 {+-} 0.089 M{sub Sun }, R{sub *} = 0.01345 {+-} 0.00091 R{sub Sun }, T{sub eff} = 7100 {+-} 700 K) and an active M3 dwarf (M{sub *} = 0.51 {+-} 0.16 M{sub Sun }, R{sub *} = 0.540 {+-} 0.014 R{sub Sun }, T{sub eff} = 3450 {+-} 50 K) with an orbital period of 1.37865 {+-} 0.00001 days. KOI-256 is listed as hosting a transiting planet-candidate by Borucki et al. and Batalha et al.; here we report that the planet-candidate transit signal is in fact the occultation of a white dwarf as it passes behind the M dwarf. We combine publicly-available long- and short-cadence Kepler light curves with ground-based measurements to robustly determine the system parameters. The occultation events are readily apparent in the Kepler light curve, as is spin-orbit synchronization of the M dwarf, and we detect the transit of the white dwarf in front of the M dwarf halfway between the occultation events. The size of the white dwarf with respect to the Einstein ring during transit (R{sub Ein} = 0.00473 {+-} 0.00055 R{sub Sun }) causes the transit depth to be shallower than expected from pure geometry due to gravitational lensing. KOI-256 is an old, long-period ePCEB and serves as a benchmark object for studying the evolution of binary star systems as well as white dwarfs themselves, thanks largely to the availability of near-continuous, ultra-precise Kepler photometry.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2013

ANALYSIS OF SPIN-ORBIT MISALIGNMENT IN THE ECLIPSING BINARY DI HERCULIS

The eclipsing binary DI Herculis (DI Her) is known to exhibit anomalously slow apsidal precession below the rate predicted by general relativity. Recent measurements of the Rossiter-McLaughlin effect indicate that stellar spins in DI Her are almost orthogonal to the orbital angular momentum, which explains the anomalous precession in agreement with the earlier theoretical suggestion by Shakura. However, these measurements yield only projections of the spin-orbit angles onto the sky plane, leaving the spin projection onto our line of sight unconstrained. Here we describe a method for determining the full three-dimensional spin orientation of the binary components relying on the use of the gravity-darkening effect, which is significant for the rapidly rotating stars in DI Her. Gravity darkening gives rise to a nonuniform brightness distribution over the stellar surface, the pattern of which depends on the stellar spin orientation. Using archival photometric data obtained during multiple eclipses over several decades, we are able to constrain the unknown spin angles in DI Her with this method, finding that the spin axes of both stars lie close to the plane of the sky. Our procedure fully accounts for the precession of stellar spins over the long time span of observations.

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