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Angular momentum and mass evolution of contact binaries
Various scenarios of contact binary evolution have been proposed in thepast, giving hints of (sometimes contradictory) evolutionary sequencesconnecting A- and W-type systems. As the components of close detachedbinaries approach each other and contact binaries are formed, followingevolutionary paths transforms them into systems of two categories:A-type and W-type. The systems evolve in a similar way but underslightly different circumstances. The mass/energy transfer rate isdifferent, leading to quite different evolutionary results. Analternative scenario of evolution in contact is presented and discussed,based on the observational data of over one hundred low-temperaturecontact binaries. It results from the observed correlations amongcontact binary physical and orbital parameters. Theoretical tracks arecomputed assuming angular momentum loss from a system via stellar wind,accompanied by mass transfer from an advanced evolutionary secondary tothe main-sequence primary. A good agreement is seen between the tracksand the observed graphs. Independently of details of the evolution incontact and a relation between A- and W-type systems, the ultimate fateof contact binaries involves the coalescence of both components into asingle fast rotating star.
| Contact Binaries with Additional Components. III. A Search Using Adaptive Optics
We present results of the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope adaptive optics(AO) search for companions of a homogeneous group of contact binarystars, as a contribution to our attempts to prove the hypothesis thatthese binaries require a third star to become as close as observed. Inaddition to directly discovering companions at separations of>=1″, we introduced a new method of AO image analysis utilizingdistortions of the AO diffraction ring pattern at separations of0.07″-1″. Very close companions, with separations in thelatter range, were discovered in the systems HV Aqr, OO Aql, CK Boo, XYLeo, BE Scl, and RZ Tau. More distant companions were detected in V402Aur, AO Cam, and V2082 Cyg. Our results provide a contribution to themounting evidence that the presence of close companions is a very commonphenomenon for very close binaries with orbital periods <1 day.Based on observations obtained at the Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope,which is operated by the National Research Council of Canada, theInstitut National des Sciences de l'Univers of the Centre National de laRecherche Scientifique of France, and the University of Hawaii.
| Radial Velocity Studies of Southern Close Binary Stars. II. Spring/Summer Systems
Radial velocity measurements and sine-curve fits to the orbital velocityvariations are presented for 14 close binary stars, S Ant, TT Cet, TWCet, AA Cet, RW Dor, UX Eri, YY Eri, BV Eri, CT Eri, SZ Hor, AD Phe, TYPup, HI Pup, and TZ Pyx. All are double-lined binaries, and all exceptthe last one are contact binaries. The orbital data must be consideredpreliminary because of the relatively small number of observations(6-12), a circumstance that is partly compensated by the good definitionof the broadening functions used for the radial velocity determinations.Based on data obtained at the European Southern Observatory.
| Dynamical evolution of active detached binaries on the logJo-logM diagram and contact binary formation
Orbital angular momentum (OAM, Jo), systemic mass (M) andorbital period (P) distributions of chromospherically active binaries(CAB) and W Ursae Majoris (W UMa) systems were investigated. Thediagrams of and logJo-logM were formed from 119 CAB and 102 WUMa stars. The logJo-logM diagram is found to be mostmeaningful in demonstrating dynamical evolution of binary star orbits. Aslightly curved borderline (contact border) separating the detached andthe contact systems was discovered on the logJo-logM diagram.Since the orbital size (a) and period (P) of binaries are determined bytheir current Jo, M and mass ratio, q, the rates of OAM loss(dlogJo/dt) and mass loss (dlogM/dt) are primary parametersto determine the direction and the speed of the dynamical evolution. Adetached system becomes a contact system if its own dynamical evolutionenables it to pass the contact border on the logJo-logMdiagram. The evolution of q for a mass-losing detached system is unknownunless the mass-loss rate for each component is known. Assuming q isconstant in the first approximation and using the mean decreasing ratesof Jo and M from the kinematical ages of CAB stars, it hasbeen predicted that 11, 23 and 39 per cent of current CAB stars wouldtransform to W UMa systems if their nuclear evolution permits them tolive 2, 4 and 6 Gyr, respectively.
| Contact Binaries with Additional Components. I. The Extant Data
We have attempted to establish observational evidence for the presenceof distant companions that may have acquired and/or absorbed angularmomentum during the evolution of multiple systems, thus facilitating orenabling the formation of contact binaries. In this preliminaryinvestigation we use several techniques (some of themdistance-independent) and mostly disregard the detection biases ofindividual techniques in an attempt to establish a lower limit to thefrequency of triple systems. While the whole sample of 151 contactbinary stars brighter than Vmax=10 mag gives a firm lowerlimit of 42%+/-5%, the corresponding number for the much better observednorthern-sky subsample is 59%+/-8%. These estimates indicate that mostcontact binary stars exist in multiple systems.
| V781 Tauri: a W Ursae Majoris binary with decreasing period
We analyze light curves of the W UMa type eclipsing binary V781 Taurifrom three epochs and radial velocity curves from two epochssimultaneously, including previously unpublished B and V data. Theoverall time span is from 1983 to 2000 and the solution is donecoherently in time (not phase) with five light curves and two sets ofprimary and secondary velocity curves. Minor systematic differencesamong the individual light curves are not large enough to undermine thevalue of a coherent solution that represents 18 years of observations.Times of minima confirm a period of 0.34491d and the general solutionfinds a small period change, dP/P, of(5.08±{04})×10-11 that represents recentbehavior. The eclipse timings cover the last half-century and find dP/Pabout four times smaller, corresponding to a period change time scale,P/(dP/dt) of about 6 million years. The system is over-contact with afilling factor of 0.205. The solution produces a temperature differenceof about 260 K between the components, an inclination of 65.9dg, and amass ratio M_2/M_1=2.47. Separate solutions of the several light curvesthat incorporate dark spots find parameters that differ little fromcurve to curve. Absolute masses, luminosities, radii and the distanceare derived, with luminosities and distance based on star 1 being oftype G0V. The orbital angular momentum is compared with those of other WUMa type binaries and is normal. The star to star mass flow that one caninfer from dP/dt is opposite to that expected from TRO (ThermalRelaxation Oscillator) theory, but pertains to a time span that is veryshort compared to the time scale of TRO oscillations.
| A catalogue of eclipsing variables
A new catalogue of 6330 eclipsing variable stars is presented. Thecatalogue was developed from the General Catalogue of Variable Stars(GCVS) and its textual remarks by including recently publishedinformation about classification of 843 systems and making correspondingcorrections of GCVS data. The catalogue1 represents thelargest list of eclipsing binaries classified from observations.
| Kinematics of W Ursae Majoris type binaries and evidence of the two types of formation
We study the kinematics of 129 W UMa binaries and we discuss itsimplications on the contact binary evolution. The sample is found to beheterogeneous in the velocity space. That is, kinematically younger andolder contact binaries exist in the sample. A kinematically young (0.5Gyr) subsample (moving group) is formed by selecting the systems thatsatisfy the kinematical criteria of moving groups. After removing thepossible moving group members and the systems that are known to bemembers of open clusters, the rest of the sample is called the fieldcontact binary (FCB) group. The FCB group is further divided into fourgroups according to the orbital period ranges. Then, a correlation isfound in the sense that shorter-period less-massive systems have largervelocity dispersions than the longer-period more-massive systems.Dispersions in the velocity space indicate a 5.47-Gyr kinematical agefor the FCB group. Compared with the field chromospherically activebinaries (CABs), presumably detached binary progenitors of the contactsystems, the FCB group appears to be 1.61 Gyr older. Assuming anequilibrium in the formation and destruction of CAB and W UMa systems inthe Galaxy, this age difference is treated as an empirically deducedlifetime of the contact stage. Because the kinematical ages (3.21, 3.51,7.14 and 8.89 Gyr) of the four subgroups of the FCB group are muchlonger than the 1.61-Gyr lifetime of the contact stage, the pre-contactstages of the FCB group must dominantly be producing the largedispersions. The kinematically young (0.5 Gyr) moving group covers thesame total mass, period and spectral ranges as the FCB group. However,the very young age of this group does not leave enough room forpre-contact stages, and thus it is most likely that these systems wereformed in the beginning of the main sequence or during thepre-main-sequence contraction phase, either by a fission process or mostprobably by fast spiralling in of two components in a common envelope.
| On the properties of contact binary stars
We have compiled a catalogue of light curve solutions of contact binarystars. It contains the results of 159 light curve solutions. Theproperties of contact binary stars were studied using the cataloguedata. As is well known since Lucy's (\cite{Lucy68a},b) and Mochnacki's(\cite{Mochnacki81}) studies, primary components transfer their ownenergy to the secondary star via the common envelope around the twostars. This transfer was parameterized by a transfer parameter (ratio ofthe observed and intrinsic luminosities of the primary star). We provethat this transfer parameter is a simple function of the mass andluminosity ratios. We introduced a new type of contact binary stars: Hsubtype systems which have a large mass ratio (q>0.72). These systemsshow behaviour in the luminosity ratio- transfer parameter diagram thatis very different from that of other systems and according to ourresults the energy transfer rate is less efficient in them than in othertypes of contact binary stars. We also show that different types ofcontact binaries have well defined locations on the mass ratio -luminosity ratio diagram. Several contact binary systems do not followLucy's relation (L2/L1 =(M2/M1)0.92). No strict mass ratio -luminosity ratio relation of contact binary stars exists.Tables 2 and 3 are available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org
| SB9: The ninth catalogue of spectroscopic binary orbits
The Ninth Catalogue of Spectroscopic Binary Orbits(http://sb9.astro.ulb.ac.be) continues the series of compilations ofspectroscopic orbits carried out over the past 35 years by Batten andcollaborators. As of 2004 May 1st, the new Catalogue holds orbits for2386 systems. Some essential differences between this catalogue and itspredecessors are outlined and three straightforward applications arepresented: (1) completeness assessment: period distribution of SB1s andSB2s; (2) shortest periods across the H-R diagram; (3)period-eccentricity relation.
| Up-to-Date Linear Elements of Eclipsing Binaries
About 1800 O-C diagrams of eclipsing binaries were analyzed and up-todate linear elements were computed. The regularly updated ephemerides(as a continuation of SAC) are available only in electronic form at theInternet address: http://www.as.ap.krakow.pl/ephem/.
| Studies on stellar rotation. III. An improvement of the treatment of the brightening distribution of rotating and tidally distorted stars
We have computed new values of the gravity-darkening exponents beta_1(GDE) incorporating the interior-atmosphere coupling by combining ourmethod developed previously and the properties of modern atmospheremodels. The mass range where this coupling is applied is extended in thepresent work from 0.08 to 40 Msun. The effects of thealternative theories of convective transport of energy on GDEs is alsoinvestigated. These new values of GDEs are compared to recentobservations and we found a good agreement, mainly at the crucialtransition phase.In addition, the gravity-darkening coefficients y were computed for theu v b y U B V R I J H K passbands using recent atmosphere models insteadof the black body approximation. All this information is made availablein the form of tables and can be obtained from EDP Sciences, or forspecific calculations, directly from the author.Tables 2-26 are only available in electronic form athttp://www.edpsciences.org
| 162-nd List of Minima Timings of Eclipsing Binaries by BBSAG Observers
Not Available
| Catalogue of the field contact binary stars
A catalogue of 361 galactic contact binaries is presented. Listedcontact binaries are divided into five groups according to the type andquality of the available observations and parameters. For all systemsthe ephemeris for the primary minimum, minimum and maximum visualbrightness and equatorial coordinates are given. If available,photometric elements, (m1+m2)sin3i,spectral type, parallax and magnitude of the O'Connell effect are alsogiven. Photometric data for several systems are augmented by newobservations. The quality of the available data is assessed and systemsrequiring modern light-curve solutions are selected. Selectedstatistical properties of the collected data are discussed.
| Orbital period changes of contact binary systems: direct evidence for thermal relaxation oscillation theory
Orbital period changes of ten contact binary systems (S Ant, ɛCrA, EF Dra, UZ Leo, XZ Leo, TY Men, V566 Oph, TY Pup, RZ Tau and AGVir) are studied based on the analysis of their O-C curves. It isdiscovered that the periods of the six systems, S Ant, ɛ CrA, EFDra, XZ Leo, TY Men and TY Pup, show secular increases. For UZ Leo, itssecular period increase rate is revised. For the three systems, V566Oph, RZ Tau and AG Vir, weak evidence is presented that a periodicoscillation (with periods of 20.4, 28.5 and 40.9yr respectively) issuperimposed on a secular period increase. The cyclic period changes canbe explained by the presence of an unseen third body in the threesystems. All the sample stars studied are contact binaries withM1>=1.35Msolar. Furthermore, orbital periodchanges of 27 hot contact binaries have been checked. It is found that,apart from AW UMa with the lowest mass ratio (q=0.072), none shows anorbital period decrease. The relatively weak magnetic activity in thehotter contact binaries means little angular momentum loss (AML) fromthe systems via magnetic stellar winds. The period increases of these WUMa binaries can be explained by mass transfer from the secondary to theprimary components, which is in agreement with the prediction of thethermal relaxation oscillation (TRO) models. This suggests that theevolution of a hotter W UMa star is mainly controlled by TRO. On theother hand, for a cooler W UMa star(M1<=1.35Msolar), its evolution may be TRO plusAML, which coincides with the recent results of Qian.
| A CCD Photometric Study of the Contact Binary V396 Monocerotis
Complete BV light curves of the W Ursae Majoris binary V396 Mon arepresented. The present CCD photometric observations reveal that thelight curves of the system are obviously asymmetric, with the primarymaximum brighter than the secondary maximum (the ``O'Connell effect'').The light curves are analyzed by means of the latest version of theWilson-Devinney code. The results show that V396 Mon is a W-subtype WUMa contact binary with a mass ratio of 0.402. The asymmetry of thelight curves is explained by a cool spot on the secondary component. Thenature of the overluminosity of the secondary of a W UMa-type system isanalyzed. It is shown that the overluminosity of the secondary isclearly related to the mass of the primary and that, for a W UMa system,the higher the mass of the primary, the greater the overluminosity ofthe secondary. In addition, the overluminosity of the secondary is alsorelated to its own density: the lower the density of the secondary, thegreater its overluminosity.
| ROSAT all-sky survey of W Ursae Majoris stars and the problem of supersaturation
From ROSAT all-sky survey (RASS) data we obtained X-ray fluxes for 57 WUMa type contact systems. In our sample we detected three stars whichare the shortest period main sequence binaries ever found as X-raysources. For stars with (B-V)_0 < 0.6 the normalized X-ray fluxdecreases with a decreasing color index but for (B-V)_0 > 0.6 aplateau is reached, similar to the saturation level observed for single,rapidly rotating stars. The X-ray flux of W UMa stars is about 4-5 timesweaker than that of the fastest rotating single stars. Because earlytype, low activity variables have longer periods, an apparentperiod-activity relation is seen among our stars, while cool stars with(B-V)_0 > 0.6 and rotation periods between 0.23 and 0.45 days do notshow any such relation. The lower X-ray emission of the single, ultrafast rotators (UFRs) and W UMa stars is interpreted as the result of adecreased coronal filling factor. The physical mechanisms responsiblefor the decreased surface coverage differs for UFRs and W UMa systems.For UFRs we propose strong polar updrafts within a convection zone,driven by nonuniform heating from below. The updrafts should beaccompanied by large scale poleward flows near the bottom of theconvective layer and equatorward flows in the surface layers. The flowsdrag dynamo generated fields toward the poles and create a field-freeequatorial region with a width depending on the stellar rotation rate.For W UMa stars we propose that a large scale horizontal flow embracingboth stars will prevent the magnetic field from producing long-livedstructures filled with hot X-ray emitting plasma. The decreased activityof the fastest rotating UFRs increases the angular momentum loss timescale of stars in a supersaturated state. Thus the existence of a periodcutoff and a limiting mass of W UMa stars can be naturally explained.
| Photometric Study of An A-Type Contact Binary: AP Aurigae
We present here a new photometric light curve analysis of the eclipsingbinary AP Aur. The CCD photometry, performed at the Yunnan Observatoryusing the 1.06 m telescope, has given 179 individual data points in Band V bandpass filters. From these data we have obtained two minimumtimes. Based on these two minima, together with some other photoelectricminima collected from the literature, we have determined a new epoch andthe rate of the period variation (p=1.268×10-9 dayscycle-1) of the system. The Wilson-Devinney model (firstdescribed in 1971) was used to derive the photometric solutions. AP Auris a W UMa-type contact binary system. The mass ratio(q=m2/m1=0.246) suggests that the system has anA-type W UMa binary configuration. We find that the asymmetry of thelight curve is most likely caused by mass transfer from the secondary tothe primary or a circulation effect in the common envelope. Theevolutionary status is considered, and we find that AP Aur has justevolved away from the main sequence. Finally the evolutionary future ofthe system is discussed.
| Stars with the Largest Hipparcos Photometric Amplitudes
A list of the 2027 stars that have the largest photometric amplitudes inHipparcos Photometry shows that most variable stars are all Miras. Thepercentage of variable types change as a function of amplitude. Thiscompilation should also be of value to photometrists looking forrelatively unstudied, but large amplitude stars.
| An observational approach for the determination of gravity darkening in contact binaries of W UMa type
A new method for the determination of the gravity darkening exponents inclose binaries of W UMa type is presented. The method is based onKopal's method of Fourier analysis of the light changes of eclipsingvariables in the Frequency Domain. In the analysis, the exponents forboth components of a W UMa system are assumed to be the same. First, themethod was successfully applied to two theoretical (test) light curves,belonging to two systems with radiative and convective envelopes,respectively. Then the method was applied to 36 W UMa systems for whichgeometric and photometric elements have been derived by the mostpowerful techniques. Systems showing large light curve anomalies wereexcluded from the analysis, since the effectiveness of the methoddepends strongly on the quality of the observations. Our results confirmthe previous results with the assumed, same geometrical parameters.Thederived values of the gravity darkening exponents are very close to thepredicted ones by the existing theory of radiative transfer orconvective equilibrium.
| Observational data reduction of the stellar photoelectric photometry.
Not Available
| On the nature of the AM phenomenon or on a stabilization and the tidal mixing in binaries. I. Orbital periods and rotation.
The paper casts a questioning eye on the unique role of the diffusiveparticle transport mechanism in explaining the Am phenomenon and arguesthat the so-called tidal effects might be of great importance incontrolling diffusion processes. A short period cutoff at =~1.2d as wellas a 180-800d gap were found in the orbital period distribution (OPD) ofAm binaries. The existence of the former can be ascribed to the state ofthe primaries with the almost-filled Roche lobes. The latter couldresult from the combined effects of the diffusion, tidal mixing andstabilization processes. Because the tidal mixing might surpassdiffusion in the binaries with the orbital periods P_orb_ less thanseveral hundred days and might thus sustain the He convection zone,which would otherwise disappear, no Am stars should lie below thisboundary. The fact that they are nevertheless seen there implies theexistence of some stabilization mechanism (as, e.g., that recentlyproposed by Tassoul & Tassoul 1992) for the binaries with orbitalperiods less than 180d. Further evidence is given to the fact that theOPD for the Am and the normal binaries with an A4-F1 primary arecomplementary to each other, from which it stems that Am stars are closeto the main sequence. There are, however, indications that they haveslightly larger radii (2.1-3 Rsun_) than expected for theirspectral type. The generally accepted rotational velocity cutoff at=~100km/s is shown to be of little value when applied on Am binaries ashere it is not a single quantity but, in fact, a function of P_orb_whose shape is strikingly similar to that of the curves of constantmetallicity as ascertained from observations. This also leads to thewell known overlap in rotational velocities of the normal and Am starsfor 402.5d.We have exploited this empirical cutoff function to calibrate thecorresponding turbulent diffusion coefficient associated with tidalmixing, having found out that the computed form of the lines of constantturbulence fits qualitatively the empirical shape of the curves ofconstant metallicity. As for larger orbital periods(20d55km/s found by Burkhart(1979) would then be nothing but a manifestation of insufficientlypopulated corresponding area of larger P_orb_.
| The properties of W Ursae Majoris contact binaries: new results and old problems.
The physical properties of W UMa binary systems are revisited on thebasis of the observational data published in the last decade and of therecent theoretical studies on angular-momentum-loss-driven secularevolution. The absolute elements (masses, radii, luminosities) arederived by an inference method and a calibration based on the availablehigh quality spectroscopic orbits. The derived age (8Gy) agrees with theestimate of Guinan and Bradstreet from space motions. The analysis ofthe resulting physical parameters shows little correlation between thestandard classification in A and W subtype (first proposed by Binnendijk(1970) and only related to the light curve morphology) and theevolutionary status and origin of the systems. Most A-subtype systemsseem to have no evolutionary link with W-subtype ones. The relationbetween total mass and mass ratio for the "bona fide" sample alsosuggests that mass loss from the system may play an important role.
| Vitesses radiales. Catalogue WEB: Wilson Evans Batten. Subtittle: Radial velocities: The Wilson-Evans-Batten catalogue.
We give a common version of the two catalogues of Mean Radial Velocitiesby Wilson (1963) and Evans (1978) to which we have added the catalogueof spectroscopic binary systems (Batten et al. 1989). For each star,when possible, we give: 1) an acronym to enter SIMBAD (Set ofIdentifications Measurements and Bibliography for Astronomical Data) ofthe CDS (Centre de Donnees Astronomiques de Strasbourg). 2) the numberHIC of the HIPPARCOS catalogue (Turon 1992). 3) the CCDM number(Catalogue des Composantes des etoiles Doubles et Multiples) byDommanget & Nys (1994). For the cluster stars, a precise study hasbeen done, on the identificator numbers. Numerous remarks point out theproblems we have had to deal with.
| Photoelectric Observations and New Elements of the Eclipsing Binary TY Pup
Not Available
| The early-type eclipsing contact binary TY Puppis
In this paper we present the BV photoelectric light curves of the WUMa-type eclipsing binary TY Pup. We have gained ephemerides by means ofthe times of minima. The obtained light curves have been solved usingWilson-Devinney's synthetic code. The results indicate that TY Pup is acontact system with a mass ratio of 0.185 and a large degree ofovercontact of 52 percent. Combined with spectroscopic material,absolute parameters of TY Pup are derived. It may be concluded that TYPup is an evolved contact binary.
| Photoelectric Light Curves of TY Puppis
Not Available
| Evolutionary state of W UMa-type systems
The evolutionary status of a sample of 31 W UMa-type systems isdiscussed on the basis of their positions in the H-R, mass-radius andmass-luminosity diagrams. The absolute elements of these systems areevaluated by use of their spectroscopic and photometric data. This givesthe opportunity to make different H-R, mass-radius, and mass-luminositydiagrams, according to the method used, and compare the results.Moreover, from the spectral type-period diagram of those systems thathave spectral types from O to G2 it was found that all of them lie inthe evolved region.
| The structure of late-type contact binaries
A unified treatment of late-type and early-type contact binaries basedon the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium is extended here andapplied to late-type systems assuming systems in a steady state withminimized mass motions. A survey of configurations with M/M(solar) = 2or greater is presented, and the observational facts are shown to agreewith the theory.
| A note on thermally decoupled W Ursae Majoris systems
The thermal decoupling degree of short-period contact or near-contactsystems is studied. Statistics of well-observed W UMa systems includingnew beta-light-curve objects was made for thermal-decoupling degree,spectral type, and orbital period. W UMa systems of type A and W arefound to be well characterized by these parameters. W-type objects showa good (linear) correlation in the spectral type vs. thermal-decouplingparameter diagram. This extends to the lower border of the diagram forA-type systems, otherwise scattered in an area of large thermaldecoupling. These empirical facts are analyzed in terms of contact ornoncontact configurations.
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Observation and Astrometry data
| Constellation: | Puppis |
| Right ascension: | 07h32m46.23s |
| Declination: | -20°47'31.1" |
| Apparent magnitude: | 8.604 |
| Distance: | 507.614 parsecs |
| Proper motion RA: | -24.1 |
| Proper motion Dec: | 42.2 |
| B-T magnitude: | 9.069 |
| V-T magnitude: | 8.643 |
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