CK Bootis: a W UMa system with a small mass ratio

Abstract

We present an analysis of BV R light curves of an eclipsing binary CK Bootis, a system with a very small mass ratio. The light curves appear to exhibit a typical O'Connell effect. The light curves are analyzed by means of the latest version of the WD program. The asymmetry of the light curves is explained by a cool star spot model. The simultaneous BV R synthetic light curve analysis gives a tiny mass ratio of 0.12, an extremely large fill-out factor of 0.65, and a very small difference between the component temperatures of 90 K. The absolute parameters of the system were also derived by combining the photometric solutions with the radial velocity data. The mass of the secondary is very low (0.15 M⊙) and it continues losing mass. Thirty seven new times of minimum are reported. It is found that the orbital period of the system has a quasi periodic variation, superimposed on a period increase. The long-term period increase rate is deduced to be dP/dt = 3.54x10–7 d yr–1, which can be interpreted as being due to mass transfer from the less massive star to the more massive component. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)