First CCD photometry for the contact binary VZ Trianguli

Abstract

First CCD photometry is presented for the eclipsing binary VZ Trianguli, observed at the Sheshan Station of Shanghai Astronomical Observatory in 2008. Using the Wilson–Devinney Code, the photometric solution of VZ Tri was first deduced from the R-band observations. The results show that VZ Tri is an A-subtype late-type contact binary, with a mass ratio of q=0.350(±0.004) and a low contact degree of f=27.9%(±1.0%). Based on all available light minimum times covering over 40 years, it is found that the orbital period shows a long-term decrease at a rate of dP/dt=−1.52(±0.03)×10−7 d yr−1, suggesting that VZ Tri is undergoing mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive component, accompanied with angular momentum loss. With period decreasing, the inner and outer critical Roche lobes will shrink, and then cause the contact degree to increase. Therefore, the weak-contact binary VZ Tri with decreasing period may evolve into a deep-contact configuration.