V781 Tauri: a W Ursae Majoris binary with decreasing period

Abstract

We analyze light curves of the W UMa type eclipsing binary V781 Tauri from three epochs and radial velocity curves from two epochs simultaneously, including previously unpublished B and V data. The overall time span is from 1983 to 2000 and the solution is done coherently in time (not phase) with five light curves and two sets of primary and secondary velocity curves. Minor systematic differences among the individual light curves are not large enough to undermine the value of a coherent solution that represents 18 years of observations. Times of minima confirm a period of 0. 34491 and the general solution finds a small period change, dP/P ,o f (5.08 ± 04) × 10 −11 that represents recent behavior. The eclipse timings cover the last half-century and find dP/P about four times smaller, corresponding to a period change time scale, P/(dP/dt) of about 6 million years. The system is over-contact with a filling factor of 0.205. The solution produces a temperature difference of about 260 K between the components, an inclination of 65. 9, and a mass ratio M2/M1 = 2.47. Separate solutions of the several light curves that incorporate dark spots find parameters that differ little from curve to curve. Absolute masses, luminosities, radii and the distance are derived, with luminosities and distance based on star 1 being of type G0V. The orbital angular momentum is compared with those of other W UMa type binaries and is normal. The star to star mass flow that one can infer from dP/dt is opposite to that expected from TRO (Thermal Relaxation Oscillator) theory, but pertains to a time span that is very short compared to the time scale of TRO oscillations.