Contact Binary Stars Research Articles

BIMA 2.0 Progress on ToM Analysis of Contact Binaries: IR Car, V1370 Tau and GY Pup

Abstract The Eclipsing Binaries Minima (BIMA) 2.0 Monitoring Project is a continuation of the previous BIMA program that was initiated by the collaboration of Bosscha Observatory - Lembang, Indonesia and The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) in 2012. This project aims to build an open database of eclipsing binary minima and establish each system’s orbital period and its variations in a time of minima (ToM) photometric observation using the Thai Robotic Telescope (TRT) network. In this work, we will present the progress of our monitoring program during 3 ∼ months of observations using TRT with proposal ID TRTC11A_009. We have collected ToM data at least once on 18 samples of contact binary stars and carried out O-C diagram analysis on three selected objects: IR Car, V1370 Tau, and GY Pup. We obtained six, three, and four primary minima on IR Car, V1370 Tau, and GY Pup, respectively. These three objects were chosen due to the lack of ToM data in recent years. We also use the TESS space mission ToM data to increase data coverage. Preliminary results show a significant change in O-C values and indicate mass transfer in this system.

Simultaneous Photometric and Spectroscopic Analysis of V505 Lacertae, a Photospherically and Chromospherically Active Contact Binary Star

New BVR photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic observations of V505 Lac are presented with Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) photometric data. The orbital period has experienced a secular decrease during the past 16 yr. A clear anticorrelation in the primary and secondary eclipse timing variation (PSETV) obtained from the TESS data is also identified. A double-lined radial velocity (RV) curve is secured, and the effective temperatures of the less- and more-massive stars (Stars 1 and 2, respectively) are measured. Using a spectral subtraction technique, excess emissions are detected in the time-series Ca ii H and K and Hα lines for Star 2. Simultaneous analysis of the light and RV curves using the Wilson–Devinney (WD) code reveals that V505 Lac is a photospherically and chromospherically active W-subtype contact binary system. The component-star masses and radii are determined to an accuracy of approximately 1%. The WD spot model is individually applied to 221 light curves segmented from the TESS data so as to derive the spot parameters of a cool spot on Star 2. The combined variations in both longitude and colatitude among the spot parameters appear to be strongly associated with those of both the anticorrelation in the PSETV and the O’Connell effect in the TESS light curves. Robust negative linear relationships between the PSETV anticorrelation size and the O’Connell effect magnitude are found for the first time. Mass–radius, mass–luminosity, and mass ratio–mass diagrams of contact binaries, along with the mass ratio frequency distribution, are presented in an attempt to elucidate the evolutionary characteristics of these systems.

First Light Curve Analysis of NSVS 8294044, V1023 Her, and V1397 Her Contact Binary Systems

The first photometric light curve investigation of the NSVS 8294044, V1023 Her, and V1397 Her binary systems is presented. We used ground-based observations for the NSVS 8294044 system and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite data for V1023 Her and V1397 Her. The primary and secondary times of minima were extracted from all the data, and, by collecting the literature, a new ephemeris was computed for each system. Linear fits for the O − C diagrams were conducted using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method. Light curve solutions were performed using the PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs Python code and the MCMC approach. The systems were found to be contact binary stars based on the fillout factor and mass ratio. V1023 Her showed the O’Connell effect, and a cold starspot on the secondary component was required for the light curve solution. The absolute parameters of the system were estimated based on an empirical relationship between orbital period and mass. We presented a new T–M equation based on a sample of 428 contact binary systems and found that our three target systems were in good agreement with the fit. The positions of the systems were also depicted on the M–L, M–R, q–L ratio, and M tot–J 0 diagrams in the logarithmic scales.

INVESTIGATION ON FOUR CONTACT BINARY SYSTEMS AND A SEMI-DETACHED ONE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE CONTACT PHASE

We present B, V, Rc and Ic light curves of four contact binary systems and one semi-detached system. New observations confirm and revise the short-period (0.22–0.25d) of the systems and that all the couple of stars belong to the spectral type K. In J105924 and J164349 a third light was found while the shape of the light curves of four systems (excluding J105924) suggest the presence of inhomogeneities on the surface of one component which confirms that the systems are active. Also they are observed at low orbital inclination i∈ (41°, 62°). Temperature differences range is ΔT∈(4,640)K and mass ratios q∈(0.20, 0.75). Absolute parameters are estimated using statistical diagrams. Systems follow the general pattern of the relative subtype of W Ursae Majoris systems. The sum of the component masses of four systems is below the mass limit of 1.0 – 1.2M☉ assumed for the known contact binary stars, this tells us that they belong to the class low mass contact binaries.

BSN: Photometric Light Curve Analysis of Two Contact Binary Systems LS Del and V997 Cyg

The light curve analyses and orbital period variations for two contact binary stars, LS Del and V997 Cyg, are presented in this work which was conducted in the frame of the Binary Systems of South and North project. Ground-based photometric observations were performed at two observatories in France. We used the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data for extracting times of minima and light curve analysis of the target systems. The O − C diagram for both systems displays a parabolic trend. LS Del and V997 Cyg’s orbital periods are increasing at rates of dP/dt = 7.20 × 10−08 days yr−1 and dP/dt = 2.54 × 10−08 days yr−1, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that mass is being transferred from the less massive star to the more massive component with a rate of dM/dt = –1.96 × 10−7 M ⊙ yr−1 for the LS Del system, and dM/dt =–3.83 × 10−7 M ⊙ yr−1 for V997 Cyg. The parameters of a third possible object in the system are also considered. The PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs Python code was used to analyze the light curves. The light curve solutions needed a cold starspot due to the asymmetry in the LS Del system’s light curve maxima. The mass ratio, fill-out factor, and star temperature all indicate that both systems are contact binary types in this investigation. Two methods were applied to estimate the absolute parameters of the systems: one method relied on the parallax of Gaia DR3, and the other used a P − M relationship. The positions of the systems are also depicted on the M − L, M − R, q − L ratio, and logMtot−logJ0 diagrams. We recommend that further observations and investigations be done on the existence of a fourth body in this system.

Global Parameters of Eight W UMa-type Binary Systems

Abstract Multiband photometric investigations for eight binary systems of the W Ursae Majoris-type are presented. Six systems are presented for the first time to analyze their light curves. All the analyzed systems have a temperature below 5000 K and an orbital period of less than 0.28 days. We extracted primary and secondary minima from the ground-based observations of these systems. According to a few observations reported in the literature, linear fits were considered in the O − C diagrams, and new ephemerides were presented. Light curve solutions were performed using the PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs code. The results of the mass ratio and fillout factor indicate that the systems are contact binary stars. Six of them showed the O’Connell effect, and a cold starspot on each companion was required for light curve solutions. Their absolute parameters were estimated and evaluated by two other methods. In this study, the empirical relationship between the orbital period and semimajor axis was updated using a sample consisting of 414 contact binary systems and the Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach. Also, using Machine Learning and the Artificial Neural Network model, the relationship between P–T 1–M 1 was updated for a better estimation of the mass of the primary star.

The uniqueness of determination of the photometric mass ratio of contact binary stars with applications to selected binaries

The uniqueness of determination of the photometric mass ratio of contact binary stars with applications to selected binaries

Observational Constraints on Close Binary Star Evolution. I. Putative Contact Binaries with Long Periods and High Mass Ratios

Evolutionary and structural models for contact binary stars make quantitative predictions about the distribution of systems in the mass ratio (q)–orbital period (P) plane. Specifically, contact binaries containing primaries with convective envelopes are predicted to be absent at mass ratios larger than a critical threshold that is a function of orbital period and total mass. We test this prediction by characterizing candidate contact binaries that appear to have mass ratios in violation of this threshold. We obtained quadrature-phase echelle spectra (R ≈ 31,000) for 18 close binaries (0.65 day < P < 2.00 days) in the Kepler field, from which we extracted radial velocity profiles for each system. Use of a joint Markov Chain Monte Carlo fitting routine on the Kepler light curves and the radial velocity profiles allows us to retrieve all fundamental system and component parameters. Of the 18 systems, only one is a contact binary, and both components likely have radiative—not convective—envelopes. The 17 remaining systems are detached binaries (eight) or semidetached binaries (four) with ellipsoidal variations, rotating variables (four), or pulsating variables (one). Therefore, none of the systems are in violation of the theoretical mass ratio thresholds for low-mass contact binaries. The 12 noncontact binaries follow a T 2/T 1–q relation significantly weaker than expected for main-sequence components, suggesting radiative heating of the secondaries. Most of the secondaries have radii larger than main-sequence expectations, a possible consequence of heating. Four secondaries fill their Roche lobes, while none of the primaries do, possibly indicating prior mass-ratio reversal.

A Study of Ten Early-type Contact Binary Stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud

To study early-type binary systems in different evolutionary stages or environments, the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is an ideal laboratory due to its low metallicity compared to that of the Milky Way. We conduct a study on the period changes of the close binary systems with B-type spectral classifications in the SMC using OGLE collections. Ten B-type binaries that show no significant periodic variations based on the current observational data were analyzed. Through O − C analysis, four of the ten early-type binaries show a long-term period decrease, one shows a long-term period increase, and the other five systems are ambiguous due to the limitations of the observational data. Among the period-decreasing systems, two may be mainly caused by mass transfer, while the rest may be caused by angular momentum loss. The Wilson-Devinney code (W-D method) is used to analyze their I-band photometric light curves. According to the W-D results, five early-type binaries are in the deep contact state, three are in the shallow contact state, while two are in the medium contact state, and the temperature ratios of these early-type binaries are all close to unity. The five deep contact binaries are highly unstable systems and therefore serve as important objects for the study of binary mergers. Finally, a discussion on the evolution of early-type binary stars is conducted by combining the analyses of the light curves and the periodic changes of ten early-type binaries, that implies that the majority of early-type binaries in the SMC may form contact binaries from a phase of rapid mass transfer.

X-Ray and UV Observations of the Contact Binary KIC 9832227

We investigate the X-ray and UV emission from the contact binary star KIC 9832227, which was observed with XMM-Newton for one orbital cycle. The binary is detected with an average X-ray luminosity of 3.4 × 1030 erg s−1. The X-ray emission is restricted to energies below 3 keV and originates from a multitemperature plasma with temperatures up to 1 keV. The X-ray spectrum has at least two distinct components, a cooler, mostly steady component, and a hotter component exhibiting significant variability. The variable X-ray emission appears to originate from a compact flare near the contact region between the two stars that is being eclipsed by the secondary. We analyze the eclipse profile to constrain the location, size, and density of the flaring region. The remaining X-ray emission is not eclipsed and could originate from the polar region on the primary star or an extended corona. The UV emission exhibits the same nearly sinusoidal modulation at half the orbital period that is observed at longer wavelengths. The primary and secondary eclipses have slightly different depths, which is generally attributed to starspot activity. Using simulations of the UV light curve with stellar atmosphere models, we deduce the presence of a starspot near the polar region of the primary, and we determine the time of primary eclipse.

From a Dinuclear System to Close Binary Cosmic Objects

Applying the ideas from microscopic objects to macroscopic stellar and galactic systems, the evolution of compact di-stars and di-galaxies is studied in the mass asymmetry coordinate. The formation of stable binary systems is analyzed. The role of symmetrization of an initially asymmetric binary system is revealed in the transformation of gravitational energy into internal energy of stars or galaxies accompanied by the release of a huge amount of energy. For the contact binary stars, the change of the orbital period is explained by evolution to symmetry in mass asymmetry coordinates. The matter transfer in binary black holes is studied. The conditions for the merger of black holes in a binary system are analyzed regarding the radiation of gravitational waves. Using the model based on the Regge-like laws, the Darwin instability effect in binary systems is discussed. New analytical formulas are derived for the period of orbital rotation and the relative distance between the components of a binary system. The impossibility of the appearance of a binary cosmic object from a single cosmic object is revealed.

Mass-ratio distribution of contact binary stars

The mass ratio q of a contact binary star evolves through mass transfer, magnetic braking, and thermal relaxation oscillations to low values until it crosses a critical threshold qmin. When this occurs, the binary undergoes the tidal Darwin instability, leading to a rapid coalescence of the components and to an observable brightening of the system. The distribution of q has not been measured on a sufficiently large population of contact binary stars so far because determining q for a single contact binary usually requires spectroscopy. As was shown previously, however, it is possible to infer the mass-ratio distribution of the entire population of contact binaries from the observed distribution of their light-curve amplitudes. Employing Bayesian inference, we obtained a sample of contact binary candidates from the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog combined with data from Gaia and estimates of effective temperatures. We assigned a probability of being a contact binary of either late or early type to each candidate. Overall, our sample includes about 300 late-type and 200 early-type contact binary candidates. We modeled the amplitude distribution assuming that mass ratios are described by a power law with an exponent b and a cutoff at qmin. We find qmin = 0.087−0.015+0.024 for late-type contact binaries with periods longer than 0.3 days. For late-type binaries with shorter periods, we find qmin = 0.246−0.046+0.029, but the sample is small. For early-type contact binary stars with periods shorter than one day, we obtain qmin = 0.030−0.022+0.018. These results indicate a dependence of qmin on the structure of the components, and they are broadly compatible with previous theoretical predictions. We do not find any clear trends in b. Our method can easily be extended to large samples of contact binaries from TESS and other space-based surveys.

Алгоритм для учёта потерь на гравитационное излучение при слиянии нейтронных звёзд

The stripping model of stripping in a pair of contact binary neutron stars is one of the promising explanations for short gamma-ray bursts. For correct modeling of the mass transfer stage, a self-consistent accounting for the loss of angular momentum due to the emission of gravitational waves is required. The paper presents a new algorithm for calculating the back-reaction force of gravitational radiation in a pair of binary neutron stars. The calculation is implemented by the smoothed-particle hydrodynamics method (SPH).

PHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF TWO K SPECTRAL TYPE CONTACT BINARY SYSTEMS

The first analysis of the light curves of contact binaries ROTSE J135349.8+305205 (CB1) and 1SWASP J150957.5-115308 (CB2) using the Wilson-Devinney code is presented. Both binary systems are of the A-subtype with a shallow fill-out (20.8% and 15.8% respectively) and a difference in temperatures between the components of &lt; 200 K. A mass-ratio of 0.302 is found for CB1, while for CB2 the interesting value of 0.904 is found. The short periods, 0.246 d for CB1 and 0.229 d for CB2, and their spectral type K suggests that these systems are near the shortest period limit. The absolute elements are estimated using GAIA parallaxes. CB2 is found to be at the beginning of its evolution, while CB1 will approach the final evolutionary stage. The sum of the component masses of CB1 is 0.813 M☉, below the mass limit of 1.0 − 1.2 M☉ assumed for the known contact binary stars.

A Bayesian Analysis of Physical Parameters for 783 Kepler Close Binaries: Extreme-mass-ratio Systems and a New Mass Ratio versus Period Lower Limit

Contact binary star systems represent the long-lived penultimate phase of binary evolution. Population statistics of their physical parameters inform an understanding of binary evolutionary pathways and end products. We use light curves and new optical spectroscopy to conduct a pilot study of ten (near) contact systems in the long-period (P > 0.5 days) tail of close binaries in the Kepler field. We use PHOEBE light-curve models to compute Bayesian probabilities on five principal system parameters. Mass ratios and third-light contributions measured from spectra agree well with those inferred from the light curves. Pilot study systems have extreme mass ratios q < 0.32. Most are triples. Analysis of the unbiased sample of 783 0.15 d < P < 2 days (near) contact binaries results in 178 probable contact systems, 114 probable detached systems, and 491 ambiguous systems for which we report best-fitting and 16th-/50th-/84th-percentile parameters. Contact systems are rare at periods P > 0.5 days, as are systems with q > 0.8. There exists an empirical mass ratio lower limit ≈ 0.05–0.15 below which contact systems are absent, supporting a new set of theoretical predictions obtained by modeling the evolution of contact systems under the constraints of mass and angular momentum conservation. Premerger systems should lie at long periods and near this mass ratio lower limit, which rises from q = 0.044 for P = 0.74 days to q = 0.15 at P = 2.0 days. These findings support a scenario whereby nuclear evolution of the primary (more massive) star drives mass transfer to the primary, thus moving systems toward extreme q and larger P until the onset of the Darwin instability at precipitates a merger.

The Photometric Study of Six W UMa Systems and Investigation of the Mass–Radius Relations for Contact Binary Stars

We present the photometric analysis of six short-period systems (EI Oct, V336 TrA, NX Boo, V356 Boo, PS Boo, and V2282 Cyg). This is the first photometric analysis of these systems except for V336 TrA. Observations were conducted for 27 nights at three observatories in the northern and southern hemispheres. We calculated a new ephemeris for each of the systems using our minimum times and additional literature. The Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) approach was used to determine the eclipse timing variation trends of the systems. We found a likely orbital growth for V336 TrA and PS Boo; four other systems show a linear trend in orbital period changes, which is most likely due to the accumulation of measurement errors in their linear ephemeris parameters. The light curve analysis was performed using the Physics of Eclipsing Binaries (PHOEBE) 2.3.59 version code with the MCMC approach. The absolute parameters of the systems were calculated by using the Gaia Early Data Release 3 (EDR3) parallax. The positions of the systems were also depicted on the Hertzsprung–Russell (H-R) and diagrams. According to a sample, we were able to present relations for the mass–radius (M–R) relationships of contact binary systems. There is also a strong relationship between the mass ratio and the radius ratio in the W UMa systems for which we also provided a new relation. We compared the M–R updated relationships in this study with seven systems in other studies obtained using the spectroscopic method. In addition, we estimated some of the absolute parameters for 1734 EW systems, based on the new relationships.

On the lower limit of contact binary star periods

ABSTRACT Data for 405 contact binary systems extracted from a recent compilation are supplemented by information from the literature for an additional ten ultrashort period (P &amp;lt; 0.2 d) binaries. This is used to calibrate period–luminosity–temperature relations for contact binaries. The derived relations are applied to a standard mean temperature–luminosity tabulation to obtain predicted periods for contact systems over the spectral range M9.5–A2. Minimum periods in the range 0.08–0.15 d follow, depending on the precise period–luminosity–temperature model fitted.

The first photometric investigation of the contact binary OQ Cam

The first charge-coupled device photometric light curves in B, V, Rc , and Ic bands of the short-period contact binary star OQ Cam are presented. Through analyzing the light curves with the Wilson-Devinney code, it is found that OQ Cam is a W-type shallow contact binary star with a contact degree of f = 20.2%. Based on the O – C analyzing, the orbit period displays a long term increasing with a rate of dP/dt = 4.40 × 10−7 d yr−1. The increasing in orbit period can be interpreted by mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one. As the orbit period increases, OQ Cam would evolve from the present shallow contact configuration to a non-contact stage. So it may be a potential candidate to confirm the thermal relaxation oscillation theory.

Contact binaries at different evolutionary stages

Contact binaries consist of two strongly interacting component stars where they are filling their critical Roche lobes and sharing a common envelope. Most of them are main-sequence stars, but some of them are post main-sequence systems. They are good astrophysical laboratories for studying several problems such as the merging of binary stars, evolution of the common envelope, the origin of luminous red nova outbursts and the formation of rapidly rotating single stars with possible planetary systems. A large number of contact binary candidates were detected by several photometric surveys around the world and many of them were observed by the LAMOST spectroscopic survey. Based on follow-up observations, the evolutionary states and geometrical structures of some systems were understood well. In this review, we will introduce and catalog new stellar atmospheric parameters (i.e., the effective temperature (Teff), the gravitational acceleration (log(g)), metallicity ([Fe/H]) and radial velocity (Vr)) for 9149 EW-type contact binaries that were obtained based on low- and medium-resolution spectroscopic surveys of LAMOST. Then we will focus on several groups of contact binary stars, i.e., marginal contact binary systems, deep and low-mass ratio contact binary stars, binary systems below the short-period limit of contact binaries and evolved contact binaries. Marginal contact binaries are at the beginning of the contact stage, while deep and low-mass ratio contact binary stars are at the final evolutionary stage of tidally locked binaries. Several statistical relations including the period-temperature relation are determined well by applying LAMOST data and their formation and evolutionary states are reviewed. The period-color relation of M-type binaries reveals that there are contact binaries below the short-period limit. Searching for and investigating contact binaries near and below this limit will help us to understand the formation of contact binary systems and a new prediction for the short-period limit is about 0.15 d. Some evolved contact binaries were detected by the LAMOST survey where both components are sub-giants or giants. They provide a good opportunity to investigate evolution of the common envelope and are the progenitors of luminous red novae like V1309 Sco.

Chromospheric activity in bright contact binary stars

Context. Studying chromospheric activity of contact binaries is an effective way of revealing the magnetic activity processes of these systems. One efficient but somewhat neglected method for this purpose is to follow the changes of the Hα line profiles via optical spectroscopy. Aims. Our goal is to perform a comprehensive preliminary analysis based on the optical spectral signs of chromospheric activity on the largest sample of contact binaries to date. Methods. We collected optical echelle spectra on 12 bright contact binaries in 17 nights. We derived new radial velocity curves from our observations. For quantifying the apparent chromospheric activity levels of the systems, we subtracted self-constructed synthetic spectra from the observed ones and measured the equivalent widths of the residual Hα-profiles at each observed epoch. Our well-sampled data set allowed us to study the short-term variations of chromospheric activity levels as well as to search for correlations between them and some basic physical parameters of the systems. Results. Fitting the radial velocity curves, we re-determined the mass ratios and systemic velocities of all observed objects. We found that chromospheric activity levels of the studied systems show various changes during the orbital revolution: we see either flat, one-peaked, or two-peaked distributions of equivalent width vs. the orbital phase. The first case means that the activity level is probably constant, while the latter two cases suggest the presence of one or two active longitudes at the stellar surfaces. Our correlation diagrams show that mean chromospheric activity levels may be related to the orbital periods, B−V color indices, inverse Rossby numbers, and temperature differences of the components. At the same time, no clear trend is visible with respect to the mass ratios, inclinations, or fill-out factors of the systems. A- and W-type contact binaries in our sample show similar distributions on each of the studied correlation diagrams.