Multicolor Light Curves Research Articles

Variability in the 2MASS calibration fields: a search for transient obscuration events

We searched the light curves of over 40 000 stars in the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS) calibration data base, spanning approximately 4 yr, for objects that have significant day-long dimming events. We also searched the multi-colour light curves for red-dimming events that could be due to transient extinction. In the colour-independent sigma-limited search, we found 46 previously unrecognized eclipsing binaries, 6 previously unrecognized periodic variable stars likely to be intrinsic pulsators and 21 young stellar objects in the ρ Ophiuchus star formation region previously studied by Parks et al. An additional 11 objects exhibited dimming events, and most of these are unclassified. The search for red-dimming events primarily reveals a population of low-luminosity active galaxies that become bluer when they are brighter, and variable young stellar objects exhibiting high cross-correlation coefficients between colour and brightness. The young stellar objects primarily exhibit brightness and colour variations in the direction of interstellar extinction whereas the active galaxies can have a bowed distribution in colour and magnitude with reduced variation in colour when the object is brightest. Among the objects that are usually quiescent (not strongly variable), we failed to find any dimming events deeper than 0.2 mag and lasting longer than a day. Two of the young stellar objects, however, dimmed by 0.2 mag for longer than a day without strong colour variation.

FIRST PHOTOMETRIC STUDY OF THE VERY SHORT PERIOD K-TYPE CONTACT BINARY 1SWASP J064501.21+342154.9

The first high precision CCD photometric light curves of 1SWASP J064501.21+342154.9 were obtained in 2013 February along with several new times of minimum light. The multi-color light curves were analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney code. Photometric solutions reveal that the system is a W-type shallow contact binary with a mass ratio of q = 2.110 ± 0.007 and a degree of contact of f = 15.3% ± 2.1%. A third light contributing about 2% of the total luminosity in the I band was found. It may come from a cool tertiary component. A small spot found on the surface of the binary indicates that the solar-like activities are at a low level at present.

Spectroscopic and photometric analysis of three detached binary systems: AP And, VZ Cep and V881 Per

We present results from analysis of combined spectroscopic and photometric data for three eclipsing binary systems: AP And, VZ Cep and V881 Per. Based on new, multicolour photometric light curves and spectroscopically determined mass ratio values, we derived accurate physical parameters of the components. Two of the systems, namely VZ Cep and V881 Per, were found to be magnetically active. The variability of V881 Per was studied in several sets of data [Northern Sky Variability Survey (NSVS), Wide Angle Search for Planets (WASP) and newly derived] gathered at different epochs. We show that the huge differences in the shape of its light curve can be explained by just a single model differing only in number of spots and their location on the surface of the primary component.

THE MULTI-COLOR LIGHT CURVES OF THE W UMa TYPE CONTACT BINARY EP ANDROMEDAE

New multi-color CCD photometric light curves of the eclipsing binary EP And were obtained over six nights in 2006, 2011, and 2012. Using the Wilson-Devinney code, we computed the photometric elements of this system. It was discovered that EP And is a W-type W UMa contact binary system with a mass ratio of q = 2.685 and a degree of contact factor f = 24.9%, rather than an A-type system. Combining 28 newly determined times of minimum light derived from 1999 to 2012 with others collected from the literature, a long-term increase (dP/dt = +5.22 x 10(-8) days yr(-1)) with a sinusoidal variation (A = 0.0109 days; T = 40.89 yr) in the orbital period was found. The orbital period secular increases may be interpreted as conservative mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one, and cyclic variations of the orbital period may be caused by the light-travel time effect through the presence of a third body. The evolutionary status and the age of the system are also discussed.

Extensive spectroscopic and photometric study of HD 25558, a long orbital-period binary with two SPB components

AbstractWe carried out an extensive photometric and spectroscopic investigation of the SPB binary, HD 25558 (see Fig. 1 for the time and geographic distribution of the observations). The ~2000 spectra obtained at 13 observatories during 5 observing seasons, the ground-based multi-colour light curves and the photometric data from the MOST satellite revealed that this object is a double-lined spectroscopic binary with a very long orbital period of about 9 years. We determined the physical parameters of the components, and have found that both lie within the SPB instability strip. Accordingly, both components show line-profile variations consistent with stellar pulsations. Altogether, 11 independent frequencies and one harmonic frequency were identified in the data. The observational data do not allow the inference of a reliable orbital solution, thus, disentangling cannot be performed on the spectra. Since the lines of the two components are never completely separated, the analysis is very complicated. Nevertheless, pixel-by-pixel variability analysis of the cross-correlated line profiles was successful, and we were able to attribute all the frequencies to the primary or secondary component. Spectroscopic and photometric mode-identification was also performed for several of these frequencies of both binary components. The spectroscopic mode-identification results suggest that the inclination and rotation of the two components are rather different. While the primary is a slow rotator with ~6 d rotation period, seen at ~60° inclination, the secondary rotates fast with ~1.2 d rotation period, and is seen at ~20° inclination. Our spectropolarimetric measurements revealed that the secondary component has a magnetic field with at least a few hundred Gauss strength, while no magnetic field was detected in the primary.The detailed analysis and results of this study will be published elsewhere.

FIRST PHOTOMETRIC INVESTIGATION OF THE NEWLY DISCOVERED W UMa-TYPE BINARY STAR MR Com

By analyzing multi-color light curves of the newly discovered W UMa-type binary, MR Com, we discovered that it is a shallow-contact binary with a degree of contact factor of f = 10.0% +/- 2.1%. Photometric solutions reveal that MR Com is a W-type system with a mass ratio of q = 3.9 where the less massive component is about 90 K hotter than the more massive one. By investigating all of the available times of minimum light, we found that the general trend of the Observed-Calculated (O - C) curve shows a downward parabolic variation while it undergoes a cyclic variation with a small amplitude of 0.0031 days and a period of 10.1 yr. The downward parabolic change corresponds to a long-term decrease in the orbital period at a rate of (P) over dot = -5.3 x 10(-7) days yr(-1) that may be caused by a combination of a mass transfer and an angular momentum loss (AML) via magnetic braking. Among the 16 shallow-contact systems with a decreasing orbital period, MR Com has the lowest mass ratio (e.g., 1/q = 0.26). The shallow-contact configuration, the low-mass ratio, and the long-term period decrease all suggest that systems similar to MR Com are on the AML-controlled stage of the evolutionary scheme proposed by Qian. They will oscillate around a critical mass ratio and evolve into a deep contact with a higher mass ratio. The small-amplitude cyclic change in the O - C curve was analyzed for the light-travel time effect via the presence of an extremely cool stellar companion.

SUPERNOVA EXPLOSIONS OF SUPER-ASYMPTOTIC GIANT BRANCH STARS: MULTICOLOR LIGHT CURVES OF ELECTRON-CAPTURE SUPERNOVAE

An electron-capture supernova (ECSN) is a core-collapse supernova (CCSN) explosion of a super-asymptotic giant branch (SAGB) star with a main-sequence mass $M_{\rm ms}\sim7-9.5M_\odot$. The explosion takes place in accordance with core bounce and subsequent neutrino heating and is a unique example successfully produced by first-principle simulations. This allows us to derive a first self-consistent multicolor light curves of a CCSN. Adopting the explosion properties derived by the first-principle simulation, i.e., the low explosion energy of $1.5\times10^{50}$ erg and the small $^{56}$Ni mass of $2.5\times10^{-3}M_\odot$, we perform a multigroup radiation hydrodynamics calculation of ECSNe and present multicolor light curves of ECSNe of SAGB stars with various envelope mass and hydrogen abundance. We demonstrate that a shock breakout has peak luminosity of $L\sim2\times10^{44}$ erg/s and can evaporate circumstellar dust up to $R\sim10^{17}$ cm for a case of carbon dust, that plateau luminosity and plateau duration of ECSNe are $L\sim10^{42}$ erg/s and $t\sim60-100$ days, respectively, and that a plateau is followed by a tail with a luminosity drop by $\sim4$ mag. The ECSN shows a bright and short plateau that is as bright as typical Type II plateau supernovae, and a faint tail that might be influenced by spin-down luminosity of a newborn pulsar. Furthermore, the theoretical models are compared with ECSN candidates: SN 1054 and SN 2008S. We find that SN 1054 shares the characteristics of the ECSNe. For SN 2008S, we find that its faint plateau requires an ECSN model with a significantly low explosion energy of $E\sim10^{48}$ erg.

Multisite photometric campaign on the high-amplitude δ Scuti star KIC 6382916

We present results of a multi-site photometric campaign on the high-amplitude $\delta$\,Scuti star KIC\,6382916 in the {\it Kepler} field. The star was observed over a 85-d interval at five different sites in North America and Europe during 2011. {\it Kepler} photometry and ground-based multicolour light curves of KIC\,6382916 are used to investigate the pulsational content and to identify the principal modes. High-dispersion spectroscopy was also obtained in order to derive the stellar parameters and projected rotational velocity. From an analysis of the {\it Kepler} time series, three independent frequencies and a few hundred combination frequencies are found. The light curve is dominated by two modes with frequencies $f_{1}$= 4.9107 and $f_{2}$= 6.4314\,d$^{-1}$. The third mode with $f_{3}$= 8.0350\,d$^{-1}$ has a much lower amplitude. We attempt mode identification by examining the amplitude ratios and phase differences in different wavebands from multicolour photometry and comparing them to calculations for different spherical harmonic degree, $l$. We find that the theoretical models for $f_1$ and $f_2$ are in a best agreement with the observations and lead to value of l = 1 modes, but the mode identification of $f_3$ is uncertain due to its low amplitude. Non-adiabatic pulsation models show that frequencies below 6\,d$^{-1}$ are stable, which means that the low frequency of $f_1$ cannot be reproduced. This is further confirmation that current models predict a narrower pulsation frequency range than actually observed.

Comprehensive time series analysis of the transiting extrasolar planet WASP-33b

HD 15082 (WASP-33) is the hottest and fastest rotating star known to harbor a transiting extrasolar planet (WASP-33b). The lack of high precision radial velocity (RV) data stresses the need for precise light curve analysis and gathering further RV data. By using available photometric and RV data, we perform a blend analysis, compute more accurate system parameters, confine the planetary mass and attempt to cast light on the observed transit anomalies. We combine the original HATNet observations and various followup data to jointly analyze the signal content and extract the transit component and use our RV data to aid the global parameter determination. The blend analysis of the combination of multicolor light curves yields the first independent confirmation of the planetary nature of WASP-33b. We clearly identify three frequency components in the 15-21 1/day regime with amplitudes 7-5 mmag. These frequencies correspond to the delta Scuti-type pulsation of the host star. None of these pulsation frequencies or their low-order linear combinations are in close resonance with the orbital frequency. We show that these pulsation components explain some but not all of the observed transit anomalies. The grand-averaged transit light curve shows that there is a ~1.5 mmag brightening shortly after the planet passes the mid-transit phase. Although the duration and amplitude of this brightening varies, it is visible even through the direct inspections of the individual transit events (some 40-60% of the followup light curves show this phenomenon). We suggest that the most likely explanation of this feature is the presence of a well-populated spot belt which is highly inclined to the orbital plane. This geometry is consistent with the inference from the spectroscopic anomalies. Finally, we constrain the planetary mass to M_p=3.27+/-0.73 M_J by using our RV data collected by the TRES spectrograph.

New Photometric Models of Four Near-Contact Binaries: EP Cassiopeiae, AK Canis Minoris, FG Geminorum, and DF Puppis

Abstract We present new photometric observations of EP Cas, AK CMi, and FG Gem, which were obtained during the period from 2008 October to 2011 March using the 60 cm telescope at the Xinglong station. Several light-minimum times were determined, and orbital periods were revised. By using the 2003-version Wilson–Devinney code, photometric solutions of EP Cas, AK CMi, FG Gem, and DF Pup were deduced from multicolor light curves. The results imply that the four systems are Algol-type near-contact binaries (NCBs), whose less-massive components are filling their Roche lobes. With mass and angular-momentum loss, the separation between both components will decrease, and the primary will finally fill its Roche lobe. Algol-type NCBs of this kind, such as EP Cas, AK CMi, FG Gem, and DF Pup, may evolve into the contact configuration as a progenitor of a W UMa-type binary.

PHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF HS Aqr, EG Cep, VW LMi, AND DU Boo

We analyze new multicolor light curves for four close late-type binaries: HS Aqr, EG Cep, VW LMi, and DU Boo, in order to determine the orbital and physical parameters of the systems and estimate the distances. The analysis is done using the modeling code of G. Djurasevic, and is based on up-to-date measurements of spectroscopic elements. All four systems have complex, asymmetric light curves that we model by including bright or dark spots on one or both components. Our findings indicate that HS Aqr and EG Cep are in semi-detached, while VW LMi and DU Boo are in overcontact configurations.

Thorough analysis and deep insight into the low amplitude W UMa type system FI Boo

We present a thorough modeling of new multicolor light curves of the low amplitude W UMa type binary system FI Boo obtained at the University of Patras Observatory “Mythodea”, in spring 2012, in view of the presence of a detected third body. The absolute properties of the components were derived with the phoebe software and were tested extensively by heuristic scanning with parameter kicking in order to check the solution uniqueness.

TYC 1031 1262 1: an anomalous Cepheid in a double-lined eclipsing binary★

Multi-color light curves and radial velocities for TYC\,1031\,1262\,1 have been obtained and analyzed. TYC\,1031\,1262\,1 includes a Cepheid with a period of 4.15270$\pm$0.00061 days. The orbital period of the system is about 51.2857$\pm$0.0174 days. The pulsation period indicates a secular period increase with an amount of 2.46$\pm$0.54 min/yr. The observed B, V, and R magnitudes were cleaned for the intrinsic variations of the primary star. The remaining light curves, consisting of eclipses and proximity effects, are obtained and analyzed for orbital parameters. The system consists of two evolved stars, F8II+G6II, with masses of M$_1$=1.640$\pm$0.151 {\Msun} and M$_2$=0.934$\pm$0.109 {\Msun} and radii of R$_1$=26.9$\pm$0.9 {\Rsun} and R$_2$=15.0$\pm$0.7 {\Rsun}. The pulsating star is almost filling its corresponding Roche lobe which indicates the possibility of mass loss or transfer having taken place. We find an average distance of d=5070$\pm$250\,pc using the BVR and JHK magnitudes and also the V-band extinction. Kinematic properties and the distance to the galactic plane with an amount of 970 pc indicate that it belongs to the thick-disk population. Most of the observed and calculated parameters of the TYC\,1031\,1262\,1 lead to a classification of an Anomalous Cepheid.

Physical parameters and evolutionary route for the Large Magellanic Cloud interacting binary OGLE 05155332−6925581★

We analyze multicolor light curves and high resolution optical spectroscopy of the eclipsing binary and Double Periodic Variable OGLE 05155332-6925581. According to Mennickent et al., this system shows a significant change in the long non-orbital photometric cycle, a loop in the color-magnitude diagram during this cycle and discrete spectral absorption components that were interpreted as evidence of systemic mass loss. We find that the best fit to the multi-band light curves requires a circumprimary optically thick disc with a radius about twice the radius of the more massive star. The spectroscopy indicates a mass ratio of 0.21+-0.02 and masses for the hot and cool stars of 9.1+-0.5 and 1.9+-0.2 M_sun, respectively. A comparison with synthetic binary-star evolutionary models indicates that the system has an age of 4.76E7 years, is in the phase of rapid mass transfer, the second one in the life of this binary, in a Case-B mass-exchange stage. Donor-subtracted H_alpha profiles show the presence of double emission formed probably in an optically thin circumstellar medium, while the variable HeI profile and the H_beta absorption wings are probably formed in the optically thick circumprimary disc. The model that best fit the observations shows the system with a relatively large mass transfer rate of dM/dt = 3.1E-6 M_sun/yr. However, the orbital period remains relatively stable during almost 15 years. This observation suggests that the hot-spot mass-loss model proposed by other authors is not adequate in this case, and that some other mechanism is efficiently removing angular momentum from the binary. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the DPV phenomenon could have an important effect in the balance of mass and angular momentum in the system.

Absolute properties of the overcontact binary HH Boo

We obtained multi-colour light curves of the overcontact binary system HH Boo and analysed the orbital period variation of the system. Our analysis tentatively indicates either mass transfer from the secondary to the primary or mass loss from the system at a rate of -5.04×10−7M⊙ per year. Through a combined analysis of the published radial velocity curve and light curves, we determined an inclination (i) of 69°.71±0°.16 and a semi-major axis (a) of 2.246±0.064R⊙ for HH Boo. The masses of the primary and secondary components were found to be 0.92±0.08M⊙ and 0.58±0.06M⊙, respectively. The radius determined for the primary was 0.98±0.03R⊙, while that determined for the secondary was 0.80±0.02R⊙. We demonstrated that HH Boo is most likely a member of the A-type subclass of W UMa binaries.

Testing supernovae Ia distance measurement methods with SN 2011fe

The nearby, bright, almost completely unreddened Type Ia supernova 2011fe in M101 provides a unique opportunity to test both the precision and the accuracy of the extragalactic distances derived from SNe Ia light curve fitters. We apply the current, public versions of the independent light curve fitting codes MLCS2k2 and SALT2 to compute the distance modulus of SN 2011fe from high-precision, multi-color (BVRI) light curves. The results from the two fitting codes confirm that 2011fe is a "normal" (not peculiar) and only slightly reddened SN Ia. New unreddened distance moduli are derived as 29.21 +/- 0.07 mag (D ~ 6.95 +/- 0.23$ Mpc, MLCS2k2), and 29.05 +/- 0.07 mag (6.46 +/- 0.21 Mpc, SALT2). Despite the very good fitting quality achieved with both light curve fitters, the resulting distance moduli are inconsistent by 2 sigma. Both are marginally consistent (at ~1 sigma) with the HST Key Project distance modulus for M101. The SALT2 distance is in good agreement with the recently revised Cepheid- and TRGB-distance to M101. Averaging all SN- and Cepheid-based estimates, the absolute distance to M101 is ~6.6 +/- 0.5 Mpc.

SUPER-CHANDRASEKHAR-MASS LIGHT CURVE MODELS FOR THE HIGHLY LUMINOUS TYPE Ia SUPERNOVA 2009dc

Several highly luminous Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) have been discovered. Their high luminosities are difficult to explain with the thermonuclear explosions of the Chandrasekhar-mass white dwarfs (WDs). In the present study, we estimate the progenitor mass of SN 2009dc, one of the extremely luminous SNe Ia, using the hydrodynamical models as follows. Explosion models of super-Chandrasekhar-mass (super-Ch-mass) WDs are constructed, and multi-color light curves (LCs) are calculated. The comparison between our calculations and the observations of SN 2009dc suggests that the exploding WD has a super-Ch mass of 2.2-2.4 solar masses, producing 1.2-1.4 solar masses of Ni-56, if the extinction by its host galaxy is negligible. If the extinction is significant, the exploding WD is as massive as \sim2.8 solar masses, and \sim1.8 solar masses of Ni-56 is necessary to account for the observations. Whether the host-galaxy extinction is significant or not, the progenitor WD must have a thick carbon-oxygen layer in the outermost zone (20-30% of the WD mass), which explains the observed low expansion velocity of the ejecta and the presence of carbon. Our estimate on the mass of the progenitor WD, especially for the extinction-corrected case, is challenging to the current scenarios of SNe Ia. Implications on the progenitor scenarios are also discussed.

YSOVAR: SIX PRE-MAIN-SEQUENCE ECLIPSING BINARIES IN THE ORION NEBULA CLUSTER

Eclipsing binaries (EBs) provide critical laboratories for empirically testing predictions of theoretical models of stellar structure and evolution. Pre-main-sequence (PMS) EBs are particularly valuable, both due to their rarity and the highly dynamic nature of PMS evolution, such that a dense grid of PMS EBs is required to properly calibrate theoretical PMS models. Analyzing multi-epoch, multi-color light curves for 2400 candidateOrion Nebula Cluster (ONC) members from our Warm Spitzer Exploration Science Program YSOVAR, we have identified 12 stars whose light curves show eclipse features. Four of these 12 EBs are previously known. Supplementing our light curves with follow-up optical and near-infrared spectroscopy, we establish two of the candidates as likely field EBs lying behind the ONC. We confirm the remaining six candidate systems, however, as newly identified ONC PMS EBs. These systems increase the number of known PMS EBs by over 50% and include the highest mass (Theta1 Ori E, for which we provide a complete set of well-determined parameters including component masses of 2.807 and 2.797 solar masses) and longest period (ISOY J053505.71-052354.1, P \sim 20 days) PMS EBs currently known. In two cases (Theta1 Ori E and ISOY J053526.88-044730.7), enough photometric and spectroscopic data exist to attempt an orbit solution and derive the system parameters. For the remaining systems, we combine our data with literature information to provide a preliminary characterization sufficient to guide follow-up investigations of these rare, benchmark systems.

An eccentric eclipsing binary: CG Aur

In this study, we present CG Aur’s photometric observations obtained in the observing seasons 2011 and 2012, the first available multi-colour light curves. Their shape indicates that the system is an Algol binary. The light curve analyses reveal that CG Aur is a detached binary system with an effective temperature difference between the components, approximately 1000K. The first estimate of the absolute dimensions of the components indicated that the system locates on the main sequence in the HR diagram. The primary component is slightly evolved from the ZAMS.

SN 2006oz: rise of a super-luminous supernova observed by the SDSS-II SN Survey

We study SN 2006oz, a newly-recognized member of the class of H-poor, super-luminous supernovae. We present multi-color light curves from the SDSS-II SN Survey, that cover the rise time, as well as an optical spectrum that shows that the explosion occurred at z~0.376. We fitted black body functions to estimate the temperature and radius evolution of the photosphere and used the parametrized code SYNOW to model the spectrum. We constructed a bolometric light curve and compared it with explosion models. The very early light curves show a dip in the g- and r-bands and a possible initial cooling phase in the u-band before rising to maximum light. The bolometric light curve shows a precursor plateau with a duration of 6-10 days in the rest-frame. A lower limit of M_u < -21.5 can be placed on the absolute peak luminosity of the SN, while the rise time is constrained to be at least 29 days. During our observations, the emitting sphere doubled its radius to 2x10^15 cm, while the temperature remained hot at 15000 K. As for other similar SNe, the spectrum is best modeled with elements including O II and Mg II, while we tentatively suggest that Fe III might be present. We suggest that the precursor plateau might be related to a recombination wave in a circumstellar medium (CSM) and discuss whether this is a common property of all similar explosions. The subsequent rise can be equally well described by input from a magnetar or by ejecta-CSM interaction, but the models are not well constrained owing to the lack of post-maximum observations, and CSM interaction has difficulties accounting for the precursor plateau self-consistently. Radioactive decay is less likely to be the mechanism that powers the luminosity. The host galaxy, detected in deep imaging with the 10 m GTC, is a moderately young and star-forming, but not a starburst, galaxy. It has an absolute magnitude of M_g = -16.9.