Search

We present new photometric observations of eclipsing binary systems V1241 Tau and GQ Dra. We use the following methodology: Initially, WD code is applied to the light curves, in order to determine the photometric elements of the systems. Then the residuals are analysed using Fourier Transformation techniques. The results show that one frequency can be barely attributed to the residual light variation of V1241 Tau, while there is no evidence of pulsation on the light curve of GQ Dra., Comment: 2 pages, 1 figure: To be published in proceedings of IAU Symposium 301, Precision Asteroseismology, August 2013, Wroc{\l}aw, Poland

We have studied three most recent precursor flares in the light curve of the blazar OJ 287 while invoking the presence of a precessing binary black hole in the system to explain the nature of these flares. Precursor flare timings from the historical light curves are compared with theoretical predictions from our model that incorporate effects of an accretion disk and post-Newtonian description for the binary black hole orbit. We find that the precursor flares coincide with the secondary black hole descending towards the accretion disk of the primary black hole from the observed side, with a mean z-component of approximately z_c = 4000 AU. We use this model of precursor flares to predict that precursor flare of similar nature should happen around 2020.96 before the next major outburst in 2022., Comment: to appear in the Astrophysical Journal

Two observational campaigns were carried out during the eclipses of EE Cep in 2003 and 2008/9 to verify whether the eclipsing body in the system is indeed a dark disk and to understand the observed changes in the depth and durations of the eclipses. Multicolour photometric data and spectroscopic observations at both low and high resolution were collected. We numerically modelled the variations in brightness and colour during the eclipses. We tested models with different disk structure. We considered the possibility of disk precession. The complete set of observational data collected during the last three eclipses are made available to the astronomical community. Two blue maxima in the colour indices were detected during these two eclipses, one before and one after the photometric minimum. The first (stronger) blue maximum is simultaneous with a "bump" that is very clear in all the UBVRI light curves. Variations in the spectral line profiles seem to be recurrent during each cycle. NaI lines always show at least three absorption components during the eclipse minimum and strong absorption is superimposed on the H_alpha emission. These observations confirm that the eclipsing object in EE Cep system is indeed a dark, dusty disk around a low luminosity object. The primary appears to be a rapidly rotating Be star that is strongly darkened at the equator and brightened at the poles. Some of the conclusions of this work require verification in future studies: (i) a complex, possibly multi-ring structure of the disk in EE Cep; (ii) our explanation of the "bump" observed during the last two eclipses in terms of the different times of obscuration of the hot polar regions of the Be star by the disk; and (iii) our suggested period of the disk precession (~11-12 P_orb) and predicted depth of about 2 mag the forthcoming eclipse in 2014., Comment: 43 pages, 17 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

New transit light curves of the third body in the system AV CMi have been obtained. The eclipsing pair's light curves were re-analysed with the W-D code and new absolute elements were derived for the two components. Moreover the new light curves (together with those given by Liakos & Niarchos 2010) of the third body transiting one of the components were analysed with the Photometric Software for Transits (PhoS-T). The results from both analyses are combined with the aim to study the nature of the third component., Comment: 2 pages, 4 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: IAU Symposium 282 - From Interacting Binaries to Exoplanets: Essential Modeling Tools, Tatransk\'a Lomnica, Slovakia, 18-22 Jul. 2011

CCD photometric observations of the Algol-type eclipsing binary AT Peg have been obtained. The light curves are analyzed with modern techniques and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. A new orbital period analysis of the system, based on the most reliable timings of minima found in the literature, is presented and apparent period modulations are discussed with respect to the Light-Time effect (LITE) and secular changes in the system. The results of these analyses are compared and interpreted in order to obtain a coherent view of the system's behaviour., Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: IAU Symposium 282 - From Interacting Binaries to Exoplanets: Essential Modeling Tools, Tatransk\'a Lomnica, Slovakia, 18-22 Jul. 2011

As a result of the variability survey in Chi Persei and NGC6910, the number of Beta Cep stars that are members of these two open clusters is increased to twenty stars, nine in NGC6910 and eleven in Chi Persei. We compare pulsational properties, in particular the frequency spectra, of Beta Cep stars in both clusters and explain the differences in terms of the global parameters of the clusters. We also indicate that the more complicated pattern of the variability among B type stars in Chi Persei is very likely caused by higher rotational velocities of stars in this cluster. We conclude that the sample of pulsating stars in the two open clusters constitutes a very good starting point for the ensemble asteroseismology of Beta Cep-type stars and maybe also for other B-type pulsators., Comment: 4 pages, Astronomische Nachrichten, HELAS IV Conference, Arecife, Lanzarote, Feb 2010, submitted

New times of minima of the Algol-type eclipsing binary UZ Sge, obtained at the Athens University Observatory, have been used together with all reliable timings found in the literature in order to study the period variation and search for the presence of a third body in the system. Its O-C diagram is presented and apparent period changes are discussed with respect to possible Light-Time Effect (LITE) in the system. A least square method has been used to compute new light elements (updated ephemeris of binary) as well as the mass function, its minimum mass and the period of a possible third body., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: 5th SREAC's meeting: Latest progess in Astrophysics, Athens, Hellas, 5-6 Oct.2007

CONTEXT: Recent progress in the seismic interpretation of field beta Cep stars has resulted in improvements of the physics in the stellar structure and evolution models of massive stars. Further asteroseismic constraints can be obtained from studying ensembles of stars in a young open cluster, which all have similar age, distance and chemical composition. AIMS: To improve our comprehension of the beta Cep stars, we studied the young open cluster NGC 884 to discover new B-type pulsators, besides the two known beta Cep stars, and other variable stars. METHODS: An extensive multi-site campaign was set up to gather accurate CCD photometry time series in four filters (U, B, V, I) of a field of NGC884. Fifteen different instruments collected almost 77500 CCD images in 1286 hours. The images were calibrated and reduced to transform the CCD frames into interpretable differential light curves. Various variability indicators and frequency analyses were applied to detect variable stars in the field. Absolute photometry was taken to deduce some general cluster and stellar properties. RESULTS: We achieved an accuracy for the brightest stars of 5.7 mmag in V, 6.9 mmag in B, 5.0 mmag in I and 5.3 mmag in U. The noise level in the amplitude spectra is 50 micromag in the V band. Our campaign confirms the previously known pulsators, and we report more than one hundred new multi- and mono-periodic B-, A- and F-type stars. Their interpretation in terms of classical instability domains is not straightforward, pointing to imperfections in theoretical instability computations. In addition, we have discovered six new eclipsing binaries and four candidates as well as other irregular variable stars in the observed field., Comment: Accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 21 pages, 14 figures, 4 tables. The full appendix is available at http://www.ster.kuleuven.be/~sophies/Appendix.pdf (74 MB, 169 pages, 343 figures, 1 table)

New CCD photometric observations in V, R and I filters of the eclipsing binary AV CMi have been obtained. The complete light curves are analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney code and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. Moreover, 2-year systematic observations of the system revealed the existence of a third body orbiting around one of the components with an approximate period of 0.52 days. The first light elements for this additional component are given and its nature is discussed., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: The 9th Hellenic Astronomical Conference, Athens, Hellas, 20-24 Sep.2009

New CCD photometric observations of the eclipsing binary V566 Oph have been obtained. The light curves are analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney code and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. A new O-C analysis of the system is presented and apparent period changes are discussed with respect to possible Light-Time Effect in the system., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: The 9th Hellenic Astronomical Conference, Athens, Hellas, 20-24 Sep.2009

(Abridged) OJ287 is a BL Lac object that has shown double-peaked bursts at regular intervals of ~12 yr during the last ~40 yr. We analyse optical photopolarimetric monitoring data from 2005-2009, during which the latest double-peaked outburst occurred. The aim of this study is twofold: firstly, we aim to analyse variability patterns and statistical properties of the optical polarization light-curve. We find a strong preferred position angle in optical polarization. The preferred position angle can be explained by separating the jet emission into two components: an optical polarization core and chaotic jet emission. The optical polarization core is stable on time scales of years and can be explained as emission from an underlying quiescent jet component. The chaotic jet emission sometimes exhibits a circular movement in the Stokes plane. We interpret these events as a shock front moving forwards and backwards in the jet, swiping through a helical magnetic field. Secondly, we use our data to assess different binary black hole models proposed to explain the regularly appearing double-peaked bursts in OJ287. We compose a list of requirements a model has to fulfil. The list includes not only characteristics of the light-curve but also other properties of OJ287, such as the black hole mass and restrictions on accretion flow properties. We rate all existing models using this list and conclude that none of the models is able to explain all observations. We discuss possible new explanations and propose a new approach to understanding OJ287. We suggest that both the double-peaked bursts and the evolution of the optical polarization position angle could be explained as a sign of resonant accretion of magnetic field lines, a 'magnetic breathing' of the disc., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS (26 pages, 24 figures, 4 tables)

This paper presents CCD observations of the Algol-type eclipsing binaries RZ Dra and EG Cep. The light curves have been analyzed with the PHOEBE software and Wilson-Devinney code (2003 version). A detailed photometric analysis, based on these observations, is presented for both binarity and pulsation. The results indicate semidetached systems where the secondary component fills its Roche lobe. After the subtraction of the theoretical light curve, a frequency analysis was performed in order to check for pulsations of the primary component of each system. Moreover, a period analysis was performed for each case in order to search for additional components around the eclipsing pairs., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: Binaries - Key to Comprehension of the Universe, Brno, Czech Republic, 8-12 Jun. 2009

We present our ground-based CCD observations of the close binary systems DD Mon and XY UMa in B, V, R and I bands. The light curves are analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney code (W-D) for the derivation of the geometric and photometric elements of the systems. We compare the methods of photometric and spectroscopic mass ratio determination in these binaries, as a function of all typical difficulties, which arise during the analysis of such systems (light curve asymmetries, third light etc). Finally, a new spot model is suggested for the eclipsing system XY UMa, which belongs to the RS CVn type of active binaries., Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: Binaries - Key to Comprehension of the Universe, Brno, Czech Republic, 8-12 Jun. 2009

CCD photometric observations of the Algol-type eclipsing binary X Tri have been obtained. The light curves are analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney (WD) code and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. A new O-C analysis of the system, based on the most reliable timings of minima found in the literature, is presented and apparent period changes are discussed with respect to possible and multiple Light-Time Effect (LITE) in the system. Moreover, the results for the existence of additional bodies around the eclipsing pair, derived from the period study, are compared with those for extra luminosity, derived from the light curve analysis., Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: Binaries - Key to Comprehension of the Universe, Brno, Czech Republic, 8-12 Jun. 2009

The photometric and spectroscopic observational campaign organized for the 2008/9 eclipse of EE Cep revealed features, which indicate that the eclipsing disk in the EE Cep system has a multi-ring structure. We suggest that the gaps in the disk can be related to the possible planet formation., Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: Binaries - Key to Comprehension of the Universe, Brno, Czech Republic, 8-12 Jul. 2009

A new catalog of visual double systems containing eclipsing binaries as one component is presented. The main purpose of this catalog is to compile a complete list of all known multiples of this variety, both for current analysis and to highlight those in need of additional observations. All available photometric and astrometric data were analyzed, resulting in new orbits for eight systems and new times of minimum light for a number of the eclipsing binaries. Some of the systems in the catalog have acceptable solutions for their visual orbits, although in most cases their orbital periods are too long for simultaneous analysis. Also included, however, are a number of systems which currently lack an orbital solution but which may be suitable for simultaneous analysis in the future., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures, 4 tables, published in AJ

We carried out observations, with five different instruments ranging in aperture from 0.4m to 10m, of the satellites of Uranus during that planet's 2007 Equinox. Our observations covered specific intervals of time when mutual eclipses and occultations were predicted. The observations were carried out in the near-infrared part of the spectrum to mitigate the glare from the planet. Frames were acquired at rates > 1/min. Following modelling and subtraction of the planetary source from these frames, differential aperture photometry was carried out on the satellite pairs involved in the predicted events. In all cases but one, nearby bright satellites were used as reference sources. We have obtained fifteen individual lightcurves, eight of which show a clear drop in the flux from the satellite pair, indicating that a mutual event took place. Three of these involve the faint satellite Miranda. All eight lightcurves were model-fitted to yield best estimates of the time of maximum flux drop and the impact parameter. In three cases best-fit albedo ratios were also derived. We used these estimates to generate intersatellite astrometric positions with typical formal uncertainties of <0.01 arcsec, several times better than conventional astrometry of these satellites. The statistics of our estimated event midtimes show a systematic lag, with the observations later than predictions. In addition, lightcurves of two partial eclipses of Miranda show no statistically significant evidence of a light drop, at variance with the predictions. These indicate that new information about the Uranian satellite system is contained in observations of mutual events acquired here and by other groups., Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics Uses aa style package

Six contact binaries lacking a period analysis have been chosen to search for the presence of a third body. The O-C diagrams of these binaries were analyzed with the least-squares method by using all available times of minima. Ten new minima times, obtained from our observations, were included in the present research. The Light-Time Effect was adopted for the first time as the main cause for the detailed description of the long-term period changes. Third bodies were found with orbital periods from 49 up to 100 years, and eccentricities from 0.0 to 0.56 for the selected binaries. In one case (WZ And), a fourth-body LITE variation was also applied. The mass functions and the minimal masses of such bodies were also calculated and a possible angular separation and magnitude differences were discussed for a prospective interferometric discovery of these bodies., Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, 2009 New Astronomy 14, 121

Tests of Einstein's general theory of relativity have mostly been carried out in weak gravitational fields where the space-time curvature effects are first-order deviations from Newton's theory. Binary pulsars provide a means of probing the strong gravitational field around a neutron star, but strong-field effects may be best tested in systems containing black holes. Here we report such a test in a close binary system of two candidate black holes in the quasar OJ287. This quasar shows quasi-periodic optical outbursts at 12 yr intervals, with two outburst peaks per interval. The latest outburst occurred in September 2007, within a day of the time predicted by the binary black-hole model and general relativity. The observations confirm the binary nature of the system and also provide evidence for the loss of orbital energy in agreement (within 10 per cent) with the emission of gravitational waves from the system. In the absence of gravitational wave emission the outburst would have happened twenty days later., Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, published in Nature

Six semi-detached Algol-type binaries lacking a period analysis were chosen to test for a presence of a third body. The O-C diagrams of these binaries were analyzed with the least-squares method by using all available times of minima. Also fourteen new minima, obtained from our observations, were included in the present research. The light-time effect was adopted as a main factor for the detailed description of the long-term period changes. Third bodies were found with orbital periods from 46 up to 84 years, and eccentricities from 0.0 to 0.78 for the selected binaries. The mass functions and the minimal masses of such bodies were also calculated., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures