Alexios Liakos

A massive binary black-hole system in OJ 287 and a test of general relativity

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 OJ 287. This quasar shows quasi-periodic optical outbursts at 12-year 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 20 days later.

Period changes in six contact binaries: WZ And, V803 Aql, DF Hya, PY Lyr, FZ Ori, and AH Tau

Abstract 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.

Survey for δ Sct components in eclipsing binaries and new correlations between pulsation frequency and fundamental stellar characteristics

CCD observations of 68 eclipsing binary systems, candidates for containing δ Scuti components, were obtained. Their light curves are analysed using the period04 software for possible pulsational behaviour. For the systems QY Aql, CZ Aqr, TY Cap, WY Cet, UW Cyg, HL Dra, HZ Dra, AU Lac, CL Lyn and IO UMa, complete light curves were observed due to the detection of a pulsating component. All of them, except QY Aql and IO UMa, are analysed with modern astronomical softwares in order to determine their geometrical and pulsational characteristics. Spectroscopic observations of WY Cet and UW Cyg were used to estimate the spectral class of their primary components, while for HZ Dra radial velocities of its primary were measured. O − C diagram analysis was performed for the cases showing peculiar orbital period variations, namely CZ Aqr, TY Cap, WY Cet and UW Cyg, with the aim of obtaining a comprehensive picture of these systems. An updated catalogue of 74 close binaries including a δ Scuti companion is presented. Moreover, a connection between orbital and pulsation periods, as well as a correlation between evolutionary status and dominant pulsation frequency for these systems, is discussed.

Photometric multi-site campaign on the open cluster NGC 884 - I. Detection of the variable stars

Context. Recent progress in the seismic interpretation of field β 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 β Cep stars, we studied the young open cluster NGC 884 to discover new B-type pulsators, besides the two known β 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 )o f a field of NGC 884. Fifteen different instruments collected almost 77 500 CCD images in 1286 h. 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 .T he noise level in the amplitude spectra is 50 μmag 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.

A CATALOG OF VISUAL DOUBLE AND MULTIPLE STARS WITH ECLIPSING COMPONENTS

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.

Catalogue and properties of δ Scuti stars in binaries

The catalogue contains 199 confirmed cases of binary systems containing at least one pulsating component of {\delta} Scuti type. The sample is divided into subgroups in order to describe the properties and characteristics of the {\delta} Sct type stars in binaries according to their Roche geometry. Demographics describing quantitatively our knowledge for these systems as well as the distributions of their pulsating components in the Mass-Radius, Colour-Magnitude and Evolutionary Status-Temperature diagrams are presented and discussed. It is shown that a threshold of ~13 days of the orbital period regarding the influence of binarity on the pulsations is established. Finally, the correlations between the pulsation periods and the orbital periods, evolutionary status, and companions gravity influence are updated based on the largest sample to date.

Period changes in six semi-detached Algol-type binaries

Abstract 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 14 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.

The PHEMU09 catalogue and astrometric results of the observations of the mutual occultations and eclipses of the Galilean satellites of Jupiter made in 2009

Context. In 2009, the Sun and the Earth passed through the equatorial plane of Jupiter and therefore the orbital planes of its main satellites. It was the equinox on Jupiter. This occurrence made mutual occultations and eclipses between the satellites possible. Experience has shown that the observations of such events provide accurate astrometric data able to bring new information on the dynamics of the Galilean satellites. Observations are made under the form of photometric measurements, but need to be made through the organization of a worldwide observation campaign maximizing the number and the quality of the data obtained.

A photometric study of the neglected eclipsing binaries: V405 Cep, V948 Her, KR Mon and UZ Sge

Abstract CCD multi-band light curves of the neglected eclipsing binaries V405 Cep, V948 Her, KR Mon and UZ Sge were obtained and analysed using the Wilson–Devinney code. New geometric and absolute parameters were derived and used to determine their current evolutionary state. V405 Cep, V948 Her and KR Mon are detached systems with their components in almost the same evolutionary stage. UZ Sge is a classical Algol system with a tertiary companion around it. Moreover, since the systems V405 Cep, V948 Her and UZ Sge contain an early type component, their light curves were examined for possible pulsation behaviour.

A comprehensive study of six Algol type binaries

Abstract CCD light curves of the Algol type eclipsing binaries DP Cep, AL Gem, FG Gem, UU Leo, CF Tau and AW Vul were analysed using the Wilson–Devinney code and new geometric and absolute parameters were derived. Due to cyclic apparent orbital period changes of the systems, probably caused by the Light-Time Effect, the contribution of a third light was taken into account in the light curve solution. All the reliable timings of minima found in the literature were used to study the period variations and search for the presence of a tertiary component in the systems. A comparison between the parameters of the third body derived from the light curve and orbital period analyses is also discussed. Moreover, the absolute parameters of the eclipsing binary components were also used to determine their current evolutionary state.