Diana P. Kjurkchieva

GSC 2314−0530: the shortest-period eclipsing system with dMe components

CCD photometric observations in VRI colours and spectroscopic observations of the newly discovered eclipsing binary GSC 2314-0530 (NSVS 6550671) with dMe components and a very short period of P = 0.192 636 d are presented. The simultaneous light-curve solution and radial velocity solution allow us to determine the global parameters of GSC 2314-0530: T 1 3735 K; T 2 = 3106 K; M, = 0.51 M ⊙ ;M 2 = 0.26 M ⊙ ; R 1 = 0.55 R ⊙ ; R 2 = 0.29 R ⊙ ; L 1 = 0.053 L ⊙ ; L 2 = 0.007 L ⊙ ; i = 72°5; a = 1.28 R ⊙ ; d = 59 pc. The chromospheric activity of its components is revealed by strong emission in the Hα line (with mean EW = 5 A) and several observed flares. Empirical relations for mass-M bol , mass-radius and mass-temperature are derived on the basis of the parameters of known binaries with low-mass dM components.

The Dwarf project: Eclipsing binaries – precise clocks to discover exoplanets

We present a new observational campaign, Dwarf, aimed at detection of circumbinary extrasolar planets using the timing of the minima of low-mass eclipsing binaries. The observations will be performed within an extensive network of relatively small to medium-size telescopes with apertures of similar to 20-200 cm. The starting sample of the objects to be monitored contains (i) low-mass eclipsing binaries with M and K components, (ii) short-period binaries with a sdB or sdO component, and (iii) post-common-envelope systems containing a WD, which enable to determine minima with high precision. Since the amplitude of the timing signal increases with the orbital period of an invisible third component, the timescale of the project is long, at least 5-10 years. The paper gives simple formulas to estimate the suitability of individual eclipsing binaries for the circumbinary planet detection. Intrinsic variability of the binaries (photospheric spots, flares, pulsation etc.) limiting the accuracy of the minima timing is also discussed. The manuscript also describes the best observing strategy and methods to detect cyclic timing variability in the minima times indicating the presence of circumbinary planets. First test observations of the selected targets are presented ((c) 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

The Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative (YETI)

We present the Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative (YETI), in which we use several 0.2 to 2.6-m telescopes around the world to monitor continuously young (≤100 Myr), nearby (≤1 kpc) stellar clusters mainly to detect young transiting planets (and to study other variability phenomena on time-scales from minutes to years). The telescope network enables us to observe the targets continuously for several days in order not to miss any transit. The runs are typically one to two weeks long, about three runs per year per cluster in two or three subsequent years for about ten clusters. There are thousands of stars detectable in each field with several hundred known cluster members, e.g. in the first cluster observed, Tr-37, a typical cluster for the YETI survey, there are at least 469 known young stars detected in YETI data down to R = 16.5 mag with sufficient precision of 50 millimag rms (5 mmag rms down to R = 14.5 mag) to detect transits, so that we can expect at least about one young transiting object in this cluster. If we observe ∼10 similar clusters, we can expect to detect ∼10 young transiting planets with radius determinations. The precision given above is for a typical telescope of the YETI network, namely the 60/90-cm Jena telescope (similar brightness limit, namely within ±1 mag, for the others) so that planetary transits can be detected. For targets with a periodic transit-like light curve, we obtain spectroscopy to ensure that the star is young and that the transiting object can be sub-stellar; then, we obtain Adaptive Optics infrared images and spectra, to exclude other bright eclipsing stars in the (larger) optical PSF; we carry out other observations as needed to rule out other false positive scenarios; finally, we also perform spectroscopy to determine the mass of the transiting companion. For planets with mass and radius determinations, we can calculate the mean density and probe the internal structure. We aim to constrain planet formation models and their time-scales by discovering planets younger than ∼100 Myr and determining not only their orbital parameters, but also measuring their true masses and radii, which is possible so far only by the transit method. Here, we present an overview and first results (© 2011 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Physical parameters of components in close binary systems. I

The paper presents combined spectroscopic and photometric orbital solutions for four close binary systems: SW Lyn, QW Gem, AP Leo and V2150 Cyg. The photometric data are new, while the spectroscopy has been recently obtained within the radial velocity programme at the David Dunlap Observatory. This paper is the first in the planned series of investigations. We give an extensive description of the motivation for the series and of the main assumptions made in our solutions. The four targets of this investigation span a range of typical configurations and thus present different levels of difficulty for the combined spectroscopic and photometric orbital solutions.

Optical photometric and spectral study of the new FU Orionis object V2493 Cygni (HBC 722)

Aims. We present new results from optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eruptive pre-main sequence star V2493 Cyg (HBC 722). The object has continued to undergo significan t brightness variations over the past few months and is an ideal target for follow-up observations. Methods. We carried out CCD BVRI photometric observations in the field of V2493 Cyg (”Gulf of M exico”) from August 1994 to April 2012, i.e. at the pre-outburst states and during the ph ases of the outburst. We acquired high, medium, and low resolution spectroscopy of V2493 Cyg during the outburst. To study the pre-outburst variability of the target and construct its histori cal light curve, we searched for archival observations in photographic plate collections. Both CCD and photographic observations were analyzed using 15 comparison stars in the field of V2493 Cyg. Results. The pre-outburst photographic and CCD photometric observations of V2493 Cyg show low-amplitude light variations typical of T Tauri stars. The recent photometric data show a slow light decrease from October 2010 to June 2011 followed by an increase in brightness that continued until early 2012. The spectral observations of V2493 Cyg are typical of FU Orionis stars absorption spectra with strong P Cyg profiles of Hα and Na I D lines. On the basis of photometric monitoring performed over the past two years, the spectral properties at the maximal light, as well as the s hape of long-term light curves, we confirm that the observed o utburst of V2493 Cyg is of FU Orionis type.

Departure from the constant-period ephemeris for the transiting exoplanet WASP-12 b

Most hot Jupiters are expected to spiral in towards their host stars due to transfering of the angular momentum of the orbital motion to the stellar spin. Their orbits can also precess due to planet-star interactions. Calculations show that both effects could be detected for the very-hot exoplanet WASP-12 b using the method of precise transit timing over a timespan of the order of 10 yr. We acquired new precise light curves for 29 transits of WASP-12 b, spannning 4 observing seasons from November 2012 to February 2016. New mid-transit times, together with literature ones, were used to refine the transit ephemeris and analyse the timing residuals. We find that the transit times of WASP-12 b do not follow a linear ephemeris with a 5 sigma confidence level. They may be approximated with a quadratic ephemeris that gives a rate of change in the orbital period of -2.56 +/- 0.40 x 10^{-2} s/yr. The tidal quality parameter of the host star was found to be equal to 2.5 x 10^5 that is comparable to theoretical predictions for Sun-like stars. We also consider a model, in which the observed timing residuals are interpreted as a result of the apsidal precession. We find, however, that this model is statistically less probable than the orbital decay.

Transit timing analysis in the HAT-P-32 system

We present the results of 45 transit observations obtained for the transiting exoplanet HATP-32b. The transits have been observed using several telescopes mainly throughout the YETI (Young Exoplanet Transit Initiative) network. In 25 cases, complete transit light curves with a timing precision better than 1.4 min have been obtained. These light curves have been used to refine the system properties, namely inclination i, planet-to-star radius ratio R-p/R-s, and the ratio between the semimajor axis and the stellar radius a/R-s. First analyses by Hartman et al. suggests the existence of a second planet in the system, thus we tried to find an additional body using the transit timing variation (TTV) technique. Taking also the literature data points into account, we can explain all mid-transit times by refining the linear ephemeris by 21 ms. Thus, we can exclude TTV amplitudes of more than similar to 1.5min.

Spectroscopic and Photometric Observations of the Short-Period RS CVn-Type Star UV Piscium

High-resolution spectroscopic observations around the Hα line and BVRI photometry from 1993 to 2003 of the eclipsing short-period RS CVn star BH Vir are presented. The simultaneous solution of our radial velocity curves and light curves yielded the following values for global parameters of the components: M1 = 1.173 ± 0.006 M� ; M2 = 1.046 ± 0.005 M� ; R1 = 1.22 ± 0.05 R� ; R2 = 1.11 ± 0.04 R� ;i = 87.5 ◦ ± 0.8 ◦ . The measured rotational broadening of the spectral lines corresponds to equatorial velocities V1 = 79.8 km s −1 and V2 = 68.4 km s −1 . Our data reveal considerable Hα emission excess of the two stellar components. We modelled the photometric data to find the size and location of the starspots for each year. The established decreasing trend of the spot latitudes may indicate a latitudinal cycle of at least a decade.

HIGH-SPEED BVRI PHOTOMETRY OF SS CYG AT QUIESCENCE AND AT OUTBURST

BVRI photometry of SS Cyg from the end of 1996 and the beginning of 1997 is presented. The star underwent an eruption around December 11. The amplitude of which was slightly bigger than those of observed earlier eruptions. We saw some indication of the future outburst in the decreasing of brightness in all colours by about 0.4 mag during the last two weeks before the event. The emission of the system moved strongly to the shorter wavelengths at outburst. Our multicolour data confirm the existence of a light variability with the orbital (spectroscopic) period at quiescence. Moreover we found for the first time that this variability exists also at outburst but its amplitude is 3–5 times smaller. Whereas the amplitudes of the orbital variability at quiescence decrease to the longer wavelengths, they increase at outburst to the longer wavelengths. The orbital folded curve at quiescence has two-wave shape and was fitted well by the different visibility of two diametrical opposite hot spots (210000 K) with angular size 100 on the magnetic poles of the white dwarf. An analogy between the two basic states of the U Gem-star SS Cyg, the polar AM Her and Z Cam-star RX And was found.

Light variations of spotted stars

A precise analytic expression is obtained for calculation of the spotted stars light variations in the case of arbitrary radius of the spot and arbitrary inclination of the rotation axis of the star with reference to the line of sight by adopting a linear law for limb darkening of both the star and the spot but with different coefficients of darkening. The results obtained can be used for the calculation of the light curves of the spotted stars with an arbitrary number of spots on the surface of the star.