Hana Kučáková

The field high-amplitude SX Phoenicis variable BL Camelopardalis: results from a multisite photometric campaign. I. Pulsation

Context. BL Cam is an extreme metal-deficient field high-amplitude SX Phe-type variable where a very complex frequency spectrum is detected, with a number of independent nonradial modes excited, unusual among the high-amplitude pulsators in the Lower Classical Instability Strip. Aims. An extensive and detailed study has been carried out to investigate the pulsational content and properties of this object. Methods. The analysis is based on 283 h of CCD observations obtained in the Johnson V filter, during a long multisite photometric campaign carried out along the Northern autumn-winter of 2005–2006. Additionally, multicolour BI photometry was also collected to study the phase shifts and amplitude ratios, between light curves obtained in different filters, for modal discrimination of the main excited modes. Results. The detailed frequency analysis revealed a very rich and dense pulsational content consisting of 25 significant peaks, 22 of them corresponding to independent modes: one is the already known main periodicity f0 = 25.5765 cd −1 (∆V = 153 mmag) and the other 21 are excited modes showing very small amplitudes. Some additional periodicities are probably still remaining in the residuals. This represents the most complex spectrum ever detected in a high-amplitude pulsator of this type. The majority of the secondary modes suspected from earlier works are confirmed here and, additionally, a large number of new peaks are detected. The amplitude of the main periodicity f0 seems to be stable during decades, but the majority of the secondary modes show strong amplitude changes from one epoch to another. The suspected fundamental radial nature of the main periodicity of BL Cam is confirmed, while the secondary peak f1 = 25.2523 cd −1 is identified as a nonradial mixed mode g4 with � = 1. The radial double-mode nature, claimed by some authors for the main two frequencies of BL Cam, is not confirmed. Nevertheless, the frequency f6 = 32.6464 cd −1 could correspond to the first radial overtone.

Relativistic apsidal motion in eccentric eclipsing binaries

Context. The study of apsidal motion in detached eclipsing binary systems is known to be an important source of information about stellar internal structure as well as the possibility of verifying of General Relativity outside the Solar System. Aims. As part of the long-term Ondy and Ostrava observational projects, we aim to measure precise times of minima for eccentric eclipsing binaries, needed for the accurate determination of apsidal motion, providing a suitable test of the effects of General Relativity. Methods. About seventy new times of minimum light recorded with photoelectric or CCD photometers were obtained for ten eccentric-orbit eclipsing binaries with significant relativistic apsidal motion. Their O–C diagrams were analysed using all reliable timings found in the literature, and new or improved elements of apsidal motion were obtained. Results. We confirm very long periods of apsidal motion for all systems. For BF Dra and V1094 Tau, we present the first apsidalmotion solution. The relativistic effects are dominant, representing up to 100% of the total observable apsidal-motion rate in several systems. The theoretical and observed values of the internal structure constant k2 were compared for systems with lower relativistic contribution. Using the light-time effect solution, we predict a faint third component for V1094 Tau orbiting with a short period of about 8 years.

Apsidal motion in eccentric eclipsing binaries: CW Cephei, V478 Cygni, AG Persei, and IQ Persei

Aims. About thirty new times of minimum light recorded with photoelectric or CCD photometers were obtained for four earlytype eccentric-orbit eclipsing binaries CW Cep (P = 2. d 73, e = 0.029), V478 Cyg (2. d 88, 0.016), AG Per (2. d 03, 0.071), and IQ Per (1. 74, 0.076). Methods. Their O−C diagrams were analysed using all reliable timings found in the literature, and elements of apsidal motion were improved. Results. We confirm relatively short periods of apsidal motion of about 46, 27, 76, and 124 years for CW Cep, V478 Cyg, AG Per, and IQ Per, respectively. The corresponding internal structure constants, log k2, are then found to be –2.12, –2.25, –2.15, and –2.36, under the assumption that the component stars rotate pseudosynchronously. The relativistic effects are negligible, being up to 8% of the total apsidal motion rate in all systems. Using the light-time effect solution, we have predicted a faint third component orbiting with a period of about 39 years for CW Cep.

The field high-amplitude SX Phe variable BL Cam: results from a multisite photometric campaign

Context. Short-period high-amplitude pulsating stars of Population I (δ Sct stars) and II (SX Phe variables) exist in the lower part of the classical (Cepheid) instability strip. Most of them have very simple pulsational behaviours, only one or two radial modes being excited. Nevertheless, BL Cam is a unique object among them, being an extreme metal-deficient field high-amplitude SX Phe variable with a large number of frequencies. Based on a frequency analysis, a pulsational interpretation was previously given. Aims. We attempt to interpret the long-term behaviour of the residuals that were not taken into account in the previous Observed-Calculated (O–C) short-term analyses. Methods. An investigation of the O–C times has been carried out, using a data set based on the previous published times of light maxima, largely enriched by those obtained during an intensive multisite photometric campaign of BL Cam lasting several months. Results. In addition to a positive (161 ± 3) × 10 −9 yr −1 secular relative increase in the main pulsation period of BL Cam, we detected in the O–C data short- (144.2 d) and long-term (∼3400 d) variations, both incompatible with a scenario of stellar evolution. Conclusions. Interpreted as a light travel-time effect, the short-term O–C variation is indicative of a massive stellar component (0.46 to 1 M� ) with a short period orbit (144.2 d), within a distance of 0.7 AU from the primary. More observations are needed to confirm the long-term O–C variations: if they were also to be caused by a light travel-time effect, they could be interpreted in terms of a third component, in this case probably ab rown dwarf star (≥0.03 M� ), orbiting in ∼3400 d at a distance of 4.5 AU from the primary.

Apsidal motion in five eccentric eclipsing binaries

Aims. As part of the long-term Ondand Ostrava observational projects, we aim to measure the precise times of minimum light for eccentric eclipsing binaries, needed for accurate determination of apsidal motion. Over fifty new times of minimum light recorded with CCD photometers were obtained for five early-type and eccentric-orbit eclipsing binaries: V785 Cas (P = 2. 70, e = 0.09), V821 Cas (1. d 77, 0.14), V796 Cyg (1. d 48, 0.07), V398 Lac (5. d 41, 0.23), and V871 Per (3. d 02, 0.24). Methods. O−C diagrams of binaries were analysed using all reliable timings found in the literature, and new elements of apsidal motion were obtained. Results. We derived for the first time or improved the relatively short periods of apsidal motion of about 83, 140, 33, 440, and 70 years for V785 Cas, V821 Cas, V796 Cyg, V398 Lac, and V871 Per, respectively. The internal structure constants, log k2, for V821 Cas and V398 Lac are then found to be -2.70 and -2.35, under the assumption that the component stars rotate pseudosynchronously. The relativistic effects are weak, up to 7% of the total apsidal motion rate.

The triple system AO Monocerotis

The variable star AO Mon is a relatively bright but seldom investigated early-type eccentric eclipsing binary. Thirty new eclipses were measured as a part of our long-term observational project or derived from previous measurements. Based on a new solution of the current O–C diagram, we found for the first time a rapid apsidal advance superimposed with a light-time effect caused by a third unseen body in the system. Their short periods are 33.8 years and 3.6 years for the apsidal motion and the third-body circular orbit, respectively. The observed internal structure constant was derived to be log k2, obs = −2.23, which is close to the theoretically expected value. The relativistic as well as the third-body effects on the apsidal advance are negligible, as they are only about 3% of the total apsidal motion rate.

Possible substellar companions in low-mass eclipsing binaries. GU Bootis and YY Geminorum

We present the next results of our long-term observational project to analyze the variations in the orbital periods of low-mass eclipsing binaries. About 70 new precise mid-eclipse times recorded with a CCD were obtained for two eclipsing binaries with short orbital periods: GU Boo (P = 0.^{d}49) and YY Gem (0.^{d}81). Observed-minus-calculated diagrams of the stars were analyzed using all reliable timings, and new parameters of the light-time effect were obtained. We derived for the first time or improved the short orbital periods of possible third bodies of 11 and 54 years for these low-mass binaries, respectively. We calculated that the minimum masses of the third components are close to 50 M_{Jup}, which corresponds to the mass of brown dwarfs. The multiplicity of these systems also plays an important role in the precise determination of their physical parameters.