Imre Barna Biro

A comprehensive study of the Kepler triples via eclipse timing

We produce and analyze eclipse time variation (ETV) curves for some 2600 Kepler binaries. We find good to excellent evidence for a third body in 222 systems via either the light-travel-time (LTTE) or dynamical effect delays. Approximately half of these systems have been discussed in previous work, while the rest are newly reported here. Via detailed analysis of the ETV curves using high-level analytic approximations, we are able to extract system masses and information about the three-dimensional characteristics of the triple for 62 systems which exhibit both LTTE and dynamical delays; for the remaining 160 systems we give improved LTTE solutions. New techniques of preprocessing the flux time series are applied to eliminate false positive triples and to enhance the ETV curves. The set of triples with outer orbital periods shorter than ~2000 days is now sufficiently numerous for meaningful statistical analysis. We find that (i) as predicted, there is a peak near i_m~40 deg in the distribution of the triple vs. inner binary mutual inclination angles that provides strong confirmation of the operation of Kozai-Lidov cycles with tidal friction; (ii) the median eccentricity of the third-body orbits is e_2=0.35; (iii) there is a deficit of triple systems with binary periods <1 day and outer periods between ~50 and 200 days which might help guide the refinement of theories of the formation and evolution of close binaries; and (iv) the substantial fraction of Kepler binaries which have third-body companions is consistent with a very large fraction of all binaries being part of triples.

Dynamical masses, absolute radii and 3D orbits of the triply eclipsing star HD 181068 from Kepler photometry

HD 181068 is the brighter of the two known triply eclipsing hierarchical triple stars in the Kepler field. It has been continuously observed for more than 2 yr with the Kepler space telescope. Of the nine quarters of the data, three have been obtained in short-cadence mode, that is one point per 58.9 s. Here we analyse this unique data set to determine absolute physical parameters (most importantly the masses and radii) and full orbital configuration using a sophisticated novel approach. We measure eclipse timing variations (ETVs), which are then combined with the single-lined radial velocity measurements to yield masses in a manner equivalent to double-lined spectroscopic binaries. We have also developed a new light-curve synthesis code that is used to model the triple, mutual eclipses and the effects of the changing tidal field on the stellar surface and the relativistic Doppler beaming. By combining the stellar masses from the ETV study with the simultaneous light-curve analysis we determine the absolute radii of the three stars. Our results indicate that the close and the wide subsystems revolve in almost exactly coplanar and prograde orbits. The newly determined parameters draw a consistent picture of the system with such details that have been beyond reach before.

Testing supernovae Ia distance measurement methods with SN 2011fe

Aims. 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. Methods. We applied 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. Results. 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). Conclusions. Despite the very good fitting quality achieved with both light curve fitters, the resulting distance moduli are inconsistent by 2σ. Both are marginally consistent (at ∼1σ) with the Hubble Space Telescope 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. 5M pc.

Indirect evidence for short period magnetic cycles in W UMa stars Period analysis of five overcontact systems

Complex period variations of five W UMa type binaries (AB And, OO Aql, DK Cyg, V566 Oph, U Peg) were investigated by analyzing their O−C diagrams, and several common features were found. Four of the five systems show secular period variations at a constant rate on the order of | u Psec/P |∼ 10 −7 yr −1 . In the case of AB And, OO Aql, and U Peg a high-amplitude, nearly one-century long quasi-sinusoidal pattern was also found. It might be explained as light-time effect, or by some magnetic phenomena, although the mathematical, and consequently the physical, parameters of these fits are very problematic, as the obtained periods are very close to the length of the total data range. The most interesting feature of the studied O−C diagrams is a low amplitude (∼2−4 × 10 −3 d) modulation with a period around 18–20 yr in four of the five cases. This phenomenon might be indirect evidence of some magnetic cycle in late-type overcontact binaries as an analog to the observed activity cycles in RS CVn systems.

The Type Ia Supernova 2001V in NGC 3987

CCD photometry is presented of the type Ia SN 2001V occurred in the edge-on spiral galaxy NGC 3987. The observations made through Johnson-Cousins BVRI filters were collected from Feb. 24 (t = -8 days, with respect to B-maximum), up to May 5 (t = +62 days). The light curves are analyzed with the revised Multi-Colour Light Curve Shape (MLCS) method (Riess et al. 1998) by fitting template vectors to the observed light curves simultaneously. The reddening of SN 2001V is estimated to be E(B - V) = 0.05 mag, while the galactic component is E(B - V) = 0.02 mag (Schlegel et al. 1998), suggesting that part of the reddening may be due to the ISM in the host galaxy. The A parameter in MLCS converged to -0.47 mag, indicating that this SN was overluminous relative to the majority of Type Ia SNe. The inferred distance to its host galaxy, NGC 3987, is 74.5 ′ 5 Mpc, which is in good agreement with recently determined kinematic distances, based on radial velocity corrected for Virgo-infall and Hubble constant H 0 = 65 km s - 1 Mpc - 1 .

Distance to the Active Galaxy NGC 6951 via the type Ia Supernova 2000E

CCD-photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy of the bright supernova SN 2000E in NGC 6951 are presented. Both the light curve extending up to 150 days past maximum and the spectra obtained at 1 month past maximum confirm that SN 2000E is of Type Ia. The reddening of SN 2000E is determined as E(B-V)=0.36+/-0.15, its error is mainly due to uncertainties in the predicted SN (B-V) colour at late epochs. The V(RI)_C light curves are analyzed with the Multi-Colour Light Curve Shape (MLCS) method. The shape of the late light curve suggests that SN 2000E was overluminous by about 0.5 mag at maximum comparing with a fiducial SN Ia. This results in an updated distance of 33+/-8 Mpc of NGC 6951 (corrected for interstellar absorption). The SN-based distance modulus is larger by about +0.7 mag than the previous Tully-Fisher estimates. However, possible systematic errors due to ambiguities in the reddening determination and estimates of the maximum luminosity of SN 2000E may plague the present distance measurement.

Photometric study of the over-contact binary star GSC 3822-1056

Here we present the first Johnson-Cousins VRC light curves of the over-contact binary star GSC 3822-1056. A period study and the light curve solution are also given. An extremely high rate of period increase (+11: 6s =century) was found. The origin of this period change can be: (i) partly covered light-time eect due to the orbital motion around the mass center of a possible third body; (ii) mass transfer between the components. The light curve was solved using the 1998 Wilson-Devinney Code. We examined the light curve with and without third light. Both solutions yielded a contact configuration with high temperature dierence between the components. Despite the high degree of the contact ( f = 0:57), the temperature dierence between the componentsT= Tprimary Tsecondary= 1045 K. The high mass ratio of the system and its other unusual properties suggest that GSC 3822-1056 may be a recently formed contact binary.

EM Cygni: A study of its eclipse timings

EM Cygni is a Z Cam-subtype eclipsing dwarf nova. Its orbital period variations were reported in the past but the results were in conflict to each other while other studies allowed the possibility of no period variation. In this study we report accurate new times of minima of this eclipsing binary and update itsO –C diagram.We also estimate the mass transfer rate in EM Cygni system and conclude that the mass transfer is far from the critical value. The mass transfer rate determined from the eclipse timings is in agreement with the spectroscopically determined value. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)