K.-C. Leung

Photometric investigation of the short period eclipsing binary star V719 Her

The Behlen observatory 0.76 m telescope CCD photometer is used to obtain 347 observations of the short period (P≃0d.4) eclipsing binary star V719 Her. The observations done withV andR bandpass filters were made on 6 nights in 1993. Previously published light elements and the present five timings of minimum provide a new epoch and a more accurate orbital period of 0.4009828 days. Our analyses show that the period of the system appears to decrease. We recommend future monitoring of the eclipse minima for this system. No published spectral classification for V719 Her exists. From the color,V-R=0.391, we estimate it to be about F5.The 1993 version of the Wilson Devinney model gave the photometric solutions. The adopted solution indicates that V719 Her is a W UMa type contact binary. The mass ratio,q=(m2/m1, where star 1 eclipse at the primary minimum)=0.296 suggests that V719 Her is a WUMa system with type-A (transit during primary eclipse) configuration. The secondary minimum shows a total eclipse. V719 Her with period less than 0.5 and spectral class F5, is probably a zero-age contact system. Since our photometric solution shows that the luminosity difference between the components is very large, we suspect that V719 Her is most likely a single line spectroscopic binary. We recommend spectroscopic study of this system.

Photometric Investigation of the Eclipsing Binary Star KN Per

We used the Behlen observatory 0.76 m telescope and the CCD photometer to secure 689 observation of the eclipsing binary star KN Per. The observations were made on 8 nights during 1993 and 1994 with V and R bandpass filters. From 7 determinations of eclipse timings of minimum (V&R together), we have determined a new epoch and an orbital period of 0.8664604 days. The published spectral classification is A9.The 1993 version of the Wilson-Devinney model gave the photometric solutions. The adopted solution indicates that KN Per is a W UMa type contact binary. The mass ratio, q = (m2/m1, where star 1 eclipses at the primary minimum) = 0.23 suggests that KN Per is a W UMa system with A-type configuration. The secondary minimum shows a total eclipse. The asymmetry in the light curve is fitted with a cold spot on the secondary component of the system. The luminosity difference between the components is very large KN Per therefore, is most likely a single line spectroscopic binary. We recommend spectroscopic study of this system. Generally contact systems of spectral type A9 have periods ranging from 0.4 to 0.6 days. KN Per has considerably longer period and thus appears to be an evolved contact system with case B mass transfer.

Photometric investigation of the evolved contact binary system DN Aur

We present here the photometric light curve analyses of the eclipsing binary star DN Aur. The CCD photometry, performed at the Behlen observatory using the 0.76 m automated telescope gave 646 individual data points inV andR bandpass filters. From this data we have determined a new epoch and an orbital period of 0.6168891 days. The published spectral classification is F3.The Wilson-Devinney model was used to derive the photometric solutions. DN Aur is a W UMa type contact binary system. The mass ratio, (q=m2/m1≃0.210, where star 2 is eclipsed at the primary minimum) suggests that the system has A-type configuration. The computed light curve has a third light of about 22 percent and a total eclipse in the secondary minimum. A solution with a cool spot on the secondary component is also found. We recommend spectroscopic study of DN Aur even though the light curve analysis show it to be a single line spectroscopic system. Generally contact systems of spectral type F3 have periods ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 days. The longer period of DN Aur suggests that it is an evolved contact system with case A mass transfer.

A Photometric Study of V508 Cygni

The Behlen observatory 0.76 m telescope CCD photometer has been used to obtain nearly 700 observations of the short period eclipsing binary V508 Cyg. These observations were done using V and R bandpass filters on 9 nights in 1992. Previously published light elements and the present eight determinations of eclipse timings are used to determine a new epoch and a more accurate orbital period of 0.7796587 days. The photometric observations and solutions which have been obtained with the 1993 version of the WilsonDevinney model show that V508 Cyg is a W UMa type contact binary system. Analyses give two possible contact solutions of different mass ratios (q= mzlm,, where star 1 is eclipsed at the primary minimum). One with q=0.44 gives an A-type W UMa system configuration, while the other with q=1.19 gives a W-type W UMa system configuration. V508 Cyg does not have a spectral classification, however, based on the color (V-R=0.566 Schmidt 1991b), we estimate it to be G5. Generally W UMa systems with spectral-type G5 have periods ranging from 0.25 to 0.5 days. The considerably longer period of V508 Cyg suggests that it may be an evolyed contact system with case B mass transfer. Both solutions indicate that the two components have similar temperature and luminosities. It is suspected that this system may be a double lined spectroscopic binary. Therefore it is recommended that spectroscopic observations of V508 Cyg be obtained so that a unique mass ratio can be established.

FIRST PHOTOMETRIC STUDY OF THE VERY SHORT PERIOD K-TYPE CONTACT BINARY 1SWASP J064501.21+342154.9

The first high precision CCD photometric light curves of 1SWASP J064501.21+342154.9 were obtained in 2013 February along with several new times of minimum light. The multi-color light curves were analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney code. Photometric solutions reveal that the system is a W-type shallow contact binary with a mass ratio of q = 2.110 ± 0.007 and a degree of contact of f = 15.3% ± 2.1%. A third light contributing about 2% of the total luminosity in the I band was found. It may come from a cool tertiary component. A small spot found on the surface of the binary indicates that the solar-like activities are at a low level at present.

Analysis of 11 Late-Type Close Binary Systems

This is a preliminary report on the joint research project between 3 observatories: Beijing, Yunnan, and Behlen Observatories from China and the United States. The systems we have been dealing with are primary of late spectral types and with short periods. Most of the observations were secured from the observatories in China. The computational analysis is carried out in University of Nebraska, Lincoln. The photometric solutions are based on the Wilson and Devinney method. Out of 11 systems analyzed 6 of them: AO Cam, ER Ori. BX Peg, BB Peg, U Peg, and SW Lac are found to be contact systems. All of them are having their primary eclipses at occultation. Therefore they can be classified as W-type W U Ma systems. They also show other W-type characteristics.Three systems: ZZ Aur, RZ Dra, and AX Vir are found to be semi-detached systems, with low mass components filling their Roche surfaces. The massive components are having their radii fairly close to Roche surfaces and are larger than their contact companions.The last two systems: AT Cam and AZ Cam are found to be detached systems, but with their low mass components almost filling their Roche surfaces. This type of configuration is of great interest to our understanding of close binary evolution. We believe that these systems are at phase immediately after the normal Algol phase, where the mass lossing components detached from the Roche surfaces at the conclusion active mass lost phase.