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The discovery in 1962 of the compact source Sco X-1, the first X-ray source located outside the Solar System, marked a new ("golden") era in the study of close binary systems (CBSs). Soon after, accreting neutron stars and first black hole candidates in CBSs were discovered. The ability to "weigh" neutron stars and black holes in CBSs made it possible to distinguish accreting black holes from neutron stars. The theory of accretion onto relativistic objects in CBSs has been developed, as well as the theory of the evolution of CBSs with mass exchange up to the latest stages, including binary black holes and neutron stars. CBSs have become the cutting edge of astrophysics. Subsequent observations of gravitation waves and observations with the EHT intercontinental radio interferometer with an angular resolution of ~10–5 arcsec made it possible to finally prove the existence of black holes in the Universe. Thus, the modern triumph of black holes has largely been due to the development of the science of CBSs. This paper is based on a presentation made in the astrophysical memorial seminar "Novelties in Understanding the Evolution of Binary Stars", dedicated to the 90th anniversary of Professor M.A. Svechnikov. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

R-mode oscillations in a rotating star produce characteristic signatures in a Fourier amplitude spectrum at frequencies related with the rotation frequency, which can be, in turn, used to obtain the surface rotation rate of the star. Some binary stars observed by Kepler indicate the presence of r modes that are probably excited by the tidal effect. In this paper, we have obtained stellar rotation periods in 20 eccentric (heartbeat) binaries with r-mode signatures. The majority of the rotation periods are found to be comparable to pseudo-synchronous periods, in which the angular velocity of rotation is similar to the angular orbital motion of the companion at periastron. In particular, for the heartbeat stars with orbital periods longer than about 8 d, all but one agree with pseudo-synchronous rotation. In contrast to a previous investigation by Zimmerman et al. our result supports the pseudo-synchronisation theory developed by Hut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eclipsing binary stars are rare and extremely valuable astrophysical laboratories that make possible precise determination of fundamental stellar parameters. Investigation of early-type chemically peculiar stars in eclipsing binaries provides important information for understanding the origin and evolutionary context of their anomalous surface chemistry. In this study, we discuss observations of eclipse variability in six mercury–manganese (HgMn) stars monitored by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) satellite. These discoveries double the number of known eclipsing HgMn stars and yield several interesting objects requiring further study. In particular, we confirm eclipses in HD 72208, thereby establishing this object as the longest-period eclipsing HgMn star. Among five other eclipsing binaries, reported here for the first time, HD 36892 and HD 53004 stand out as eccentric systems showing heartbeat variability in addition to eclipses. The latter object has the highest eccentricity among eclipsing HgMn stars and also exhibits tidally induced oscillations. Finally, we find evidence that HD 55776 may be orbited by a white dwarf companion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Kepler satellite has observed more than eight hundred close binary systems [1], for which it was possible to measure not only the orbital periods, but also the rotation velocities of the stars. It turned out that many stars in close binaries are not synchronized, i.e., the rotation period of the star is not exactly equal to the orbital period. The paper considers two models that can explain the asynchrony of stars: either due to the differential rotation of the star or due to the nonzero eccentricity of the binary system. A numerical simulation of the star's evolution in a binary system is carried out, considering the inverse effect of a companion on the star, depending on the orbital parameters, and it is shown that a close binary system can be not only in a synchronized, but also in an unsynchronized state during the lifetime of the star on the main sequence. This model is applied to the KIC 8736245 system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tidal dissipation due to turbulent viscosity in the convective regions of giant stars plays an important role in shaping the orbits of pre-common-envelope systems. Such systems are possible sources of transients and close compact binary systems that will eventually merge and produce detectable gravitational wave signals. Most previous studies of the onset of common envelope episodes have focused on circular orbits and synchronously rotating donor stars under the assumption that tidal dissipation can quickly spin-up the primary and circularize the orbit before the binary reaches Roche lobe overflow (RLO). We test this assumption by coupling numerical models of the post-main-sequence stellar evolution of massive stars with the model for tidal dissipation in convective envelopes developed in Vick & Lai – a tidal model that is accurate even for highly eccentric orbits with small pericentre distances. We find that, in many cases, tidal dissipation does not circularize the orbit before RLO. For a |$10\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$| (⁠|$15\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$|⁠) primary star interacting with a |$1.4\, {\rm M}_{\odot }$| companion, systems with pericentre distances within 3 au (6 au) when the primary leaves the main sequence will retain the initial orbital eccentricity when the primary grows to the Roche radius. Even in systems that tidally circularize before RLO, the donor star may be rotating subsynchronously at the onset of mass transfer. Our results demonstrate that some possible precursors to double neutron star systems are likely eccentric at the Roche radius. The effects of pre-common-envelope eccentricity on the resulting compact binary merit further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of the orbital parameters of binaries is an important constituent of fundamental astronomy. It is the only reliable way to determine the stellar mass, which is crucial for the studies of stellar dynamics and evolution. And the orbital parameters can be used to compute the motions of component stars, which could improve the population of reference stars in the bright star catalogue reference frame. However, the previous studies on the determination of binaries' orbital parameters adopted some approximations in the computation of observational quantities. According to the statistical results of hundreds of binaries with bright component stars, it could be found that the approximations in the variation of the tangent plane and the prospective effect of the reference plane have made the deviations of computed observational quantities become larger than the present observational precision (1 mas). In this paper, a new algorithm based on the two-body model and the rigorous relation of solid geometry for computing observational quantities is presented. This new algorithm has been verified by fitting the simulation and actually-observed data. And the fitting results show that the fitted parameters solved by the new algorithm usually have a higher confidence than that solved by the approximate algorithm. Therefore, the new algorithm has certain improvements in the determination of the orbital parameters of binaries, especially, for the wide binaries nearby the solar system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I propose that at the termination of the common envelope evolution (CEE) the companion to the giant star might launch jets that have variable directions and intensities, hence the jets shape the inner zones of the descendant nebula causing it to lose any type of symmetry. This might account for some of the chaotic departures from axisymmetric structures in some planetary nebulae. I base my study on the assumption that at the termination of the CEE the binary interaction forms a circumbinary thick disc that feeds the companion via an accretion disc that launches opposite jets. I consider two processes that might lead to the development of Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities that lead to chaotic accretion flow on to the companion. The chaotic accretion flow leads to a variable accretion disc around the companion, hence to variable jets. In the first process the jets inflate low-density hot bubbles in the inner regions of the envelope. In the second process the inner boundary of the thick circumbinary disc, that faces the centre, cools by radiation thus leading to a temperature, and hence also a pressure, increase with radius. The opposite pressure and density gradients lead to Rayleigh–Taylor instabilities. This study further underlines the importance of exploring the termination phase of the CEE to the understanding of the entire CEE and its outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A prerequisite for probing theoretical evolutionary models for high-mass stars is the determination of stellar physical properties with a high accuracy. We do this for three binary systems containing components with masses above 10 |$\, {\rm M}_\odot$|⁠ : V478 Cyg, AH Cep, and V453 Cyg. New high-resolution and high-S/N échelle spectra were secured and analysed using spectral disentangling, yielding improved orbital elements and the individual spectra for the component stars. In conjunction with a re-analysis of archival light curves, the stellar masses and radii were measured to accuracies of 1.5–2.5 per cent and 1.0–1.9 per cent, respectively. Detailed spectroscopic analysis then yielded atmospheric parameters and abundances for C, N, O, Mg, and Si. Abundances were also determined for V578 Mon. These results allowed a detailed comparison to the predictions of stellar evolutionary models. No star in our sample fits its position on the evolutionary track for its dynamical mass, leaving mass discrepancy (or alternatively overluminosity) an open problem in theoretical modelling. Moreover, the CNO abundances cluster around the initial values with mean values log (N/C) = −0.56 ± 0.06 and log (N/O) = −1.01 ± 0.06. No trend in the CNO abundances for single OB stars are found for the eight high-mass stars analysed here, as well in an extended sample including literature results. This opens an important question on the role of binarity in terms of tides on damping internal mixing in stars residing in binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a series of recent papers, it has been proposed that high-field magnetic white dwarfs are the result of close binary interaction and merging. Population synthesis calculations have shown that the origin of isolated highly magnetic white dwarfs is consistent with the stellar merging hypothesis. In this picture, the observed fields are caused by an α–Ω dynamo driven by differential rotation. The strongest fields arise when the differential rotation equals the critical break up velocity and result from the merging of two stars (one of which has a degenerate core) during common envelope evolution or from the merging of two white dwarfs. We now synthesize a population of binary systems to investigate the hypothesis that the magnetic fields in the magnetic cataclysmic variables also originate during stellar interaction in the common envelope phase. Those systems that emerge from common envelope more tightly bound form the cataclysmic variables with the strongest magnetic fields. We vary the common envelope efficiency parameter and compare the results of our population syntheses with observations of magnetic cataclysmic variables. We find that common envelope interaction can explain the observed characteristics of these magnetic systems if the envelope ejection efficiency is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact neutron star binary systems are produced from binary massive stars through stellar evolution involving up to two supernova explosions. The final stages in the formation of these systems have not been directly observed. We report the discovery of iPTF 14gqr (SN 2014ft), a type Ic supernova with a fast-evolving light curve indicating an extremely low ejecta mass (≈0.2 solar masses) and low kinetic energy (≈2 × 1050 ergs). Early photometry and spectroscopy reveal evidence of shock cooling of an extended helium-rich envelope, likely ejected in an intense pre-explosion mass-loss episode of the progenitor. Taken together, we interpret iPTF 14gqr as evidence for ultra-stripped supernovae that form neutron stars in compact binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic variations of the orbital period superposed on a secular period decrease have been found for the Algol-type eclipsing binaries TU Her, TY Peg, and Y Psc. A superposition of two kinds of cyclic variations is observed for TU Her and Y Psc: with periods of 69.4 years and 30.0 years for TU Her, and 34.4 and 23.2 years for Y Psc. One type of oscillation, with a period of 74.3 years, was detected for TY Peg. The cyclic orbital-period variations of TY Peg and Y Psc can be successfully fitted using the light-time effect, and also with magnetic oscillations. In the case of TU Her, the light-time effect is able to explain only one of the cyclic variations, the one with the shorter period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stripped-envelope stars form in binary systems after losing mass through Roche-lobe overflow. They bear astrophysical significance as sources of UV and ionizing radiation in older stellar populations and, if sufficiently massive, as stripped supernova progenitors. Binary evolutionary models predict that they are common, but only a handful of subdwarfs with B-type companions are known. The question is whether a large population of such systems has evaded detection as a result of biases, or whether the model predictions are wrong. We reanalyze the well-studied post-interaction binary φ Persei. Recently, new data have improved the orbital solution of the system, which contains an ~1.2M⊙ stripped-envelope star and a rapidly rotating ~9.6M⊙ Be star. We compare with an extensive grid of evolutionary models using a Bayesian approach and constrain the initial masses of the progenitor to 7.2 ± 0.4M⊙ for the stripped star and 3.8 ± 0.4M⊙ for the Be star. The system must have evolved through near-conservative mass transfer. These findings are consistent with earlier studies. The age we obtain, 57 ± 9 Myr, is in excellent agreement with the age of the α Persei cluster. We note that neither star was initially massive enough to produce a core-collapse supernova, but mass exchange pushed the Be star above the mass threshold. We find that the subdwarf is overluminous for its mass by almost an order of magnitude, compared to the expectations for a helium core burning star. We can only reconcile this if the subdwarf resides in a late phase of helium shell burning, which lasts only 2–3% of the total lifetime as a subdwarf. Assuming continuous star formation implies that up to ~50 less evolved, dimmer subdwarfs exist for each system similar to φ Persei, but have evaded detection so far. Our findings can be interpreted as a strong indication that a substantial population of stripped-envelope stars indeed exists, but has so far evaded detection because of observational biases and lack of large-scale systematic searches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of a planetary system from the protoplanetary disk leads to destruction of the latter; however, a debris disk can remain in the form of asteroids and cometary material. The motion of planets can cause the formation of coorbital structures from the debris disk matter. Previous calculations have shown that such a ring-like structure is more stable if there is a binary star in the center of the system, as opposed to a single star. To analyze the properties of the coorbital structure, we have calculated a grid of models of binary star systems with a circumbinary planet moving in a planetesimal disk. The calculations are performed considering circular orbits of the stars and the planet; the mass and position of the planet, as well as the mass ratio of the stars, are varied. The analysis of the models shows that the width of the coorbital ring and its stability significantly depend on the initial parameters of the problem. Additionally, the empirical dependences of the width of the coorbital structure on the parameters of the system have been obtained, and the parameters of the models with the most stable coorbital structures have been determined. The results of the present study can be used for the search of planets around binary stars with debris disks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fomalhaut A is among the most well-studied nearby stars and has been discovered to possess a putative planetary object as well as a remarkable eccentric dust belt. This eccentric dust belt has often been interpreted as the dynamical signature of one or more planets that elude direct detection. However, the system also contains two other stellar companions residing ~105 au from Fomalhaut A. We have designed a new symplectic integration algorithm to model the evolution of Fomalhaut A's planetary dust belt in concert with the dynamical evolution of its stellar companions to determine if these companions are likely to have generated the dust belt's morphology. Using our numerical simulations, we find that close encounters between Fomalhaut A and B are expected, with an ~25 per cent probability that the two stars have passed within at least 400 au of each other at some point. Although the outcomes of such encounter histories are extremely varied, these close encounters nearly always excite the eccentricity of Fomalhaut A's dust belt and occasionally yield morphologies very similar to the observed belt. With these results, we argue that close encounters with Fomalhaut A's stellar companions should be considered a plausible mechanism to explain its eccentric belt, especially in the absence of detected planets capable of sculpting the belt's morphology. More broadly, we can also conclude from this work that very wide binary stars may often generate asymmetries in the stellar debris discs they host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent results by Martin et al. showed in 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics simulations that tilted discs in binary systems can be unstable to the development of global, damped Kozai-Lidov (KL) oscillations in which the discs exchange tilt for eccentricity. We investigate the linear stability of KL modes for tilted inviscid discs under the approximations that the disc eccentricity is small and the disc remains flat. By using 1D equations, we are able to probe regimes of large ratios of outer to inner disc edge radii that are realistic for binary systems of hundreds of astronomical unit separations and are not easily probed by multidimensional simulations. For order unity binary mass ratios, KL instability is possible for a window of disc aspect ratios H/r in the outer parts of a disc that roughly scale as (nb/n)² ≾ H/r ≾ nb/n, for binary orbital frequency nb and orbital frequency n at the disc outer edge. We present a framework for understanding the zones of instability based on the determination of branches of marginally unstable modes. In general, multiple growing eccentric KL modes can be present in a disc. Coplanar apsidal-nodal precession resonances delineate instability branches. We determine the range of tilt angles for unstable modes as a function of disc aspect ratio. Unlike the KL instability for free particles that involves a critical (minimum) tilt angle, disc instability is possible for any non-zero tilt angle depending on the disc aspect ratio. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an analysis of 168 oscillating red giants from NASA's Kepler mission that exhibit anomalous peaks in their Fourier amplitude spectra. These peaks result from ellipsoidal variations that are indicative of binary star systems, at frequencies such that the orbit of any stellar companion would be within the convective envelope of the red giant. Alternatively, the observed phenomenon may be due to a close binary orbiting a red giant in a triple system, or chance alignments of foreground or background binary systems contaminating the target pixel aperture. We identify 87 stars in the sample as chance alignments using a combination of pixel Fourier analysis and difference imaging. We find that in the remaining 81 cases, the anomalous peaks are indistinguishable from the target star to within 4 arcsec, suggesting a physical association. We examine a GALAXIA model of the Kepler field of view to estimate background star counts and find that it is highly unlikely that all targets can be explained by chance alignments. From this, we conclude that these stars may comprise a population of physically associated systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We calculate tidally driven mean flows in a slowly and uniformly rotating massive main-sequence star in a binary system. We treat the tidal potential due to the companion as a small perturbation to the primary star. We compute tidal responses of the primary as forced linear oscillations, as a function of the tidal forcing frequency ωtide = 2(Ωorb - Ω), where Ωorb is the mean orbital angular velocity and Ω is the angular velocity of rotation of the primary star. The amplitude of the tidal responses is proportional to the parameter f0 ∝ (M2/M)(aorb/R)-3, where M and M2 are the masses of the primary and companion stars, R is the radius of the primary and aorb is the mean orbital separation between the stars. For a given f0, the amplitudes depend on ωtide and become large when ωtide is in resonance with natural frequencies of the star. Using the tidal responses, we calculate axisymmetric mean flows, assuming that the mean flows are non-oscillatory flows driven via non-linear effects of linear tidal responses. We find that the ϕ-component of the mean flow velocity dominates. We also find that the amplitudes of the mean flows are large only in the surface layers where non-adiabatic effects are significant and that the amplitudes are confined to the equatorial regions of the star. Depending on M2/M and aorb/R, the amplitudes of mean flows at the surface become significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Stellar wind mass-loss in binary systems carries away angular momentum causing a monotonic increase in the orbital period, P> 0. Despite possessing a significant stellar wind, the eclipsing Wolf-Rayet (WR) binary system CQ Cep does not show the expected monotonic period increase, in fact, it is sometimes reported to display the opposite behavior. Aims: The objective of this paper is to perform a new analysis of the rate of period change P and determine the conditions under which Roche-lobe overflow (RLO) mass-transfer combined with wind mass loss can explain the discrepant behavior. Methods: The historic records of times of light curve minima were reviewed and compared with the theoretical values of P for cases in which both wind mass-loss and RLO occur simultaneously. Results: The observational data indicate that P alternates between positive and negative values on a timescale of years. The negative values (P ~ -0.6 to -8.5 s yr-1) are significantly larger in absolute value than the positive ones (P ~ + 0.2 to +1.2 s yr-1). We find that a plausible scenario for CQ Cep is one in which the O star undergoes intense but sporadic RLO events that lead to accretion onto the WR star, at which times P< 0. At other times, P> 0 when the WR wind, and possibly material swept up from the O star, carries angular momentum away from the system. A scenario in which the WR star is the mass donor cannot be excluded, but requires that either the WR wind mass-loss rate undergoes large sporadic enhancements or that an additional process that removes angular momentum from the system be present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RW Aur is a young binary star that experienced a deep dimming in 2010-2011 in component A and a second even deeper dimming from summer 2014 to summer 2016. We present new unresolved multiband photometry during the 2014-2016 eclipse, new emission line spectroscopy before and during the dimming, archive infrared photometry between 2014 and 2015, as well as an overview of literature data. Spectral observations were carried out with the Fibre-fed RObotic Dual-beam Optical Spectrograph on the Liverpool Telescope. Photometric monitoring was done with the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network and James Gregory Telescope. Our photometry shows that RWAur dropped in brightness to R = 12.5 in 2016 March. In addition to the long-term dimming trend, RW Aur is variable on time-scales as short as hours. The short-term variation is most likely due to an unstable accretion flow. This, combined with the presence of accretion-related emission lines in the spectra suggest that accretion flows in the binary system are at least partially visible during the eclipse. The equivalent width of [O I] increases by a factor of 10 in 2014, coinciding with the dimming event, confirming previous reports. The blueshifted part of the Ha profile is suppressed during the eclipse. In combination with the increase in mid-infrared brightness during the eclipse reported in the literature and seen in WISE archival data, and constraints on the geometry of the disc around RW Aur A we arrive at the conclusion that the obscuring screen is part of a wind emanating from the inner disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, which is the first in a series of papers associated with cataclysmic variables and related objects, we introduce the CATUABA code, a numerical machinery written for analysis of the MOCCA simulations, and show some first results by investigating the present-day population of cataclysmic variables in globular clusters. Emphasis was given on their properties and the observational selection effects when observing and detecting them. In this work, we analysed in this work six models, including three with Kroupa distributions of the initial binaries. We found that for models with Kroupa initial distributions, considering the standard value of the efficiency of the common envelope phase adopted in BSE, no single cataclysmic variable was formed only via binary stellar evolution, i.e. in order to form them, strong dynamical interactions have to take place. We show and explain why this is inconsistent with observational and theoretical results. Our results indicate that the population of cataclysmic variables in globular clusters is, mainly, in the last stage of their evolution and observational selection effects can drastically change the expected number of observed cataclysmic variables. We show that the probability of observing them during the outbursts is extremely small and conclude that the best way of looking for cataclysmic variables in globular clusters is by searching for variabilities during quiescence, instead of during outbursts. For that, one would need a very deep observation which could reach magnitudes ≳27 mag. Finally, we argue that cataclysmic variables in globular clusters are not necessarily magnetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on high-resolution spectra taken near the He I 6678 Å line for the massive binary system 103 Tau, we have detected a weak absorption component belonging to the binary's secondary component. We have measured the radial velocities of both components, improved the previously known orbital parameters, and determined the new ones. The binary has an orbital period P = 58.305, an orbital eccentricity e = 0.277, a radial velocity semi-amplitude of the bright component K = 44.8 km s, and a component mass ratio M / M = 1.77. The absence of photometric variability and the estimates of physical parameters for the primary component suggest that the binary most likely has a considerable inclination of the orbital plane to the observer, i ≈ 50°−60°. In this case, the secondary component is probably a normal dwarf of spectral type B5-B8. Based on the spectra taken near the H line, we have studied the variability of the emission profile. It is shown to be formed in the Roche lobe of the secondary component, but no traces of active mass exchange in the binary have been detected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present multi-epoch spectroscopic observations of the massive binary system WR21a, which include the 2011 January periastron passage. Our spectra reveal multiple SB2 lines and facilitate an accurate determination of the orbit and the spectral types of the components. We obtain minimum masses of 64.4 ± 4.8 M⊙ and 36.3 ± 1.7 M⊙ for the two components of WR21a. Using disentangled spectra of the individual components, we derive spectral types of O3/WN5ha and O3Vz ((f*)) for the primary and secondary, respectively. Using the spectral type of the secondary as an indication for its mass, we estimate an orbital inclination of i = 58.8 ± 2. °5 and absolute masses of 103.6 ± 10.2 M⊙ and 58.3 ± 3.7 M⊙, in agreement with the luminosity of the system. The spectral types of the WR21a components indicate that the stars are very young (1-2 Myr), similar to the age of the nearby Westerlund 2 cluster. We use evolutionary tracks to determine the mass-luminosity relation for the total system mass. We find that for a distance of 8 kpc and an age of 1.5 Myr, the derived absolute masses are in good agreement with those from evolutionary predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4U 1630-472 is a recurrent X-ray transient classified as a black hole candidate from its spectral and timing properties. One of the peculiarities of this source is the presence of regular outbursts with a recurrence period between 600 and 730 d that has been observed since the discovery of the source in 1969. We report on a comparative study of the spectral and timing behaviour of three consecutive outbursts that occurred in 2006, 2008 and 2010. We have analysed all the data collected by INTEGRAL and the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) during these three years of activity. We show that, in spite of having a similar spectral and timing behaviour in the energy range between 3 and 30 keV, these three outbursts show pronounced differences above 30 keV. In fact, the 2010 outburst extends at high energies without any detectable cut-off until 150-200 keV, while the two previous outbursts that occurred in 2006 and 2008 are not detected at all above 30 keV. Thus, in spite of a very similar accretion disc evolution, these three outbursts exhibit totally different characteristics of the Compton electron corona, showing a softening in their evolution rarely observed before in a low-mass X-ray binary hosting a black hole. We argue the possibility that the unknown perturbation that causes the outbursts to be equally spaced in time could be at the origin of this particular behaviour. Finally, we describe several possible scenarios that could explain the regularity of the outbursts, identifying the most plausible, such as a third body orbiting around the binary system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. It appears that most (if not all) massive stars are born in multiple systems. At the same time, the most massive binaries are hard to find owing to their low numbers throughout the Galaxy and the implied large distances and extinctions. Aims. We want to study LS III +46 11, identified in this paper as a very massive binary; another nearby massive system, LS III +46 12; and the surrounding stellar cluster, Berkeley 90. Methods. Most of the data used in this paper are multi-epoch high S/N optical spectra, although we also use Lucky Imaging and archival photometry. The spectra are reduced with dedicated pipelines and processed with our own software, such as a spectroscopicorbit code, CHORIZOS, and MGB. Results. LS III +46 11 is identified as a new very early O-type spectroscopic binary [O3.5 If* + O3.5 If*] and LS III +46 12 as another early O-type system [O4.5 V((f))]. We measure a 97.2-day period for LS III +46 11 and derive minimum masses of 38.80 ± 0.83 M☉ and 35.60 ± 0.77 M☉ for its two stars. We measure the extinction to both stars, estimate the distance, search for optical companions, and study the surrounding cluster. In doing so, a variable extinction is found as well as discrepant results for the distance. We discuss possible explanations and suggest that LS III +46 12 may be a hidden binary system where the companion is currently undetected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their importance, very few RR Lyrae (RRL) stars have been known to reside in binary systems. We report on a search for binary RRL in the OGLE-III Galactic bulge data. Our approach consists in the search for evidence of the light-travel time effect in so-called observed minus calculated (O - C) diagrams. Analysis of 1952 well-observed fundamentalmode RRL in the OGLE-III data revealed an initial sample of 29 candidates. We used the recently released OGLE-IV data to extend the baselines up to 17 yr, leading to a final sample of 12 firm binary candidates. We provide O - C diagrams and binary parameters for this final sample, and also discuss the properties of eight additional candidate binaries whose parameters cannot be firmly determined at present. We also estimate that ≳ 4 per cent of the RRL reside in binary systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Re-observations with the H.E.S.S. telescope array of the very-high-energy (VHE) source HESS J1018-589 A coincident with the Fermi-LAT γ-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856 have resulted in a source detection significance of more than 9σ, and the detection of variability (χ2/v of 238.3/155) in the emitted γ-ray flux. This variability confirms the association of HESS J1018-589 A with the high-energy γ-ray binary detected by Fermi-LAT, and also confirms the point-like source as a new very-high-energy binary system. The spectrum of HESS J1018-589 A is best fit with a power-law function with photon index Γ=2.20±0.14stat±0.2sys. Emission is detected up to ~20 TeV. The mean differential flux level is (2.9±0.4)×10-13 TeV-1 cm-2 s-1 at 1 TeV, equivalent to ~1% of the flux from the Crab Nebula at the same energy. Variability is clearly detected in the night-by-night lightcurve. When folded on the orbital period of 16.58 days, the rebinned lightcurve peaks in phase with the observed X-ray and high-energy phaseograms. The fit of the H.E.S.S. phaseogram to a constant flux provides evidence of periodicity at the level of 3σ. The shape of the VHE phaseogram and measured spectrum suggest a low inclination, low eccentricity system with a modest impact from VHE γ-ray absorption due to pair production (τ ≲1 at 300 GeV). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locating planets in HabitableZones (HZs) around other stars is a growing field in contemporary astronomy. Since a large percentage of all G-M stars in the solar neighbourhood are expected to be part of binary or multiple stellar systems, investigations of whether habitable planets are likely to be discovered in such environments are of prime interest to the scientific community. As current exoplanet statistics predicts that the chances are higher to find new worlds in systems that are already known to have planets, we examine four known extrasolar planetary systems in tight binaries in order to determine their capacity to host additional habitable terrestrial planets. Those systems are Gliese 86, γ Cephei, HD 41004 and HD 196885. In the case of γ Cephei, our results suggest that only the M dwarf companion could host additional potentially habitable worlds. Neither could we identify stable, potentially habitable regions around HD 196885 A. HD 196885 B can be considered a slightly more promising target in the search for Earth-twins. Gliese 86 A turned out to be a very good candidate, assuming that the system's history has not been excessively violent. For HD 41004, we have identified admissible stable orbits for habitable planets, but those strongly depend on the parameters of the system. A more detailed investigation shows that for some initial conditions stable planetary motion is possible in the HZ of HD 41004 A. In spite of the massive companion HD 41004 Bb, we found that HD 41004 B, too, could host additional habitable worlds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photometric CCD study of EQ Tauris was carried out in the R, V and B bands. These new data were analyzed by using the PHOEBE and Binary Marker 3 programs, which yielded the geometrical system parameters and mass and radius of both stars. We find these to confirm the results of Pribulla and Vanko (2002). Using these new data together with data from the literature, the orbital period variations were studied by using the Kalimeris method. We find the same timescale of variability of the orbital period as Pribulla and Vanko (2002), namely about 49 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present VRI light curves and spectra in the wavelength range 8110–9140 Å of the binary CoRoT 102932176. From the comparison of the spectra of CoRoT 102932176 with standard stars we classify the primary component of the binary as a type F0V star, while the secondary seems to be a late type K4V star. From the fit of the VRI light curves we derive the absolute stellar parameters: M 1 = 1.58 ± 0.15 M ⊙ , T eff ,1 = 7300 ± 50 K, R 1 = 1.63 ± 0.05 R ⊙ , M 2 = 0.64 ± 0.06 M ⊙ , T eff ,2 = 4547 ± 80 K, R 2 = 0.73 ± 0.02 R ⊙ . The solutions show that CoRoT 102932176 is a detached system, with main-sequence components, an age log t (yr) ≃ 8.90 and located at about 760 pc from Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

V1139 Cas, which is a very short period W UMa type binary star, was a neglected object since its discovery. BVRI light curves of this system observed using the 1 m telescope at Weihai Observatory of Shandong University are presented and are analyzed using the Wilson–Devinney code. It is discovered that V1139 Cas is a shallow contact binary system ( f = 3.6 % ) with a mass ratio of q = 1.583 . By using all available times of minimum light, the orbital period variation is studied for the first time. We found that the orbital period has varied by a combination of an downward parabola and a sinusoid. The downward parabola means continuous period decrease at a rate of dP / dt = 3.66 × 10 - 7 d yr −1 and may be caused by angular momentum loss via stellar wind. The sinusoidal variation with a period of 12.8 yr and a semi-amplitude of 0.0064 days can most likely be interpreted as the light travel time effect due to the existence of an unseen tertiary companion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a comprehensive study of the binary system COU 2031, based on simultaneous and independent astrometric visual and speckle observations and on radial-velocity measurements. The similarity of the two orbital solutions allows us to obtain not only a consistent 3D orbit and a precise value of the parallax of the system but also to determine the physical properties of the components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the internal structure of white dwarfs is considered to be generally well understood, the source and entity of their viscosity is still very uncertain. We propose here to study white dwarf viscous properties using short-period (<1 h), detached white dwarf binaries, such as the newly discovered ∼12.8 min system (J0651). These binaries are wide enough that mass transfer has not yet started but close enough that the secondary (least massive) component is subject to a measurable tidal deformation. The associated tidal torque transfers orbital energy, which is partially converted into heat by the action of viscosity as the secondary gets spun up. As a consequence, its outer non-degenerate layers expand, and the star puffs up. We self-consistently calculate the fractional change in radius, and the degree of synchronization (ratio of stellar spin to orbital period) as a function of the viscous time. Specializing to the case of J0651, we find that an ∼10 per cent discrepancy between the measured radius of the secondary star and predictions of He white dwarf models can be interpreted as tidal inflation if the viscous time-scale is ∼4 × 104 yr. Such value is well in the range of various non-microscopic viscosities proposed in the literature like, e.g. tidally induced turbulence, non-linear damping of dynamical tides or internal magnetic stresses with a magnetic field strength ∼10–100 G. A 10 per cent tidal inflation is the maximum possible effect in J0651, at its current orbital separation, hence it selects a single value of the viscous time-scale: the latter implies that the system is still far from synchronization. Smaller effects of tidal inflation – well consistent with current uncertainties – would instead correspond to two different viscous time-scales, one longer and one shorter than 4 × 104 yr. In this more general case, the degeneracy can be broken by a joint measurement of the secondary's spin, since the two time-scales imply very different degrees of synchronization. Extrapolating the secondary's expansion into the future, we find that the star will fill its Roche lobe at a separation which is ∼1.2–1.5 smaller than the current one. Applying this method to a future sample of systems can allow us to learn whether viscosity changes with mass and/or nuclear composition. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A general formulation to compute habitable zones around binary stars is presented. A habitable zone in this context must satisfy two separate conditions: a radiative one and one of dynamical stability. For the case of single stars, the usual concept of circumstellar habitable zone is based on the radiative condition only, as the dynamical stability condition is taken for granted (assuming minimal perturbation from other planets). For the radiative condition, we extend the simple formulation of the circumstellar habitable zone for single stars, to the case of eccentric stellar binary systems, where two sources of luminosity at different orbital phases contribute to the irradiance of their planetary circumstellar and circumbinary regions. Our approach considers binaries with eccentric orbits and guarantees that orbits in the computed habitable zone remain within it at all orbital phases. For the dynamical stability condition, we use the approach of invariant loops developed by Pichardo et al. to find regions of stable, non-intersecting orbits, which is a robust method to find stable regions in binary stars, as it is based in the existence of integrals of motion. We apply the combined criteria to calculate habitable zones for 64 binary stars in the solar neighbourhood with known orbital parameters, including some with discovered planets. Formulae and interpolating tables are provided, so the reader can compute the boundaries of the habitable zones for an arbitrary binary system, using the stellar flux limits they prefer. Together with the formulae provided for stable zones, these allow the computation of both regions of stability and habitability around any binary stellar system. We found 56 per cent of the cases we consider can satisfy both restrictions, this is a very important constriction to binary systems. Nevertheless, we conclude that these systems where a dynamical and radiative safe zone exists, must be considered strong candidates in the search for habitable planets. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

High-mass binary stars are known to show an unexplained discrepancy between the dynamical masses of the individual components and those predicted by models. In this work, we study Sigma Scorpii, a double-lined spectroscopic binary system consisting of two B-type stars residing in an eccentric orbit. The more massive primary component is a β Cep-type pulsating variable star. Our analysis is based on a time series of some 1000 high-resolution spectra collected with the CORALIE spectrograph in 2006, 2007, and 2008. We use two different approaches to determine the orbital parameters of the star; the spectral disentangling technique is used to separate the spectral contributions of the individual components in the composite spectra. The non-LTE-based spectrum analysis of the disentangled spectra reveals two stars of similar spectral type and atmospheric chemical composition. Combined with the orbital inclination angle estimate found in the literature, our orbital elements allow a mass estimate of 14.7 ± 4.5 and 9.5 ± 2.9 M⊙ for the primary and secondary component, respectively. The primary component is found to pulsate in three independent modes, of which two are identified as fundamental and second overtone radial modes, while the third is an l = 1 non-radial mode. Seismic modelling of the pulsating component refines stellar parameters to 13.5$^{+0.5}_{-1.4}$ and 8.7$^{+0.6}_{-1.2}$ M⊙, and delivers radii of 8.95$^{+0.43}_{-0.66}$ and 3.90$^{+0.58}_{-0.36}$ R⊙ for the primary and secondary, respectively. The age of the system is estimated to be ∼12 Myr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Detached white dwarf + main sequence (WD+MS) systems represent the simplest population of post-common envelope binaries (PCEBs). Since the ensemble properties of this population carries important information about the characteristics of the common-envelope (CE) phase, it deserves close scrutiny. However, most population synthesis studies do not fully consider the effects of the observational selection biases of the samples used to compare with the theoretical simulations. Aims. Here we present the results of a set of detailed Monte Carlo simulations of the population of WD+MS binaries in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 7. Methods. We used up-to-date stellar evolutionary models, a complete treatment of the Roche lobe overflow episode, and a full implementation of the orbital evolution of the binary systems. Moreover, in our treatment we took the selection criteria and all the known observational biases into account. Results. Our population synthesis study allowed us to make a meaningful comparison with the available observational data. In particular, we examined the CE efficiency, the possible contribution of internal energy, and the initial mass ratio distribution (IMRD) of the binary systems. We find that our simulations correctly reproduce the properties of the observed distribution of WD+MS PCEBs. In particular, we find that once the observational biases are carefully considered, the distribution of orbital periods and of masses of the WD and MS stars can be correctly reproduced for several choices of the free parameters and different IMRDs, although models in which a moderate fraction (≤10%) of the internal energy is used to eject the CE and in which a low value of CE efficiency is used (≤0.3) seem to fit the observational data better. We also find that systems with He-core WDs are over-represented in the observed sample, because of selection effects. Conclusions. Although our study represents an important step forward in modeling the population of WD+MS PCEBs, the still scarce observational data preclude deriving a precise value of the several free parameters used to compute the CE phase without ambiguity or ascertaining which the correct IMRD might be. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] New BVR light curves of V337 Aql have been obtained. [•] Long-term orbital period variation of the system has been studied. [•] The multi-color light curves together with published radial velocities were analyzed. [•] Absolute parameters of the components were estimated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] We present the first photometric analysis of the BG Vul binary system. [•] We analysed the orbital period changing. [•] We get that there is mass transfer from the second component to the primary. [•] We demonstrated that BG Vul should be an A-type W UMa binaries. [•] We proposed the possible evolutionary statue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Reflection effect phenomenon is studied on the formation of spectral lines in a close binary system when primary component has an extended atmosphere and the secondary component is a point source. Irradiation effect is calculated using one dimensional rod model and self radiation is calculated using continuum radiative transfer equation in spherically symmetric atmosphere. The total radiation is the sum of the radiation of the individual components and the mutually reflected light. Line profiles are also computed along the line of sight observer at infinity for irradiation, self radiation and total radiation and compared in order to study the reflection effect on spectral lines. It is found that the radiation field varies on the primary component when angle of incidence changes from the secondary component. The contour maps show that the radiative interaction makes the outer surface of the primary star warm when its companion illuminates the radiation. The effect of reflection on spectral lines is studied and noticed that the flux in the lines increases at all frequency points and the cores of the lines received more flux than the wings and equivalent width changes accordingly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comprehensive approach is provided for the study of both S-type and P-type habitability in stellar binary systems, which in principle can also be expanded to systems of higher order. P-type orbits occur when the planet orbits both binary components, whereas in the case of S-type orbits, the planet orbits only one of the binary components with the second component considered a perturbator. The selected approach encapsulates a variety of different aspects, which include: (1) the consideration of a joint constraint, including orbital stability and a habitable region for a putative system planet through the stellar radiative energy fluxes (“radiative habitable zone”; RHZ), needs to be met; (2) the treatment of conservative, general, and extended zones of habitability for the various systems as defined for the solar system and beyond; (3) the provision of a combined formalism for the assessment of both S-type and P-type habitability; in particular, mathematical criteria are presented for the kind of system in which S-type and P-type habitability is realized; (4) applications of the attained theoretical approach to standard (theoretical) main-sequence stars. In principle, five different cases of habitability are identified, which are S-type and P-type habitability provided by the full extent of the RHZs; habitability, where the RHZs are truncated by the additional constraint of planetary orbital stability (referred to as ST- and PT-type, respectively); and cases of no habitability at all. Regarding the treatment of planetary orbital stability, we utilize the formulae of Holman & Wiegert as also used in previous studies. In this work, we focus on binary systems in circular orbits. Future applications will also consider binary systems in elliptical orbits and provide thorough comparisons to other methods and results given in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the potential role that tidal flows in asynchronous binary stars may play in transporting chemically enriched material from deep layers towards the surface and the corresponding observational consequences of these processes. We suggest that the time-dependent velocity field induced by asynchronous rotation may contribute significantly to the mixing, thus providing a channel for the formation of chemically enriched slowly rotating massive stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a brief introduction into the asteroseismic modelling of stars, we provide a compilation of the current seismic estimates of the core overshooting parameter and of the rotational frequency of single and binary massive stars. These important stellar parameters have meanwhile become available for eleven OB-type stars, among which three spectroscopic pulsating binaries and one magnetic pulsator. We highlight the potential of ongoing and future analyses of eclipsing binary pulsators as essential laboraties to test stellar structure and evolution models of single and binary stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open clusters are laboratories for testing theories of binary evolution and dynamics against detailed observations. As part of the WIYN Open Cluster Study (WOCS), we are currently observing several open clusters spanning a wide range in age and metallicity, with primary goals of determining the binary frequencies and distributions of binary orbital parameters for their solar-type stars. Currently, the three WOCS clusters with the most complete data sets are M35 (0.15 Gyr), M67 (4 Gyr) and NGC 188 (7 Gyr). Despite the large differences in age, we find that all three of these rich clusters have remarkably similar solar-type binaries that are also consistent with comparable binaries in the Galactic field. These data have been critical for guiding our sophisticated open cluster IV-body simulations, which enable us to investigate the dynamical evolution of rich binary populations and the production of exotic stars, like blue stragglers, within open clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some close binary formation theories require the presence of a third body so that the binary orbit can shrink over time. Tidal friction and Kozai cycles transfer energy from the binary to its companion, resulting in a close inner binary and a wide third body orbit. Spectroscopy and imaging studies have found 40% of binaries with periods less than 10 days, and 96% with periods less than 3 days, have a wide tertiary companion. With recent advancements in large photometric surveys, we are now beginning to detect many of these triple systems by observing tertiary eclipses or through the effect they have on the eclipse timing variations (ETVs) of the inner-binary. In the sample of 2600 Kepler EBs, we have detected the possible presence of a third body in ~20%, including several circumbinary planets. Some multiple systems are quite dynamical and feature disappearing and reappearing eclipses, apsidal motion, and large disruptions to the inner-binary, phoebe is a freely available binary modeling code which can dynamically model all of these systems, allowing us to better test formation theories and probe the physics of eclipsing binaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The status of our work on binary classical cepheid systems in the Large Magellanic Cloud is presented. We report on results from our follow up of two eclipsing binary cepheids OGLE-LMC-CEP-0227 and OGLE-LMC-CEP-1812. Here we presented for the first time confirmation that a third cepheid OGLE-LMC-CEP-2532 is a true eclipsing binary cepheid with a period of 800 days. Two other very good candidates for eclipsing binaries detected during OGLE-IV survey are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When observed with optical long-baseline interferometers (OLBI), components of a binary star which are sufficiently separated such that their interferometric fringe packets do not overlap are referred to as Separated Fringe Packet (SFP) binaries. These SFP binaries extend out into the regime of systems resolvable by speckle interferometry at single, large-aperture telescopes and can provide additional measurements for preliminary orbits lacking good phase coverage, help constrain elements of already established orbits, and locate new binaries in the undersampled regime between the bounds of spectroscopic surveys and speckle interferometry. In this process, a visibility calibration star is not needed, and the separated fringe packets can provide an accurate vector separation. Presented here we describe the method, usage, and modified orbits for several systems used to validate the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]