Light Curve and orbital period analysis of the eclipsing binary AT Peg

CCD photometric observations of the Algol-type eclipsing binary AT Peg have been obtained. The light curves are analyzed with modern techniques and new geometric and photometric elements are derived. A new orbital period analysis of the system, based on the most reliable timings of minima found in the literature, is presented and apparent period modulations are discussed with respect to the Light-Time effect (LITE) and secular changes in the system. The results of these analyses are compared and interpreted in order to obtain a coherent view of the system's behaviour.Comment: 2 pages, 2 figures, contribution to the conference proceedings: IAU Symposium 282 - From Interacting Binaries to Exoplanets: Essential Modeling Tools, Tatransk\'a Lomnica, Slovakia, 18-22 Jul. 201

Markov Chain Monte Carlo Optimization applied to Dyson's Visual Double Stars

Estimates of orbital parameters were made using a Bayesian optimization technique on astrometric data for 25 visual binary systems catalogued a century ago by the ninth Astronomer Royal, Sir Frank Dyson. An advantage of this method is that it provides reliable, unbiased uncertainty estimates for the optimized parameters. Reasonable agreement is found for the short period (< 100 yr) systems between the current study and Dyson, with superior estimation for the longer systems through the inclusion of an additional century of data. Dynamical masses are presented for the systems through the inclusion of parallax measurements.Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 3 tables. Accepted by JAAVS

The enigmatic multiple star VV Ori

New photometry, including TESS data, have been combined with recent spectroscopic observations of the Orion Ib pulsating triple-star system VV Ori. This yields a revised set of absolute parameters with increased precision. Two different programs were utilized for the light curve analysis, with results in predictably close agreement. The agreement promotes confidence in the analysis procedures. The spectra were analysed using the {\sc FDBinary} program. The main parameters are as follows: $M_1 = 11.6 \pm 0.14$ and $M_2 = 4.8 \pm 0.06$ (M$_\odot$). We estimate an approximate mass of the wide companion as $M_3 = 2.0 \pm 0.3$ M$_\odot$. Similarly, $R_{1} = 5.11 \pm 0.03$, $R_2 = 2.51 \pm 0.02$, $R_3 = 1.8 \pm 0.1$ (R$_\odot$); $T_{\rm e 1} = 26600 \pm 300$, $T_{\rm e 2} = 16300 \pm 400$ and $T_{\rm e 3} = 10000 \pm 1000$ (K). The close binary's orbital separation is $a= 13.91$ (R$_\odot$); its age is $8 \pm 2$ (Myr) and its photometric distance is $396 \pm 7$ pc. The primary's $\beta$ Cep type oscillations support these properties and confirm our understanding of its evolutionary status. Examination of the well-defined $\lambda$6678 He I profiles reveals the primary to have a significantly low projected rotation: some 80\% of the synchronous value. This can be explained on the basis of the precession of an unaligned spin axis. This proposal can resolve also observed variations of the apparent inclination and address other longer-term irregularities of the system reported in the literature. This topic invites further observations and follow-up theoretical study of the dynamics of this intriguing young multiple star.Comment: 17 pages, 15 figures, 14 tables, accepted by MNRA