1 research outputs found
VW LMi: tightest quadruple system known. Light-time effect and possible secular changes of orbits
Tightest known quadruple systems VW LMi consists of contact eclipsing binary
with P_12 = 0.477551 days and detached binary with P_34 = 7.93063 days
revolving in rather tight, 355.0-days orbit. This paper presents new
photometric and spectroscopic observations yielding 69 times of minima and 36
disentangled radial velocities for the component stars. All available radial
velocities and minima times are combined to better characterize the orbits and
to derive absolute parameters of components. The total mass of the quadruple
system was estimated at 4.56 M_sun. The detached, non-eclipsing binary with
orbital period P = 7.93 days is found to show apsidal motion with U
approximately 80 years. Precession period in this binary, caused by the
gravitational perturbation of the contact binary, is estimated to be about 120
years. The wide mutual orbit and orbit of the non-eclipsing pair are found to
be close to coplanarity, preventing any changes of the inclination angle of the
non-eclipsing orbit and excluding occurrence of the second system of eclipses
in future. Possibilities of astrometric solution and direct resolving of the
wide, mutual orbit are discussed. Nearby star, HD95606, was found to form loose
binary with quadruple system VW LMi.Comment: 4 figures. accepted to MNRAS on July 31, 200