Variability survey in the CoRoT SRa01 field: Implications of eclipsing binary distribution on cluster formation in NGC 2264
P. Klagyivik, Sz. Csizmadia, T. Pasternacki, T. Fruth, A. Erikson, J. Cabrera, R. Chini, P. Eigmüller, P. Kabath, S. Kirste, R. Lemke, M. Murphy, H. Rauer, R. Titz-Weider
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18 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
Time-series photometry of the CoRoT field SRa01 was carried out with the Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope II (BEST II) in 2008/2009. A total of 1,161 variable stars were detected, of which 241 were previously known and 920 are newly found. Several new, variable young stellar objects have been discovered. The study of the spatial distribution of eclipsing binaries revealed the higher relative frequency of Algols toward the center of the young open cluster NGC 2264. In general Algol frequency obeys an isotropic distribution of their angular momentum vectors, except inside the cluster, where a specific orientation of the inclinations is the case. We suggest that we see the orbital plane of the binaries almost edge-on.
Stellar activity is ubiquitous in late-type stars. The special geometry of eclipsing binary systems is particularly advantageous to study the stellar surfaces and activity. We present a detailed study of the 145 d CoRoT light curve of the short-period eclipsing binary CoRoT 105895502. By means of light-curve modeling with Nightfall, we determine the orbital period, effective temperature, Roche-lobe filling factors, mass ratio, and orbital inclination of CoRoT 105895502 and analyze the temporal behavior of starspots in the system. Our analysis shows one comparably short-lived (about 40 d) stars…
We report a comprehensive search for hierarchical triple stellar system candidates amongst eclipsing binaries (EB) observed by the CoRoT spacecraft. We calculate and check eclipse timing variation (ETV) diagrams for almost 1500 EBs in an automated manner. We identify five relatively short-period Algol systems for which our combined light curve and complex ETV analyses (including both the light-travel time effect and short-term dynamical third-body perturbations) resulted in consistent third-body solutions. The computed periods of the outer bodies are between 82 and 272 days, (with an alternati…
We present the preliminary results of the study of an interesting target in the first CoRoT exo-planet field (IRa1): CoRoT 102918586. Its light curve presents additional variability on the top of the eclipses, whose pattern suggests multi- frequency pulsations. The high accuracy CoRoT light curve was analyzed by applying an iterative scheme, devised to disentangle the effect of eclipses from the oscillatory pattern. In addition to the CoRoT photometry we obtained low resolution spectroscopy with the AAOmega multi-fiber facility at the Anglo Australian Observatory, which yielded a spectral clas…
Pulsating stars in eclipsing binary systems are powerful tools to test stellar models. Binarity enables to constrain the pulsating component physical parameters, whose knowledge drastically improves the input physics for asteroseismic studies. The study of stellar oscillations allows us, in its turn, to improve our understanding of stellar interiors and evolution. The space mission CoRoT discovered several promising objects suitable for these studies, which have been photometrically observed with unprecedented accuracy, but needed spectroscopic follow-up. A promising target was the relatively …
We report the discovery of CoRoT 102980178 (R.A.= 06:50:12.10, Dec.= -02:41:21.8, J2000) an Algol-type eclipsing binary system with a pulsating component (oEA). It was identified using a publicly available 55 day long monochromatic lightcurve from the CoRoT initial run dataset (exoplanet field). Eleven consecutive 1.26m deep total primary and the equal number of 0.25m deep secondary eclipses (at phase 0.50) were observed. The following light elements for the primary eclipse were derived: HJD_MinI= 2454139.0680 + 5.0548d x E. The lightcurve modeling leads to a semidetached configuration with th…
We applied the BEER algorithm to the CoRoT lightcurves from the first five LRc fields and identified $481$ non-eclipsing BEER candidates with periodic lightcurve modulations and amplitudes of $0.5-87$ mmag. Medium-resolution spectra of $281$ candidates were obtained in a seven-night AAOmega radial-velocity (RV) campaign, with a precision of $\sim1$ km/s. The RVs confirmed the binarity of $70$ of the BEER candidates, with periods of $0.3-10$ days.
The presence of g- and p-modes allows testing stellar models from the core to the envelope. Moreover, binarity in an eclipsing system constrains the physical parameters of the pulsating star. CoRot ID 100866999 is a relatively large-amplitude hybrid gDor - dSct star with two clearly distinct frequency domains. The large number of detected frequencies allows a detailed study of the interaction between them. In addition, we can derive the fundamental parameters of both components from the study of the eclipsing light curve. After removing the eclipsing phases, we analyzed the data with the Perio…
Eclipsing binary systems with pulsating components allow the determination of several physical parameters of the stars, such as mass and radius, that, when combined with the pulsation properties, can be used to constrain the modeling of stellar interiors and evolution. Hereby, we present the results of the study of CoRoT 105906206, an eclipsing binary system with a pulsating component located in the CoRoT LRc02 field. The analysis of the CoRoT light curve was complemented by high-resolution spectra from the Sandiford at McDonald Observatory and FEROS at ESO spectrographs, which revealed a doub…
The open cluster NGC 6633 was observed with CoRoT in 2011 and simultaneous high-resolution spectroscopy was obtained with the SOPHIE and HARPS spectrographs. One of the four targets was not found to be a cluster member. For all stars we provide estimates of the seismic and spectroscopic parameters.
Identifying long-period eclipsing binaries with space-based photometry is still a challenge even in the century of space telescopes due to the relatively short observation sequences and short lifetime of these missions. The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) space telescope is an appropriate tool to supplement previous space-based observations. In this paper we report the first results of the eclipse timing variation (ETV) analyses of eclipsing binaries (EBs) measured by CoRoT and TESS space telescopes. Among the 1428 EB candidates we found 4 new potential triple candidates, for whic…
Analyses of very accurate CoRoT space photometry, past Johnson V photoelectric photometry and high-resolution échelle spectra led to the determination of improved and consistent fundamental stellar properties of both components of AU Mon. We derived new, accurate ephemerides for both the orbital motion (with a period of 11.113d) and the long-term, overall brightness variation (with a period of 416.9d) of this strongly interacting Be + G semi-detached binary. It is shown that this long-term variation must be due to attenuation of the total light by some variable circumbinary material. We derive…
We calculate the flux received from a binary system obscured by a circumbinary disc. The disc is modelled using two dimensional hydrodynamical simulations, and the vertical structure is derived by assuming it is isothermal. The gravitational torque from the binary creates a cavity in the disc's inner parts. If the line of sight along which the system is observed has a high inclination $I$, it intersects the disc and some absorption is produced. As the system is not axisymmetric, the resulting light curve displays variability. We calculate the absorption and produce light curves for different v…
We present the discovery of CoRoT 223992193, a double-lined, detached eclipsing binary, comprising two pre-main sequence M dwarfs, discovered by the CoRoT space mission during a 23-day observation of the 3 Myr old NGC 2264 star-forming region. Using multi-epoch optical and near-IR follow-up spectroscopy with FLAMES on the Very Large Telescope and ISIS on the William Herschel Telescope we obtain a full orbital solution and derive the fundamental parameters of both stars by modelling the light curve and radial velocity data. The orbit is circular and has a period of $3.8745745 \pm 0.0000014$ day…
Rotation is one of the key stellar parameters which undergo substantial evolution during the stellar lifetime, in particular during the early stages. Stellar rotational periods can be determined on the basis of the periodic modulation of starlight produced by non-uniformities on the surface of the stars, due to manifestation of stellar activity. We present the results of an extensive search for rotational periods among NGC 2264 cluster members, based on photometric monitoring using the CoRoT satellite, with a particular attention to the distribution of classical and weak-line T-Tauri stars. NG…
Pulsations in pre-main sequence stars have been discovered several times within the last years. But nearly all of these pulsators are of delta Scuti-type. gamma Doradus-type pulsation in young stars has been predicted by theory, but lack observational evidence. We present the investigation of variability caused by rotation and (gammaDoradus-type) pulsation in two pre-main sequence members of the young open cluster NGC2264 using high-precision time series photometry from the CoRoT satellite and dedicated high-resolution spectroscopy. Time series photometry of NGC2264VAS20 and NGC 2264VAS87 was …
The COROT space mission will monitor several target fields for up to 150 days to perform asteroseismology and to search for extrasolar planets by photometric transits. Variable stars in the target fields are important objects for additional scientific studies but can also disturb the search for planetary transits. A variability characterization of the target fields prior to COROT observations is therefore important for two reasons: to find interesting variable stars to monitor further and to make an analysis of the impact of the variable stars on detecting extrasolar planet transits with COROT…
Aims: We present an analysis of simultaneously observed CoRoT and Spitzer lightcurves for $4$ systems in the stellar forming region NGC 2264: Mon-660, Mon-811, Mon-1140 and Mon-1308. These objects share in common a high resemblance between the optical and infrared lightcurves, such that the mechanism responsible to produce them is the same. The aim of this paper is to explain both lightcurves simultaneously with only one mechanism. Methods: We have modeled the infrared emission as coming from a warp composed of an optically thick wall and an optically thick asymmetric disk beyond this location…
We report the results of a search for variable stars in the open cluster NGC 2141. Ten variable stars are detected, among which nine are new variable stars and they are classified as three short period W UMa type eclipsing binaries, two EA type eclipsing binaries, one EB type eclipsing binary, one very short period RS CVn type eclipsing binary, one d type RR Lyrae variable star, and one unknown type variable star. The membership and physical properties are discussed, based on their light curves, positions in the CMDs, spatial locations and periods. A known EB type eclipsing binary is also iden…
We report results of spectroscopic and photometric observations of ten delta Scuti stars and one eclipsing binary in the open cluster NGC1817, and of ten delta Scuti stars and two other variables in the open cluster NGC7062. For all targets in NGC1817 and for three targets in NGC7062, the radial velocity and projected rotational velocity are determined. For all stars, the effective temperature and surface gravity is measured. Two delta Scuti stars, NGC1817-V1 and NGC7062-V1, and the eclipsing binary, NGC1817-V18, are discovered to be single-lined spectroscopic binaries. The eclipsing binary de…
The young cluster NGC 2264 was observed with the Corot satellite for 23 days uninterruptedly in March 2008 with unprecedent photometric accuracy. We present here the first results of the analysis of the accreting population. We intended to look for possible light curve variability of the same nature as that observed in the classical T Tauri star AA Tau, which was attributed to a magnetically controlled inner disk warp, which is directly associated with the interaction between the stellar magnetic field and the inner disk region. We analysed the Corot light curves of 83 previously known classic…
We analyze the CoRoT and V-passband ground-based light curves of the interacting close binary AU Mon, assuming that there is a geometrically and optically thick accretion disk around the hotter and more massive star, as inferred from photometric and spectroscopic characteristics of the binary. Our model fits the observations very well and provides estimates for the orbital elements and physical parameters of the components and of the accretion disk.
CoRoT 223992193 is the only known low-mass, pre-main sequence eclipsing binary that shows evidence of a circumbinary disk. The system displays complex photometric and spectroscopic variability over a range of timescales and wavelengths. Using two optical CoRoT runs, and infrared Spitzer 3.6 and 4.5 $μ$m observations (simultaneous with the second CoRoT run), we model the out-of-eclipse light curves. The large scale structure in both CoRoT light curves is consistent with the constructive and destructive interference of starspot signals at two slightly different periods. Using the stellar $v\sin …
Time-series photometry of the CoRoT field SRc02 was obtained by the Berlin Exoplanet Search Telescope II (BEST II) in 2009. The main aim was the ground based follow-up of the CoRoT field in order to detect variable stars with better spatial resolution than what can be achieved with the CoRoT space telescope. A total of 1,846 variable stars were detected, of which only 30 have been previously known. For nine eclipsing binaries the stellar parameters were determined by modeling their light curve.
As part of our study of the old (~2.5 Gyr) open cluster NGC 6819 in the Kepler field, we present photometric (Kepler and ground-based BVRcIc) and spectroscopic observations of the detached eclipsing binary WOCS 24009 (Auner 665; KIC 5023948) with a short orbital period of 3.6 days. WOCS 24009 is a triple-lined system, and we verify that the brightest star is physically orbiting the eclipsing binary using radial velocities and eclipse timing variations. The eclipsing binary components have masses M_B =1.090+/-0.010 Msun and M_C =1.075+/-0.013 Msun, and radii R_B =1.095+/-0.007 Rsun and R_C =1.0…
We present the first detailed analysis of the detached eclipsing binary V15 in the super-metal rich open cluster NGC 6253. We obtain the following absolute parameters: M_p=1.303+-0.006 Msun, R_p=1.71+-0.03 Rsun, L_p=2.98+-0.10 Lsun for the primary, and M_s=1.225+-0.006 Msun, R_s=1.44+-0.02 Rsun, L_s=2.13+-0.06 Lsun for the secondary. Based on Dartmouth isochrones, the age of NGC 6253 is estimated to be 3.80 - 4.25 Gyr from the mass-radius diagram and 3.9 - 4.6 Gyr from color-magnitude diagram (CMD) fitting. Both of these estimates are significantly higher than those reported so far. The derive…
Earlier measurements of the masses and radii of the detached eclipsing binary V20 in the open cluster NGC 6791 were accurate enough to demonstrate that there are significant differences between current stellar models. Here we improve on those results and add measurements of two additional detached eclipsing binaries, the cluster members V18 and V80. The enlarged sample sets much tighter constraints on the properties of stellar models than has hitherto been possible, thereby improving both the accuracy and precision of the cluster age. We employed (i) high-resolution UVES spectroscopy of V18, V…
We analyze extensive BVR_cI_c time-series photometry and radial-velocity measurements for WOCS 40007 (Auner 259; KIC 5113053), a double-lined detached eclipsing binary and a member of the open cluster NGC 6819. Utilizing photometric observations from the 1-meter telescope at Mount Laguna Observatory and spectra from the WIYN 3.5-meter telescope, we measure precise and accurate masses (~1.6% uncertainty) and radii (~0.5%) for the binary components. In addition, we discover a third star orbiting the binary with a period greater than 3000 days using radial velocities and Kepler eclipse timings. B…
We present light curve analyses of two newly identified detached eclipsing binaries, HD 96609 and HD 303734, in the region of the richly populated open cluster NGC 3532. HD 96609 is composed of two main sequence stars (B9-A0V + A2V) with masses and radii of $M_{1}=2.66\pm0.02$$M_{\odot}$, $M_{2}=1.84\pm0.01$$M_{\odot}$, $R_{1}=2.740\pm0.006$$R_{\odot}$, $R_{2}=1.697\pm0.005$$R_{\odot}$. The positions of the components on $log~M-log~R$ plane suggests log(age/yr) 8.55, corresponding $350\pm40$ Myr of age, which agrees with the $300\pm100$ Myr age of NGC 3532 estimated in previous studies. We fin…
We present the discovery of the totally eclipsing long-period (P = 771.8 d) binary system WOCS 23009 in the old open cluster NGC 6819 that contains both an evolved star near central hydrogen exhaustion and a low-mass (0.45 Msun) star. This system was previously known to be a single-lined spectroscopic binary, but the discovery of an eclipse near apastron using data from the Kepler space telescope makes it clear that the system has an inclination that is very close to 90 degrees. Although the secondary star has not been identified in spectra, the mass of the primary star can be constrained usin…
Red-giant stars are proving to be an incredible source of information for testing models of stellar evolution, as asteroseismology has opened up a window into their interiors. Such insights are a direct result of the unprecedented data from space missions CoRoT and Kepler as well as recent theoretical advances. Eclipsing binaries are also fundamental astrophysical objects, and when coupled with asteroseismology, they would provide two independent methods to obtain masses and radii and exciting opportunities to develop highly constrained stellar models. Gaulme et al. (2013) reported the discove…
We present time-series radial-velocity and photometric observations of a solar-type double-lined eclipsing binary star (V12) near the turnoff in the old open cluster NGC188. We use these data to determine the spectroscopic orbit and the photometric elements for V12. From our analysis we determine accurate masses (Mp=1.103+-0.007Msun, Ms=1.081+-0.007Msun) and radii (R =1.424+-0.019Rsun, Rs=1.373+-0.019Rsun) for the primary (p) and secondary (s) binary components. We adopt a reddening of E_(B-V)=0.087 for NGC188, and derive component effective temperatures of 5900+-100K and 5875+-100K, respectiv…
NGC 7789 is an intermediate-age open cluster with an age that is similar to the mean age of contact binary stars. V12 is a bright UMa-type binary star with an orbital period of 0.397 day. The first complete light curves of V12 in V, R, and I bands are presented and analyzed with the W-D (Wilson and Devinney) method. The results shows that V12 is an intermediate-contact binary (f = 43%) with a mass ratio of 3.848, and it is a W-type contact binary where the less massive component is slightly hotter than the more massive one. The asymmetries of the light curves are explained by the presence of a…
We analyze extensive BVRI photometry and radial velocity measurements for three double-lined deeply-eclipsing binary stars in the field of the old open cluster NGC 7142. The short period (P = 1.9096825 d) detached binary V375 Cep is a high probability cluster member, and has a total eclipse of the secondary star. The characteristics of the primary star (M=1.288+/-0.017 Sun) at the cluster turnoff indicate an age of 3.6 Gyr (with a random uncertainty of 0.25 Gyr), consistent with earlier analysis of the color-magnitude diagram. The secondary star (M = 0.871+/-0.008 Msun) is not expected to have…
Models of stellar structure and evolution can be constrained by measuring accurate parameters of detached eclipsing binaries in open clusters. Multiple binary stars provide the means to determine helium abundances in these old stellar systems, and in turn, to improve estimates of their age. In the first paper of this series, we demonstrated how measurements of multiple eclipsing binaries in the old open cluster NGC6791 sets tighter constraints on the properties of stellar models than has previously been possible, thereby potentially improving both the accuracy and precision of the cluster age.…
We present an extension of the BEER model for eccentric binaries - eBEER, approximating the BEaming, Ellipsoidal and Reflection effects by harmonic series of the Keplerian elements of their orbit. As such, it can be a tool for fast processing of light curves for detecting non-eclipsing eccentric binary systems. To validate the applicability of the eccentric model and its approximations, we applied eBEER to the Kepler light curves, identified a sample of bright non-eclipsing binary candidates, and followed three of them with the Wise observatory eShel spectrograph. After confirming the three sy…
We present the analysis of an eccentric, partially eclipsing long-period ($P=19.23$ d) binary system KIC 9777062 that contains main sequence stars near the turnoff of the intermediate age open cluster NGC 6811. The primary is a metal-lined Am star with a possible convective blueshift to its radial velocities, and one star (probably the secondary) is likely to be a $γ$ Dor pulsator. The component masses are $1.603\pm0.006$(stat.)$\pm0.016$(sys.) and $1.419\pm0.003\pm0.008 M_\odot$, and the radii are $1.744\pm0.004\pm0.002$ and $1.544\pm0.002\pm0.002 R_\odot$. The isochrone ages of the stars are…
We use photometric and spectroscopic observations of the detached eclipsing binaries V40 and V41 in the globular cluster NGC 6362 to derive masses, radii, and luminosities of the component stars. The orbital periods of these systems are 5.30 and 17.89 d, respectively. The measured masses of the primary and secondary components ($M_p$, $M_s$) are (0.8337$\pm$0.0063, 0.7947$\pm$0.0048) M$_\odot$ for V40 and (0.8215$\pm$0.0058, 0.7280$\pm$0.0047) M$_\odot$ for V41. The measured radii ($R_p$, $R_s$) are (1.3253$\pm$0.0075, 0.997$\pm$0.013) R$_\odot$ for V40 and (1.0739$\pm$0.0048, 0.7307$\pm$0.004…
We present new discoveries of variable stars near the turnoff of the old open cluster NGC 7142. Contrary to previous studies, we detect eight contact or near contact eclipsing binaries (including three near the cluster turnoff), and most of these have good probability of being cluster members. We also identified one long-period variable that resides far to the red of the cluster giant branch, and four new detached eclipsing binaries. We have re-examined the question of distance and reddening for the cluster, and find that the distance is larger and reddening lower than in most previous studies…
The open clusters in the Kepler and CoRoT fields potentially provide tight constraints for tests of stellar models and observational methods because they allow a combination of complementary methods. We are in the process of identi- fying and measuring parameters for detached eclipsing binaries (dEBs) in the open clusters in the Kepler and CoRoT fields. We make use of measurements of dEBs in the clusters to test the accuracy of asteroseismic scaling relations for mass. We are able to provide strong indications that the asteroseismic scaling relations over- estimate the stellar mass, but we are…
Our goal is to relate the photometric and spectroscopic variability of classical T Tauri stars, of the star-forming cluster NGC 2264, to the physical processes acting in the stellar and circumstellar environment, within a few stellar radii from the star. NGC 2264 was the target of a multiwavelength observational campaign with CoRoT, MOST, Spitzer, and Chandra satellites and observations from the ground. We classified the CoRoT light curves of accreting systems according to their morphology and compared our classification to several accretion diagnostics and disk parameters. The morphology of t…
We report the discovery of four short-period eclipsing systems in the Kepler light curves, consisting of an A-star primary and a low-mass white dwarf (WD) secondary (dA+WD) - KIC 4169521, KOI-3818, KIC 2851474, and KIC 9285587. The systems show BEaming, Ellipsoidal and Reflection (BEER) phase modulations together with primary and secondary eclipses. These add to the 6 Kepler and 18 WASP short-period eclipsing dA+WD binaries that were previously known. The light curves, together with follow-up spectroscopic observations, allow us to derive the masses, radii, and effective temperatures of the tw…
The field of the metal-rich open cluster NGC 6253 has been surveyed in a search for variable stars. A total of 25 new variables were detected, 14 of which are bright stars with 13<V<15 mag. This domain was not covered in an earlier work by de Marchi et al. (2010). Four variables, including three short-period eclipsing binaries, are candidate blue straggler stars. Two new detached eclipsing binaries at the turnoff of the cluster and another one on the subgiant branch were identified. These three systems deserve a detailed follow-up study aimed at a determination of the age and distance of NGC 6…
The ages of the components in very short period pre-main sequence (PMS) binaries are essential to an understanding of their formation. We considered a sample of 7 PMS eclipsing binaries (EBs) with ages 1 to 6.3 MY and component masses 0.2 to 1.4 Msun The very high precision with which their masses and radii have been measured, and the capability provided by the {\it Modules for Experiments in Stellar Astrophysics (MESA)} to calculate their evolutionary tracks at exactly the measured masses, allows the determination of age differences of the components independent of their luminosities and effe…
(abridged for arXiv) The BEER algorithm searches stellar light curves for the BEaming, Ellipsoidal, and Reflection photometric modulations that are caused by a short-period companion. Applying the search to the first five long-run center CoRoT fields, we identified $481$ non-eclipsing candidates with periodic flux amplitudes of $0.5-87$ mmag. Optimizing the Anglo-Australian-Telescope pointing coordinates and the AAOmega fiber-allocations with dedicated softwares, we acquired six spectra for $231$ candidates and seven spectra for another $50$ candidates in a seven-night campaign. Analysis of th…
As many as 10\% of OB-type stars have global magnetic fields, which is surprising given their internal structure is radiative near the surface. A direct probe of internal structure is pulsations, and some OB-type stars exhibit pressure modes ($β$ Cep pulsators) or gravity modes (slowly pulsating B-type stars; SPBs); a few rare cases of hybrid $β$ Cep/SPBs occupy a narrow instability strip in the H-R diagram. The most precise fundamental properties of stars are obtained from eclipsing binaries (EBs), and those in clusters with known ages and metallicities provide the most stringent constraints …
We present Mon-735, a detached double-lined eclipsing binary (EB) member of the $\sim$3 Myr old NGC 2264 star forming region, detected by Spitzer. We simultaneously model the Spitzer light curves, follow-up Keck/HIRES radial velocities, and the system's spectral energy distribution to determine self-consistent masses, radii and effective temperatures for both stars. We find that Mon-735 comprises two pre-main sequence M dwarfs with component masses of $M = 0.2918 \pm 0.0099$ and $0.2661 \pm 0.0095$ $\rm{M}_{\odot}$, radii of $R = 0.762 \pm 0.022$ and $0.748 \pm 0.023$ $\rm{R}_{\odot}$, and eff…
The space telescope CoRoT has provided light curves of T Tauri stars belonging to the star-forming region of NGC 2264 with unprecedented continuity and precision in the framework of a coordinated multi-wavelength observational project. We perform spot modelling of the optical light curves of five weak-line T Tauri stars whose variability is dominated by starspots. We apply two-spot and evolving single spot models in the framework of a Bayesian Monte Carlo Markov Chain approach to derive the a posteriori distribution of the starspot parameters and the inclination of the star rotation axis. We f…
We have analyzed OGLE-III photometry for stars in the SMC cluster NGC 299. Two eclipsing binaries and one intrinsic variable (most likely a Be star) are identified. Unlike other young SMC clusters, no low-amplitude pulsating variables are present.
A photometric study of variable stars in the field of old open cluster NGC 188 is discussed. Observations were carried out in two bands R and I for 5513 stars up to R = 17 mag in the field of 1.5 x 1.5 grad. around the cluster. The photometric data were processed by the console application "Astrokit", which corrects brightness variations associated with the variability of atmospheric transparency and carries out searching for variable stars. We found 18 new variable stars and determined the parameters of one previously known variable. Among discovered stars one is a low-amplitude pulsating var…
Models of stellar structure and evolution can be constrained using accurate measurements of the parameters of eclipsing binary members of open clusters. Multiple binary stars provide the means to tighten the constraints and, in turn, to improve the precision and accuracy of the age estimate of the host cluster. In the previous two papers of this series, we have demonstrated the use of measurements of multiple eclipsing binaries in the old open cluster NGC6791 to set tighter constraints on the properties of stellar models than was previously possible, thereby improving both the accuracy and pre…
We report the analysis of a binary blue straggler in NGC 6752 with a short orbital period of 0.315 d and a W UMA-type light curve. We use photometric data spanning 13 years to place limits on the mass ratio (0.15<q<0.35), luminosity ratio (L1/L2 about 4.0) and the ratio of the radii of the components (r1/r2 about 2.0). The effective temperatures of the components are nearly identical, and the system is detached or semi-detached (in the latter case the component filling its Roche lobe is the secondary). Such a configuration is unusual given the shortness of the orbital period, and it must have …
We present the Coordinated Synoptic Investigation of NGC 2264, a continuous 30-day multi-wavelength photometric monitoring campaign on more than 1000 young cluster members using 16 telescopes. The unprecedented combination of multi-wavelength, high-precision, high-cadence, and long-duration data opens a new window into the time domain behavior of young stellar objects. Here we provide an overview of the observations, focusing on results from Spitzer and CoRoT. The highlight of this work is detailed analysis of 162 classical T Tauri stars for which we can probe optical and mid-infrared flux var…
We report the discovery of 19 variable stars and two blue-stragglers in the field of the open cluster NGC6866. Three of the variable stars we classify as delta Sct, two, as gamma Dor, four, as WUMa, two, as ellipsoidal variables, and one, as an eclipsing binary. Seven stars show irregular variability. Two of the pulsators, a delta Sct star NGC 6866-29 and a gamma Dor star NGC6866-21, are multiperiodic. From an analysis of proper motions, we conclude that the delta Sct stars, one of the gamma Dor stars and both blue-stragglers are very probable members of the cluster. The position on the color-…
Eclipsing binary stars have long served as benchmark systems to measure fundamental stellar properties. In the past few decades, asteroseismology - the study of stellar pulsations - has emerged as a new powerful tool to study the structure and evolution of stars across the HR diagram. Pulsating stars in eclipsing binary systems are particularly valuable since fundamental properties (such as radii and masses) can determined using two independent techniques. Furthermore, independently measured properties from binary orbits can be used to improve asteroseismic modeling for pulsating stars in whic…
We present an analysis of NGC2204-S892 -- a new detached eclipsing binary composed of two late K dwarfs. Based on three photometric campaigns launched in 2008 we obtained 5 light curves (3 in V, 1 in B and 1 in I), and derived an orbital period of 0.451780+-0.000001 d. We also obtained 20 VLT/UVES spectra, enabling accurate radial velocity measurements. The derived masses and radii of the components (m1 = 0.733 +-0.005 Msun and R1 = 0.72 +-0.01 Rsun; m2 = 0.662 +-0.005 Msun and R2 = 0.68 \+-0.02 Rsun) are consistent with the empirical mass-radius relationship established recently for lower mai…
Accurate photometric CoRoT space observations of a secondary seismological target, HD 174884, led to the discovery that this star is an astrophysically important double-lined eclipsing spectroscopic binary in an eccentric orbit (e of about 0.3), unusual for its short (3.65705d) orbital period. The high eccentricity, coupled with the orientation of the binary orbit in space, explains the very unusual observed light curve with strongly unequal primary and secondary eclipses having the depth ratio of 1-to-100 in the CoRoT 'seismo' passband. Without the high accuracy of the CoRoT photometry, the s…
The field of the globular cluster NGC 6362 was monitored between 1995 and 2009 in a search for variable stars. BV light curves were obtained for 69 periodic variables including 34 known RR Lyr stars, 10 known objects of other types and 25 newly detected variables. Among the latter we identified 18 proper-motion members of the cluster: seven detached eclipsing binaries (DEBs), six SX Phe stars, two W UMa binaries, two spotted red giants, and a very interesting eclipsing binary composed of two red giants - the first example of such a system found in a globular cluster. Five of the DEBs are locat…
Red-giant stars are an incredible source of information for testing models of stellar evolution, as asteroseismology has opened up a window into their interiors. Such insights are a direct result of the unprecedented data from space missions Kepler and CoRoT as well as recent theoretical advances. Eclipsing binaries are also fundamental astrophysical objects, and when coupled with asteroseismology, binaries would provide two independent methods to obtain masses and radii and exciting opportunities to develop highly constrained stellar models. The possibility of discovering pulsating red giants…