Modeling binary star populations is critical to linking the theories of star formation and stellar evolution with observations. In order to test these theories, we need accurate models of observable binary populations. The Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog (KEBC), with its estimated $>$90% completeness, provides an observational anchor on binary population models. In this work we present the results of a new forward-model of the binary star population in the Kepler field. The forward-model takes a single star population from a model of the galaxy and pairs the stars into binaries by applying the constraints on the population from the results of observational binary population surveys such as arXiv:1007.0414 and arXiv:1303.3028. A synthetic binary population is constructed from the initial distributions of orbital parameters. We identify the eclipsing binary sample from the generated binary star population and compare this with the observed sample of eclipsing binaries contained in the KEBC. Finally, we update the distributions of the synthetic population and repeat the process until the synthetic eclipsing binary sample agrees with the KEBC. The end result of this process is a model of the underlying binary star population that has been fit to observations. We find that for fixed flat mass ratio and eccentricity input distributions, the binary period distribution is logarithmically flat above $\sim$3.2d. With additional constraints on distributions from observations, we can further adjust the synthetic binary population by relaxing other input constraints, such as mass ratio and eccentricity.
Stellar models rely on a number of free parameters. High-quality observations of eclipsing binary stars observed by Kepler offer a great opportunity to calibrate model parameters for evolved stars. Our study focuses on six Kepler red giants with the goal of calibrating the mixing-length parameter of convection as well as the asteroseismic surface term in models. We introduce a new method to improve the identification of oscillation modes which exploits theoretical frequencies to guide the mode identification ('peak-bagging') stage of the data analysis. Our results indicate that the convective …
Stellar models generally use simple parametrizations to treat convection. The most widely used parametrization is the so-called "Mixing Length Theory" where the convective eddy sizes are described using a single number, α, the mixing-length parameter. This is a free parameter, and the general practice is to calibrate αusing the known properties of the Sun and apply that to all stars. Using data from NASA's Kepler mission we show that using the solar-calibrated αis not always appropriate, and that in many cases it would lead to estimates of initial helium abundances that are lower than the prim…
Among the available methods for dating stars, gyrochronology is a powerful one because it requires knowledge of only the star's mass and rotation period. Gyrochronology relations have previously been calibrated using young clusters, with the Sun providing the only age dependence, and are therefore poorly calibrated at late ages. We used rotation period measurements of 310 Kepler stars with asteroseismic ages, 50 stars from the Hyades and Coma Berenices clusters and 6 field stars (including the Sun) with precise age measurements to calibrate the gyrochronology relation, whilst fully accounting …
We present an automated classification of 2165 \textit{Kepler} eclipsing binary (EB) light curves that accompanied the second \textit{Kepler} data release. The light curves are classified using Locally Linear Embedding, a general nonlinear dimensionality reduction tool, into morphology types (detached, semi-detached, overcontact, ellipsoidal). The method, related to a more widely used Principal Component Analysis, produces a lower-dimensional representation of the input data while preserving local geometry and, consequently, the similarity between neighboring data points. We use this property …
We present the results of analysis and modelling of the eclipsing binary system, KIC 10661783. The Fourier analysis of the Kepler light curve, corrected for the binary effects, reveals 750 frequency peaks in both p and g-mode regions. Those with the highest amplitudes concentrate in the range of 20-30 d$^{-1}$. To reproduce observed spectrum of frequencies we construct seismic models accounting for the mode instability. In order to obtain instabilities in the g-mode regime we modify the opacity tables data near the Z-bump. In order to reproduce system parameters, we construct evolutionary mode…
The detached eclipsing binary stars with convective cores provide a good tool to investigate the convective core overshoot. It has been performed on some binary stars to restrict the classical overshoot model which simply extends the boundary of fully mixed region. However, the classical overshoot model is physically unreasonable and inconsistent with the helioseismic investigation. An updated model of the overshoot mixing was established recently. There is a key parameter in the model. In this paper, we use the observations of four eclipsing binary stars, i.e., HY Vir, YZ Cas, $\rm{χ^2}$ Hya …
The precise measurement of the masses and radii of stars in eclipsing binary systems provides a window into uncertain processes in stellar evolution, especially mixing at convective boundaries. Recently, these data have been used to calibrate models of convective overshooting in the cores of main sequence stars. In this study we have used a small representative sample of eclipsing binary stars with $1.25 \leq M/\text{M}_\odot < 4.2$ to test how precisely this method can constrain the overshooting and whether the data support a universal stellar mass--overshooting relation. We do not recover th…
We introduce our PhD project in which we focus on pulsating stars in eclipsing binaries. The combination of high-precision Kepler photometry with high-resolution HERMES spectroscopy allows for detailed descriptions of our sample of target stars. We report here the detection of three false positives by radial velocity measurements.
The long-term dynamics of planetesimals in debris discs in models with parameters of binary star systems Kepler-16, Kepler-34 and Kepler-35 with planets is investigated. Our calculations have shown the formation of a stable coorbital with the planet ring is possible for Kepler-16 and Kepler-35 systems. In Kepler-34 system, significant eccentricities of the orbits of the binary and planets can to prevent the formation of such a structure. Detection circumbinary annular structures in observations of systems binary stars can be evidence of the existence of planets, retaining coorbital rings from …
We have combined the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalogue with information from the HES, KIS and 2MASS photometric surveys to produce spectral energy distribution fits to over 2600 eclipsing binaries in the catalogue over a wavelength range of 0.36 to 2.16Å. We present primary ($T_1$) and secondary ($T_2$) stellar temperatures, plus information on the stellar radii and system distance ratios. The derived temperatures are on average accurate to 370K in $T_1$ and 620K in $T_2$. Our results improve on the similarly derived physical parameters of the Kepler Input Catalogue through consideration of bo…
The Kepler Mission provides nearly continuous monitoring of ~156 000 objects with unprecedented photometric precision. Coincident with the first data release, we presented a catalog of 1879 eclipsing binary systems identified within the 115 square degree Kepler FOV. Here, we provide an updated catalog augmented with the second Kepler data release which increases the baseline nearly 4-fold to 125 days. 386 new systems have been added, ephemerides and principle parameters have been recomputed. We have removed 42 previously cataloged systems that are now clearly recognized as short-period pulsati…
Detecting binary stars in photometric time series is traditionally done by measuring eclipses. This requires the orbital plane to be aligned with the observer. A new method without that requirement uses stellar oscillations to measure delays in the light arrival time and has been successfully applied to $δ$ Scuti stars. However, application to other types of stars has not been explored. To investigate this we simulated light curves with a range of input parameters. We find a correlation between the signal-to-noise of the pulsation modes and the time delay required to detect binary motion. The …
The primary Kepler Mission provided nearly continuous monitoring of ~200,000 objects with unprecedented photometric precision. We present the final catalog of eclipsing binary systems within the 105 square degree Kepler field of view. This release incorporates the full extent of the data from the primary mission (Q0-Q17 Data Release). As a result, new systems have been added, additional false positives have been removed, ephemerides and principal parameters have been recomputed, classifications have been revised to rely on analytical models, and eclipse timing variations have been computed for…
We report the discovery of a Neptune-size (R_p = 3.87 +/- 0.06 R_Earth) transiting circumbinary planet, Kepler-1661 b, found in the Kepler photometry. The planet has a period of ~175 days and its orbit precesses with a period of only 35 years. The precession causes the alignment of the orbital planes to vary, and the planet is in a transiting configuration only ~7% of the time as seen from Earth. As with several other Kepler circumbinary planets, Kepler-1661 b orbits close to the stability radius, and is near the (hot) edge of habitable zone. The planet orbits a single-lined, grazing eclipsing…
The Kepler Observatory offers unprecedented photometric precision (<1 mmag) and cadence for monitoring the central stars of planetary nebulae, allowing the detection of tiny periodic light curve variations, a possible signature of binarity. With this precision free from the observational gaps dictated by weather and lunar cycles, we are able to detect companions at much larger separations and with much smaller radii than ever before. We have been awarded observing time to obtain light-curves of the central stars of the six confirmed and possible planetary nebulae in the Kepler field, including…
The Kepler Mission has provided unprecedented, nearly continuous photometric data of $\sim$200,000 objects in the $\sim$105 deg$^{2}$ field of view from the beginning of science operations in May of 2009 until the loss of the second reaction wheel in May of 2013. The Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog contains information including but not limited to ephemerides, stellar parameters and analytical approximation fits for every known eclipsing binary system in the Kepler Field of View. Using Target Pixel level data collected from Kepler in conjunction with the Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog, we ide…
KIC 3230227 is a short period ($P\approx 7.0$ days) eclipsing binary with a very eccentric orbit ($e=0.6$). From combined analysis of radial velocities and {\it Kepler} light curves, this system is found to be composed of two A-type stars, with masses of $M_1=1.84\pm 0.18M_{\odot}$, $M_2=1.73\pm 0.17M_{\odot}$ and radii of $R_1=2.01\pm 0.09R_{\odot}$, $R_2=1.68\pm 0.08 R_{\odot}$ for the primary and secondary, respectively. In addition to an eclipse, the binary light curve shows a brightening and dimming near periastron, making this a somewhat rare eclipsing heartbeat star system. After removi…
From an examination of ~18,000 Kepler light curves of K- and M-stars we find some 500 which exhibit rotational periods of less than 2 days. Among such stars, approximately 50 show two or more incommensurate periodicities. We discuss the tools that allow us to differentiate between rotational modulation and other types of light variations, e.g., due to pulsations or binary modulations. We find that these multiple periodicities are independent of each other and likely belong to different, but physically bound, stars. This scenario was checked directly by UKIRT and adaptive optics imaging, time-r…
We present an analysis of flare activity in wide binary stars using a combination of value-added data sets from the NASA Kepler mission. The target list contains a set of previously discovered wide binary star systems identified by proper motions in the Kepler field. We cross-matched these systems with estimates of flare activity for $\sim$200,000 stars in the Kepler field, allowing us to compare relative flare luminosity between stars in coeval binaries. From a sample of 184 previously known wide binaries in the Kepler field, we find 58 with detectable flare activity in at least 1 component, …
Although roughly half of all stars are considered to be part of binary or multiple systems, there are only two confirmed cases of RR Lyrae pulsators with companions. One of them is TU Uma (Wade et al 1999) - a classical RR Lyrae star in a very eccentric orbit - and the other is OGLE-BLG-RRLYR-02792 (Pietrzynski et al 2012). Considering the wealth of well-studied RR Lyrae stars, this number is astoundingly low. Having more RR Lyrae stars in binary systems at hand would be extremely valuable to get independent measurements of the masses. The data from the Kepler mission with their unprecedented …
We present the first binary modelling results for the pulsating eclipsing binary KIC 11285625, discovered by the Kepler mission. An automated method to disentangle the pulsation spectrum and the orbital variability in high quality light curves, was developed and applied. The goal was to obtain accurate orbital and component properties, in combination with essential information derived from spectroscopy. A binary model for KIC 11285625 was obtained, using a combined analysis of high-quality space-based Kepler light curves and ground-based high-resolution HERMES echelle spectra. The binary model…
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 which 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 s…
49 new eclipsing twin binary candidates are identified and analyzed based on Kepler eclipsing binary light curves. Their colours and spectral types are calculated according to our classification. A comparison of the spectral type distribution of eclipsing twin binary systems showed that F-type twins dominate among others, which agrees well with recent studies. The distance of eclipsing twin binaries from the galactic plane shows that F and G-type twins can be seen at any distance from the galactic plane and most of the known eclipsing binary twins are located within 200 pc of the galactic plan…
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 a catalog of precise eclipse times and analysis of third body signals among 1279 close binaries in the latest Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog. For these short period binaries, Kepler's 30 minute exposure time causes significant smearing of light curves. In addition, common astrophysical phenomena such as chromospheric activity, as well as imperfections in the light curve detrending process, can create systematic artifacts that may produce fictitious signals in the eclipse timings. We present a method to measure precise eclipse times in the presence of distorted light curves, such as…
KIC 1571511 is a 14d eclipsing binary (EB) in the Kepler dataset. The secondary of this EB is a very low mass star with a mass of 0.14136 +/- 0.00036 M_sun and a radius of 0.17831 +0.00051/-0.00062 R_sun (statistical errors only). The overall system parameters make KIC 1571511B an ideal "benchmark object": among the smallest, lightest and best-described stars known, smaller even than some known exoplanet. Currently available photometry encompasses only a small part of the total: future Kepler data releases promise to constrain many of the properties of KIC 1571511B to unprecedented level. Howe…
The simultaneous presence of variability due to both pulsations and binarity is no rare phenomenon. Unfortunately, the complexities of dealing with even one of these sources of variability individually means that the other signal is often treated as a nuisance and discarded. However, both types of variability offer means to probe fundamental stellar properties in robust ways through asteroseismic and binary modelling. We present an efficient methodology that includes both binary and asteroseismic information to estimate fundamental stellar properties based on a grid-based modelling approach. W…
Over 2500 eclipsing binaries were identified and characterized from the ultra-precise photometric data provided by the Kepler space telescope. Kepler is now beginning its second mission, K2, which is proving to again provide ultra-precise photometry for a large sample of eclipsing binary stars. In the 1951 light curves covering 12 days in the K2 engineering data-set, we have identified and determined the ephemerides for 31 eclipsing binaries that demonstrate the capabilities for eclipsing binary science in the upcoming campaigns in K2. Of those, 20 are new discoveries. We describe both manual …
We present the identification of 34 likely binary central stars (CSs) of planetary nebulae (PNe) from {\it Kepler/K2} data, seven of which show eclipses. Of these, 29 are new discoveries. Two additional CSs with more complicated variability are also presented. We examined the light curves of all `possible', `likely' and `true' PNe in every {\it Kepler/K2} campaign (0 through 19) to identify CS variability that may indicate a binary CS. For Campaigns 0, 2, 7, 15, and 16 we find 6 likely or confirmed variables among 21 PNe. Our primary effort, though, was focused on Campaign 11 which targeted a …
The Kepler Eclipsing Binary Catalog (KEBC)describes 2165 eclipsing binaries identified in the 115 deg^2 Kepler Field based on observations from Kepler quarters Q0, Q1, and Q2. The periods in the KEBC are given in units of days out to six decimal places but no period errors are provided. We present the PEC (Period Error Calculator) algorithm which can be used to estimate the period errors of strictly periodic variables observed by the Kepler Mission. The PEC algorithm is based on propagation of error theory and assumes that observation of every light curve peak/minimum in a long time-series obs…
The Kepler K2 mission now makes it possible to find and study a wider variety of eclipsing binary stars than has been possible to-date, particularly long-period systems with narrow eclipses. Our aim is to characterise eclipsing binary stars observed by the Kepler K2 mission with orbital periods longer than $P\approx 5.5$ days. The $ellc$ binary star model has been used to determine the geometry of eclipsing binary systems in Kepler K2 campaigns 1, 2 and 3. The nature of the stars in each binary is estimated by comparison to stellar evolution tracks in the effective temperature - mean stellar d…
The Kepler mission has provided high quality light curves for more than 2000 eclipsing binaries. Tertiary companions to these binaries can be detected if they transit one or both stars in the binary or if they perturb the binary enough to cause deviations in the observed times of the primary and secondary eclipses (in a few cases both effects are observed in the same eclipsing binary). From the study of eclipse timing variations, it is estimated that 15 to 20% of the Kepler eclipsing binaries have close-in tertiary companions. I will give an overview of recent results and discuss some specific…
We present the physical properties of the eclipsing binary V2281 Cyg, which shows a light-time effect due to a supposed tertiary component from its eclipse timing variation according to the $Kepler$ observations. The high-resolution spectra and $BVR$ photometric data of the system were obtained at Bohyunsan Optical Astronomy Observatory and Mount Lemmon Optical Astronomy Observatory, respectively. To determine the fundamental parameters of the eclipsing pair and its circumbinary object, we simultaneously analyzed the radial velocities, light curves, and eclipse times including the $Kepler$ dat…
Oscillating stars in binary systems are among the most interesting stellar laboratories, as these can provide information on the stellar parameters and stellar internal structures. Here we present a red giant with solar-like oscillations in an eclipsing binary observed with the NASA Kepler satellite. We compute stellar parameters of the red giant from spectra and the asteroseismic mass and radius from the oscillations. Although only one eclipse has been observed so far, we can already determine that the secondary is a main-sequence F star in an eccentric orbit with a semi-major axis larger tha…
In this study, investigation of two double-lined binary stars KIC 5113146 and KIC 5111815 in NGC 6819 is presented based on both photometric and spectroscopic data. Simultaneous analysis of light and radial velocity curves was made and the absolute parameters of the systems' components were determined for the first time. We find that both systems have F-type main-sequence components. The masses and radii were found to be $M_1=1.29\pm0.02 M_{\odot}$, $R_{1}=1.47\pm0.03 R_{\odot}$ and $M_{2}=1.19\pm0.02 M_{\odot}$, $R_{2}=1.13\pm0.02 R_{\odot}$ for the primary and secondary components of KIC 511…
We selected mass-transferring binary candidates from the catalog of Kepler eclipsing binary stars and investigated the dependence of the mass-transfer rate on several astrophysical quantities, including orbital period, semi-major axis, mass ratio, fill-out factor, temperature, and mass. We selected these candidates using $O-C$ diagrams and calculated their mass-transfer rates. Primary masses were obtained from the mass--temperature relation, and the temperatures of the component stars were extracted from a catalog of temperatures for Kepler eclipsing binary stars. The mass-transfer rates of ov…
Using the high-precision photometry from the Kepler space telescope, thousands of stars with stellar and planetary companions have been observed. The characterization of stars with companions is not always straightforward and can be contaminated by systematic and stellar influences on the light curves. Here, through a detailed analysis of starspots and eclipses, we identify KOI-1003 as a new, active RS CVn star---the first identified with data from Kepler. The Kepler light curve of this close binary system exhibits the system's primary transit, secondary eclipse, and starspot evolution of two …
We report the discovery of low-amplitude gravity-mode oscillations in the massive binary star V380 Cyg, from 180 d of Kepler custom-aperture space photometry and 5 months of high-resolution high signal-to-noise spectroscopy. The new data are of unprecedented quality and allowed to improve the orbital and fundamental parameters for this binary. The orbital solution was subtracted from the photometric data and led to the detection of periodic intrinsic variability with frequencies of which some are multiples of the orbital frequency and others are not. Spectral disentangling allowed the detectio…
BOKS 45906 was found to be a blue source in the Burrell-Optical-Kepler-Survey which showed a 3 mag outburst lasting ~5 d. We present the Kepler light curve of this source which covers nearly 3 years. We find that it is in a faint optical state for approximately half the time and shows a series of outbursts separated by distinct dips in flux. Using data with 1 min sampling, we find clear evidence that in its low state BOKS 45906 shows a flux variability on a period of 56.5574+/-0.0014 min and a semi-amplitude of ~3 percent. Since we can phase all the 1 min cadence data on a common ephemeris usi…
Six planetary nebulae (PN) are known in the Kepler space telescope field of view, three newly identified. Of the 5 central stars of PN with useful Kepler data, one, J193110888+4324577, is a short-period, post common envelope binary exhibiting relativistic beaming effects. A second, the central star of the newly identified PN Pa5, has a rare O(He) spectral type and a periodic variability consistent with an evolved companion, where the orbital axis is almost aligned with the line of sight. The third PN, NGC~6826 has a fast rotating central star, something that can only be achieved in a merger. F…
We report the discovery of an eclipsing binary star (KIC 7025851) near KOI 565 (KIC 7025846) based on photometric observations of KOI 565 and several nearby stars acquired in two narrow bandpasses (790.2 and 794.3\pm2.0 nm) nearly-simultaneously with the GTC/OSIRIS. We use the individual photometry in each bandpass as well as the colors of KOI 565 and other nearby stars to determine that the source of the transit signal initially detected by Kepler is not due to a super-Earth-size planet around KOI 565. Instead, we find the source to be a background eclipsing binary star located \sim15 arcsec …
In this study we identify 11 Kepler systems (KIC 5255552, 5653126, 5731312, 7670617, 7821010, 8023317, 10268809, 10296163, 11519226, 11558882 and 12356914) with a "flip-flop" effect in the eclipse timing variations O-C diagrams of the systems, report on what these systems have in common and whether these systems are dynamically stable. These systems have previously reported high eccentric binary stars with highly eccentric third bodies/outer companions. We find that all of the additional bodies in the system are dynamically stable for the configurations previously reported and are therefore li…
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…
We perform a search for wide binaries in the Kepler field with the prospect of providing new constraints for gyrochronology. First, we construct our base catalog by compiling astrometry for the stars observed by Kepler, and supplement it with parallaxes, radial velocities (RVs), and metallicities. We then mine our base catalog for wide binary candidates by matching the stars' proper motions, as well as parallaxes, RVs, and metallicities, if available. We mitigate the presence of chance alignments among our candidates by performing a comprehensive data-based contamination analysis in the proper…
This paper presents an orbital analysis of six southern single-lined spectroscopic binary systems. The systems selected were shown to have circular or nearly circular orbits (e < 0.1) from earlier published solutions of only moderate precision. The purpose was to obtain high-precision orbital solutions in order to investigate the presence of small non-Keplerian velocity effects in the data and hence the reality of the small eccentricities found for most of the stars. The Hercules spectrograph and 1-m McLellan telescope at Mt John Observatory, New Zealand, were used to obtain over 450 CCD spect…
The short-period (P $\approx1.7$ d), Algol-type eclipsing binary KIC 7385478 consists of an F-type primary star ($M_1 \approx 1.71M_{\odot}$) and an evolved K-type secondary ($M_2 \approx 0.37M_{\odot}$) (Ozdarcan \& Ali Dal 2017). We study the variability of the {\it Kepler} light curve and attribute many frequency peaks in the Fourier spectrum to the spot modulation. These frequencies are in the form of orbital harmonics and are highly variable in amplitude. They are most likely from the mass-accreting primary star. In addition, we identify a series prograde dipole g-modes from the primary s…
We present the Kepler photometric light-variation analysis of the late-type double-lined binary system V568 Lyr that is in the field of the high metallicity old open cluster NGC 6791. The radial velocity and the high-quality short-cadence light curve of the system are analysed simultaneously. The masses, radii and luminosities of the component stars are $M_1 = 1.0886\pm0.0031\, M{\odot}$, $M_2 = 0.8292 \pm 0.0026\, M{\odot}$, $R_1 = 1.4203\pm 0.0058\, R{\odot}$, $R_2 = 0.7997 \pm 0.0015\, R{\odot}$, $L_1 = 1.85\pm 0.15\, L{\odot}$, $L_2 = 0.292 \pm 0.018\, L{\odot}$ and their separation is $a …
Dynamically derived morphology from the recurrence patterns of close binary stars using Kepler data
Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics（大学间天文学与天体物理中心）；Ramniranjan Jhunjhunwala College（拉姆尼兰詹·朱恩朱纳瓦拉学院）；University of Aberdeen, King’s College（阿伯丁大学国王学院）；Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Thiruvananthapuram（印度科学教育与研究学院特里凡得琅分校）
Using the known detection limits for high-resolution imaging observations and the statistical properties of true binary and line-of-sight companions, we estimate the binary fraction of {\it Kepler} exoplanet host stars. Our speckle imaging programs at the WIYN 3.5-m and Gemini North 8.1-m telescopes have observed over 600 {\it Kepler} objects of interest (KOIs) and detected 49 stellar companions within $\sim$1 arcsecond. Assuming binary stars follow a log-normal period distribution for an effective temperature range of 3,000 to 10,000 K, then the model predicts that the vast majority of detect…
We present a detailed study of KIC 2306740, an eccentric double-lined eclipsing binary system. Kepler satellite data were combined with spectroscopic data obtained with the 4.2 m William Herschel Telescope (WHT). This allowed us to determine precise orbital and physical parameters of this relatively long period (P=10.3 d) and slightly eccentric, ($e=0.3$) binary system. The physical parameters have been determined as $M_1 = 1.194\pm0.008$ M$_{\odot}$, $M_2 = 1.078\pm0.007$ M$_{\odot}$, $R_1 = 1.682\pm0.004$ R$_{\odot}$, $R_2 = 1.226\pm0.005$ R$_{\odot}$, $L_1 = 2.8\pm0.4$ L$_{\odot}$, $L_2 = 1…
The Kepler space mission is devoted to finding Earth-size planets in habitable zones orbiting other stars. Its large, 105-deg field-of-view features over 156,000 stars that are observed continuously to detect and characterize planet transits. Yet this high-precision instrument holds great promise for other types of objects as well. Here we present a comprehensive catalog of eclipsing binary stars observed by Kepler in the first 44 days of operation, the data which are publicly available through MAST as of 6/15/2010. The catalog contains 1879 unique objects. For each object we provide its Keple…
We report a mechanism capable of reducing (or increasing) stellar activity in binary stars, thereby potentially enhancing (or destroying) circumbinary habitability. In single stars, stellar aggression towards planetary atmospheres causes mass-loss, which is especially detrimental for late-type stars, because habitable zones are very close and activity is long lasting. In binaries, tidal rotational breaking reduces magnetic activity, thus reducing harmful levels of XUV radiation and stellar mass-loss that are able to erode planetary atmospheres. We study this mechanism for all confirmed circumb…
This work studies the significance of the lightcurve intrinsic variability in the numerical modeling of contact binaries. Using synthetic light curves we are showing that the starspot-based intrinsic variability increases the apparent mass ratio by $Δq=5$%. For systems with orbital period $P>0.3 d$ the effect of intrinsic variability averaged over long time cancels each other out with the Kepler Mission-like phase smearing. Further, we analyse 47 totally eclipsing Kepler Mission contact binaries. We found a sharp cutoff of the intrinsic variability at P = 0.45 d. With the light curve numerical…
We report on the properties of eclipsing binaries from the Kepler mission with a newly developed photometric modeling code, which uses the light curve, spectral energy distribution of each binary, and stellar evolution models to infer stellar masses without the need for radial velocity measurements. We present solutions and posteriors to orbital and stellar parameters for 728 systems, forming the largest homogeneous catalogue of full Kepler binary parameter estimates to date. Using comparisons to published radial velocity measurements, we demonstrate that the inferred properties (e.g., masses)…
Asteroseismology is a powerful tool to measure the fundamental properties of stars and probe their interiors. This is particularly efficient for red giants because their modes are well detectable and give information on their deep layers. However, the seismic relations used to infer the mass and radius of a star have been calibrated on the Sun. Therefore, it is crucial to assess their accuracy for red giants which are not perfectly homologous to it. We study eclipsing binaries with a giant component to test their validity. We identified 16 systems for which we intend to compare the dynamical m…
In this paper, we use the restricted three body problem in the binary stellar systems, taking photogravitational effects of both the stars. The aim of this study is to investigate the motion of the infinitesimal mass in the vicinity of the Lagrangian points. We have computed semi-analytical expressions for the locations of the collinear points with the help of the perturbation technique. The stability of the triangular points is studied in stellar binary systems Kepler-34, Kepler-35, Kepler-413 and Kepler-16. To investigate the stability of the triangular points, we have obtained the expressio…
Many short-period binary stars have distant orbiting companions that have played a role in driving the binary components into close separation. Indirect detection of a tertiary star is possible by measuring apparent changes in eclipse times of eclipsing binaries as the binary orbits the common center of mass. Here we present an analysis of the eclipse timings of 41 eclipsing binaries observed throughout the NASA Kepler mission of long duration and precise photometry. This subset of binaries is characterized by relatively deep and frequent eclipses of both stellar components. We present prelimi…
