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Full-Text Articles in Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy

The V471 Tauri System: A Multi-Data-Type Probe, Todd R. Vaccaro, Robert E. Wilson, W. Van Hamme, Dirk Terrell Sep 2015

The V471 Tauri System: A Multi-Data-Type Probe, Todd R. Vaccaro, Robert E. Wilson, W. Van Hamme, Dirk Terrell

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

V471 Tauri, a white dwarf–red dwarf eclipsing binary ( EB) in the Hyades, is well known for stimulating development of common envelope theory, whereby novae and other cataclysmic variables form from much wider binaries by catastrophic orbit shrinkage. Our evaluation of a recent imaging search that reported negative results for a much postulated third body shows that the object could have escaped detection or may have actually been seen. The balance of evidence continues to favor a brown dwarf companion about 12 AU from the EB. A recently developed algorithm finds unified solutions from three data types. New radial velocities …


Distance To U Pegasi By The Dde Algorithm, Todd R. Vaccaro, Dirk Terrell, Robert E. Wilson Jan 2010

Distance To U Pegasi By The Dde Algorithm, Todd R. Vaccaro, Dirk Terrell, Robert E. Wilson

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

A distance is found for the W UMa type binary U Pegasi, with a newly modified version of the Wilson-Devinney program (W-D) that makes use of the direct distance estimation (DDE) algorithm. The reported distance of d=123.6pc is an average based on solutions for B and V data and a primary star temperature of 5800K. Standardized light curves (not differential), radial velocities, and a spectroscopic primary star temperature are input to the program. Differential corrections were performed for each light curve band along with the velocities for two primary temperatures that span 100K. Log10d is a model parameter …


Lp 133-373: A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, Todd R. Vaccaro, A. Kawka, T. D. Oswalt, I. Silver, M. Wood, J. Allyn Smith Jun 2007

Lp 133-373: A New Chromospherically Active Eclipsing Dme Binary With A Distant, Cool White Dwarf Companion, Todd R. Vaccaro, A. Kawka, T. D. Oswalt, I. Silver, M. Wood, J. Allyn Smith

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report the discovery of the partially eclipsing binary LP 133-373. Nearly identical eclipses along with observed photometric colors and spectroscopy indicate that it is a pair of chromospherically active dM4 stars in a circular 1.6 day orbit. Light and velocity curve modeling to our differential photometry and velocity data show that each star has a mass and radius of 0.340+/-0.014 Msolar and 0.33+/-0.02 Rsolar. The binary is itself part of a common proper motion pair with LP 133-374, a cool DC or possible DA white dwarf with a mass of 0.49-0.82 Msolar, which would …


Fluorescence In Ultraviolet Active Binaries: The Case Of Ff Aquarii, Todd R. Vaccaro, R. E. Wilson Jun 2003

Fluorescence In Ultraviolet Active Binaries: The Case Of Ff Aquarii, Todd R. Vaccaro, R. E. Wilson

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The eclipsing binary FF Aquarii (FF Aqr) consists of a small hot star of uncertain type and a red giant. An Hα feature varies from absorption during eclipse to maximum emission during hot star transit. We have obtained simultaneous differential photometry in BVRI bands and Hα spectroscopy in 1998 that covered an entire orbit with some overlap. A binary star model was used with our light-curve, radial velocity and Hα data to refine stellar and orbital parameters. A new ephemeris indicates that the period has increased or is longer than previously thought. A physically simple algorithm is developed that generates …


Fluorescence And Chromospheric Activity Of V471 Tau, Todd R. Vaccaro, Robert E. Wilson Jan 2002

Fluorescence And Chromospheric Activity Of V471 Tau, Todd R. Vaccaro, Robert E. Wilson

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

The red dwarf + white dwarf eclipsing binary V471 Tau shows a variable Hα feature that varies from absorption during eclipse to maximum emission during white dwarf transit. In 1998 we obtained simultaneous BVRI photometry and Hα spectroscopy, with thorough phase coverage of the 12.5 hour orbital period. A binary star model was used with our light curve, radial velocity, and Hα data to refine stellar and orbital parameters. Combined absorption-emission profiles were generated by the model and fit to the observations, yielding a red star radius of 0.94⊙. Orbital inclination 78° is required with this size and other known …