Computer Solution of Completely Eclipsing Binary Light Curves
Abstract
Kopal's iterative method for solving completely eclipsing binary light curves has been tested on synthetic light curves. The method converges and recovers known system parameters, including limb darkening coefficients, for simulated observational errors comparable to those obtainable photoelectrically at the telescope. The synthetic-data tests demonstrate the requirement for approximately 300 or more observations in each minimum and in each color and the importance of distributing the observations approximately evenly through each minimum. Application of the method to stars should include solution of a synthetic light curve simulating the actual data as a separate test of convergence properties of the solution.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- September 1970
- DOI:
- 10.1086/150606
- Bibcode:
- 1970ApJ...161.1043L