Single Channel UBV Photometry of Long Period Eclipsing Binary VV Cephei
Abstract
With a period of 20.3 years, VV Cephei is the second longest known eclipsing binary system. The last eclipse was in 1997-98. The observation of long period eclipsing binaries requires a special kind of dedication. Few of these systems are followed in detail between eclipses. These stars are bright, and so obtaining telescope time for extended periods at professional observatories is nearly impossible. Therefore, amateur photometrists with modest backyard observatories and time to devote can make an important contribution by monitoring these stars. To this end, the Hopkins Phoenix Observatory started a dedicated effort in the summer of 2005 to obtain UBV data for VV Cep around the predicted time of secondary eclipse, which has never been observed for this system. This paper will summarize the current observing program and present the data.
- Publication:
-
Society for Astronomical Sciences Annual Symposium
- Pub Date:
- May 2006
- Bibcode:
- 2006SASS...25..105H