The near-contact system BF Velorum: New BVRI photometry and search for pulsations

A photometric analysis of the short-period eclipsing binary system BF Velorum, based for the first time on complete new BVRI CCD light curves obtained by the authors, is presented. Light variations characteristic of a pulsating component in the system are evident in these light curves. The new photometric solution obtained with the Wilson-Devinney program reveals that BF Vel is a semi-detached (near-contact) system with the secondary star filling its Roche lobe. Absolute elements of the system were calculated, and the evolutionary status of its members was determined. An analysis of the pulsation in the B filter using the Period04 program was also performed.