Identification and Follow-Up Observations of Low-Mass Eclipsing Binaries from Kepler

An outstanding problem in Astronomy for the past 15⁺ years has been that the radii of low-mass, (M < 1.0 M_⊙), main-sequence stars in eclipsing binary systems are consistently about 15% larger than predicted by theoretical models. The main cause is hypothesized to be rapid rotation due to binary spin-up, as all but one of the currently known systems have P < 3.0 days. We present 100⁺ new low-mass, main-sequence, double-lined eclipsing binaries (LMMS DDEBs) from both our Kepler Guest Observer Program, as well as the initial Kepler public data release. We identify over 25 new systems with P > 10 days, extending the sample of LMMS DDEBs into this completely heretofore unexplored period range. We present the initial results of our intensive observing campaign to obtain ground-based radial-velocity and multi-color photometry follow-up of these long-period systems, in order to determine precise masses and radii. We thank all the hard-working members of the Kepler team, and acknowledge support from the Kepler Guest Observer Program, the New Mexico Space Grant Consortium, and a NSF Graduate Research Fellowship.