Modern V Photometry of the Eclipsing Triple System b Persei
Abstract
A complete CCD light-curve in V of the bright (V ~ 4.6) ellipsoidal variable star b Persei (not beta Persei) has been obtained between November, 2013 and February, 2014. We recover the small amplitude 0.065 mag. variation of the ellipsoidal lightcurve. The period of the ellipsoidal light curve from 2013-14 observing season is found to be 1.5273 ± 0.0015 d, consistent with older observations. b Persei is known to be a triple star system in which several AAVSO contributors recorded the first ever observed eclipse near February 5-6, 2013 of the inner AB stars by the third star C, which has a 702 day edge-on orbit. This eclipse was predicted based on an astrometric orbit from observations with the Navy Precision Optical Interferometer (NPOI). The NPOI provides stellar positions to milliarcsecond precision. We will present results of the orbital analysis of the triple system. The next primary eclipse of b Persei is expected near January 12, 2015 and will last about 2 days. High time-resolution multicolor photometry will be extremely useful as we try to understand the evolutionary states of the close binary in b Persei. The close binary may be a non-eclipsing Algol-like system or perhaps evolving towards a masstransferring Algol-like stage. Time series observations from widely-distributed observers should be able to resolve the eclipse of the individual A and B components of b Persei, thus gaining hidden information about this rarely-observed system. The high brightness of this system enables precision photometry with small telescopes or finder scopes and entry-level filtered monochrome CCD cameras, which are widely available to amateurs worldwide.
- Publication:
-
Society for Astronomical Sciences Annual Symposium
- Pub Date:
- May 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014SASS...33..205C