BVRCIC Observations, Analysis, and Spectra of The Most Extreme Mass Ratio (Totally Eclipsing) W UMa Binary, V1187 Herculis

CCD, BVRI primary light curves of V1187 Her were taken in 2017 May and 2018 May at the Dark Sky Observatory in North Carolina with the 0.81-m reflector of Appalachian State University. A spectrum was taken earlier at Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) with the 1.8 m telescope. The spectral type is F(8.5 ± 1)V, resulting in a surface temperature of 6250 ± 125 K (Cox 2000), so solar-type activity is expected. V1187 Her was previously identified as a low-amplitude, short-period, over-contact eclipsing binary (EW) with an orbital period of 0.310726 d. Strikingly, despite its low amplitude (∼0.15 mag), the early light curves show a total eclipse (eclipse duration: 31.5 minutes). This can only occur (in the absence of a strong third light) if the binary is an exceptionally extreme mass ratio binary, perhaps the most extreme known. Eight instances of minimum light were calculated. A 12-year period study reveals a secular period decrease in the orbital period with good confidence. The rate of period change is dP/dt = -1.5 × 10^-07 d/yr, probably due to magnetic braking. Its Roche Lobe fill-out is found to be a hefty 84% along with a mass ratio of only ∼0.044 indeed, the most extreme known among solar-type (i.e., W UMa) binaries. It has a cool spot region. The secondary component has a temperature of ≈ 6680 K, which makes it a W-subtype binary (the less massive component is hotter). The inclination is only ∼67° despite its total eclipses. A q-search was conducted, which showed the 0.044 value was the best fit to the light curves. Additionally, follow-up observations were taken on 2018 May 4, which confirmed the mass ratio found from the earlier curves.