Properties of M31. V: 298 Eclipsing Binaries from PAndromeda

TL;DR

This study identifies and classifies eclipsing binary stars in the Andromeda galaxy using photometric data, applying a modified detection algorithm and Fourier analysis, and aims to determine their physical parameters and the galaxy's distance.

Contribution

It introduces a modified box-fitting algorithm for detecting eclipsing binaries in M31 and classifies candidates using Fourier decomposition, advancing the study of extragalactic binary systems.

Findings

Identified 13 bright detached eclipsing binaries in M31.

Classified binaries into detached, semi-detached, and contact systems.

Prepared for spectroscopic follow-up to measure M31's distance.

Abstract

The goal of this work is to conduct a photometric study of eclipsing binaries in M31. We apply a modified box-fitting algorithm to search for eclipsing binary candidates and determine their period. We classify these candidates into detached, semi-detached, and contact systems using the Fourier decomposition method. We cross-match the position of our detached candidates with the photometry from Local Group Survey (Massey et al. 2006) and select 13 candidates brighter than 20.5 magnitude in V. The relative physical parameters of these detached candidates are further characterized with Detached Eclipsing Binary Light curve fitter (DEBiL) by Devor (2005). We will followup the detached eclipsing binaries spectroscopically and determine the distance to M31.