Kepler Eclipsing Binaries with Stellar Companions

TL;DR

This study analyzes Kepler eclipse timing data for 41 binaries to identify potential third stellar companions, providing preliminary orbital parameters and highlighting period variations indicative of tertiary stars.

Contribution

It presents the first detailed analysis of eclipse timing variations in Kepler binaries to detect and characterize potential third-star companions.

Findings

Preliminary orbital elements for seven probable triple systems.

Identification of period changes in seven binaries suggestive of tertiary companions.

Methodology for indirect detection of third stars via eclipse timing variations.

Abstract

Many short-period binary stars have distant orbiting companions that have played a role in driving the binary components into close separation. Indirect detection of a tertiary star is possible by measuring apparent changes in eclipse times of eclipsing binaries as the binary orbits the common center of mass. Here we present an analysis of the eclipse timings of 41 eclipsing binaries observed throughout the NASA Kepler mission of long duration and precise photometry. This subset of binaries is characterized by relatively deep and frequent eclipses of both stellar components. We present preliminary orbital elements for seven probable triple stars among this sample, and we discuss apparent period changes in seven additional eclipsing binaries that may be related to motion about a tertiary in a long period orbit. The results will be used in ongoing investigations of the spectra and light curves of these binaries for further evidence of the presence of third stars.