Phenomenological Parameters of the Prototype Eclipsing Binaries Algol, $\beta$ Lyrae and W UMa

TL;DR

This paper determines phenomenological parameters of prototype eclipsing binaries using the NAV algorithm, revealing detailed eclipse characteristics and potential for classifying and studying eclipsing variables from photometric data.

Contribution

It introduces an application of the NAV algorithm to prototype eclipsing binaries, providing new estimates of eclipse parameters and constraints for physical properties based on photometry.

Findings

Eclipses have distinct start and end times in EA, EB, and EW systems.

Half-duration of eclipses: Algol 0.0617, $eta$ Lyrae 0.1092, W UMa 0.1015.

Brightness ratios: Algol 6.8, $eta$ Lyrae 4.9, W UMa 1.15.

Abstract

The phenomenological parameters of eclipsing binary stars, which are the prototypes of the EA, EB and EW systems are determined using the expert complex of computer programs, which realizes the NAV ("New Algol Variable") algorithm (Andronov 2010, 2012) and its possible modifications are discussed, as well as constrains for estimates of some physical parameters of the systems in a case of photometric observations only, such as the degree of eclipse, ratio of the mean surface brightnesses of the components. The half-duration of the eclipse is 0.0617(7), 0.1092(18) and 0.1015(7) for Algol, $\beta$ Lyrae and W UMa, respectively. The brightness ratio is 6.8$\pm$1.0, 4.9$\pm$1.0 and 1.15$\pm$0.13. These results show that the eclipses have distinct begin and end not only in EA (as generally assumed), but also in EB and EW - type systems as well. The algorithm may be applied to classification and study of the newly discovered (or poorly studied) eclipsing variables based on own observations or that obtained using photometric surveys.