# Candidates for RR~Lyrae in binary systems from the OGLE Galactic bulge survey

## TL;DR

This study identifies 20 new binary system candidates with RR Lyrae stars in the Galactic bulge using photometric data, analyzing $O-C$ diagrams for signs of binarity and estimating orbital parameters, though confirmation requires further radial velocity studies.

## Contribution

The paper introduces a method to detect binary RR Lyrae candidates through $O-C$ diagram analysis and provides the first orbital parameter estimates for these systems.

## Key findings

- 20 binary candidates identified via cyclic $O-C$ variations
- Orbital periods range from 3 to 15 years
- Some candidates suggest evolved companions contributing to system light

## Abstract

We present 20 newly discovered candidates for binary systems with an RR~Lyrae companion. Using the photometric data from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) and Korea Microlensing Telescope Network (KMTNet) for the Galactic bulge, we searched for binary candidates among non-modulated fundamental-mode RR~Lyrae variables. We constructed and investigated over 9000 $O-C$ diagrams for individual pulsators, in order to find signs of the light-travel time effect. We found 20 variables exhibiting cyclic variation in the $O-C$ (time of the observed minus calculated brightness maximum) diagram, which can be associated with a second component in the system, but for confirmation of binarity, a long-term radial velocity study is necessary. The modeling of the $O-C$ diagrams yields orbital parameters, estimates of the semi-amplitude of the radial velocity curve, and the mass function. The orbital periods of our candidates range from 3 to 15 years. Two of the binary candidates display a minimum mass higher than the assumed mass of the RR~Lyrae component, which points towards an evolved companion that can under some circumstances contribute significantly to the total light of the system.