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B. Soonthornthum

Publications and source records attributed to B. Soonthornthum.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

Photometric and Spectroscopic Analysis of V583 Lyrae, an Algol with a g-mode Pulsating Primary and Accretion Disk

V583 Lyr is an extremely low mass ratio Algol-type binary with an orbital period of 11.2580 days. We determined an effective temperature of T_{eff1} = 9000 \pm 350 K from newly observed spectra, which might be an underestimate due to binary mass transfer. The binary mass ratio q = 0.1 \pm 0.004 and the orbital inclination i = 85.5° are determined based on the assumption that the secondary fills its Roche lobe and rotates synchronously. The radial velocity curve is obtained from time series spectra, allowing for improved estimation of stellar masses and radii: M1 = 3.56 \pm 0.5 Msun, R1 = 2.4 \pm 0.2 Rsun; and M2 = 0.36 \pm 0.02 Msun, R2= 6.9 \pm 0.4 Rsun. The variations in the double-peaked H_α emission indicate the formation of a stable disk during mass transfer. V583 Lyr appears to be a post-mass-reversal system, according to the estimated mass transfer using O-C period analysis. Its orbital period is slowly increasing, from which the rate of mass accretion by the primary star is estimated to be dM1/dt = 3.384 \times10^{-8} Msun/yr. The pulsation analysis was conducted on the residuals of the light curve. The primary component was found to be a g-mode pulsating star with 26 frequencies extracted lower than 9 d^{-1}. The frequency groups and rotational splitting properties of the g-mode were studied in detail. This study provides compelling evidence for an accretion disk surrounding the g-mode pulsating primary.

astro-ph.SR

Solar Magnetic Polarity Effect on Neutron Monitor Count Rates: Comparing Latitude Surveys and Antarctic Stations

The Galactic cosmic ray spectrum manifests pronounced variations over the 11-year sunspot cycle and more subtle variations over the 22-year solar magnetic cycle. An important tool to study these variations is repeated latitude surveys with neutron monitors (NMs) onboard icebreakers in conjunction with land-based references. We revisit 13 annual latitude surveys from 1994 to 2007 using reference data from the Mawson NM instead of McMurdo NM (which closed in 2017). We then consider two more latitude surveys (2018 and 2019) with a monitor similar to the 3NM64 in the previous surveys but without lead rings around the central tube, a so-called ``semi-leaded neutron monitor.'' The new surveys extend the linear relationship among data taken at different cutoff rigidity ranges. They also confirm the ``crossover'' measured near solar minima during epochs of opposite solar magnetic polarity and the absence of a crossover for epochs having the same solar magnetic polarity.

physics.space-ph

BM UMa: a middle shallow contact binary at pre-transition stage of evolution from W-type to A-type

In this study, all unpublished time series photometric data of BM UMa ($q \sim$ 2.0, P = 0.2712\,d) from available archives were re-investigated together with new data taken from the TNT-2.4m of the Thai National Observatory (TNO). Based on period analysis, there is a short-term variation superimposed on the long-term period decrease. The trend of period change can be fitted with a downward parabolic curve indicating a period decrease at a rate of $\mathrm{d}P/\mathrm{d}t = -3.36(\pm 0.02)\times10^{-8}$ d $\textrm{yr}^{-1}$. This long-term period decrease can be explained by mass transfer from the more massive component ($M_2 \sim 0.79 M_{\odot}$) to the less massive one ($M_1 \sim 0.39 M_{\odot}$), combination with AML. For photometric study, we found that the binary consists of K0\,V stars and at the middle shallow contact phase with evolution of fill-out factor from 8.8\,\% (in 2007) to 23.2\,\% (in 2020). Those results suggest that the binary is at pre-transition stage of evolution from W-type to A-type, agreeing to the results of statistical study of W-type contact binaries. The mass of $M_2$ will be decreased close to or below $M_1$ and the mass ratio will be decreased ($q < 1.0$). By this way, the binary will evolve into A-type as a deeper normal over-contact system with period increase. Finally the binary will end as a merger or a rapid-rotating single star when the mass ratio meet the critical value ($q < 0.094$), as well as produce a red nova.

astro-ph.SR

Deep Contrast and Companion Detection Using the EvWaCo Testbed Equipped with an Achromatic Focal Plane Mask and an Adjustable Inner Working Angle

The evanescent wave coronagraph uses the principle of frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR) to suppress the light coming from the star and study its close environment. Its focal plane mask is composed of a lens and a prism placed in contact with each other to produce the coronagraphic effect. In this paper, we present the experimental results obtained using an upgraded focal plane mask of the Evanescent Wave Coronagraph (EvWaCo). These experimental results are also compared to the theoretical performance of the coronagraph obtained through simulations. Experimentally, we reach a raw contrast equal to a few $10^{-4}$ at a distance equal to 3 $λ/D$ over the full I-band ($λ_c =$ $800$ $nm$, $Δλ/λ \approx 20\%$) and equal to 4 $λ/D$ over the full R-band ($λ_c =$ $650$ $nm$, $Δλ/λ \approx 23\%$) in unpolarized light. However, our simulations show a raw contrast close to $10^{-4}$ over the full I-band and R-band at the same distance, thus, confirming the theoretical achromatic advantage of the coronagraph. We also verify the stability of the mask through a series of contrast measurements over a period of 8 months. Furthermore, we measure the sensitivity of the coronagraph to the lateral and longitudinal misalignment of the focal plane mask, and to the lateral misalignment of the Lyot stop.

astro-ph.IM

The W-subtype active contact binary PZ UMa with a possible more massive tertiary component

Two sets of multiple-color ($B, V, R_c, I_c$) light curves of PZ UMa were observed in dependently with the 2.4 meter telescope at the Thai National Observatory and the 1 meter telescope at Yunnan Observatories. The light curves were analyzed with the Wilson-Devinney program and the two sets of light curves produced consistent results, which show that PZ UMa is a W-subtype contact binary with an extreme mass ratio ($M_{1}/M_{2} = 0.18)$. The basic physical parameters of PZ UMa were determined to be $M_{2} = 0.77(2)M_\odot$, $M_{1} = 0.14(1)M_\odot$, $R_{2} = 0.92(1)R_\odot$, $R_{1} = 0.43(1)R_\odot$, $L_{2} = 0.46(2)L_\odot$ and $L_{1} = 0.15(3)L_\odot$. The orbital period analysis of PZ UMa revealed a 13.22 year periodicity, which implies that there may be a tertiary component orbiting around the binary system. The mass and orbital radius of the tertiary component were calculated to be $M_{3} = 0.88 M_\odot$ and $a_{3} = 3.67 AU$, if the orbit was coplanar with the central binary system. It is interesting that the minimum mass of the tertiary was calculated to be $M_{3min} = 0.84 M_\odot$, which means the tertiary component is even larger than the primary star and the secondary one of PZ UMa. PZ UMa is a late-type contact binary with stellar activity. The O'Connell effect appeared on its light curves when it was observed on April 2016. However, the O'Connell effect reversed when the target was observed again on December 2016. The changes of the O'Connell effect in such a short time-scale strongly support the occurrence of rapidly changing magnetic activity on this W UMa binary.

astro-ph.SR

V752 Cen -- A triple-lined spectroscopic contact binary with sudden and continuous period changes

V752 Cen is a triple-lined spectroscopic contact binary. Its multi-color light curves were obtained in the years 1971 and 2018, independently. Photometric analyses reveal that the two sets of light curves produce almost consistent results. It contains a W-subtype totally eclipsing binary, and its mass ratio and fill-out factor are $q = 3.35(1)$ and $f = 29(2)\,\%$. The absolute elements of its two component stars were determined to be $M_{1} = 0.39(2)M_\odot$, $M_{2} = 1.31(7)M_\odot$, $R_{1} = 0.77(1)R_\odot$, $R_{2} = 1.30(2)R_\odot$, $L_{1} = 0.75(3)L_\odot$ and $L_{2} = 2.00(7)L_\odot$. The period of V752 Cen is 0.37023198 day. The 0.37-d period remained constant from its first measurement in 1971 until the year 2000. However, it changed suddenly around the year 2000 and has been increasing continuously at a rate of $dP/dt=+5.05\times{10^{-7}}day\cdot year^{-1}$ since then, which can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component star to the more massive one with a rate of $\frac{dM_{2}}{dt}=2.52\times{10^{-7}}M_\odot/year$. The period variation of V752 Cen over the 48 years in which the period has been monitored is really unusual, and is potentially related to effects from the possible presence of a nearby third star or of a pair of stars in a second binary.

astro-ph.SR

YZ Phe: an active contact binary with variation of the O'Connell effect and orbital period change

YZ Phe is a very short-period contact binary (Sp.= $K2\,V$) with an orbital period of 0.2347 days near the short period limit (0.22 d). We present the complete light curves in $VRI$ bands, which photometric data were obtained with the 0.61-m telescope of PROMPT-8 at CTIO in Chile during June to October 2016 and August 2017. The photometric solutions were determined by using the W-D method and the results reveal that YZ Phe is a W-subtype shallow contact binary ($f\sim$ 10%, $q$ = 2.635 or $1/q$ = 0.379 for W subtype) with rotational motion of a large hot spot on the more massive component, showing a strong O'Connell effect with variation of maxima in photometric time series at period of 4.20 yr and stellar cycle at period of 1.28 yr. By compiling all available eclipse times, the result shows a long-term period decrease at a rate of $\mathrm{d}P/\mathrm{d}t = -2.64(\pm 0.02)\times 10^{-8}$ d $yr^{-1}$, superimposed on a cyclic variation ($A_3$ = 0.0081 days and $P_3$ = 40.76 years). This variation cannot be explained by Applegate mechanism. Thus, the cyclic change may be interpreted as light-travel time effect via the presence of a cool third body. Based on photometric solutions, the third light was detected with 2% contribution of total light in $V$ and $I$ bands. Those support the existence of a third body. For the long-term period decrease, it can be explained by mass transfer from the more massive component ($M_2 \sim 0.74 M_{\odot}$) to the less massive one ($M_1 \sim 0.28 M_{\odot}$) or plus AML via magnetic braking. With $1/q$ $<$ 0.4 and long-term period decrease, all suggest that YZ Phe is on the AML-controlled state and its fill-out factor will increase, as well as the system will evolve into a deeper normal contact binary.

astro-ph.SR

RW Dor: A G-type shallow contact binary with new orbital period investigation

New CCD photometric light curves of short period (P=0.285d) eclipsing binary RW Dor are presented. The observations performed with the PROMPT-8 robotic telescope at CTIO in Chile from March 2015 to March 2017. The other eclipse timings were obtained from the 2.15-m JS telescope at CASLEO, San Juan, Argentina in December 2011. By light-curve analysis, it is found that RW Dor is a W-type shallow contact binary with a fill-out factor $f \sim 11\%$ and high mass ratio $q \sim 1.587$ (1/q = 0.63), where the hotter component is the less massive one ($M_1 \sim 0.52M_{\odot}$ and $M_2 \sim 0.82M_{\odot}$). For orbital period investigation, the new fifteen eclipse times and those in previous published were compiled. Based on $O-C$ analysis with very weak evidence suggests that a long-term period decrease with a rate of $\mathrm{d}P/\mathrm{d}t = -9.61\times10^{-9}$ d $\textrm{yr}^{-1}$ is superimposed on a cyclic variation ($A_3$ = 0.0054 days and $P_3$ = 49.9 yrs). The long-term period decrease can be interpreted as mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one or combine with the angular momentum loss (AML) via magnetic braking. In addition, with the marginal contact phase, high mass ratio (1/q $>$ 0.4) and the long-term period decrease, all suggest that RW Dor is a newly formed contact binary via a Case A mass transfer and it will evolve into a deeper normal contact binary. If the cyclic change is correct, the light-travel time effect via the presence of a cool third body will be more plausible to explain for this.

astro-ph.SR

TY Pup: a low-mass-ratio and deep contact binary as a progenitor candidate of luminous red novae

TY Pup is a well-known bright eclipsing binary in southern hemisphere with an orbital period of 0.8192 days. New light curves in $B, V, (RI)_C$ bands were obtained with the 0.61-m reflector robotic telescope (PROMPT-8) at CTIO in Chile from January to February 2015 and from March to April 2017. By analyzing those photometric data with the W-D method, it is found that TY Pup is a low-mass-ratio ($q \sim$ 0.184) and deep contact binary with a high fill-out factor ($84.3\,\%$). An investigation of all available times of minimum light including three new ones obtained with the 60-cm and the 1.0-m telescopes at Yunnan Observatories in China indicates that the period change of TY Pup is complex. An upward parabolic variation in the $O-C$ diagram is detected to be superimposed on a cyclic oscillation. The upward parabolic change reveals a long-term continuous increase in the orbital period at a rate of $\mathrm{d}P/\mathrm{d}t = 5.57(\pm 0.08)\times10^{-8}$ d $\textrm{yr}^{-1}$. The period increase can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component ($M_2 \sim 0.3 M_{\odot}$) to the more massive one ($M_1 \sim 1.65 M_{\odot}$) and the mass ratio of the binary system will become more smaller. In this way, the binary will be merging when it meets the criterion that the orbital angular momentum is less than 3 times the total spin angular momentum, i.e., $J_{orb} < 3J_{rot}$. This suggests that the system will finally merge into a rapid-rotating single star and may produce a luminous red nova. The cyclic oscillation in the $O-C$ diagram can be interpreted by the light-travel time effect (LITE) via the presence of an additional companion.

astro-ph.SR

DE CVn: an eclipsing post-common envelope binary with a circumbinary disk and a giant planet

We present a timing analysis of the eclipsing post-common envelope binary (PCEB) DE CVn. Based on new CCD photometric observations and the published data, we found that the orbital period in DE CVn has a cyclic period oscillation with an amplitude of $28.08$ s and a period of $11.22$ years plus a rapid period decrease at a rate of $\dot{P}=-3.35\times10^{-11}ss^{-1}$. According to the evolutionary theory, secular period decreases in PCEBs arise from angular momentum losses (AMLs) driven by gravitational radiation (GR) and magnetic braking (MB). However, the observed orbital decay is too fast to be produced by AMLs via GR and MB, indicating that there could be other AML mechanism. We suggest that a circumbinary disk around DE CVn may be responsible for the additional AML. The disk mass was derived as a few$\times$$10^{-4}$-$10^{-3}$$M_{\odot}$ , which is in agreement with that inferred from previous studies in the order of magnitude. The cyclic change is most likely result of the gravitational perturbation by a circumbinary object due to the Applegate's mechanism fails to explain such a large period oscillation. The mass of the potential third body is calculated as $M_{3}\sin{i'}=0.011(\pm0.003)M_{\odot}$. Supposing the circumbinary companion and the eclipsing binary is coplanar, its mass would correspond to a giant planet. This hypothetical giant planet is moving in a circular orbit of radius $\sim5.75(\pm2.02)$ AU around its host star.

astro-ph.SR

New Photometric Investigation of the Low-Mass-Ratio Contact Binary Star V1853 Orionis

Four-color charge-coupled device (CCD) light curves in $B$, $V$, $Rc$ and $Ic$ bands of the total-eclipsing binary system, V1853 Ori, are presented. By comparing our light curves with those published by previous investigators, it is detected that the O'Connell effect on the light curves is disappeared. By analyzing those multi-color light curves with the Wilson-Devinney code (W-D code), it is discovered that V1853 Ori is an A-type intermediate-contact binary with a degree of contact factor of $f=33.3\%(3.7\%)$ and a mass ratio of $q=0.1896(0.0013)$. Combining our 10 new determined times of light minima together with the others published in the literature, the period changes of the system is investigated. We found that the general trend of the observed-calculated $(O-C)$ curve shows a downward parabolic variation that corresponds to a long-term decrease in the orbital period with a rate of $dP/dt=-1.96(0.46)\times{10^{-7}}$ d yr$^{-1}$. The long-term period decrease could be explained by mass transfer from the more-massive component to the less-massive one. By combining our photometric solutions with the Gaia DR 2 data, absolute parameters were derived as $M_{1}$ = 1.20 M$_{\odot}$, $M_{2}$ = 0.23 M$_{\odot}$, $R_{1}$ = 1.36 R$_{\odot}$, and $R_{2}$ = 0.66 R$_{\odot}$. The long-term period decrease and the intermediate-contact configuration suggest that V1853 Ori will evolve into a high fill-out overcontact binary.

astro-ph.SR

First photometric study of ultrashort-period contact binary 1SWASP J140533.33+114639.1

In this paper, CCD photometric light curves for the short-period eclipsing binary 1SWASP J140533.33+114639.1 (hereafter J1405) in the $BVR$ bands are presented and analyzed using the 2013 version of the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) code. It is discovered that the J1405 is a W-subtype shallow contact binary with a contact degree of $f$ = 7.9$\pm$ 0.5\% and a mass ratio of $q$ = 1.55 $\pm$ 0.02. In order to explain the asymmetric light curves of the system, a cool star-spot on the more massive component was employed. This shallow contact eclipsing binary may be formed from a short-period detached system through the orbital shrinkage due to angular momentum loss. Based on $(O-C)$ method, the variation of the orbital period was studied using all the available times of the minimum light. The $(O-C)$ diagram reveals that the period is increasing continuously at a rate of $dP/dt=+2.09\times{10^{-7}}$days yr$^{-1}$, which can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one.

astro-ph.SR

Lunar Occultations of Eighteen Stellar Sources from the 2.4-m Thai National Telescope

We report further results from the program of lunar occultation (LO) observations started at the 2.4-m Thai National Telescope (TNT) in 2014. We have recorded LO events of 18 stellar sources, leading to the detection of four angular diameters and two binary stars. With two exceptions, these are first-time determinations. We could resolve angular diameters as small as 2 milliarcseconds (mas) and projected separations as small as 4mas. We discuss the individual results, in the context of previous observations when available. The first-time angular diameters for o Psc, HR 6196 and 75 Leo are in good agreement with expected values, while that of Pi Leo agrees with the average of previous determinations but has a higher accuracy. We find a new secondary in o Psc, as previously suspected from Hipparcos data. We also obtain an accuratemeasurement of the companion in 31 Ari, revealing inconsistencies in the currently available orbital parameters. The TNT, equipped with the fast ULTRASPEC imager, is the leading facility in Southeast Asia for high time resolution observations. The LO technique at this telescope achieves a sensitivity of i up to 10mag, with a potential to detect several hundreds of LO events per year.

astro-ph.SR

ULTRASPEC: a high-speed imaging photometer on the 2.4-m Thai National Telescope

ULTRASPEC is a high-speed imaging photometer mounted permanently at one of the Nasmyth focii of the 2.4-m Thai National Telescope (TNT) on Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest mountain. ULTRASPEC employs a 1024x1024 pixel frame-transfer, electron-multiplying CCD (EMCCD) in conjunction with re-imaging optics to image a field of 7.7'x7.7' at (windowed) frame rates of up to ~200 Hz. The EMCCD has two outputs - a normal output that provides a readout noise of 2.3 e- and an avalanche output that can provide essentially zero readout noise. A six-position filter wheel enables narrow-band and broad-band imaging over the wavelength range 330-1000 nm. The instrument saw first light on the TNT in November 2013 and will be used to study rapid variability in the Universe. In this paper we describe the scientific motivation behind ULTRASPEC, present an outline of its design and report on its measured performance on the TNT.

astro-ph.IM

First Lunar Occultation Results from the 2.4 m Thai National Telescope equipped with ULTRASPEC

The recently inaugurated 2.4\,m Thai National Telescope (TNT) is equipped, among other instruments, with the ULTRASPEC low-noise, frame-transfer EMCCD camera. At the end of its first official observing season, we report on the use of this facility to record high time resolution imaging using small detector subarrays with sampling as fast as several $10^2$\,Hz. In particular, we have recorded lunar occultations of several stars which represent the first contribution to this area of research made from South-East Asia with a telescope of this class. Among the results, we discuss an accurate measurement of $α$~Cnc, which has been reported previously as a suspected close binary. Attempts to resolve this star by several authors have so far met with a lack of unambiguous confirmation. With our observation we are able to place stringent limits on the projected angular separation ($<0\farcs003$) and brightness ($Δ{\rm m} > 5$) of a putative companion. We also present a measurement of the binary {HR~7072}, which extends considerably the time coverage available for its yet undetermined orbit. We discuss our precise determination of the flux ratio and projected separation in the context of other available data. We conclude by providing an estimate of the performance of ULTRASPEC at TNT for lunar occultation work. This facility can help to extend the lunar occultation technique in a geographical area where no comparable resources were available until now.

astro-ph.SR