arXiv subjects

S. -B. Qian

Publications and source records attributed to S. -B. Qian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Reconsidering The Bailey Diagrams of ab-type RR Lyrae Stars, Metallicity-Mediated Evolution as the Direct Cause of the Oosterhoff Phenomenon

We re-examine the Bailey diagrams of fundamental mode RR Lyrae stars from the perspective of horizontal branch (HB) evolution, identifying evolutionary effects as the probable direct cause of the Oosterhoff dichotomy. By establishing empirical relationships between pulsation amplitude and average effective temperature, and utilizing pulsation period relations from nonlinear models, we transform theoretical HB evolutionary parameters into pulsation space and map them onto Bailey diagrams. We find that all pulsating Zero-Age Horizontal Branch stars fall within the Oosterhoff type I (OoI) region, with a pronounced period shift effect observed for relatively metal-rich samples ([Fe/H] > -1). Evolutionary tracks confirm that OoI stars are predominantly early-stage HB stars, while Oosterhoff type II stars are highly evolved objects entering the instability strip late in their HB phase from the blue side. Crucially, metallicity plays a dual role: it directly influences pulsation periods through the period relation, but more fundamentally acts as the first parameter influencing HB morphology. This morphology statistically determines whether HB stars predominantly enter the instability strip during early or late evolutionary stages. Consequently, while evolutionary effects directly govern an individual star's position in the Bailey diagram, the population-level Oosterhoff phenomenon emerges from the interplay between these effects and the metallicity-dependent HB morphology. Our study confirms that evolutionary effects are the direct drivers of the period difference and underscores metallicity's vital role in the statistical emergence of Oosterhoff groups. Continued study of this phenomenon offers key insights into the formation history of the Milky Way and nearby dwarf galaxies.

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arXiv2024

A brown dwarf orbiting around the planetary-nebula central binary KV Vel

KV Vel is a non-eclipsing short-period (P = 0.3571 days) close binary containing a very hot subdwarf primary (77000 K) and a cool low-mass secondary star (3400 K) that is located at the center of the planetary nebula DS 1. The changes in the orbital period of the close binary were analyzed based on 262 new times of light maximum together with those compiled from the literature. It is discovered that the O-C curve shows a small-amplitude (0.0034 days) cyclic period variation with a period of 29.55 years. The explanation by the solar-type magnetic activity cycles of the cool component is ruled out because the required energies are much larger than the total radiant energy of this component in a whole cycle. Therefore, the cyclic variation was plausibly explained as the light-travel time effect via the presence of a tertiary component, which is supported by the periodic changes of the O-C curve and the rather symmetric and stable light curves obtained by TESS. The mass of the tertiary companion is determined to be M_3sini' = 0.060(7) M_sun. If the third body is coplanar with the central binary (i.e., i' = 62.5°), the mass of the tertiary component is computed as M_3 ~ 0.068 M\sun, and thus it would be below the stable hydrogen-burning limit and is a brown dwarf. The orbital separation is shorter than 9.35 astronomical units (AU). KV Vel together with its surrounding planetary nebula and the brown-dwarf companion may be formed through the common-envelope evolution after the primary filled its Roche lobe during the early asymptotic giant branch stage.

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arXiv2023

Two Different Weak Modulations in ab-type RR Lyrae Variable V838 Cyg, and Potential Influence of Metal Abundance on Blazhko Modulation

Noting the weakest modulation and relatively high metal abundance of the ab-type RR Lyrae star V838 Cyg, we collected the photometric data of this star from several sky surveys to carry out an in-depth analysis. The O-C diagram shows that the pulsation period of V838 Cyg increases linearly over a long timescale. In a reanalysis of the high-precision Kepler data, we confirmed the modulation with a period of 59.45\pm0.07 days found by Benko et al., (2014), and also found an additional weak modulation with a longer period (840\pm21 days). After a series of analyses, we incline to the view that the mechanisms causing the two modulations are different: the former is more similar to the typical Blazhko effect, while the mechanism leading to the latter may be an extrinsic factor. We also collected and compared the modulation and physical parameters of other Blazhko RR Lyrae stars from several works in the literature, and find that there is a potential negative correlation between the modulation amplitude (or upper limit of amplitude) and the metal abundance. We infer that the relatively high metal abundance will promote convection in the outer stellar atmosphere, and then inhibit those factors (turbulence, shock wave, etc.) that may cause Blazhko modulation. Future observations and research work can be carried out with reference to this viewpoint. We also introduce the moire effects that appear in the Kepler long-cadence light curves and their possible interference in the previous analyses.

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arXiv2023

Comparative study of TESS photometry and radial velocities on six early K-type contact binaries with similar periods around 0.268 days

High-precision light curves were extracted from TESScut images. Together with APOGEE and LAMOST medium resolution spectra, a joint study was made for six early K-type contact binary candidates selected unbiasedly with orbital periods around 0.268 days. It is found that all of them (RV CVn, EK Com, V384 Ser, V1038 Her, EH CVn, and CSS$\_$J125403.7+503945) are W-subtype shallow contact systems though with different mass ratios ($1/q$ = 0.27--0.62). The effective temperature differences between binary components are around a few hundred Kelvins. The original definition of A- and W-subtypes were compared with the customarily used methods which rely on the shape or on the photometric solutions of light curves. The latter two methods are not always reliable and therefore the radial velocity analysis is strongly recommended. Through a collection of all available K-type contact binaries with both photometric and spectroscopic measurements, it is found that almost all of them are W-subtype systems, except a few objects which have nearly identical temperatures for binary components. This W-subtype phenomenon for K-type contact binaries should be further checked with more samples in the future. Finally, the physical parameters of the targets were determined with joint data analysis and the multiplicity is discussed for these targets. V384 Ser and RV CVn are confirmed very likely to be triple systems from comprehensive analysis, while V1038 Her is a candidate of a triple system based on photometric and spectroscopic solutions.

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arXiv2023

V606 Cen: A Newly Formed Massive Contact Binary in a Hierarchical Triple System

V606 Centauri (V606 Cen) is an early B-type close binary with an orbital period of 1.4950935\,d and the complete light curves are very difficult to be observed on the ground. By analyzing the unbroken and continuous light curve obtained by TESS, we found that it is a marginal contact binary with a very low fill-out factor of about 2\%. The O-C diagram of V606 Cen is constructed for the first time based on the 118.8-years eclipse times. It is found that the O-C diagram shows a downward parabolic change together with a cyclic oscillation with an amplitude of 0.0544\, d and a period of 88.8\, yr. The downward parabolic variation reveals a linear period decrease at a rate of $dP/dt = -2.06 \times{10^{-7}} d \cdot yr^{-1}$ that can be explained by the mass transfer from the more massive component to the less massive one. Both the marginal contact configuration and the continuous period decrease suggest that V606 Cen is a newly formed contact binary via Case A mass transfer. Meanwhile, the cyclic change in the O-C diagram can be explained by the Light-Travel Time Effect via the presence of a third body. The lowest mass of the tertiary companion is determined as M$_{3}$ = 4.51($\pm0.38$)M$_{\odot}$ that is orbiting around the central eclipsing binary in a nearly circular orbit (e=0.32). All the results indicate that V606 Cen is a newly formed massive contact binary and just reaches the contact configuration during the mass transfer in a hierarchical triple system.

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arXiv2022

Reanalysis of c-type RR Lyrae Variable BE Dor, Period Modulations and Possible Mechanism

We reanalyzed the c-type RR Lyrae star BE Dor (MACHO 5.4644.8, OGLE-LMC-RRLYR-06002) that had been discovered to show cyclic period changes. The photometric data of several sky surveys (DASCH, MACHO, OGLE, ASAS-SN, and TESS) were used for analyses. The O-C diagram and pulsation period obtained from Fourier analysis show significant period modulations in BE Dor. However, different from the previous viewpoint, the changes are quasi-periodic and abrupt. Therefore, the light-travel time effect caused by the companion motion cannot explain the changes. Noting a same subtype star KIC 9453114 with similar phenomena has a high macroturbulent velocity, and the degree of O-C changes seem to be positively correlated with these velocities, we consider that the mechanism leading to period modulation should be caused by the interaction between turbulent convection and magnetic field activity in the ionization zone, i.e., the viewpoint of Stothers. It may not explain the general Blazhko effect but should explain such period modulations in BE Dor and those other c-type RR Lyrae stars. We hope our discoveries and viewpoints can provide some information and inspiration for relevant research.

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arXiv2019

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.

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arXiv2019

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.

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arXiv2018

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.

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arXiv2017

Physical Properties and Evolutionary States of EA-type Eclipsing Binaries Observed by LAMOST

About 3196 EA-type binaries (EAs) were observed by LAMOST by June 16, 2017 and their spectral types were derived. Meanwhile stellar atmospheric parameters of 2020 EAs were determined. In the paper, those EAs are catalogued and their physical properties and evolutionary states are investigated. The period distribution of EAs suggests that the period limit of tidal locking for the close binaries is about 6 days. It is found that the metallicity of EAs is higher than that of EWs indicating that EAs are generally younger than EWs and they are the progenitors of EWs. The metallicities of long-period EWs (0.4 < P < 1 days) are the same as those of EAs with the same periods, while their values of Log (g) are usually smaller than those of EAs. These support the evolutionary process that EAs evolve into long-period EWs through the combination of angular momentum loss (AML) via magnetic braking and case A mass transfer. For short-period EWs, their metallicities are lower than those of EAs, while their gravitational accelerations are higher. These reveal that they may be formed from cool short-period EAs through AML via magnetic braking with little mass transfer. For some EWs with high metallicities, they may be contaminated by material from the evolution of unseen neutron stars and black holes or they have third bodies that may help them to form rapidly through a short timescale of pre-contact evolution. The present investigation suggests that the modern EW populations may be formed through the combination of aforementioned mechanisms.

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arXiv2017

A New Stellar Outburst Associated with the Magnetic Activities of the K-type Dwarf in a White-dwarf Binary

1SWASP\,J162117.36$+$441254.2 was originally classified as an EW-type binary with a period of 0.20785\,days. However, it was detected to have undergone a stellar outburst on June 3, 2016. Although the system was latter classified as a cataclysmic variable (CV) and the event was attributed as a dwarf-nova outburst, the physical reason is still unknown. This binary has been monitored photometrically since April 19, 2016 and many light curves were obtained before, during and after the outburst. Those light and color curves observed before the outburst indicate that the system is a special CV. The white dwarf is not accreting material from the secondary and there are no accretion disks surrounding the white dwarf. By comparing the light curves obtained from April 19 to September 14, 2016, it was found that magnetic activity of the secondary is associated with the outburst. We show strong evidence that the $L_1$ region on the secondary was heavily spotted before and after the outburst and thus quench the mass transfer, while the outburst is produced by a sudden mass accretion of the white dwarf. These results suggest that J162117 is a good astrophysical laboratory to study stellar magnetic activity and its influences on CV mass transfer and mass accretion.

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arXiv2017

Physical Properties and Catalogue of EW-type Eclipsing Binaries Observed by LAMOST

Numerous EWs were discovered by several deep photometric survey and there are about 40785 EW-type binary systems listed in the international variable star index (VSX) by March 13, 2017. 7938 of them were observed by LAMOST by November 30, 2016 and their spectral types were given. Stellar atmospheric parameters of 5363 EW-type binary stars were determined based on good spectroscopic observations. In the paper, those EWs were catalogued and their properties are analyzed. The distributions of the orbital period (P), the effect temperature (T), the gravitational acceleration (Log(g)), the metallicity ([Fe/H]) and the radial velocity (RV) are presented for those observed EW-type systems. It is shown that about 80.6\% sample stars have metallicity below zero indicating that EW-type systems are old stellar population. This is in agreement with the the conclusion that the EW binaries are formed from moderately close binaries through angular momentum loss via magnetic braking that takes a few hundred million to a few billion years. The unusual high metallicities of a few percent of EWs may be caused by contaminating of material from the evolution of unseen neutron stars and black holes in the systems. The correlations between the orbital period and the effect temperature, the gravitational acceleration and the metallicity are presented and their scatters are mainly caused by (i) the presence of the third bodies and (ii) the wrong determined periods sometimes. It is shown that some EW contain evolved component stars and the physical properties of EWs are mainly depending on their orbital periods. It is found that the extremely short-period EWs may be older than their long-period cousins because they have lower metallicities. This reveals that they have a longer timescale of pre-contact evolution and their formation and evolution are mainly driven by angular momentum loss via magnetic braking.

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arXiv2017

WZ Sge: an eclipsing cataclysmic variable evolving towards the period minimum

We present the photometric results of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) WZ Sge near the period minimum ($P_{min}$). Eight new mid-eclipse times were determined and the orbital ephemeris was updated. Our result shows that the orbital period of WZ Sge is decreasing at a rate of $\dot{P}=-2.72(\pm0.23)\times{10^{-13}}\,s s^{-1}$. This secular decrease, coupled with previous detection of its donor, suggest that WZ Sge is a pre-bounce system. Further analysis indicates that the observed period decrease rate is about $1.53$ times higher than pure gravitational radiation (GR) driving. We constructed the evolutionary track of WZ Sge, which predicts that $P_{min}$ of WZ Sge is $\sim77.98 (\pm0.90)$ min. If the orbital period decreases at the current rate, WZ Sge will evolve past its $P_{min}$ after $\sim25.3$ Myr. Based on the period evolution equation we find $\dot{M}_{2}\simeq4.04(\pm0.10)\times10^{-11}M_{\odot}yr^{-1}$, which is compatible with the current concept of CV evolution at ultrashort orbital periods.

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arXiv2017

Cyclic period oscillation of the eclipsing dwarf nova DV UMa

DV UMa is an eclipsing dwarf nova with an orbital period of $\sim2.06$ h, which lies just at the bottom edge of the period gap. To detect its orbital period changes we present 12 new mid-eclipse times by using our CCD photometric data and archival data. Combining with the published mid-eclipse times in quiescence, spanning $\sim30$ yr, the latest version of the $O-C$ diagram was obtained and analyzed. The best fit to those available eclipse timings shows that the orbital period of DV UMa is undergoing a cyclic oscillation with a period of $17.58(\pm0.52)$ yr and an amplitude of $71.1(\pm6.7)$ s. The periodic variation most likely arises from the light-travel-time effect via the presence of a circumbinary object because the required energy to drive the Applegate mechanism is too high in this system. The mass of the unseen companion was derived as $M_{3}\sin{i'}=0.025(\pm0.004)M_{\odot}$. If the third body is in the orbital plane (i.e. $i'=i=82.9^{\circ}$) of the eclipsing pair, it would match to a brown dwarf. This hypothetical brown dwarf is orbiting its host star at a separation of $\sim8.6$ AU in an eccentric orbit ($e=0.44$).

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arXiv2016

The first photometric analysis of the W-subtype contact binary UCAC4 436-062932 with O'Connell effect

Two sets of light curves in $V$ $R_c$ $I_c$ bands for a newly discovered binary system UCAC4 436-062932 are obtained and analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) code. The two sets of light curves get almost consistent results. The determined mass ratio is about $q = 2.7$ and the less massive component is nearly $250K$ hotter than the more massive one. The solutions conclude that UCAC4 436-062932 is a W-subtype shallow contact (with a contact degree of $f = 20\,\%$) binary system. Since the O'Connell effect appears on one set of the light curves, theories proposed to explain the effect are discussed. We assume that spot model may be the more plausible one to the O'Connell effect appeared on the asymmetric light curves of the binary system UCAC4 436-062932. Therefore, we add a cool spot on the surface of the more massive star (component with lower effective temperature) and get a quite approving results for the light curve fitting. It will provide evidence to support the spot model in the explanatory mechanism of O'Connell effect.

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arXiv2016

The photometric investigation of the newly discovered W UMa type binary system GSC 03122-02426

The $B$ $V$ $R_c$ $I_c$ bands light curves of the newly discovered binary system \astrobj{GSC 03122-02426} are obtained and analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) code. The solutions suggest that the mass ratio of the binary system is $q = 2.70$ and the less massive component is $422K$ hotter than the more massive one. We conclude that \astrobj{GSC 03122-02426} is a W-subtype shallow contact (with a contact degree of $f = 15.3\,\%$) binary system. It may be a newly formed contact binary system which is just under geometrical contact and will evolve to be a thermal contact binary system. The high orbital inclination ($i = 81.6^{\circ}$) implies that \astrobj{GSC 03122-02426} is a total eclipsing binary system and the photometric parameters obtained by us are quite reliable. We also estimate the absolute physical parameters of the two components in \astrobj{GSC 03122-02426}, which will provide fundamental information for the research of contact binary systems. The formation and evolutionary scenario of \astrobj{GSC 03122-02426} is discussed.

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arXiv2016

Photometric and period investigation of the late F-type overcontact binary II UMa

II UMa is a late F-type (F5) contact binary with a close-in tertiary and a distant visual companion. According to the four-color ($B$ $V$ $R_c$ $I_c$) light curves' solutions of II UMa, it is a high fill-out (f=$86.6\,\%$) and low mass ratio ($q = 0.172$) contact binary system, which indicate that it is at the late evolutionary stage of late-type tidal-locked binary stars. The mass of the primary star and secondary one are calculated to be $M_1 = 1.99M_\odot$, $M_2 = 0.34M_\odot$. The primary star has evolved from ZAMS, but it is still before TAMS, and the secondary star is even more evolved. Considering the mass ratio ($M_3/M_1 = 0.67$) obtained by spectroscopic observations, the mass of the close-in tertiary is estimated to be $M_3 = 1.34M_\odot$. The period variations of the binary system is investigated for the first time. According to the observed-calculated ($O$-$C$) curve analysis, a continuous period increase at a rate of $dP/dt=4.88\times{10^{-7}}day\cdot year^{-1}$ is determined. It may be just a part of a cyclic period change, or the combinational period change of a parabolic variation and a cyclic one. More times of minimum light are needed to confirm this. The presence of the tertiary component may play an important role in the formation and evolution of this binary system by drawing angular momentum from the central system during the pre-contact stage.

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arXiv2016

A Solar-type Stellar Companion to a Deep Contact Binary in a Quadruple System

The four-color ($B$ $V$ $R_c$ $I_c$) light curves of V776 Cas are presented and analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) method. It is discovered that V776 Cas is an early F-type (F2V) overcontact binary with a very high contact degree ($ f=64.6\,\%$) and an extremely low mass ratio ($q=0.130$), which indicate that it is at the final evolutionary stage of cool short-period binaries. The mass of the primary and secondary stars are calculated to be $M_1 = 1.55(\pm0.04)M_\odot$, $M_2 = 0.20(\pm0.01)M_\odot$. V776 Cas is supposed to be formed from an initially detached binary system via the loss of angular momentum due to the magnetic wind. The initial mass of the present primary and secondary components are calculated to be $M_{1i} = 0.86(\pm0.10)M_\odot$ and $M_{2i} = 2.13(\pm0.04)M_\odot$. The observed-calculated ($O$-$C$) curve exhibits a cyclic period variation, which is due to the light-travel time effect (LTTE) caused by the presence of a third component with a period of 23.7 years. The mass of the third component is estimated to be $M_3 = 1.04(\pm0.03)M_\odot$ and the orbital inclination of the third component is calculated to be $i' = 33.1^{\circ}$. The distance of the binary system to the mass center of the triple system is calculated to be $a'_{12} = 3.45AU$. The presence of the close-in tertiary component may play an important role in the formation and evolution of this binary system by drawing angular momentum from the central system.

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