arXiv subjects

Shengbang Qian

Publications and source records attributed to Shengbang Qian.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

IY Lyr: A Thick-Disk first-overtone RR Lyrae Star with a Possible Neutron Star Companion

IY Lyr, historically misclassified as an eclipsing binary, has been previously identified as a first-overtone RR Lyrae star (RRc star). Using multiband photometry (All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae, Zwicky Transient Facility, TESS, and our BVRI data), Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope spectroscopy, and Gaia astrometry, we investigate its pulsation, binarity, and Galactic population. From O-C analysis, we detect a long-term period decrease and a light-travel time effect with an orbital period of 3.94 $\pm$ 0.09 years, eccentricity of 0.46 $\pm$ 0.15, and a mass function of 0.65 $\pm$ 0.14 M$_{\odot}$. The companion is independently supported by radial velocity residuals and Gaia proper motions. Combined constraints yield an orbital inclination of 94.2$^{\circ}$ $\pm$ 1.1$^{\circ}$ and a companion mass of 1.37 $\pm$ 0.19 M$_{\odot}$. Chemical abundances ([Fe/H] $\simeq$ -1.0 $\pm$ 0.1, [$α$/Fe] $\simeq$ +0.27 $\pm$ 0.03, Xiang et al. 2019) and dynamics ($L_{\rm z}$ $\simeq$ 1287 $\pm$ 35 kpc km s$^{-1}$, $Z_{\rm max}$ $\simeq$ 1.17 $\pm$ 0.10 kpc) identify IY Lyr as likely an old, high-$α$, thick-disk star. The companion mass lies at the peak of the neutron star mass distribution, and the system's age excludes a main-sequence star; we conclude the companion is most likely a typical neutron star, although a massive white dwarf near the Chandrasekhar limit cannot be ruled out. IY Lyr is among the few RRc binaries with a compact companion supported by multiple methods, and it has important implications for thick-disk binary evolution and neutron star formation.

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arXiv2026

Spectral Dataset of Stripped-Envelope Supernovae from the Tsinghua Supernova Group

The extent of envelope stripping in the progenitor stars is directly reflected in the diversity of spectral features observed in stripped-envelope supernovae (SESNe). Through extensive spectral observation and analysis, we aim to clarify the statistical differences between the subclasses of SESNe. The Tsinghua Supernova group obtained 249 optical spectra of 62 SESNe during the years from 2010 to 2020, covering phases from $-$16 to over 190 days relative to maximum light. Most spectra were obtained during the photospheric phases after the supernova explosion. For each spectrum, the pseudo-equivalent widths (pEWs) and blueshift velocities of principal lines were measured. We further investigated the common spectral features by analysing their velocity and strength correlations across all subtypes. We identify the feature near 6200~Å in SNe Ib as H$\mathrmα$ through comparison with SNe IIb and Ic, which resolves inconsistent literature interpretations. Our finding reveals prevalent residual hydrogen in SNe Ib, further supporting a continuous stripping sequence from SNe IIb to Ib. We observe a trend in increasing velocity among different subtypes of stripped-envelope SNe, with SNe IIb exhibiting the lowest line velocities, followed by Ib, Ic, and Ic-BL. Typically, the O~I lines in SNe Ic/Ic-BL are stronger than those seen in SNe IIb/Ib. In nebular phases, the [Ca II] emission dominates over [O I] in SNe IIb/Ib while [O I] is stronger in SNe Ic, including the He-rich SN 2016coi. This spectral dichotomy implies that progenitors of SNe Ic (BL) have more massive CO cores and hence higher initial masses.

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arXiv2024

Detection of two totally eclipsing B-type binaries with extremely low mass ratios

The detection of O- and B-type stars with extremely low-mass companions is very important for understanding the formation and evolution of binary stars. However, their finding remains a challenge because the low-mass components in such systems contribute such small flux to the total. During the searching for pulsations among O- and B-type stars by using the TESS data, we found two short-period and B-type (B9) eclipsing binaries with orbital periods of 1.61613 and 2.37857 days. Photometric solutions of the two close binaries were derived by analyzing the TESS light curves with the W-D method. It is discovered that both of them are detached binaries with extremely low mass ratios of 0.067(2) for TIC 260342097 and 0.140(3) for TIC 209148631, respectively. The determined mass ratio indicates that TIC 260342097 is one of the lowest mass ratios among known B-type binary systems. We showed that the two systems have total eclipses with a broad and flat secondary minimum, suggesting that the photometric parameters could be derived reliably. The absolute parameters of the two binaries are estimated and it is found that the secondary components in the two systems are over-luminous and over-size when compared with the normal low-mass and cool main-sequence (MS) stars. These findings may imply that the two systems are composed of a B-type MS primary and a cool pre-MS secondary with orbital periods shorter than 2.5 days. They are valuable targets to test theories of binary star formation and evolution.

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arXiv2024

Deep and low mass-ratio contact binaries and their third bodies

Deep and low mass-ratio contact binaries (DLMCBs) are believed to be in the final stage of their contact phase, potentially leading to the formation of fast-rotating single stars such as FK Com-type stars and blue stragglers, as well as luminous red novae. These systems serve as an excellent laboratory for studying stellar coalescence and merging processes. Our search for DLMCBs began in 2004 and has since identified a group of such systems. Together with that collected from the literature, more than 100 DLMCBs have been detected so far. Half of them have had their periods investigated based on O-C curves. Some have shown period increases, while others have exhibited period decreases. Among them, more than half DLMCBs have cyclic variations, suggesting the possibility of the existence of a third body orbiting around the DLMCBs. Furthermore, with more data obtained extending the span of the O-C curve, more cyclic variations could be detected. The high proportion of signs of the presence of third bodies makes them an essential factor to consider when studying the merger of contact binaries.

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arXiv2024

Investigation of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on the observations of TESS

We report the superhumps analysis of seven SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on the observations of Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Superhumps are seen during superoutbursts of SU UMa-type dwarf novae. The month-long data sets of TESS are well suited for studying the variation of superhumps. We selected seven non-eclipsing SU UMa-type dwarf novae with superhumps in which TESS light curves are available and have not yet been studied. The stages A, B, and C of superhumps in superoutbursts were determined by O-C method. The results indicate that not all complete superoutbursts show obvious three stages, such as DT Oct and the second superoutburst of J1730+6247. We calculated the superhump periods for each stage and the mean periods for whole superoutbursts. Taking the stage A superhump method, the mass ratios (M2/M1) were estimated. According to the results, the seven stars are pre-bounce systems with mass ratios ranging from 0.1 to 0.2. By combining the orbital periods and the mean superhump periods, the precession periods were calculated. The results show that the precession periods of the seven SU UMa stars are about 2 days.

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arXiv2024

A spectral data release for 104 Type II Supernovae from the Tsinghua Supernova Group

We present 206 unpublished optical spectra of 104 type II supernovae obtained by the Xinglong 2.16m telescope and Lijiang 2.4m telescope during the period from 2011 to 2018, spanning the phases from about 1 to 200 days after the SN explosion. The spectral line identifications, evolution of line velocities and pseudo equivalent widths, as well as correlations between some important spectral parameters are presented. Our sample displays a large range in expansion velocities. For instance, the Fe~{\sc ii} $5169$ velocities measured from spectra at $t\sim 50$ days after the explosion vary from ${\rm 2000\ km\ s^{-1}}$ to ${\rm 5500\ km\ s^{-1}}$, with an average value of ${\rm 3872 \pm 949\ km\ s^{-1}}$. Power-law functions can be used to fit the velocity evolution, with the power-law exponent quantifying the velocity decline rate. We found an anticorrelation existing between H$β$ velocity at mid-plateau phase and its velocity decay exponent, SNe II with higher velocities tending to have smaller velocity decay rate. Moreover, we noticed that the velocity decay rate inferred from the Balmer lines (i.e., H$α$ and H$β$) have moderate correlations with the ratio of absorption to emission for H$α$ (a/e). In our sample, two objects show possibly flash-ionized features at early phases. Besides, we noticed that multiple high-velocity components may exist on the blue side of hydrogen lines of SN 2013ab, possibly suggesting that these features arise from complex line forming region. All our spectra can be found in WISeREP and Zenodo.

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arXiv2021

Revisiting the X-ray Emission of the Asynchronous Polar V1432 Aql

As the only eclipsing asynchronous polar, V1432 Aql provides an excellent laboratory to study the interaction between the accreted matter and the magnetic field. Here, we report an analysis of the X-ray data from the contemporaneous \nustar\ and \xrt\ observations. The X-ray data present a profile with a low-intensity state for almost half an orbital period, a dip at 0.6 phase, and a peak at 0.75 phase, which suggests that there was only one accretion region during the observation and the claim is supported by the spectral analysis. The comparison with the previous data indicates that the X-ray data have an orbital modulation, as the case in \sax, rather than a spin one observed in \rosat. We attribute the orbit and spin modulations to the different accretion geometries at work. The spectral analysis of the wide-band data presents a significant reflection effect, a commonly observed soft X-ray temperature, and the energy balance in V1432 Aql . Additionally, we obtained a low total accretion rate of 1.3 $\times$ 10$^{-10}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ and a high specific accretion rate of 3.8 g cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ which explains the strong reflection from the surface of the white dwarf. However, due to its complex emission, a more physical understanding of its accretion geometry is still outstanding.

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arXiv2021

The Accretion Geometry of the Asynchronous Polar V1432 Aql

As the only eclipsing asynchronous polar (AP), V1432 Aql provides an excellent laboratory to study the interaction between the accreted matter and the magnetic field. However, due to its complex emission, a more physical understanding of its accretion geometry is still outstanding. Here, we report an X-ray spectral study using contemporaneous observations from \nustar\ and \swift. We detect significant Compton reflection and confirm earlier reports of a high soft X-ray temperature $\sim52$ keV. We suggest that the multi-temperature emission is due to a distribution of the specific accretion rate over the accretion region, which leads to a continuous temperature distribution over the heated area and explains the high temperature of the soft X-rays. We interpret these characteristics as the results of the inefficient accretion in APs. Thus the accretion stream can punch deeply into the magnetosphere and feed the white dwarf (WD) over a much narrower accretion region near its equator. Additionally, the broad-band X-rays provide details of the accretion; the low total accretion rate of $\sim 1 \times 10^{-10} ~M_{\odot} ~yr^{-1}$ contradicts the speculation that V1432 Aql was a recent nova, while the high specific accretion rate of $\sim 5.6 ~g ~cm^{-2} ~s^{-1}$ explains the significant reflection from the surface of the WD.

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arXiv2020

Spot Model for Identifications of Periods in Asynchronous Polars

We improved the discless accretion models of Wynn \& King, considering the effects of the changing aspect due to the white dwarf spin and the variable feeding intensity caused by the asynchronism, and set up a more general spot model which is not sensitive to the different forms of these effects and can be applied for the period analysis of the optical and X-ray light curve. The spot model can produce the power spectra compatible with the observations, and its simulations limit the ratio $P_{spin}/P_{orb}<2$ between the powers at the white dwarf spin and the binary orbital frequencies, which is a strong criterion for identification of periods. Then we recognize the periods for CD Ind, BY Cam and 1RXS J083842.1-282723. The spot model reveals a complex accretion geometry in the asynchronous polars, which may indicate that the complex magnetic field causes their asynchronism. We think 1RXS J083842.1-282723 is a pre-polars because of its highest asynchronism and stable light curve. Giving the unstable accretion process in asynchronous polars, the period analysis of the long-term light curve will make the orbital signal prominent.

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arXiv2020

Orbital period correction and light curve modeling of the W-subtype shallow contact binary OWLeo

Orbital period and multi-color light curves' investigation of OW Leo are presented for the first time. The orbital period of OW Leo is corrected from $P = 0.325545$ days to $P = 0.32554052$ days in our work, and the observational data from the All-Sky Automated Survey for SuperNovae (ASAS-SN) are used to test the newly determined orbital period. Then, the phased light curves are calculated with the new period and the Wilson-Devinney program is applied to model the light curves, which reveal that OW Leo is a W-subtype shallow contact binary system ($q = 3.05$, $f = 12.8\,\%$). The absolute physical parameters of the two component stars are estimated to be $M_{1} = 0.31(1)M_\odot$, $M_{2} = 0.95(3)M_\odot$, $R_{1} = 0.63(1)R_\odot$, $R_{2} = 1.04(1)R_\odot$, $L_{1} = 0.43(1)L_\odot$ and $L_{2} = 1.01(2)L_\odot$. The evolutionary status show that the more massive star is less evolved than the less massive star. OW Leo has very low metal abundance, which means its formation and evolution are hardly influenced by any additional component. It is formed from an initially detached binary systems through nuclear evolution and angular momentum loss via magnetic braking, and have passed a very long time of main sequence evolution.

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arXiv2020

The contact binary V344 Lacertae: is it a triple system?

The VRI passbands light curves of V344 Lac were presented and analyzed by using the latest version of the W-D code. The observed spectrum reveals that V344 Lac is not an A3 type but would be a later F type star according to the yielded temperature. The results of solution show that V344 Lac is an A-subtype contact binary, with a mediate photometric mass ratio of 0.387(0.003) and a mediate contact factor of 44.6(3.0)%. Based on the parallax given by Gaia, the parameters of the components are estimated as: M1 = 1.16 Ms, M2 = 0.45 Ms, R1 = 1.31 Rs, R2 = 0.88 Rs, L1 = 2.512 Ls, L2 = 1.057 Ls. The period investigation indicates that V344 Lac may have an eccentric orbital oscillation, with P3 = 12.4(0.5) yr, A3 = 0.0020(0.0002) d, and e = 0.38(0.16). Analysis shows such oscillation would be caused by a magnetic activity which can be explained by the Applegate mechanism. Meanwhile, according to the value of l3 and the estimated physical parameters of V344 Lac, the mass of the third companion may be 0.79 Ms. This third body could be a wide company.

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arXiv2018

Photometric Investigation of the Contact Binary GU Ori with High Metallicity

GU Ori was observed with the 1m telescope at Yunnan Observatories in 2005. To determine its physical properties, the Wilson-Devinney program is used. The results reveal that GU Ori is a W-subtype shallow contact binary with a more massive but cooler star 2. The mass of its two component stars are estimated to be $M_1 = 0.45M_\odot$, $M_2 = 1.05M_\odot$. The O'Connell effect was reported to be negative on the light curves observed in 2005. However, it changed to a positive one on the light curves observed from 2011 to 2012. The mean surface temperatures of star 2 ($T_2$) determined by the two sets of light curves were different, which may result from stellar activities. The O - C diagram shows that the period of GU Ori is decreasing at a rate of $dP/dt=-6.24\times{10^{-8}}day\cdot year^{-1}$, which may be caused by mass transfer from star 2 to star 1 with a rate of $\frac{dM_{2}}{dt}= - 2.98\times{10^{-8}}M_\odot/year$. GU Ori is a contact binary with quite high metallicity.

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arXiv2017

A new mechanism of long-term period variations for W UMa-type contact binaries

W UMa-type contact binaries belong to close binary systems whose components exactly overflow their Roche lobes and share a common convective envelope (CCE). In the last twenty years, the long-term variations of their orbital periods have been thought to depend on several mechanisms. Now, we suggest a new mechanism: CCE-dominated mechanism. The CCE-dominated mechanism is found based on our numerical result, especially at high mass ratios, that the orbital periods (P) of contact binaries change very much with their fill-out factors (f). Because f is taken as a measurement of the thickness of CCE, the physical cause for the variation of P is a mass transfer between CCE and components. Further, an f-dominated simplification model for this mechanism is introduced. According to it, P may change in a long-term oscillation way with a similar time scale of the thermal modulation, meanwhile q is decreasing slowly till the two components merge. It could be also applied to explain the presence of extremely short period, high mass ratio and deep contact binaries. Moreover, the CCE-dominated mechanism should always work due to mass transfer and mass loss both occurring via CCE. Therefor, the effect of CCE on the variations of orbital periods may have been underestimated before.

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arXiv2017

Multi-color photometric investigation of the totally eclipsing binary NO Cam

Multi-color photometric light curves of NO Cam in $V$ $R_C$ and $I_C$ bands are obtained and analyzed simultaneously using the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) program. The solutions suggest that NO Cam is an A-subtype overcontact binary with its mass ratio to be $q = 0.439$ and a contact degree of $f = 55.5\,\%$. The small temperature difference ($ΔT = 44K$) between its two components indicates that the system is under thermal contact. The high orbital inclination ($i = 84.5^{\circ}$) strengthens our confidence in the parameters determined from the light curves. All available times of minimum light are collected and period variations are analyzed for the first time. The $O - C$ curve reveals that its period is increasing continuously at a rate of $dP/dt=+1.46\times{10^{-9}}$, which can be explained by mass transfer from the less massive component to the more massive one. After the upward parabolic variation is subtracted, the residuals suggest that there may be a cyclic variation with a period of 2.23 years and an amplitude of $A_3 = 0.00153$ days, which may due to the light-travel time effect (LTTE) arising from the gravitational influence of a close-in tertiary component. The close-in companion reveals that early dynamic interaction among triple system may have played very important role in the formation of the W UMa type binaries.

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arXiv2017

Physical properties and evolutionary status of the W-subtype contact binary V502 Oph with a stellar companion

Multi-color ($B$ $V$ $R_c$ $I_c$) CCD photometric light curves of the contact binary V502 Oph are analyzed using the Wilson-Devinney (W-D) program. The solutions reveal that V502 Oph is a W-subtype contact ($f = 35.3\,\%$) binary system. The temperature difference between its two components is $240K$ and the more massive star has a lower surface temperature. A cool spot is added in our model to account for the light curves' asymmetry (O'Connell effect) and third light is detected for the first time in the light curves' modeling. Combining the orbital inclination ($i = 76.4^{\circ}$) with the published mass function of V502 Oph, the absolute physical parameters of the two components are determined, which are $M_1= 0.46(\pm0.02)M_\odot, M_2=1.37(\pm0.02)M_\odot, R_1=0.94(\pm0.01)R_\odot, R_2=1.51(\pm0.01)R_\odot, L_1=1.13(\pm0.02)L_\odot$ and $L_2=2.49(\pm0.03)L_\odot$. The formation and evolutionary status of V502 Oph are discussed. All photoelectric and CCD times of light minimum about V502 Oph are gathered and its orbital period variations are analyzed. The results show that the orbital period of V502 Oph is decreasing continuously at a rate of $dP/dt=-1.69\times{10^{-7}}day\cdot year^{-1}$, which corresponds to a conservative mass transfer rate of $\frac{dM_{2}}{dt}=-3.01\times{10^{-8}}M_\odot/year$. The light-travel time effect (LTTE) is due to the presence of a close-in tertiary component with a period of $P_3=18.7$ years and an amplitute of 0.00402days. V502 Oph is an ideal target to test the formation and evolution theories of binary and multiple systems in which the light curves, $O - C$ curve and spectroscopic observations are comprehensively researched.

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arXiv2015

Z Draconis with two companions in a 2:1 mean-motion resonance

All available mid-eclipse times of the eclipsing binary Z Draconis are analysed, and three sets of cyclic variations with periods of 20.1, 29.96 and 59.88 yr are found. The low-amplitude variations with the period of 20.1 yr may be attributed to the unavoidable and slight imperfection in the double-Keplerian model, which gives the periods of 29.96 and 59.88 yr. Interestingly, the Z Draconis system is close to a 2:1 mean-motion resonance, or 6:3:2 mean-motion resonance if the period of 20.1 yr is true. We also find that the best solutions tend to give the minimum eccentricities. Based on Kepler's third law, the outermost companion has the minimum mass of $\sim0.77M_{\bigodot}$, whereas the middle companion is an M dwarf star with a mass of $\sim0.40M_{\bigodot}$, suggesting that Z Draconis is a general N-body system.

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arXiv2013

Updated photometry and orbital period analysis for the polar \objectname{am herculis} on the upper edge of the period gap

Twenty-one new optical light curves, including five curves obtained in 2009 and sixteen curves detected from the AAVSO International Database spanning from 1977 to 2011, demonstrate 16 new primary minimum light times in the high state. Furthermore, seven newly found low-state transient events from 2006 to 2009 were discovered, consisting of five Gaussian-shaped events and two events with an exponential form with decay timescales of $<$0.005 days; these timescales are one order of magnitude shorter than those of previous X-ray flare events. In the state transition, two special events were detected: a "disrupted event" with an amplitude of $\sim$ 2 mag and a duration of $\sim$ 72 minutes and continuing R-band twin events larger than all known R-band flares detected in M-type red dwarfs. All 45 available high-state data points spanning over 35 yr were used to construct an updated O-C diagram of \objectname{AM Herculis}, which clearly shows a significant sine-like variation with a period of 12-15 yr and an amplitude of 6-9 minutes. Using the inspected physical parameters of the donor star, the secular variation in the O-C diagram cannot be interpreted by any decided angular momentum loss mechanism, but can satisfy the condition $τ_{\dot{\rm M}_{2}}\simeqτ_{\rm KH}>>τ_{\dot{\rm R}_{\rm 2}}$, which is required by numerical calculations of the secular evolution of cataclysmic variables. In order to explain the prominent periodic modulation, three plausible mechanisms - spot motion, the light travel-time effect, and magnetic active cycles - are discussed in detail.

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arXiv2013

Two particular EA-type binaries in the globular cluster omega Centauri

We analyzed the B and V light curves of two EA-type binaries V211 and NV358 using the WD code for the first time. Our analysis shows that V211 is a typical Algol-type binary and NV358 is a well detached binary system. As the two binaries are definite proper motion members of omega Centauri, we estimated their physical parameters, obtaining M_1=1.13\pm0.03M_\odot, R_1=0.98\pm0.01R_\odot and M_2=0.33\pm0.01M_\odot, R_2=0.92\pm0.01R_\odot for V211; M_1=1.30\pm0.05M_\odot, R_1=1.03\pm0.01R_\odot and M_2=0.58\pm0.02M_\odot, R_2=0.78\pm0.01R_\odot for NV358. On the color-magnitude diagram of omega Centauri, V211 is located in the faint blue straggler region and its primary component is more massive than a star at the main-sequence turnoff. Therefore, V211 is a blue straggler and should be formed by mass transfer from the secondary component to the primary. The age of NV358 is less than 1.93 Gyr, indicating that it is much younger than first-generation stars in omega Centauri. As NV364 in omega Centauri, NV358 should be a second-generation binary.

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