Variability in the Milky Way: contact binaries as diagnostic tools

Richard de Grijs*, Xiaodian Chen, Licai Deng

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

Abstract

We used the 50 cm Binocular Network (50BiN) telescope at Delingha Station (Qinghai Province) of Purple Mountain Observatory (Chinese Academy of Sciences) to obtain simultaneous V- and R-band observations of the old open cluster NGC 188. Our aim was a search for populations of variable stars. We derived light-curve solutions for six W Ursae Majoris (W UMa) eclipsing-binary systems and estimated their orbital parameters. The resulting distance to the W UMas is independent of the physical characteristics of the host cluster. We next determined the current best period–luminosity relations for contact binaries (CBs; scatter σ<0.10 mag). We conclude that CBs can be used as distance tracers with better than 5% uncertainty. We apply our new relations to the 102 CBs in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which yields a distance modulus of (m–M)V,0=18.41±0.20 mag.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationNon-Stable Universe: Energetic Resources, Activity Phenomena, and Evolutionary Processes
Subtitle of host publicationproceedings of an International Symposium dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO) held at National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia (NAS RA), Yerevan and Byurakan Astrophysical Observatory (BAO), Byurakan, Armenia, 19-23 September 2016
EditorsA. M. Mickaelian, H. A. Harutyunian, E. H. Nikoghosyan
Place of PublicationSan Francisco
PublisherAstronomical Society of the Pacific
Pages23-27
Number of pages5
ISBN (Electronic)9781583819074
ISBN (Print)9781583819067
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes
EventInternational Symposium on Non-Stable Universe: Energetic Resources, Activity Phenomena, and Evolutionary Processes - Yerevan, Armenia
Duration: 19 Sept 201623 Sept 2016

Publication series

NameAstronomical Society of the Pacific Conference Series
PublisherAstronomical Society of the Pacific
Volume511
ISSN (Print)1050-3390

Conference

ConferenceInternational Symposium on Non-Stable Universe: Energetic Resources, Activity Phenomena, and Evolutionary Processes
Country/TerritoryArmenia
CityYerevan
Period19/09/1623/09/16

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