Absolute dimensions and masses of the remarkable spotted dM4e eclipsing binary flare star CM Draconis
Citations Over Time
Abstract
The physical properties of this interesting nearby system-currently the smallest, faintest, least massive main-sequence eclipsing binary known-are investigated using high-speed multicolor photometry, differential and nondifferential infrared photometry, and high-dispersion spectroscopy. With two exceptions, the system is simple, with deep, nearly equal eclipses with a short ( 2 min) duration of totality. The exceptions: the system is known to be a flare star, but the frequency of flaring is at least a factor of 40 less than classical Population I flare stars of similar luminosity; and low-amplitude ( 0.0l mag) sinusoidal variations attributable to starspots or nonuniform surface brightness are present. Similar complications are seen in the light variations of the only other dMe eclipsing binary, YY Gem. Very accurate absolute dimensions (0.252 and 0.235 R0 1 3%), masses (0.237 and 0.207 1 4%), and other fundamental physical parameters of the components are given in a table. The space velocity of the system is found to be 163 km s-1-characteristic of a Population II origin. The mass-radius, mass-luminosity, and radius-luminosity relations of this system are therefore not necessarily the same as for Population I systems. Subject headings: stars: eclipsing binaries - stars: emission-line - stars: flare - stars: individual - stars: late-type
Related Papers
- → A SURVEY OF HIGH-CONTRAST STELLAR FLARES OBSERVED BYCHANDRA(2011)15 cited
- → A giant X-ray flare on Lambda Eridani (B2e)(1993)37 cited
- → ASCAObservation of a Long‐Duration X‐Ray Flare from the W UMa–Type Binary VW Cephei(1998)21 cited
- Microwave observations of late-type stars with the Very Large Array(1985)