Web Publications

A Visual Light Curve of EG Cephei

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Bill Keel

Nashville, Tennessee

Robert E. Montle

Douglas S. Hall

Dyer Observatory, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee

Abstract

EG Cephei = BD+76deg790 = HD 194089 is a 9th magnitude eclipsing binary with a very short period but a Beta Lyrae-type (not W Ursae Majoris-type) light curve. In this paper we present a series of visual estimates and photoelectric observations sufficient to define the approximate ranges of the light curve and to yield one time of primary minimum and one time of secondary minimum. We selected EG Cep for observation because of its northerly ( delta = +76deg) declination, its conveniently short (P = 0.5d) period, and its reasonably deep (delta V - 0.9m) primary eclipse. At the time we were unaware of the photoelectric observations of Cochran, discussed recently by Wood (1971).