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Observations and Preliminary Modeling of the Light Curves of Eclipsing Binary Systems NSVS 7322420 and NSVS 5726288

Volume 47 number 2 (2019)

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Mathew F. Knote
Department of Aerospace, Physics, and Space Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL, 32901, and Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ball State University, 2000 West University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306; Visiting Astronomer at SARA Observatory; mknote2015@my.fit.edu
Ronald H. Kaitchuck
Department of Physics and Astronomy and SARA, Ball State University, 2000 West University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306; rkaitchu@bsu.edu
Robert C. Berrington
Department of Physics and Astronomy and SARA, Ball State University, 2000 West University Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306; rberring@bsu.edu

Abstract

We present new photometric observations of the β Lyrae-type eclipsing binary systems NSVS 7322420 and NSVS 5726288. These observations represent the first multi-band photometry performed on these systems. The light curves were analyzed with phoebe, a front-end GUI based on the Wilson-Devinney program, to produce models to describe our observations. Our preliminary solutions indicate that NSVS 7322420 is a primary filling semi-detached system with unusual features warranting further study. These features include a pronounced O’Connell effect, a temporal variance in the light curve, and an unusual “kink” in the light curve around the secondary eclipse. The cause of these features is unknown, but one possibility is the transfer of mass between the component stars. Meanwhile, NSVS 5726288 is probably a typical detached system.