Insights into the YY CrB Binary Star System

This article discusses the YY CrB star system, which is a type of binary star known as a W Ursae Majoris (W UMa) binary. These systems are characterized by two stars that orbit each other and create Light Curves that show regular Eclipses. This study uses data from the TESS satellite to analyze the light curve of YY CrB, measure its properties, and examine its behavior over time.

#Observations and Data Collection

YY CrB was observed by the TESS satellite during two specific time periods. The first observation was from April 16, 2020, to May 13, 2020, and the second was from April 22, 2022, to May 18, 2022. The data gathered during these times helps researchers study the star’s brightness over time.

For the first observation period, every two minutes, data was collected and processed. This allowed researchers to look closely at how the star's brightness changed. For the second observation, which did not have a processed light curve, researchers utilized images to extract data. A special method was then applied to select the relevant data from these images.

#Light Curve Solution

Previously published studies have calculated certain key parameters of the YY CrB system, including its mass and brightness. The current study started with these previous data and added new observations from TESS. This involved analyzing the light curves to get an accurate representation of how bright the stars are over time.

For this analysis, researchers used specific software designed to work with binary star systems. The software helps estimate various parameters, including the mass ratio of the two stars, their temperatures, and other important features that dictate how they interact with each other.

#Absolute Parameters of YY CrB

Using data from the Gaia satellite, the researchers also calculated the absolute parameters of the YY CrB system. This includes determining the distance to the star system and the intrinsic brightness of each star. By applying various calculations, they estimated various features of the stars, including their sizes and luminosities.

#Eclipse Times and Data Analysis

To understand how the orbital period of YY CrB is changing, researchers collected a series of minimum times, which refer to the moments when the stars eclipse each other. Analyzing these times over a range of years, they plotted a graph that showed a correlation in the timing of these eclipses, providing insights into the system's behavior.

#Orbital Period Changes

The researchers looked deeply into how the eclipse times of the stars change over time. They split the light curves into different eclipses, using mathematical models to fit functions to these curves. By comparing the observed times with calculated values, they were able to create a new ephemeris that describes the timing of the eclipses.

From their analysis, they found that the orbital period of the system is experiencing a decrease. This finding helps researchers understand how the stars are evolving and changing as they continue to interact with each other.

#Mass Transfer Between Stars

As part of their study, researchers examined the mass exchange between the two stars. They noticed that mass is being transferred from the more massive star to the less massive star. This shift in mass plays a significant role in understanding the future of the YY CrB system and how it might evolve over time.

#Potential Third Body

Researchers also investigated the possibility of a third star being present in the YY CrB system. They used specific methods to analyze the data further and looked for signs of this potential third body. However, the analysis suggested that the presence of a third star is unlikely.

#Effects of Starspots

YY CrB is known to have starspots, which are similar to sunspots but much more prominent. These starspots can affect the brightness of the stars and cause variations in the light curve. The study measured changes in brightness due to these spots, contributing to their understanding of how the Binary Stars behave and interact.

#Discussion of Findings

Overall, the study showed that YY CrB is an over-contact binary system, meaning that the two stars are closely interacting with each other. The data indicates that the system's orbital period is increasing, hinting at changes in their interaction dynamics.

While researching the potential third body, the data did not strongly support its presence, leading to the conclusion that only the two stars were significant in this system's evolution. More observations and studies are needed to gain a clearer understanding of YY CrB and similar binary star systems.

#Conclusion

YY CrB is a fascinating binary star system that provides insights into the dynamics of close stellar interactions. Through detailed analysis of light curves and eclipse timings, researchers have gathered important data about its properties, behavior, and potential evolutionary trends. Continued observation and research are essential for furthering our understanding of such binary systems and their complex behaviors in the Universe.