Relativistic apsidal motion in the eclipsing binary systems V1143 Cygni and EK Cephei.
Abstract
A detailed analysis is presented in this paper of the period variations exhibited by two detached eclipsing binary systems: V1143 Cygni and EK Cephei, and new photoelectric times of minimum light are given. The observed period changes are explained in terms of a secular displacement of the periastron, and it is shown in both cases that the general relativistic contribution to the observed rates of apsidal motion is important. The authors find an apsidal-motion period of (1.07±0.06)×104yr for V1143 Cyg with a relativistic contribution of 43%, while for EK Cep they find a period of (0.41±0.12)×104yr with a relativistic contribution of 46%.
- Publication:
-
The Astronomical Journal
- Pub Date:
- February 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1086/113740
- Bibcode:
- 1985AJ.....90..358G
- Keywords:
-
- Apsides;
- Eclipsing Binary Stars;
- Stellar Motions;
- Main Sequence Stars;
- Orbits;
- Astronomy