TRIPLE-STAR CANDIDATES AMONG THE KEPLER BINARIES
- M.I.T. Department of Physics and Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, 70 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA 02139 (United States)
- 37-575 M.I.T. Kavli Institute for Astrophysics and Space Research, 70 Vassar St., Cambridge, MA 02139 (United States)
- Baja Astronomical Observatory, H-6500 Baja, Szegedi ut, Kt. 766 (Hungary)
- Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street Cambridge, MA 02138 (United States)
- ENS Cachan, 61 avenue du President Wilson, F-94235 Cachan (France)
We present the results of a search through the photometric database of Kepler eclipsing binaries looking for evidence of hierarchical triple-star systems. The presence of a third star orbiting the binary can be inferred from eclipse timing variations. We apply a simple algorithm in an automated determination of the eclipse times for all 2157 binaries. The ''calculated'' eclipse times, based on a constant period model, are subtracted from those observed. The resulting O - C (observed minus calculated times) curves are then visually inspected for periodicities in order to find triple-star candidates. After eliminating false positives due to the beat frequency between the {approx}1/2 hr Kepler cadence and the binary period, 39 candidate triple systems were identified. The periodic O - C curves for these candidates were then fit for contributions from both the classical Roemer delay and so-called physical delay, in an attempt to extract a number of the system parameters of the triple. We discuss the limitations of the information that can be inferred from these O - C curves without further supplemental input, e.g., ground-based spectroscopy. Based on the limited range of orbital periods for the triple-star systems to which this search is sensitive, we can extrapolate to estimate that at least 20% of all close binaries have tertiary companions.
- OSTI ID:
- 22126823
- Journal Information:
- Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 768, Issue 1; Other Information: Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0004-637X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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