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Session 22 - Binary Stars: New Generation Modeling Developments & Results.
Oral session, Tuesday, June 10
North Main Hall F/G,
A new software package provides a self-consistent, physically realistic procedure for calculating both synthetic spectra and synthetic light curves of eclipsing binary stars. A system synthetic spectrum calculated for each orbital phase of spectral observation, together with a solution of eclipse light curves, determines a system model, including effective temperatures of both components. Use of the synthetic spectra in a synthetic photometry mode produces consistent system parameters in analysis of UBV photometry. An application to MR Cygni illustrates application of the procedure.
Addition of an accretion disk presents additional complexity. The program uses a visibility key attached to each grid point on the star photospheres, the accretion disk visible face, and the accretion disk rim to determine the contribution of the associated surface element to the system spectrum. Separate output spectra are available for each stellar component, the accretion disk face, and the accretion disk rim. The calculated output includes a composite system spectrum. The program provides an option to model a single bright spot on the rim, with an assignable longitude, azimuthal width, and effective temperature. Application of the program to the cataclysmic variable PG 0859+415 illustrates program performance.
Program listing for Tuesday