2011/06/07 by S. Potter, Stephen B. Potter, E. Romero‐Colmenero +23 · 2 citations
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation #Astronomy #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics #Binary star #Eclipse #Exoplanet #Gas giant #Giant planet #Hot Jupiter #Jupiter (rocket family) #Light curve #Photometry (optics) #Physics #Planet #Planetary system #Polar #Space exploration #Stars #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph.GA #astro-ph.SR
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2011.19198.x
10 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables
arxiv created 2011/06/07 · openalex publication_date 2011/08/16 · arxiv updated 2015/05/28 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We present new high-speed, multi-observatory, multi-instrument photometry of the eclipsing polar UZ For in order to measure precise mid-eclipse times with the aim of detecting any orbital period variations. When combined with published eclipse times and archival data spanning ∼27 years, we detect departures from a linear and quadratic trend of ∼60 s. The departures are strongly suggestive of two cyclic variations of 16(3) and 5.25(25) years. The two favoured mechanisms to drive the periodicities are either two giant extrasolar planets as companions to the binary [with minimum masses of 6.3(1.5) and 7.7(1.2) MJup) or a magnetic cycle mechanism (e.g. Applegate’s mechanism) of the secondary star. Applegate’s mechanism would require the entire radiant energy output of the secondary and would therefore seem to be the least likely of the two, barring any further refinements in the effect of magnetic fields (e.g. those of Lanza et al.). The two-planet model can provide realistic solutions but it does not quite capture all of the eclipse times measurements. A highly eccentric orbit for the outer planet would fit the data nicely, but we find that such a solution would be unstable. It is also possible that the periodicities are driven by some combination of both mechanisms. Further observations of this system are encouraged.