HS 0705+6700: a new eclipsing sdB binary

Abstract

We report the discovery of an eclipsing binary - HS 0705+6700 - being an sdB star with a faint companion. From its light curve the orbital period of 8263.87 s, the mass ratio of the system q = 0.28, the inclination of 84.4 deg and other system parameters are derived. The companion does not contribute to the optical light of the system except through a strong reflection effect. The semi-amplitude of the radial velocity curve K1 = 85.8 km/s and a mass function of f(m) = 0.00626 Msun are determined. A spectroscopic analysis of the blue spectra results in Teff = 28800K, log g = 5.40, and log n(He)/n(H) = -2.68. These characteristics are typical for sdB stars, as is its mass of 0.48 Msun. According to its mass (0.13 Msun) and radius (0.19 Rsun), the companion is an M dwarf. The primary is in a core helium burning phase of evolution, and the system must have gone through a common envelope stage when the primary was near the tip of the red giant branch.

12 pages, 9 eps figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy and Astrophysics