| Full text | |
| Author(s): |
Almeida, L. A.
;
Pereira, E. S.
;
Borges, G. M.
;
Damineli, A.
;
Michtchenko, T. A.
;
Viswanathan, G. M.
Total Authors: 6
|
| Document type: | Journal article |
| Source: | Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 497, n. 3, p. 8-pg., 2020-09-01. |
| Abstract | |
Eclipse timing variation analysis has become a powerful method to discover planets around binary systems. We applied this technique to investigate the eclipse times of GK Vir. This system is a post-common envelope binary with an orbital period of 8.26 h. Here, we present 10 new eclipse times obtained between 2013 and 2020. We calculated the O-C diagram using a linear ephemeris and verified a clear orbital period variation (OPV) with a cyclic behaviour. We investigated if this variation could be explained by the Applegate mechanism, the apsidal motion, or the light travel time (LTT) effect. We found that the Applegate mechanism would hardly explain the OPV with its current theoretical description. We obtained using different approaches that the apsidal motion is a less likely explanation than the LTT effect. We showed that the LTT effect with one circumbinary body is the most likely cause for the OPV, which was reinforced by the orbital stability of the third body. The LTT best solution provided an orbital period of similar to 24 yr for the outer body. Under the assumption of coplanarity between the external body and the inner binary, we obtained a Jupiter-like planet around the GK Vir. In this scenario, the planet has one of the longest orbital periods, with a full observational baseline, discovered so far. However, as the observational baseline of GK Vir is smaller than twice the period found in the O-C diagram, the LTT solution must be taken as preliminary. (AU) | |
| FAPESP's process: | 11/51680-6 - Exploring the universe: from the galaxies formation to Earth-like planets with the Giant Magellan Telescope |
| Grantee: | Laerte Sodré Junior |
| Support Opportunities: | Special Projects |
| FAPESP's process: | 13/18245-0 - Full spectroscopic orbital solutions for more than 100 massive binaries in the high-mass starburst region 30 Doradus |
| Grantee: | Leonardo Andrade de Almeida |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor |
| FAPESP's process: | 16/13750-6 - Brazil in space: Astrophysics and Engineering |
| Grantee: | Eduardo Janot Pacheco |
| Support Opportunities: | Special Projects |
| FAPESP's process: | 12/09716-6 - Accurate distances to young clusters through massive eclipsing binaries |
| Grantee: | Leonardo Andrade de Almeida |
| Support Opportunities: | Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral |