Publication details
Visual Minima Timings of Eclipsing Binaries: To Use or not to Use?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2013 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Central European Astrophysical Bulletin |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Astronomy and astrophysics |
| Keywords | eclipsing binaries; minima timings |
| Description | Plenty of mid-eclipse timings of short-periodic eclipsing binaries derived from series of visual observations appear to be an acceptable source of information for orbital period analyses, namely if they were done in time-intervals not covered by other types of observations. However, our thorough period analysis of the nearly contact eclipsing binary BS Vulpeculae proves that visually determined timings done in 1979-2003 were undoubtedly biased to accommodate the existing linear ephemeris. The heavily subjective character of visual observations disqualifies them as a source of true phase information apt for fine eclipsing binary period analyses. Consequently we warn against the use of visual timings without a preceding careful verification. |
| Related projects: |