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Robert E. Wilson

Bio: Robert E. Wilson is an academic researcher from University of Florida. The author has contributed to research in topics: Light curve & Binary star. The author has an hindex of 21, co-authored 84 publications receiving 4525 citations. Previous affiliations of Robert E. Wilson include Indiana University & University of Cambridge.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the geometric and irradiation heating problems for the binary star reflection effect theory are developed in terms of equipotential level surfaces and are sufficiently general so as to include eccentric orbits and nonsynchronous (even centrifugally limited) rotation and to treat multiple reflection.
Abstract: The geometric and irradiation heating problems for the binary star reflection effect theory are developed in terms of equipotential level surfaces and are sufficiently general so as to include eccentric orbits and nonsynchronous (even centrifugally limited) rotation and to treat multiple reflection. The requisite physics, mathematics, and logic are then presented and the computations are organized so that a given quantity is computed only as often as necessary, emphasizing the distinction between local surface quantities and aspect-related quantities. The local geometric, bolometric, and wavelength-specific quantities are grouped for storage according to how often they need to be recomputed. Some tests of a computer program based on this reflection model are given in the form of graphs in which program results are compared to a special exact case, and with results from an earlier program. The new program gives intuitively reasonable output for all tests, and the tests give an idea of how accurate the old program is, adopting the detailed reflection computations of the new program as a standard for comparison. A table is given which shows the convergence of the multiple reflection computations to a constant distribution of surface effective temperature. 11 refs.

826 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a brief history of mixed whole-curve solutions is given and the relative importance of light-time and radial velocity input for third-body parameters is discussed and quantified.
Abstract: Eclipsing binaries can improve multiple system statistics via the light-time effect and radial velocity shifts. Here an algorithm operates on data of mixed type to exploit these opportunities. Main reasons for enhanced reliability are that (1) combined light and velocity curves give better timewise coverage than either type alone, (2) properly weighted solutions impersonally balance light and velocity information, and (3) the entire theory is within the computer model, so observations are used directly without corrections. A brief history of mixed whole-curve solutions is given and the relative importance of light-time and radial velocity input for third-body parameters is discussed and quantified. Period sifting by power spectral analysis is essentially indispensable in preliminary work. Applications are to the Algol-type system DM Persei and the detached system VV Orionis. An assumption of coplanarity for DM Per's inner and outer orbits is tested and quantified by dynamical experiments. Derived third-body parameters for DM Per are mainly reasonable and self-consistent. For comparison with whole-curve results, we also investigated DM Per's ephemeris in terms of eclipse timings and found whole-curve solutions to give smaller standard errors in reference epoch (T0), binary orbit period (P), and dP/dt, over a similar baseline in time. An astonishing outcome is lack of evidence that can pass reasonable validity tests for VV Ori's well-accepted third star with P ≈ 120 days. Estimates of third light do indicate a third star, but the correct period cannot now be established, so the star cannot be identified as the one heretofore recognized from radial velocity evidence. The much cited 120 day period appears to be an artifact of the window function for VV Ori's historical velocity observations.

248 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, two recent theories of the structure of contact binaries are subjected to a wide variety of observational tests, and one theory, according to which a W UMa system at or near zero-age cannot achieve thermal equilibrium and so undergoes thermal relaxation oscillations about a state of marginal contact, appears in substantial agreement with observational data.
Abstract: Two recent theories of the structure of contact binaries are subjected to a wide variety of observational tests. One theory, according to which a W UMa system at or near zero-age cannot achieve thermal equilibrium and so undergoes thermal relaxation oscillations about a state of marginal contact, appears to be in substantial agreement with observational data. In particular, a previously admitted difficulty is to some extent overcome by the discovery of several possible examples of W UMa systems in the broken-contact phase of these oscillations. The second theory, according to which a W UMa system can achieve thermal equilibrium and does so through the development of a contact discontinuity at the inner contact surface of the secondary, appears, on the other hand, to be in substantial disagreement with the observational data. But since several of the disagreements may no longer apply when this theory achieves its final form--evolutionary sequences are at present indeterminate--it should not yet be regarded as contradicted.

171 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The vector fractional area (VFA) algorithm as discussed by the authors represents surface elements by small sets of position vectors so as to allow accurate computation of circle-triangle overlap by spherical geometry.
Abstract: The nearly continuous timewise coverage of recent photometric surveys is free of the large gaps that compromise attempts to follow starspot growth and decay as well as motions, thereby giving incentive to improve computational precision for modeled spots. Due to the wide variety of star systems in the surveys, such improvement should apply to light/velocity curve models that accurately include all the main phenomena of close binaries and rotating single stars. The vector fractional area (VFA) algorithm that is introduced here represents surface elements by small sets of position vectors so as to allow accurate computation of circle-triangle overlap by spherical geometry. When computed by VFA, spots introduce essentially no noticeable scatter in light curves at the level of one part in 10,000. VFA has been put into the Wilson-Devinney light/velocity curve program and all logic and mathematics are given so as to facilitate entry into other such programs. Advantages of precise spot computation include improved statistics of spot motions and aging, reduced computation time (intrinsic precision relaxes needs for grid fineness), noise-free illustration of spot effects in figures, and help in guarding against false positives in exoplanet searches, where spots could approximately mimic transiting planets in unusual circumstances. A simple spot growth and decay template quantifies time profiles, and specifics of its utilization in differential corrections solutions are given. Computational strategies are discussed, the overall process is tested in simulations via solutions of synthetic light curve data, and essential simulation results are described. An efficient time smearing facility by Gaussian quadrature can deal with Kepler mission data that are in 30 minute time bins.

160 citations


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TL;DR: In this article, the authors present the results of a systematic study of the rest-frame UV spectroscopic properties of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs) and isolate some of the major trends in LBG spectra that are least compromised by selection effects.
Abstract: We present the results of a systematic study of the rest-frame UV spectroscopic properties of Lyman break galaxies (LBGs). The database of almost 1000 LBG spectra proves useful for constructing high signal-to-noise composite spectra. The composite spectrum of the entire sample reveals a wealth of features attributable to hot stars, H II regions, dust, and outflowing neutral and ionized gas. By grouping the database according to galaxy parameters such as Lyα equivalent width, UV spectral slope, and interstellar kinematics, we isolate some of the major trends in LBG spectra that are least compromised by selection effects. We find that LBGs with stronger Lyα emission have bluer UV continua, weaker low-ionization interstellar absorption lines, smaller kinematic offsets between Lyα and the interstellar absorption lines, and lower star formation rates. There is a decoupling between the dependence of low- and high-ionization outflow features on other spectral properties. Additionally, galaxies with rest-frame WLyα ≥ 20 A in emission have weaker than average high-ionization lines and nebular emission lines that are significantly stronger than in the sample as a whole. Most of the above trends can be explained in terms of the properties of the large-scale outflows seen in LBGs. According to this scenario, the appearance of LBG spectra is determined by a combination of the covering fraction of outflowing neutral gas, which contains dust and the range of velocities over which this gas is absorbing. In contrast, the strengths of collisionally excited nebular emission lines should not be affected by the nature of the outflow, and variations in these lines may indicate differences in the temperatures and metallicities in H II regions of galaxies with very strong Lyα emission. Higher sensitivity and spectral resolution observations are still required for a full understanding of the covering fraction and velocity dispersion of the outflowing neutral gas in LBGs and its relationship to the escape fraction of Lyman continuum radiation in galaxies at z ~ 3.

1,572 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present a critical compilation of accurate, fundamental determinations of stellar masses and radii, including stellar luminosity, effective temperature, metal abundance, and apsidal motion determinations.
Abstract: This article presents and discusses a critical compilation of accurate, fundamental determinations of stellar masses and radii. We have identified 95 detached binary systems containing 190 stars (94 eclipsing systems, and α Centauri) that satisfy our criterion that the mass and radius of both stars be known within errors of ±3% accuracy or better. All of them are non-interacting systems, and so the stars should have evolved as if they were single. This sample more than doubles that of the earlier similar review by Andersen (Astron Astrophys Rev 3:91–126, 1991), extends the mass range at both ends and, for the first time, includes an extragalactic binary. In every case, we have examined the original data and recomputed the stellar parameters with a consistent set of assumptions and physical constants. To these we add interstellar reddening, effective temperature, metal abundance, rotational velocity and apsidal motion determinations when available, and we compute a number of other physical parameters, notably luminosity and distance. These accurate physical parameters reveal the effects of stellar evolution with unprecedented clarity, and we discuss the use of the data in observational tests of stellar evolution models in some detail. Earlier findings of significant structural differences between moderately fast-rotating, mildly active stars and single stars, ascribed to the presence of strong magnetic and spot activity, are confirmed beyond doubt. We also show how the best data can be used to test prescriptions for the subtle interplay between convection, diffusion, and other non-classical effects in stellar models. The amount and quality of the data also allow us to analyse the tidal evolution of the systems in considerable depth, testing prescriptions of rotational synchronisation and orbital circularisation in greater detail than possible before. We show that the formulae for pseudo-synchronisation of stars in eccentric orbits predict the observed rotations quite well, except for very young and/or widely separated stars. Deviations do occur, however, especially for stars with convective envelopes. The superior data set finally demonstrates that apsidal motion rates as predicted from General Relativity plus tidal theory are in good agreement with the best observational data. No reliable binary data exist, which challenge General Relativity to any significant extent. The new data also enable us to derive empirical calibrations of M and R for single (post-) main-sequence stars above $${0.6\,M_{\odot}}$$ . Simple, polynomial functions of T eff, log g and [Fe/H] yield M and R within errors of 6 and 3%, respectively. Excellent agreement is found with independent determinations for host stars of transiting extrasolar planets, and good agreement with determinations of M and R from stellar models as constrained by trigonometric parallaxes and spectroscopic values of T eff and [Fe/H]. Finally, we list a set of 23 interferometric binaries with masses known to be better than 3%, but without fundamental radius determinations (except α Aur). We discuss the prospects for improving these and other stellar parameters in the near future.

1,350 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: PHOEBE (PHysics of Eclipsing BinariEs) as discussed by the authors is a modeling package for eclipsing binary stars, built on top of the widely used WD program of Wilson & Devinney.
Abstract: PHOEBE (PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs) is a modeling package for eclipsing binary stars, built on top of the widely used WD program of Wilson & Devinney. This introductory paper gives an overview of the most important scientific extensions (incorporating observational spectra of eclipsing binaries into the solution-seeking process, extracting individual temperatures from observed color indices, main-sequence constraining, and proper treatment of the reddening), numerical innovations (suggested improvements to WD's differential corrections method, the new Nelder & Mead downhill simplex method), and technical aspects (back-end scripter structure, graphical user interface). While PHOEBE retains 100% WD compatibility, its add-ons are a powerful way to enhance WD by encompassing even more physics and solution reliability. The operability of all these extensions is demonstrated on a synthetic main-sequence test binary; applications to real data will be published in follow-up papers. PHOEBE is released under the GNU General Public License, which guarantees it to be free and open to anyone interested in joining in on future development.

856 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
07 Mar 2013-Nature
TL;DR: Determinations of the distances to eight long-period, late-type eclipsing systems in the Large Magellanic Cloud, composed of cool, giant stars, provide a firm base for a 3-per-cent determination of the Hubble constant.
Abstract: Observations of eight long-period, late-type eclipsing-binary systems composed of cool, giant stars are used to determine a distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud accurate to 2.2 per cent, providing a base for a determination of the Hubble constant to an accuracy of 3 per cent. The physical properties of stars in eclipsing binary systems can be accurately determined thanks to the intimate interactions between the two bodies, and by monitoring the fluctuating light from such systems it is possible to obtain accurate extragalactic distance measurement. This technique has now been used to determine the most accurate distance estimate yet for the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), our nearest-neighbour galaxy. The data from eight long-period, late-type eclipsing systems particularly suitable for this calibration technique suggest that the LMC is around 49.97 kiloparsecs from us, to an accuracy of 2.2%. The distance to the LMC is a key element in determining the Hubble constant, an important measure of the rate of expansion of the Universe. In the era of precision cosmology, it is essential to determine the Hubble constant to an accuracy of three per cent or better1,2. At present, its uncertainty is dominated by the uncertainty in the distance to the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), which, being our second-closest galaxy, serves as the best anchor point for the cosmic distance scale2,3. Observations of eclipsing binaries offer a unique opportunity to measure stellar parameters and distances precisely and accurately4,5. The eclipsing-binary method was previously applied to the LMC6,7, but the accuracy of the distance results was lessened by the need to model the bright, early-type systems used in those studies. Here we report determinations of the distances to eight long-period, late-type eclipsing systems in the LMC, composed of cool, giant stars. For these systems, we can accurately measure both the linear and the angular sizes of their components and avoid the most important problems related to the hot, early-type systems. The LMC distance that we derive from these systems (49.97 ± 0.19 (statistical) ± 1.11 (systematic) kiloparsecs) is accurate to 2.2 per cent and provides a firm base for a 3-per-cent determination of the Hubble constant, with prospects for improvement to 2 per cent in the future.

757 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the current status of fundamental M and R determinations which have errors ⩽ 2%, the limit for non-trivial results in many applications, and can be presumed valid for single stars.
Abstract: Binary stars are the main source of fundamental data on stellar masses and radii (M, R). Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the quality and quantity of such data, and stellar masses and radii of high accuracy have led to a number of qualitatively new and interesting results on the properties and evolution of normal stars. This paper reviews the current status of fundamentalM andR determinations which (i) have errors ⩽ 2%, the limit for non-trivial results in many applications, and (ii) can be presumed valid for single stars. These two conditions limit the discussion to data fromdetached, doublelined eclipsing binary systems. After a brief discussion (Sect. 2) of the main tests for accuracy and consistency which must be met for observational data to be included in the sample, data for 45 binary systems (90 single stars) are presented in Sect. 3 (Table 1 and Figs. 2–5). Spectral types are O8-M1 on the main sequence, with only two stars clearly in the red-giant region. From the review by Popper (1980), data for only 6 systems survive unchanged in the present list, while improved data are given for 18 systems; 21 systems are new additions. Broadband colours, effective temperatures, and luminosities are also given, but are scale-dependent and considerably less reliably determined thanM andR. The observed ranges inM andR for a given colour far exceed the observational errors, primarily due to evolutionary effects within the main sequence. For this reason, single-parameter relations used to predictM andR for single stars are limited to an accuracy of some ±15% inM and ±50% inR, basically independent of the number and accuracy of the data used to establish the relations. Two-parameter calibrations are discussed (Sect. 4) which can eventually reduce these errors to & 5% in bothM andR. At this level, abundance effects become significant and presumably account for the residual scatter. Comparison of the data with stellar evolution models is the topic of Sect. 5. Characteristic features of the data which are crucial in such work are emphasized, rather than attempts to “prove” the validity of any particular set of models. Already fromM andR alone, some significant constraints can be derived (Fig. 4). When bothM, R, andT e are known, the initial helium abundanceY can be estimated if the metal-abundance parameter Z is assumed or determined. Studies in which binaries with accurate values ofM, R, and Z are fit by models calculated for the precise observed masses, and withY and mixing length constrained to solar values, provide the most stringent tests of the models. Probing further model refinements such as convective overshooting requires full use of the potential of the data. For example, models may yield general main-sequence limits which are consistent with the observations, but still be unable to fit any single system to the precision of the data. Conditions for critical, informative tests are discussed. Tidal effects in binaries are briefly discussed in Sect. 6. As tidal forces are extremely sensitive to the dimensions and internal structure of the stars, the present sample is well suited for such studies. Recent success in matching computed and observed apsidal-motion parameters for early-type binaries is mentioned. Finally, main priorities for future work are outlined.

665 citations