The Orbit of an Eclipsing Variable (L)

Abstract

The light curve of an eclipsing variable yields a wealth of information concerning the geometrical and physical properties of the two component stars. We take, as an example, the fine measurements on W Delphini obtained by Wendell with a polarizing photometer. The 500 observations have been combined into ‘normal points’, of which we select about 25 (Table A). For the analysis we apply H. N. Russell’s classical method. We assume for simplification that each of the stellar discs is uniformly bright.