The Algol-Type Interacting Binaries

Abstract

The Algol-type systems were originally defined in terms of the nature of their light curves. Typically, the outside of eclipse brightness is fairly constant with the ingress and egress phases well defined for sufficiently deep eclipses. It was believed that these light curves were relatively uncomplicated implying that the stars were approximately spherical and “simple”. The prototype, β Per = Algol, is a low activity system in modem terminology and fits these criteria reasonably well.