Bibcode
Deeg, H. J.; Doyle, L. R.; Kozhevnikov, V. P.; Blue, J. E.; Martín, E. L.; Schneider, J.
Referencia bibliográfica
Astronomy and Astrophysics, v.358, p.L5-L8 (2000)
Fecha de publicación:
6
2000
Revista
Número de citas
36
Número de citas referidas
25
Descripción
For the eclipsing binary system CM Draconis, eclipse minimum times have
been monitored with high precision between 1994 and 1999. Periodic
deviations of minimum times from a linear ephemeris may indicate the
presence of an orbiting third body. Individual measurements of 41
eclipse minimum times result in a standard deviation from linear
ephemeris of 5.74 seconds. A power spectral analysis of the residuals
reveals only one periodicity with more then 2 seconds amplitude. This
feature, with a periodicity between 750 and 1050 days has an amplitude
of 2.8+/-0.5 seconds, and is also present with similar phases if the
power spectral analysis is performed independently for primary and
secondary eclipses. It would be compatible with a circumbinary planet of
1.5 -3 Jupiter masses at an orbital distance of 1.1-1.45 AU to the
binary barycenter. The assignation of a planet to the CM Dra system can
however only be upheld if this periodicity can be followed in future
observations for several years. For low-mass eclipsing binary stars, the
method of eclipse minimum timing allows one to reach mass limits for the
detection of third bodies well below that feasible by radial velocity
measurements.