Using ASAS-SN data, we find that the bright (V∼13.5 mag) variable star MACHO 80.7443.1718 (ASASSN-V J052624.38-684705.6) is the most extreme heartbeat star yet discovered. This massive binary, consisting of at least one early B-type star, has an orbital period of PASAS−SN=32.83627±0.00846d, and is located towards the LH58 OB complex in the LMC. Both the ASAS-SN and TESS light curves show extreme brightness variations of ∼40% at periastron and variations of ∼10% due to tidally excited oscillations outside periastron. We fit an analytical model of the variability caused by the tidal distortions at pericenter to find orbital parameters of ω=−61.4 deg, i=44.8 deg and e=0.566. We also present a frequency analysis to identify the pulsation frequencies corresponding to the tidally excited oscillations.
@article{arxiv.1901.00005,
title = {An Extreme Amplitude, Massive Heartbeat System in the LMC Characterized Using ASAS-SN and TESS},
author = {T. Jayasinghe and K. Z. Stanek and C. S. Kochanek and Todd A. Thompson and B. J. Shappee and M. Fausnaugh},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1901.00005},
year = {2021}
}