Related papers: W UMa-type Binary Stars in Globular Clusters

We present preliminary results obtained from the comparison of the specific frequencies of Blue Straggler Stars (BSS) detected so far in a sample of 26 Galactic globular clusters. The number of BSS seems to increase almost linearly with…

The paper integrates the available data for contact binaries of the disk population in a deep galactic field and in old open clusters. The two basic data sets consist of 98 systems in the volume-limited 3 kpc sub-sample of contact binaries…

It was recently demonstrated that contact binaries occur in globular clusters (GCs) only immediately below turn-off point and in the region of blue straggler stars (BSs). In addition, observations indicate that at least a significant…

We observed a field in the disk of the LMC on two consecutive nights in search of rapid variable stars. We have found two pulsating stars of type RRab and delta Sct, and four binary stars, among the latter one sdB or CV below the LMC blue…

The central regions of six Galactic Globular Clusters (GGCs) (M3, M80, M10, M13, M92 and NGC 288) have been imaged using HST-WFPC2 and the ultraviolet (UV) filters (F255W, F336W). The selected sample covers a large range in both central…

We discuss the main properties of the Galactic globular cluster (GC) blue straggler stars (BSS), as inferred from our new catalog containing nearly 3000 BSS. The catalog has been extracted from the photometrically homogeneous V vs. (B-V)…

An algorithm, based on Fourier decomposition of light curves, permitted to define a sample of 388 contact binaries with well observed light curves, periods shorter one day and with available V-I colors (the R-sample), from among 933…

Based on over 3000 BV images of M4 collected in years 1995-2009 we obtain light curves of 22 variables, 10 of which are newly detected objects. We identify four detached eclipsing binaries and eight contact binaries. Accurate periods are…

The field of the globular cluster M12 (NGC 6218) was monitored between 1995 and 2009 in a search for variable stars. $BV$ light curves were obtained for 36 periodic or likely periodic variables. Thirty-four of these are new detections.…

The luminosity function for contact binary stars of the W~UMa-type is evaluated on the basis of the ASAS photometric project covering all stars south of delta= +28 within a magnitude range 8<V<13. Lack of colour indices enforced a…

Five fields located close to the center of the globular cluster NGC 104=47 Tuc were surveyed in a search for variable stars. We present V-band light curves for 42 variables. This sample includes 13 RR Lyr stars -- 12 of them belong to the…

We used data from the HST UV Legacy Survey of Galactic Globular Clusters to select the Blue Straggler Star (BSS) population in four intermediate/high density systems (namely NGC 2808, NGC 6388, NGC 6541 and NGC 7078) through a "UV-guided…

Globular cluster systems exhibit a bewildering variety of characteristics. No single scenario appears to be able to account for the wide range of specific globular cluster frequencies that are observed in galaxies of various types. The…

A sample of bright contact binary stars (W UMa-type or EW, and related: with beta Lyr light curves, EB, and ellipsoidal, ELL - in effect, all but the detached, EA), to the limit of Vmax = 7.5 magnitude is deemed to include all discoverable…

The fraction of binary stars is an important ingredient to interpret globular cluster dynamical evolution and their stellar population. We investigate the properties of main-sequence binaries measured in a uniform photometric sample of 59…

We report the discovery of a variable blue straggler in the core of the globular cluster M5, based on a 12-hour long series of images obtained with the Planetary Camera aboard the Hubble Space Telescope. In addition, we present the light…

We used deep wide field photometric observations to derive the fraction of binary systems in a sample of five high-latitude Galactic open clusters. By analysing the color distribution of Main Sequence stars we derived the minimum fraction…

We used deep observations collected with ACS@HST to derive the fraction of binary systems in a sample of thirteen low-density Galactic globular clusters. By analysing the color distribution of Main Sequence stars we derived the minimum…

The high stellar densities in the cores of globular clusters cause significant stellar interactions. These stellar interactions can produce close binary mass-transferring systems involving compact objects and their progeny, such as X-ray…

We present a homogeneous study of blue straggler stars across ten outer halo globular clusters, three classical dwarf spheroidal and nine ultra-faint galaxies based on deep and wide-field photometric data taken with MegaCam on the…