A Photometric Study of the Near-Contact Binary WY Tauri

摘要

CCD photometric observations for the eclipsing binary WY Tauri are firstly presented. Three new minimumtimings in 2006 and 2008 have been determined. Using Wilson-Devinney binary code, the photometric solution wassimultaneously deduced from VR light curves. Photometric results indicate that WY Tau is a semi-detached binary,whose secondary component fills its Roche lobe. The mass ratio and orbital inclination are q = 0.508(±0.006) andi = 78_.~°0(±0?05), respectively. The filling factor of the primary component is 84.9%, indicating that this star isa near-contact binary. Based on all available eclipse timings since 1930, it is found that the (O - C) curve may bedescribed by either a long-term period increase or a cyclic variation. The continuous period increase at a rate ofdP / dt = +4.65 × 10~(-8)d yr~(-1)may be attributed to mass transferring from the secondary to primary, identifiedby the semidetached configuration. With mass transferring, WY Tau may evolve into a contact binary.