Using Computational Models to Uncover the Parameters of Three Kepler Binaries: KIC 5957123, KIC 8314879, and KIC 10727668

Abstract

Theories of stellar convective core overshoot can be examined through analysis of pulsating stars. Better accuracy can be achieved by obtaining external constraints such as those provided by observing pulsating stars in eclipsing binary systems, but this requires that the binary parameters be identified so photometric variations of the pulsating component may be isolated from the binary periodicity. This study aims to uncover the physical parameters of three binaries observed by the Kepler spacecraft. We also seek to evaluate the feasibility of accurately constraining binaries using only readily available time-series photometry and distance estimates. Binary models were constructed using the Physics of Eclipsing Binaries (PHOEBE) software package. Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods were used to sample the parameter space of these models and provide estimates of the posterior distributions for these systems. An initial run using binned light curve data was performed to identify general parameter trends and provide initializing distributions for a subsequent analysis incorporating the full data set. We present theoretical models for all three binaries, along with posterior distributions from our MCMC analyses. Models for KIC 8314879 and KIC 10727668 produced a good match to the observed data, while the model of KIC 5957123 failed to generate an appropriate synthetic light curve. For the two successful models, we interpret the posterior distributions and discuss confidence in our parameter estimates and uncertainties. We also evaluate the feasibility of this procedure in various contexts, and propose several modifications to improve the success of future studies.

arXiv commentAccepted for publication in ApJ

References in corpus (24)

• Array Programming with NumPy
• Astropy: A Community Python Package for Astronomy
• emcee: The MCMC Hammer
• The Astropy Project: Building an inclusive, open-science project and status of the v2.0 core package
• Measuring Reddening with SDSS Stellar Spectra and Recalibrating SFD
• The Pan-STARRS1 Photometric System
• A Computational Guide to Physics of Eclipsing Binaries. Paper I. Demonstrations and Perspectives
• Kepler Input Catalog: Photometric Calibration and Stellar Classification
• Kepler Presearch Data Conditioning I - Architecture and Algorithms for Error Correction in Kepler Light Curves
• Kepler Eclipsing Binary Stars. VII. The Catalog of Eclipsing Binaries Found in the Entire Kepler Data-Set
• Physics Of Eclipsing Binaries. II. Towards the Increased Model Fidelity
• Data analysis recipes: Using Markov Chain Monte Carlo
• Physics of Eclipsing Binaries. V. General Framework for Solving the Inverse Problem
• Signatures of internal rotation discovered in the Kepler data of five slowly pulsating B stars
• The shape of convective core overshooting from gravity-mode period spacings
• Artificial Intelligence Approach to the Determination of Physical Properties of Eclipsing Binaries. I. The EBAI Project
• The TESS light curve of AI Phoenicis
• A Conceptual Introduction to Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods
• Gravity and limb-darkening coefficients for compact stars: DA, DB, and DBA eclipsing white dwarfs
• Discovery of Two New Thermally Bloated Low-Mass White Dwarfs Among the Kepler Binaries
• The true stellar parameters of the Kepler target list
• Convection and Overshoot in models of gamma Doradus and delta Scuti stars
• V1224 Cas - an EL CVn-type Eclipsing Binary Consisting of a Helium White Dwarf Precursor and a Delta Scuti Pulsator
• Physical properties of three short period close binaries: kic 2715417, kic 6050116 and kic 6287172