4-COLOR PHOTOMETRIC-STUDY OF THE SHORT-PERIOD ECLIPSING BINARY V-CRATERIS

This paper presents complete uvby light curves and photometric solutions for the short-period eclipsing binary V Crateris (P = 0.702 day). The previously reported orbital eccentricity is not confirmed. The asymmetry and nightly variability of the light curves suggest that V Crt is an active spotted binary. An extensive search for a reliable mass ratio q was carried out using the 1992 version of the Wilson-Devinney program. The solutions of the uvby light curves indicate that V Crt is a semi-detached system with the secondary component filling its Roche lobe. The asymmetric appearance of the light curves can be explained by introducing a cool spot on one side of the secondary component. The astrophysical parameters of the individual components of the system have been derived by combining the observed uvbybeta photometry with the photometric solution. These parameters suggest that both components are slightly evolved main-sequence stars. V Crt has several of the characteristics of the group of short-period Algol binaries and may be an example of case A mass transfer.