Photometric study of the binary system V397 cephei

Abstract

The first ground-based UBV observations (2001, Inf. Bull. Variable Stars, 5129) of V397 Cep were analyzed by using the Wilson-Devinney method, and the results were compared with others in the literature. A consistent geometry with a photometric mass-ratio close to unity and an eccentric orbit of e similar or equal to 0.13 was found. The longitude of the periastron (omega) was found significantly different for two different light curves, which is strongly suggestive of an apsidal motion with a period of about 300 yr. This makes V397 Cep an important candidate for studies of apsidal motion.