We report the discovery of a multiple system with a quadruple-lined spectrum and a double eclipsing feature. Our photometric and high-resolution spectroscopic data show that V994 Herculis (V994 Her; ADS 11373 AB) is composed of two pairs of double-lined eclipsing binaries, which we designate as A and B. System A consists of a B8V+A0V binary with an orbital period of 2.083 264 d and system B of a A2V+A4V binary with 1.420 033 d. Our light curves show that both of them have a detached binary configuration. We derive masses and radii of four components (Aa, Ab, Ba and Bb) from the synthetic analyses of light curves and radial velocity curves. The masses of systems A and B are M Aa = 2.83 ± 0.20 M , M Ab = 2.30 ± 0.16 M , M Ba = 1.87 ± 0.12 M and M Bb = 1.86 ± 0.12 M , with radii R Aa = 2.15 ± 0.05 R , R Ab = 1.71 ± 0.04 R , R Ba = 1.59 ± 0.08 R and R Bb = 1.50 ± 0.08 R , respectively. These masses and radii are well consistent with the empirical relation for double-lined eclipsing binaries.

Aims. The transiting planet WASP-12 b was identified as a potential target for transit-timing studies because a departure from a linear ephemeris has been reported in the literature. Such deviations could be caused by an additional planet in the system. We attempt to confirm the claimed variations in transit timing and interpret their origin. Methods. We organised a multi-site campaign to observe transits by WASP-12 b in three observing seasons, using 0.5-2.6-metre telescopes. Results. We obtained 61 transit light curves, many of them with sub-millimagnitude precision. The simultaneous analysis of the best-quality datasets allowed us to obtain refined system parameters, which agree with values reported in previous studies. The residuals versus a linear ephemeris reveal a possible periodic signal that may be approximated by a sinusoid with an amplitude of 0.00068 ± 0.00013 d and period of 500 ± 20 orbital periods of WASP-12 b. The joint analysis of timing data and published radial velocity measurements results in a two-planet model that explains observations better than do single-planet scenarios. We hypothesise that WASP-12 b might not be the only planet in the system, and there might be the additional 0.1 M Jup body on a 3.6-d eccentric orbit. A dynamical analysis indicates that the proposed two-planet system is stable on long timescales.

No abstract

Aims. We study the variability of the cataclysmic variable DO Dra, on time-scales of between minutes and decades. (15) d . We analyzed the profile of the "composite" (or "mean") outburst. We discovered however, that a variety of different outburst heights and durations had occurred, contrary to theoretical predictions. The analysis of the historical data has shown a correlation between the decay time dt/dm and the outburst maximum brightness with a slope d(dt/dm)/dm = 0.37(9). With increasing maximum brightness, we find that the decay time also increases; this is in contrast to the model predictions, which indicate that outbursts should have a constant shape. This is interpreted as representing the presence of outburst-to-outburst variability of the magnetospheric radius. A presence of a number of missed weak narrow outbursts is predicted from this statistical relationship. We tabulate characteristics of the "quasi-orbital" variations, which indicate that an amplitude maximum occurs between quiescence and the outburst peak. The semi-amplitude of the spin variability does not exceeded 0.02 mag. A new type of variability is detected, during 3 subsequent nights in 2007: periodic (during one nightly run) oscillations with rapidly-decreasing frequency from 86 to 47 cycles/day and a semi-amplitude increasing from 0. m 06 to 0. m 10, during a monotonic brightness increase from 14. m 27 to 14. m 13. This phenomenon was observed only during an unusually prolonged event of ∼1 mag brightening in 2007 (lasting till autumn), during which no (expected) outburst was detected. We refer to this behaviour as to the "transient periodic oscillations" (TPO). We attribute the frequency decrease to "beat"-type of the variability, probably caused by irradiation of a cloud that is spiralling down to the white dwarf. Its frequency would then increase and coverge towards the spin frequency. To study this new and interesting phenomenon, new regular photometric and spectral (in a "target of opportunity" mode) observations are required.

Aims. We study the variability of the nova-like cataclysmic variable TT Ari, on time-scales of between minutes and months. Methods. The observations in the filter R were obtained at the 40-cm telescope of the Chungbuk National University (Korea), 51 observational runs cover 226 h. The table of individual observations is available electronically. In our analysis, we applied several methods: periodogram, wavelet, and scalegram analysis. Results. TT Ari remained in a "negative superhump" state after its return from the "positive superhump" state, which lasted for 8 years.The ephemeris for 12 of the best pronounced minima is T min = BJD 2 453 747.0700(47) + 0.132322(53)E. The phases of minima may reach 0.2, which reflects the non-eclipse nature of these minima. The quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) are present with a mean "period" of 21.6 min and mean semi-amplitude of 36 mmag. This value is consistent with the range 15−25 min reported for previous "negative superhump" states and does not support the hypothesis of secular decrease in the QPO period. Either the period, or the semi-amplitude show significant night-to-night variations. According to the position at the two-parameter diagrams (i.e. diagrams of pairs of parameters: time, mean brightness of the system, brightness of the source of QPO, amplitude, and timescale of the QPOs), the interval of observations was divided into 5 parts, showing different characteristics: 1) the "pre-outburst" stage; 2) the "rise to outburst"; 3) "top of the outbursts"; 4) "post-outburst QPO" state; and 5) "slow brightening". The the QPO source was significantly brighter during the 10-day outburst, than during the preceding interval. However, after the outburst, the large brightness of the QPO source still existed for about 30 days, producing the stage "4". The diagram for m QPO (m) exhibits two groups in the brightness range 10. m 6−10. m 8, which correspond to larger and smaller amplitudes of the QPO. For the group "5" only, statistically significant correlations were found, for which, with increasing mean brightness, the period, amplitude, and brightness of the of QPO source also increase. The mean brightness at the "negative superhump state" varies within 10. m 3−11. m 2, so the system is brighter than at the "positive superhump" (11. m 3), therefore the "negative superhump" phenomenon may be interpreted by a larger accretion rate. The system is an excellent laboratory for studying processes resulting in variations on timescales of between seconds and decades and needs further monitoring at various states of activity.