Context. The study of apsidal motion in detached eclipsing binary systems is known to be an important source of information about stellar internal structure as well as the possibility of verifying of General Relativity outside the Solar System. Aims. As part of the long-term Ondřejov and Ostrava observational projects, we aim to measure precise times of minima for eccentric eclipsing binaries, needed for the accurate determination of apsidal motion, providing a suitable test of the effects of General Relativity. Methods. About seventy new times of minimum light recorded with photoelectric or CCD photometers were obtained for ten eccentric-orbit eclipsing binaries with significant relativistic apsidal motion. Their O-C diagrams were analysed using all reliable timings found in the literature, and new or improved elements of apsidal motion were obtained. Results. We confirm very long periods of apsidal motion for all systems. For BF Dra and V1094 Tau, we present the first apsidalmotion solution. The relativistic effects are dominant, representing up to 100% of the total observable apsidal-motion rate in several systems. The theoretical and observed values of the internal structure constant k 2 were compared for systems with lower relativistic contribution. Using the light-time effect solution, we predict a faint third component for V1094 Tau orbiting with a short period of about 8 years.

Aims. As part of our long-term observational project we aim to measure very precise mid-eclipse times for low-mass eclipsing binaries, which are needed to accurately determine their period changes. Over two hundred new precise times of minimum light recorded with CCD were obtained for three eclipsing binaries with short orbital periods: NSVS 01286630 (P = 0. d 38), NSVS 02502726 (0. d 56), and NSVS 07453183 (0. d 37). Methods. O−C diagrams of studied stars were analysed using all reliable timings, and new parameters of the light-time effect were obtained. Results. We derived for the first time or improved the very short orbital periods of third bodies of between one and seven years for all measured low-mass systems. We calculated that the lowest masses of the third components are between those of red and brown dwarfs. The multiplicity of these systems also plays an important role in the precise determination of their physical parameters. This research is part of an ongoing collaboration between professional astronomers and the Czech Astronomical Society, Variable Star and Exoplanet Section.

We present the next results of our long-term observational project to analyze the variations in the orbital periods of low-mass eclipsing binaries. About 70 new precise mid-eclipse times recorded with a CCD were obtained for two eclipsing binaries with short orbital periods: GU Boo (P = 0.​d49) and YY Gem (0.​d81). Observed-minus-calculated diagrams of the stars were analyzed using all reliable timings, and new parameters of the light-time effect were obtained. We derived for the first time or improved the short orbital periods of possible third bodies of 11 and 54 years for these low-mass binaries, respectively. We calculated that the minimum masses of the third components are close to 50 MJup, which corresponds to the mass of brown dwarfs. The multiplicity of these systems also plays an important role in the precise determination of their physical parameters.

Aims. As part of the long-term Ondřejov and Ostrava observational projects, we aim to measure the precise times of minimum light for eccentric eclipsing binaries, needed for accurate determination of apsidal motion. Over fifty new times of minimum light recorded with CCD photometers were obtained for five early-type and eccentric-orbit eclipsing binaries: V785 Cas (P = 2. Methods. O−C diagrams of binaries were analysed using all reliable timings found in the literature, and new elements of apsidal motion were obtained. Results. We derived for the first time or improved the relatively short periods of apsidal motion of about 83, 140, 33, 440, and 70 years for V785 Cas, V821 Cas, V796 Cyg, V398 Lac, and V871 Per, respectively. The internal structure constants, log k 2 , for V821 Cas and V398 Lac are then found to be -2.70 and -2.35, under the assumption that the component stars rotate pseudosynchronously. The relativistic effects are weak, up to 7% of the total apsidal motion rate.