Assessment of evolutionary status of eclipsing binaries using light-curve parameters and spectral classification

Abstract

We have developed a procedure for the classification of eclipsing binaries from their lightcurve parameters and spectral type. The procedure was tested on more than 1000 systems with known classification, and its efficiency was estimated for every evolutionary status we use. The procedure was applied to about 4700 binaries with no classification, and the vast majority of them were classified successfully. Systems of relatively rare evolutionary classeswere detected in that process, as well as systems with unusual and/or contradictory parameters. Also, for 50 previously unclassified cluster binaries evolutionary classes were identified. These stars can serve as tracers for age and distance estimation of their parent stellar systems. The procedure proved itself as fast, flexible and effective enough to be applied to large ground-based and space-borne surveys, containing tens of thousands of eclipsing binaries. © 2014 The Authors.