Photometric Observations of Nine High Mass X-Ray Binaries and Analysis of Potential Periodicities and Variations

Abstract

Abstract Beginning with American Association of Variable Star Observers Alert Notice 348 (2007 April 6) and being continually extended and updated through 2020 April 17 with Alert Notice 377, Dr. Gordon Sarty requested continuing assistance with his ongoing radial velocity observations of High Mass X-Ray Binaries. As of Alert Notice 377, nine targets were identified. These are: 1H 1936+541, RX J2030.5+4751, V2175 Cyg, V1008 Cep, V831 Cas, RX J0440.9+4431/LS V+44 17, V420 Aur, HD 249179, and SAX J0635+0533. While these Alert Notices prioritized radial velocity observations with the objective of determining orbital periods of these binary systems, optical photometry can also reveal other periods and variations due to mass transfer, pulsations, rotations, spin rates, and other effects. This Research Note will address in more detail the observation and analysis of one of these nine High Mass X-Ray Binaries, specifically 1H 1936+541.