BVRI photometric and polarimetric studies of W UMa type eclipsing binary FO Hydra

We present analysis of optical photometric and polarimetric observations of contact binary system FO Hydra (FO Hya). The computed period of the system is 0.469556 ± 0.000003 days. An O–C curve analysis indicates an increase in its period by 5.77 × 10−8 day yr−1. The photometric light curves are analyzed using Wilson–Devinney code (WD). The present analysis shows that FO Hya is a B-subtype of W UMa type contact binary. The radii and mass of primary and secondary components are found, respectively, to be R1 = 1.62 ± 0.03 R⊙ and R2 = 0.91 ± 0.02 R⊙, and M1 = 1.31 ± 0.07 M⊙ and M2 = 0.31 ± 0.11 M⊙. The light curve shape shows small asymmetries around the primary and secondary maxima. This may be due to the presence of dark spots on the components. The polarimetric observations yield average values of its polarization to be 0.18 ± 0.03, 0.15 ± 0.03, 0.17 ± 0.02 and 0.15 ± 0.02% in B, V, R and I bands, respectively. These values are appreciably lower than the typical polarization of W UMa type binaries. We have discussed the possible sources of the observed polarization but in order to arrive at definitive answer to this more phase locked observations are needed.

► We present analysis of optical photometric and polarimetric observations of contact binary system FO Hydra (FO Hya). ► The computed period of the system is 0.469556 ± 0.000003 days. ► An O–C curve analysis indicates an increase in its period by 5.77  × 10-8 day yr−1. ► The photometric light curves are analyzed using Wilson–Devinney code (WD). ► In this analysis we have taken up, presumably for the first time, the polarimetric studies of FO Hya, and obtain the mean values of degree of polarization and polarization position angle.