The first photometric analysis and period investigation of the K-type W UMa type binary system V0842 Cep

Abstract

V0842 Cep is a W UMa-type binary star that has been neglected since its discovery. We analysed the VR$_c$I$_c$ light curves, obtained by the 1 m telescope at the Weihai Observatory of Shandong University, using the Wilson-Devinney code. V0842 Cep was found to be a shallow contact binary system (f=8.7$\%$) with a mass ratio of 2.281. Because its orbital inclination is greater than 80$^\circ$, the photometric results are reliable. A period study is included which reveals a continually decreasing orbital period ($\frac{\mathrm{d}p}{\mathrm{d}t}$=1.50($\pm$0.42)$\times$10$^{-7}$dyr$^{-1}$). This trend could be attributed to the angular momentum loss via stellar wind.