V717 Andromedae: An Active Low Mass Ratio Contact Binary

Abstract

Multi-band photometric analysis of the contact binary V717 Andromedae (V717 And) is presented. The system is found to be an extreme low mass ratio system (q = 0.197) with high inclination (i = 84.5 deg), moderate degree of contact (27%) and near equal temperatures of the components. Period analysis of survey photometry spanning over 6300 days reveals no significant change. Although the system does not demonstrate a significant O'Connell effect there are a number of other markers strongly suggesting the system is chromospherically active. Orbital analysis indicates that the system is stable and not a merger candidate.