An Updated Catalog of 4680 Northern Eclipsing Binaries with Algol-type Light-curve Morphology in the Catalina Sky Surveys

Abstract

We present an updated catalog of 4680 northern eclipsing binaries (EBs) with Algol-type light-curve (LC) morphology (i.e., with well-defined beginnings and ends of primary and secondary eclipses), using data from the Catalina Sky Surveys. Our work includes revised period determinations, phenomenological parameters of the LCs, and system morphology classifications based on machine-learning techniques. While most of the new periods are in excellent agreement with those provided in the original Catalina catalogs, improved values are now available for ∼10% of the stars. A total of 3456 EBs were classified as detached and 449 were classified as semi-detached, while 145 could not be classified unambiguously into either subtype. The majority of the SD systems seem to be comprised of short-period Algols. By applying color criteria, we searched for K- and M-type dwarfs in these data, and present a subsample of 609 EB candidates for further investigation. We report 119 EBs (2.5% of the total sample) that show maximum quadrature light variations over long timescales, with periods bracketing the range 4.5–18 years and a fractional luminosity variance range of 0.04–0.13. We discuss possible causes for this, making use of models of variable starspot activity in our interpretation of the results.