Fifty Years of Eclipsing Binary Analysis with the Wilson–Devinney Model

Abstract

The Wilson–Devinney model has—over the last 50 years—become the standard in analyzing eclipsing binary observations. To provide orientation for both active binary and non-binary researchers, it is presented here in historical and on-going as well as astrophysical perspectives. Among the important advances that originated with the model are: the representation of star surfaces as equipotentials for circular and eccentric orbits, leading to four morphological types; simultaneous least-squares light and velocity curve analyses; efficient reflection computation, including multiple reflection; disk theory and disk modeling. Solutions in physical units allowed for the accurate estimation of parameters such as stellar masses and photometric distances; inclusion of types of observables, properly weighted.

Keywords

• binary stars
• eclipsing binaries
• Wilson–Devinney model
• light-curve analysis
• parameter estimation