BVRI photometry of the eclipsing binary BS Vul

Using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Van Hamme code, our new complete BV(IR)_C_ light curves were analyzed and the physical parameters of the system were derived. We found that BS Vul is a near contact binary system with the primary component filling its critical Roche lobe. The luminosity enhancement on the left shoulder of the secondary minimum shown in the light curves can be explained as a result of a persistent hot spot on the secondary due to the mass transfer from the primary component to the secondary one and heating the facing hemisphere of the secondary component, which is consistent with our result of period analysis.

With the period decrease, BS Vul will evolve toward the contact phase. It is another good observational example as predicted by the theory of thermal relaxation oscillations.