We present spectroscopic and photometric analysis of the quintuple star HD 86222 with an eclipsing component. Until now three visual components A, B, and C of this multiple star were known. Four components in the A/B pair were detected during the examination of the cross correlation functions obtained from the spectra. We noticed that the visual components A and B, separated by , are in fact two binary stars – one eclipsing pair and one spectroscopic system. The pair with higher radial velocity amplitude corresponds to the eclipsing period. Photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eclipsing binary enable us to obtain the Wilson-Devinney model. The masses of this pair are M1 = 1.29 ± 0.09 M⊙ and M2 = 1.33 ± 0.09 M⊙, respectively. The radii, slightly higher than for the main sequence stars, are R1 = 1.35 ± 0.01 R⊙ and R2 = 1.36 ± 0.01 R⊙, respectively. The main parameters of the spectroscopic binary are also estimated, but they must be confirmed by future observations because of the uncertainty of the period. The farthest star named C, is 15 arc seconds from the main A and B components. Assuming that this object is gravitationally connected with the A and B binary pairs, HD 86222 has at least five components.

The larger number of models of asteroid shapes and their rotational states derived by the lightcurve inversion give us better insight into both the nature of individual objects and the whole asteroid population. With a larger statistical sample we can study the physical properties of asteroid populations, such as main-belt asteroids or individual asteroid families, in more detail. Shape models can also be used in combination with other types of observational data (IR, adaptive optics images, stellar occultations), e.g., to determine sizes and thermal properties. We use all available photometric data of asteroids to derive their physical models by the lightcurve inversion method and compare the observed pole latitude distributions of all asteroids with known convex shape models with the simulated pole latitude distributions. We used classical dense photometric lightcurves from several sources and sparse-in-time photometry from the U.S. Naval Observatory in Flagstaff, Catalina Sky Survey, and La Palma surveys (IAU codes 689, 703, 950) in the lightcurve inversion method to determine asteroid convex models and their rotational states. We also extended a simple dynamical model for the spin evolution of asteroids used in our previous paper. We present 119 new asteroid models derived from combined dense and sparse-in-time photometry. We discuss the reliability of asteroid shape models derived only from Catalina Sky Survey data (IAU code 703) and present 20 such models. By using different values for a scaling parameter cYORP (corresponds to the magnitude of the YORP momentum) in the dynamical model for the spin evolution and by comparing synthetics and observed pole-latitude distributions, we were able to constrain the typical values of the cYORP parameter as between 0.05 and 0.6.

Context. Recent studies have uncovered evidence that the statistical properties of asteroids' physical parameters are a fundamental source of information on the physics of their collisions and evolution. The analysis of the spin rates and spin vector distributions helps us to understand the role of various known and new effects. The alignment of spin vectors and the correlation of spin rates are for the first time observed for ten members of the Koronis family. These unexpected non-random orientations of the spin axes and correlations of the spin rates, now known as Slivan states are interpreted in terms of a YORP effect and spin-orbit resonances.Aims. To study non-gravitational-effects, there appears to be a need for new observational campaigns devoted to determining the physical parameters of the asteroid families.Methods. We analysed the photometric observations of the asteroids, which are the most efficient method of studying asteroid physical parameters.Results. We report the results of a ten-year long observational survey of the light variations of objects in the Flora region. We present 544 individual lightcurves of 55 objects obtained at various observing geometries. These lightcurves yield new or refined synodic periods for 32 asteroids and confirm period determinations for 23 objects in our sample. To improve the statistics of the Flora family objects, we add to our dataset 91 objects with reliably determined periods. The distribution of rotation rates for the Flora family is non-Maxwellian at a confidence level of 94% and different from those of the Koronis and the Hungaria families. It seems to be consistent with the long-term influence of the YORP effect, although it is also indicative of a younger age for the Flora family compared to both the Koronis and the Hungaria families.Conclusions. Our new data is a foundation for the spin vector and shape determinations that will be the objectives of the second paper of the series. We search for spin vector and spin periods correlations in order to determine whether Slivan states exist in the Flora family.

Context. Recent studies have uncovered evidence that the statistical properties of asteroids’ physical parameters are a fundamental source of information on the physics of their collisions and evolution. The analysis of the spin rates and spin vector distributions helps us to understand the role of various known and new effects. The alignment of spin vectors and the correlation of spin rates are for the first time observed for ten members of the Koronis family. These unexpected non-random orientations of the spin axes and correlations of the spin rates, now known as Slivan states are interpreted in terms of a YORP effect and spin-orbit resonances. Aims. To study non-gravitational-effects, there appears to be a need for new observational campaigns devoted to determining the physical parameters of the asteroid families. Methods. We analysed the photometric observations of the asteroids, which are the most efficient method of studying asteroid physical parameters. Results. We report the results of a ten-year long observational survey of the light variations of objects in the Flora region. We present 544 individual lightcurves of 55 objects obtained at various observing geometries. These lightcurves yield new or refined synodic periods for 32 asteroids and confirm period determinations for 23 objects in our sample. To improve the statistics of the Flora family objects, we add to our dataset 91 objects with reliably determined periods. The distribution of rotation rates for the Flora family is nonMaxwellian at a confidence level of 94% and different from those of the Koronis and the Hungaria families. It seems to be consistent with the long-term influence of the YORP effect, although it is also indicative of a younger age for the Flora family compared to both the Koronis and the Hungaria families. Conclusions. Our new data is a foundation for the spin vector and shape determinations that will be the objectives of the second paper of the series. We search for spin vector and spin periods correlations in order to determine whether Slivan states exist in the Flora family.

Context. The shapes and spin states of asteroids observed with photometric techniques can be reconstructed using the lightcurve inversion method. The resultant models can then be confirmed or exploited further by other techniques, such as adaptive optics, radar, thermal infrared, stellar occultations, or space probe imaging.Aims. During our ongoing work to increase the set of asteroids with known spin and shape parameters, there appeared a need for displaying the model plane-of-sky orientations for specific epochs to compare models from different techniques. It would also be instructive to be able to track how the complex lightcurves are produced by various asteroid shapes.Methods. Basing our analysis on an extensive photometric observational dataset, we obtained eight asteroid models with the convex lightcurve inversion method. To enable comparison of the photometric models with those from other observing/modelling techniques, we created an on-line service where we allow the inversion models to be orientated interactively.Results. Our sample of objects is quite representative, containing both relatively fast and slow rotators with highly and lowly inclined spin axes. With this work, we increase the sample of asteroid spin and shape models based on disk-integrated photometry to over 200. Three of the shape models obtained here are confirmed by the stellar occultation data; this also allowed independent determinations of their sizes to be made.Conclusions. The ISAM service can be widely exploited for past and future asteroid observations with various, complementary techniques and for asteroid dimension determination.

First spectroscopic and new photometric observations of the eclipsing binary FM Leo are presented. The main aims were to determine orbital and stellar parameters of two components and their evolutionary stage. First spectroscopic observations of the system were obtained with DDO and PST spectrographs. The results of the orbital solution from radial velocity curves are combined with those derived from the light-curve analysis (ASAS-3 photometry and supplementary observations of eclipses with 1 m and 0.35 m telescopes) to derive orbital and stellar parameters. JKTEBOP, Wilson-Devinney binary modelling codes and a two-dimensional cross-correlation (TODCOR) method were applied for the analysis. We find the masses to be M_1 = 1.318 $\pm$ 0.007 and M_2 = 1.287 $\pm$ 0.007 M_sun, the radii to be R_1 = 1.648 $\pm$ 0.043 and R_2 = 1.511 $\pm$ 0.049 R_sun for primary and secondary stars, respectively. The evolutionary stage of the system is briefly discussed by comparing physical parameters with current stellar evolution models. We find the components are located at the main sequence, with an age of about 3 Gyr.

First spectroscopic and new photometric observations of the eclipsing Algol-type binary FM Leo are presented. JKTEBOP, Wilson-Devinney binary modelling codes, and TODCOR methods were applied for the analysis to derive stellar and orbital parameterers. With masses and radii determined better than 1 % and 4 %, respectively, we compared the observations with current stellar evolution models interpolated for the system and found the evolutionary status and age of FM Leo.

V440 Per is a Population I Cepheid with the period of 7.57 day and low amplitude, almost sinusoidal light and radial velocity curves. With no reliable data on the 1st harmonic, its pulsation mode identification remained controversial. We obtained a radial velocity curve of V440 Per with our new high precision and high throughput Poznan Spectroscopic Telescope. Our data reach the accuracy of 130 m/s per individual measurement and yield a secure detection of the 1st harmonic with the amplitude of A_2= 140+/- 15 m/s. The velocity Fourier phase \phi_21 of V440 Per is inconsistent at the 7.25 \sigma level with those of the fundamental mode Cepheids, implying that the star must be an overtone Cepheid, as originally proposed by Kienzle et al.(1999). Thus, V440 Per becomes the longest period Cepheid with the securely established overtone pulsations. We show, that the convective nonlinear pulsation hydrocode can reproduce the Fourier parameters of V440 Per very well. Requirement to match the observed properties of V440 Per constrains free parameters of the dynamical convection model used in the pulsation calculations, in particular the radiative losses parameter.

We have acquired simultaneous high-precision space photometry and radial velocities of the bright hybrid β Cep/Slowly Pulsating B pulsator γ Peg. Frequency analyses reveal the presence of six gravity (g) modes of high radial order together with eight low-order β Cep oscillations in both data sets. Mode identification shows that all pulsations have spherical degrees ℓ = 0–2. An 8.5 M☉ model reproduces the observed pulsation frequencies; all theoretically predicted modes in the β Cep domain are detected. We suggest, contrary to previous authors, that γ Peg is a single star; the claimed orbital variations are due to g-mode pulsation. γ Peg is the first hybrid pulsator for which a sufficiently large number of high-order g modes and low-order pressure (p) and mixed modes have been detected and identified to be usable for in-depth seismic modeling.

The paper confronts chaos indicators of two basic types: spectral methods and variational methods. The spectral methods include the spectral numbers and the integrated autocorrelation function. Variational methods discussed are FLI, MEGNO and OFLI2. Using an ad hoc model of coupled pendulum we demonstrate various spurious patterns that appear in the maps of the chaos indicators. Spectral methods generate spurious Moiré fringes, whereas variational methods are sensitive to the integration time or – in the case of the first-order variations indicators – to the initial direction of the variations vector. An example of major discrepancy between the two kinds of methods is given for an unstable periodic orbit. The influence of the initial variations vector is explained in the context of Lyapunov vectors theory and some selection rules are recommended.