The search for M-M Dwarf Eclipsing Binary Systems

Abstract

Using data from the Kilodegree Extremely Little Telescope (KELT) project, we performed a survey of 2028 known M Dwarf stars in the KELT footprint for M-M Dwarf eclipsing binaries (EBs). After searching 2028 Mdwarf stars, we Follow up observation of our best target’s eclipse events confirmed our hypothesis, and further Spectroscopic and Radial Velocity (RV) data allowed us to model the system. In this paper, we overview our survey and report the discovery and analysis of a new double-lined M-M eclipsing binary system, KS20C055996. This system is the second brightest M-M EB known (V 13.9) with M1 = 0.47 M and M2 = 0.38 M , orbiting on a period of 1.11 days. KS20C055996 provides a unique opportunity to study Very Low Mass Stars (VLMS) and further compare observational results with current theoretical models of low mass stellar interiors.