Multi-site, multi-year monitoring of the oscillating Algol-type eclipsing binary CT Herculis

We present the results of a multi-site photometric campaign carried out in 2004-2008 for the Algol-type eclipsing binary system CT Her, the primary component of which displays δ Scuti-type oscillations. Our data consist of differential light curves collected in the filters B and V, which were analysed using the method of Wilson-Devinney (Phoebe). After identifying an adequate binary model and removing the best-fit light-curve solution, we performed a Fourier analysis of the residual B and V light curves to investigate the pulsational behaviour. We confirm the presence of rapid pulsations with a main period of 27.2 min. Up to eight significant frequencies with semi-amplitudes in the range 3 to 1 mmag were detected, all of which lie in the frequency range 43.5-53.5 d-1. This result is independent of the choice of the primary's effective temperature (8200 or 8700 K) since the light-curve models of the binary are very similar in both cases. This is yet another case of a complex frequency spectrum observed for an accreting δ Scuti-type star (after Y Cam). In addition, we demonstrate that the amplitudes of several pulsation frequencies provide evidence of variability on timescales as short as 1-2 years, perhaps even less. Moreover, our analysis takes into account some recently acquired spectra, from which we obtained the corresponding radial velocities for the years 2007-2009. Investigation of the O-C diagram shows that further monitoring of the epochs of eclipse minima of CT Her will cast new light on the evolution of its orbital period. © 2011 ESO.