Period variations in SZ Arietis

Abstract

A new period (P = 1.ᵈ7175405) of the eclipsing binary system SZ Arietis has been presented. Period changes in different portions of the O-C diagram, with new period, have been estimated.The total change in period (∆P) ranges from 3.64 х 10 ̄ ⁵ d to 4.24 х 10 ̄ ⁴ d, which is appreciably large. However, leaving the unusual value, the average period change comes out to be of the order of 6 х 10 ̄ ⁵ d. The period changes around the years 1903, 1943, and 1977 are apparent in the O-C diagrams. A sinusoidal variation is also visible in the O-C diagrams. which indicates that SZ Ari may be a three-body system, having a period of nearly 66 years.