RS CVn-binary RW Com: a possible three-body system

Abstract

A first period study of the eclipsing RS CVn-binary RW Com is presented. A new period (p=0.ͩ 2373455) based on 223 minima is given. The O-C diagrams of RW Com have been presented for the first time. Types of ten minima have been corrected judging the period trend. Period changes in different portions of the O-C diagram (Figure 2) have been estimated. The total change in period (ΔP/P) ranges from 5.5x10⁻⁷ to 6.4x10⁻⁶. Thus, ΔP ranges from 1.3x10⁻⁷d to 1.5x10⁻⁶d. Numerous minima are available in the time interval 1967 to 1986. This part of the O-C diagram (Figure 2) shows a sinusoidal variation, thus, it is suspected that RW Com could be a three-body system. The period of variation due to third body appears to be nearly 16 years.