Light curve from a binary star system recorded by COROT

This image shows the light curve emitted by a binary star system as seen by COROT.

The crests show light emitted by both stars. However, when one star eclipses the other, the troughs are created due to a decrease in the amount of light reaching COROT. The periodicity is seen since the stars are revolving around each other with a fixed period.

The light curve was obtained by COROT during observations performed between February and April 2007.

This high quality of this light curve is due to the continuity of the observations and their high accuracy.