The MACHO Project LMC variable star inventory .5. Classification and orbits of 611 eclipsing binary stars

We report the characteristics of 611 eclipsing binary stars in the Large Megallanic Cloud found by using the MACHO Project photometry database. The sample is magnitude limited, and extends down the main sequence to about spectral type A0. Many evolved binaries are also included. Each eclipsing binary is classified according to the traditional scheme of the General Catalogue of Variable Stars (EA and EB), and also according to a new decimal classification scheme defined in this paper. The new scheme is sensitive to the two major sources of variance in eclipsing binary star light curves-the sum of radii, and the surface-brightness ratio, and allow greater precision in characterizing the light curves. Examples of each type of light curve and their variations are given. Sixty-four of the eclipsing binaries have eccentric, rather than circular, orbits. The ephemeris and principal photometric characteristics of each eclipsing binary are listed in a table. Photometric orbits based on the Nelson-Davis-Etzel model have been fitted to all light curves. These data will be useful for planning future observations of these binaries. Plots of till data and fitted orbits and a table of the fitted orbital parameters are available on the AAS CD-ROM series, Vol. 9, 1997. These data are also available at the MACHO home page (http://wwwmacho.mcmaster.ca/). (C) 1997 American Astronomical Society.