Abstract We present CCD B and V light curves, obtained in the year 2006, and a photometric solution of the low-mass ratio contact binary ASAS 021209+2708.3. With our data we were able to determine six new times of minimum light and refine the orbital period of the system to 0.3181963 days. The light curves are analyzed using the 2003 version of the Wilson-Devinney program and the analysis was performed with and without adding a spot on the surface of one star because the light curves appear to exhibit a typical O’Connell effect, with Maximum I brighter than Maximum II. The results show that ASAS 021209+2708.3 may be classified as an A-subtype W Ursae Majoris system with a small mass ratio q = 0.1889, a large over-contact degree of f = 0.587, a very small difference between the component temperatures of ΔT = 53 K and an orbital inclination of i = 81. It is known that deep (f > 50%), low-mass ratio (q < 0.25) overcontact binary stars are a very important resource for understanding the phenomena of Blue Straggler/FK Com-type stars. The formations of Blue Straggler stars and FK Com-type stars are unsolved problems in stellar astrophysics. One of the possible explanations for their formation is from the coalescence of W Uma-type overcontact binary systems. The absolute dimensions of ASAS 021209+2708.3 are estimated and its dynamical evolution is inferred.

Keywords binaries: eclipsing – stars: fundamental parameters – stars: individual: ASAS 021209+2708.3

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