Roche harmonics for tidally-distorted stellar models (Q1059412)

For the study of the close binary systems, \textit{Z. Kopal} [Astrophs. Space Sci. 8, 149 ff. (1970) and Adv. Astron. Astrophys. 9, 1 1 ff. (1972)] introduced a frame of new curvilinear coordinates and - associated with this frame - a family of new auxiliary functions (Roche coordinates, Roche harmonics). In Kopal's analysis, the terms up to first order of smallness in tidal effects are considered. In the present paper this analysis has been extended in order to obtain the explicit expressions of Roche harmonics for Roche tidal equipotential surfaces, when the terms up to second order are considered. The obtained results can be used for the improvement of the modelling of the binary star systems.