We report on XMM-Newton and optical results for 6 cataclysmic variables that were selected from Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectra because they showed strong HeII emission lines, indicative of being candidates for containing white dwarfs with strong magnetic fields. While high X-ray background rates prevented optimum results, we are able to confirm SDSSJ233325.92+152222.1 as an intermediate polar from its strong pulse signature at 21 min and its obscured hard X-ray spectrum. Ground-based circular polarization and photometric observations were also able to confirm SDSSJ142256.31-022108.1 as a polar with a period near 4 hr. Photometry of SDSSJ083751.00+383012.5 and SDSSJ093214.82+495054.7 solidifies the orbital period of the former as 3.18 hrs and confirms the latter as a high inclination system with deep eclipses.
Aims. We present new photometry of the faint and poorly studied cataclysmic variable SDSS J152419.33+220920.0, analyze its light curve and provide an accurate ephemeris for this system. Methods. Time-resolved CCD differential photometry was carried out using the 1.5m and 0.84m telescopes at the Observatorio Astronomico Nacional at San Pedro Martir. Results. From time-resolved photometry of the system obtained during six nights (covering more than twenty primary eclipse cycles in more than three years), we show that this binary presents a strong primary and a weak secondary modulation. Our ligh…
The majority of cataclysmic variables are predicted to be post-period minimum systems with degenerate donor stars, the period bouncers. Owing to their intrinsic faintness, however, only a handful of these systems have so far been securely identified. We want to study the X-ray properties of two eclipsing period bouncers, OV Bootis and SDSS J103533.02+055158.3, that were selected for this study due to their proximity to Earth. We have obtained XMM-Newton phase-resolved X-ray and ultraviolet observations of the two objects for spectral and timing analysis. Owing to a recent dwarf nova outburst O…
Cataclysmic variable SDSS J143317.78+101123.3 with P=0.054241 d (78.1-min) was suspected to be a possible dwarf nova of WZ Sge type with the sub-stellar donor, but without detected outbursts so far. Checking the newly available data from ATLAS survey has revealed the outburst by at least 6 magnitudes in September 2020, thus confirming the dwarf nova nature of this object with the brown dwarf secondary. Other projects and individual observers have stopped their monitoring of this target several days before the outburst. This finding strengthens the value of observing the twilight zone by the pr…
The cataclysmic variable SDSS154453+2553 was recently identified in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We obtained spectra and photometry at the MDM Observatory, which revealed an eclipse with a 6.03 hour period. The Hα emission line exhibits a strong rotational disturbance during eclipse, indicating that it arises in an accretion disk. A contribution from an M-type companion is also observed. Time-series photometry during eclipse gives an ephemeris of 2454878.0062(15) + 0.251282(2)E. We present spectroscopy through the orbit and eclipse photometry. Our analysis of the secondary star indicates a di…
We present photometry of 11 and spectroscopy of 35 potential cataclysmic variables from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey and vsnet-alerts. The photometry results include quasi-periodic oscillations during the decline of V1363 Cyg, nightly accretion changes in the likely Polar (AM Herculis binary) SDSS J1344+20, eclipses in SDSS J2141+05 with an orbital period of 76+/-2 min, and possible eclipses in SDSS J2158+09 at an orbital period near 100 min. Time-resolved spectra reveal short orbital periods near 80 min for SDSS J0206+20, 85 min for SDSS J1502+33, and …
When the accreting white dwarf in a magnetic cataclysmic variable star (mCV) has a field strength in excess of 10 MG, it is expected to synchronize its rotational frequency to the binary orbit frequency, particularly at small binary separations, due to the steep radial dependence of the magnetic field. We report the discovery of an mCV (SDSS J134441.83+204408.3; hereafter, J1344) that defies this expectation by displaying asynchronous rotation ($P_{spin}/P_{orb} = 0.893$) in spite of a high surface field strength (B=56 MG) and a short orbital period (114 min). Previously misidentified as a syn…
We present VLT spectroscopy and NTT photometry of the faint cataclysmic binary SDSS J003941.06+005427.5. This object shows triple-peaked H-alpha emission with all three peaks variable in both strength and velocity. We measure an orbital period of 91.395 +/- 0.093 min from the velocity variations of the wings of the H-alpha emission line. Using the GALEX and SDSS photometry of this object, we determine a white dwarf temperature of 15000 K and a very late (>=L2) spectral type for the companion star. These measurements, plus the relatively long orbital period, suggest that SDSS J003941.06+005427.…
We present photometry of nine cataclysmic variable stars identified by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, aimed at measuring the orbital periods of these systems. Four of these objects show deep eclipses, from which we measure their orbital periods. The light curves of three of the eclipsing systems are also analysed using the LCURVE code, and their mass ratios and orbital inclinations determined. SDSS J075059.97+141150.1 has an orbital period of 134.1564 +/- 0.0008 min, making it a useful object with which to investigate the evolutionary processes of cataclysmic variables. SDSS J092444.48+080150.9…
We report the discovery of eclipses and the first orbital period measurements for four cataclysmic variables, plus the first orbital period measurements for one known eclipsing and two magnetic systems. SDSS J093537.46+161950.8 exhibits 1-mag deep eclipses with a period of 92.245 min. SDSS J105754.25+275947.5 has short and deep eclipses and an orbital period of 90.44 min. Its light curve has no trace of a bright spot and its spectrum is dominated by the white dwarf component, suggesting a low mass accretion rate and a very low-mass and cool secondary star. CSS J132536+210037 shows 1-mag deep e…
Spectra of 38 candidate or known cataclysmic variables are presented. Most are candidate dwarf novae or systems containing possible highly magnetic white dwarfs, while a few (KR Aur, LS Peg, V380 Oph and V694 Mon) are previously known objects caught in unusual states. Individual spectra are used to confirm a dwarf nova nature or other classification while radial velocities of 15 systems provide orbital periods and velocity amplitudes that aid in determining the nature of the objects. Our results substantiate a polar nature for four objects, find an eclipsing SW Sex star below the period gap, a…
We present high time-resolution spectroscopy of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable SDSSJ143317.78+101123.3 obtained with QUCAM2, a high-speed/low-noise electron-multiplying CCD camera. Littlefair et al. measured the mass of the secondary star in SDSSJ143317.78+101123.3 using a light-curve fitting technique and obtained a value of M2=0.060+/-0.003 Msun, making it one of the three first bona-fide detections of a brown-dwarf mass donor in a cataclysmic variable. In this paper we present a dynamical measurement supporting this important result. We measured the radial-velocity semi-amplitude of the…
Timing analysis of a sample of five cataclysmic variable candidates observed by the XMM-Newton satellite
Department of Mathematics and Physics “E. De Giorgi” , University of Salento（萨莱诺大学数学与物理“E. De Giorgi”系）；INFN, Sezione di Lecce（意大利国家核物理研究所莱切分部）；INAF, Sezione di Lecce（意大利国家天体物理研究所莱切分部）；R.P. Feynman Observatory（R.P.费曼天文台）；CBA, Center for Backyard Astrophysics（后院天体物理学中心）；University of Naples Federico II（那不勒斯费德里科二世大学）；INAF, Astronomical Observatory of Capodimonte（意大利国家天体物理研究所卡波迪蒙特天文台）
This paper completes the series of cataclysmic variables (CVs) identified from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey I/II. The coordinates, magnitudes and spectra of 33 CVs are presented. Among the 33 are eight systems known previous to SDSS (CT Ser, DO Leo, HK Leo, IR Com, V849 Her, V405 Peg, PG1230+226 and HS0943+1404), as well as nine objects recently found through various photometric surveys. Among the systems identified since the SDSS are two polar candidates, two intermediate polar candidates and one candidate for containing a pulsating white dwarf. Our followup data have confirmed a polar candid…
We report follow-up spectroscopy of 29 cataclysmic variables from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), 22 of which were discovered by SDSS and seven other previously known systems that were recovered in SDSS. The periods for 16 of these objects were included in the tabulation by Gaensicke et al. (2009). While most of the systems have periods less than 2 hours, only one has a period in the 80-86 minute 'spike' found by Gaensicke et al. (2009), and 11 have periods longer than 3 hours, indicating that the present sample is skewed toward longer-period, higher-luminosity objects. Seven of the objec…
We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of two Cataclysmic Variables (CVs), namely RBS 0490 and SDSS J075939.79+191417.3. The optical variations of RBS 0490 have been found to occur at the period of 1.689$\pm$0.001 hr which appears to be a probable orbital period of the system. Present photometric observations of SDSS J075939.79+191417.3 confirm and refine the previously determined orbital period as 3.14240928$\pm$0.00000096 hr. The presence of long-duration eclipse features in the light curves of SDSS J075939.79+191417.3 indicates eclipses might be due to an accretion di…
We conducted a spectroscopic and photometric study of SDSS J075653.11+085831. X-ray observations were also attempted. We determined the orbital period of this binary system to be 3.29 hr. It is a deep eclipsing system, whose spectra shows mostly single-peaked Balmer emission lines and a rather intense He II line. There is also the presence of faint (often double-peaked) He I emission lines as well as several absorption lines, Mg I being the most prominent. All of these features point towards the affiliation of this object with the growing number of SW~Sex-type objects. We developed a phenomeno…
We present time-resolved photometry of six faint (V>17mag) cataclysmic variables (CVs); one of them is V849 Oph and the others are identified from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS J0920+0042, SDSS J1327+6528, SDSS J1227+5139, SDSS J1607.02+3623, SDSS J1457+5148). The optical CCD photometric observations of these objects were performed at the TÜBİTAK National Observatory (Turkey) between February 2006 and March 2009. We aimed to detect short time scale orbital variability arisen from hot-spot modulation, flickering structures which occur from rapid fluctuations of material transferring from r…
We present time-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of SDSS J100658.40+233724.4, which we have discovered to be an eclipsing cataclysmic variable with an orbital period of 0.18591324 days (267.71507 min). The observed velocity amplitude of the secondary star is 276 +/- 7 km/s, which an irradiation correction reduces to 258 +/- 12 km/s. Doppler tomography of emission lines from the infrared calcium triplet supports this measurement. We have modelled the light curve using the LCURVE code and Markov Chain Monte Carlo simulations, finding a mass ratio of 0.51 +/- 0.08. From the velocity amplitude…
We present the first X-ray observations of the eclipsing cataclysmic variables Lanning 386 and MASTER OTJ192328.22+612413.5, possible SW Sextantis systems. The X-ray light curve of Lanning 386 shows deep eclipses, similar to the eclipses seen in the optical light curve, confirming the high inclination of the system. There is evidence of a periodicity between 17-22 min in the X-ray and optical light curves of Lanning 386, which is associated with quasi-periodic oscillations. This system also displays a hard X-ray spectrum which is well fit by a partially covered, absorbed 2 temperature plasma. …
We have observed 8 faint cataclysmic variable stars photometrically. The nova-like Car2 was extensively sampled but showed little variability. V1040 Cen was observed near the end of a dwarf nova outburst and possessed dwarf nova and quasi-periodic oscillations. Ha 075648 has strong large amplitude flickering and a possible orbital modulation at 3.49 h. The correct identification for the nova remnant IL Nor (Nova Nor 1893) has been established. HS Pup (Nova Pup 1963) has a possible orbital period of 3.244 h. SDSS J2048-06 is a low mass transfer dwarf nova that in quiescence shows slow variation…
In search for the counterpart to the Fermi-LAT source 3FGL J0838.8-2829, we performed a multi-wavelength campaign, in the X-ray band with Swift and XMM-Newton, performed infrared, optical (with OAGH, ESO-NTT and IAC80) and radio (ATCA) observations, as well as analysed archival hard X-ray data taken by INTEGRAL. We report on three X-ray sources consistent with the position of the Fermi-LAT source. We confirm the identification of the brightest object, RX J0838-2827, as a magnetic cataclysmic variable, that we recognize as an asynchronous system (not associated with the Fermi-LAT source). RX J0…
SDSS J1507+52 is an eclipsing cataclysmic variable consisting of a cool, non-radially pulsating white dwarf and an unusually small sub-stellar secondary. The system has a high space velocity and a very short orbital period of about 67 minutes, well below the usual minimum period for CVs. To explain the existence of this peculiar system, two theories have been proposed. One suggests that SDSS J1507+52 was formed from a detached white-dwarf/brown-dwarf binary. The other theory proposes that the system is a member of the Galactic halo-population. Here, we present ultraviolet spectroscopy of SDSS …
The publicly available WASP data are analysed to determine the orbital periods of the cataclysmic variables V378 Peg, SDSS J171456.78+585128.3 and ASAS 150946-2147.7.
Evolution of a long-period Cataclysmic Variable from the viewpoint of the donor star: the case of SDSS J085210.48+783246.6
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México（墨西哥国立自治大学）；Instituto de Astronomía（天文研究所）；INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera（INAF-布雷拉天文台）；International Centre of Supernovae (ICESUN)（超新星国际中心（ICESUN））；Yunnan Key Laboratory of Supernova Research（云南省超新星研究重点实验室）；Yunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)（中国科学院云南天文台）；University of Warwick（华威大学）；Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María（费德里科·圣玛丽亚技术大学）；Università degli Studi di Padova（帕多瓦大学）
We explore conditions and structure of accretion disks in short-period Cata- clysmic Variables (CVs), which have evolved beyond the period minimum. We show that accretion discs in systems with extreme mass ratios grow up to the size of corresponding Roche lobe and are relatively cool. In contrast, the viscosity and temperature in spiral arms formed as a result of a 2:1 resonance are higher and their contribution plays an increasingly important role. We model such discs and generate light curves which successfully simulate the observed double-humped light curves of SDSS1238, SDSS0804, SDSS1610 …
Secondary stars in cataclysmic variables (CVs) follow a well defined period-density relation. Thus, canonical donor stars in CVs are generally low-mass stars of spectral type M. However, several CVs have been observed containing secondary stars which are too hot for their inferred masses. This particular configuration can be explained if the donor stars in these systems underwent significant nuclear evolution before they reached contact. In this paper we present SDSSJ001153.08-064739.2 as an additional example belonging to this peculiar type of CV and discuss in detail its evolutionary history…
V405 Peg is a low-luminosity cataclysmic variable (CV) that was identified as the optical counterpart of the bright, high-latitude ROSAT all-sky survey source RBS1955. The system was suspected to belong to a largely undiscovered population of hibernating CVs. Despite intensive optical follow-up its subclass however remained undetermined. We want to further classify V405 Peg and understand its role in the CV zoo via its long-term behaviour, spectral properties, energy distribution and accretion luminosity. We perform a spectral and timing analysis of \textit{XMM-Newton} X-ray and ultra-violet d…
We present high-speed, three-colour photometry of the eclipsing cataclysmic variables CTCV 1300, CTCV 2354 and SDSS 1152. All three systems are below the observed "period gap" for cataclysmic variables. For each system we determine the system parameters by fitting a parameterised model to the observed eclipse light curve by chi-squared minimisation. We also present an updated analysis of all other eclipsing systems previously analysed by our group. New donor masses are generally between 1 and 2 sigma of those originally published, with the exception of SDSS 1502 and DV UMa. We note that the do…
We discuss the properties of 137 cataclysmic variables (CVs) which are included in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectroscopic data base, and for which accurate orbital periods have been measured. 92 of these systems are new discoveries from SDSS and were followed-up in more detail over the past few years. 45 systems were previously identified as CVs because of the detection of optical outbursts and/or X-ray emission, and subsequently re-identified from the SDSS spectroscopy. The period distribution of the SDSS CVs differs dramatically from that of all the previously known CVs, in partic…
A significant number of cataclysmic variables were detected as hard X-ray sources in the INTEGRAL survey, most of them of the magnetic intermediate polar type. We present a detailed X-ray broad-band study of two new sources, IGR J00234+6141 and 1RXS J213344.1+510725, that allow us to classify them as secure members of the intermediate polar class. Timing and spectral analysis of IGR J00234+6141 are based on a XMM-Newton observation and INTEGRAL publicly available data. For 1RXS J213344.1+510725 we use XMM-Newton and Suzaku observations at different epochs, as well as INTEGRAL publicly availabl…
We present infrared JHK photometry of the cataclysmic variable SDSS J123813.73-033933.0 (SDSS1238)and analyze it along with optical spectroscopy, demonstrating that the binary system is most probably comprised of a massive white dwarf with Teff=12000+/-1000 K and a brown dwarf of spectral type L4. The inferred system parameters suggest that this system may have evolved beyond the orbital period minimum and is a bounce-back system. SDSS1238 stands out among CVs by exhibiting the cyclical variability (brightenings). These are not related to specific orbital phases of the binary system and are fa…
There have been relatively few published long-duration, uninterrupted light curves of magnetic cataclysmic variable stars in which the accreting white dwarf's rotational frequency is slightly desynchronized from the binary orbital frequency (asynchronous polars). We report Kepler K2 and TESS observations of two such systems. The first, SDSS J084617.11+245344.1, was observed by the Kepler spacecraft for 80 days during Campaign 16 of the K2 mission, and we identify it as a new asynchronous polar with a likely 4.64 h orbital period. This is significantly longer than any other asynchronous polar, …
We present high speed photometric observations of 20 faint cataclysmic variables, selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey and Catalina catalogues. Measurements are given of 15 new directly measured orbital periods, including four eclipsing dwarf novae (SDSS0904+03, CSS0826-00, CSS1404-10 and CSS1626-12), two new polars (CSS0810+00 and CSS1503-22) and two dwarf novae with superhumps in quiescence (CSS0322+02 and CSS0826-00). Whilst most of the dwarf novae presented here have periods below 2 h, SDSS0805+07 and SSS0617-36 have relatively long orbital periods of 5.489 and 3.440 h, respectively.…
We present high-speed, multicolour photometry of the faint, eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) SDSS J105754.25+275947.5. The light from this system is dominated by the white dwarf. Nonetheless, averaging many eclipses reveals additional features from the eclipse of the bright spot. This enables the fitting of a parameterised eclipse model to these average light curves, allowing the precise measurement of system parameters. We find a mass ratio of q = 0.0546 $\pm$ 0.0020 and inclination i = 85.74 $\pm$ 0.21$^{\circ}$. The white dwarf and donor masses were found to be M$_{\mathrm{w}}$ = 0.800 $…
SDSS J080434.20+510349.2 is the 13th dwarf nova containing a pulsating white dwarf. Among the accreting pulsators that have experienced a dwarf novae outburst, SDSS J0804 has the most dramatic history of events within a short time scale: the 2006 outburst with 11 rebrightenings, series of December 2006 - January 2007 mini-outbursts, the 2010 outburst with 6 rebrightenings. Over 2006-2011, SDSS J080434.20+510349.2 in addition to positive 0.060^d superhumps during the outburst and 1-month post-outburst stage, 0.059005^d orbital humps in quiescence, displayed a significant short-term variations w…
We have investigated the mass accretion rate implied by published surface abundances of Si and C in the white dwarf component of the 3.62 hr period pre-cataclysmic binary and planet host candidate QS Vir (DA+M2-4). Diffusion timescales for gravitational settling imply $\dot{M} \sim 10^{-16}M_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ for the 1999 epoch of the observations, which is three orders of magnitude lower than measured from a 2006 {\it XMM-Newton} observation. This is the first time that large accretion rate variations have been seen in a detached pre-CV. A third body in a 14 yr eccentric orbit suggested in a r…
We present a study of the cataclysmic variable star PT Per based on archival XMM-Newton X-ray data and new optical spectroscopy from the WHT with ISIS. The X-ray data show deep minima which recur at a period of 82 minutes and a hard, unabsorbed X-ray spectrum. The optical spectra of PT Per show a relatively featureless blue continuum. From an analysis of the X-ray and optical data we conclude that PT Per is likely to be a magnetic cataclysmic variable of the polar class in which the minima correspond to those phase intervals when the accretion column rotates out of the field of view of the obs…
This study of SDSS0804 is primarily concerned with the double-hump shape in the light curve and its connection with the accretion disk in this bounce-back system. Time-resolved photometric and spectroscopic observations were obtained to analyze the behavior of the system between superoutbursts. A geometric model of a binary system containing a disk with two outer annuli spiral density waves was applied to explain the light curve and the Doppler tomography. Observations were carried out during 2008-2009, after the object's magnitude decreased to V~17.7(0.1) from the March 2006 eruption. The lig…
Among the 28,000 targeted stars in K2 Field 10 is the white dwarf WD 1202-024 (EPIC 201283111), first noted in the SDSS survey (SDSS 120515.80-024222.7). We have found that this hot white dwarf (Teff = 22,640 K) is in a very close orbit (P = 71 min) with a star of near brown-dwarf mass ~ 0.061 Msun. This period is very close to, or somewhat below, the minimum orbital period of cataclysmic variables with H-rich donor stars. However, we find no evidence that this binary is currently, or ever was, transferring mass from the low-mass companion to the white dwarf. We therefore tentatively conclude …
We present time-resolved J-band spectroscopy of the short period cataclysmic variable SDSS J143317.78+101123.3. We detect absorption lines from the sub-stellar donor star in this system, which contributes 38 +/- 5% to the J-band light. From the relative strengths of the absorption lines in the J-band, we estimate the spectral type of the donor star to be L2 +/- 1. These data are the first spectroscopic detection of a confirmed sub-stellar donor in a cataclysmic variable, and the spectral type is consistent with that expected from semi-empirical evolutionary models. Using skew mapping, we have …
Binary evolution theory predicts that accreting white dwarfs with sub-stellar companions dominate the Galactic population of cataclysmic variables (CVs). In order to test these predictions, it is necessary to identify these systems, which may be difficult if the signatures of accretion become too weak to be detected. The only chance to identify such "dead" CVs is by exploiting their close binary nature. We have therefore searched the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Stripe 82 area for apparently isolated white dwarfs that undergo eclipses by a dark companion. We found no such eclipses in either…
SRG/eROSITA X-ray selected cataclysmic variable candidates observed in SDSS-V DR20
Leibniz-Institut für Astrophysik Potsdam (AIP)（波茨坦阿诺德·爱因斯坦天文研究所）；University of Potsdam（波茨坦大学）；Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik（马普地外物理研究所）；University of Washington（华盛顿大学）；Tel Aviv University（特拉维夫大学）；The Pennsylvania State University（宾夕法尼亚州立大学）
We report the discovery of a new cataclysmic variable MASTER OT J161700.81+620024.9 which is identical to the faint ROSAT X-ray source 1RXS J161659.5+620014. The object was observed in outbursts to 14.4m on 2012 Sep. 11 by MASTER-Tunka and to 14.3m on 2013 Jan. 21/22 by MASTER-Kislovodsk, but was not detected by the routine search procedures. Analysis of the archival MASTER data and CRTS light curve shows the variability from 17.8m at quiescence to 14.3m in outbursts, confirming that the new variable is a dwarf nova. SDSS colors suggest a small contribution from the secondary component and are…
We report the discovery of 1RXH J082623.6-505741, a 10.4 hr orbital period compact binary. Modeling extensive optical photometry and spectroscopy reveals a $\sim 0.4 M_{\odot}$ K-type secondary transferring mass through a low-state accretion disk to a non-magnetic $\sim 0.8 M_{\odot}$ white dwarf. The secondary is overluminous for its mass and dominates the optical spectra at all epochs, and must be evolved to fill its Roche Lobe at this orbital period. The X-ray luminosity $L_X \sim 1$-$2 \times 10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ derived from both new XMM-Newton and archival observations, although high co…
We carry out a photometric search for new cataclysmic variable stars (CVs), with the goal of identification for candidates of AR~Scorpii-type binary systems. We select GAIA sources that are likely associated with unidentified X-ray sources, and analyze the light curves taken by the Zwicky Transient Facility, Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, and Lulin One-meter Telescope in Taiwan. We investigate eight sources as candidates for CVs, among which six sources are new identifications. Another two sources have been recognized as CVs in previous studies, but no detailed investigations have been…
Spectra of 76 known dwarf novae from the LAMOST survey were presented. Most of the objects were observed in quiescence, and about 16 systems have typical outburst spectra. 36 of these systems were observed by SDSS, and most of their spectra are similar to the SDSS spectra. 2 objects, V367 Peg and V537 Peg, are the first to observe their spectra. The spectrum of V367 Peg shows a contribution from a M-type donor and its spectral type could be estimated as M3-5 by combining its orbital period. The signature of white dwarf spectrum can be seen clearly in four low-accretion-rate WZ Sge stars. Other…
An XMM-Newton observation of the nearby "pre-cataclysmic" short-period (P_orb = 3.62 hr) binary QS Vir (EC 13471-1258) revealed regular narrow X-ray eclipses when the white dwarf passed behind its M2-4 dwarf companion. The X-ray emission provides a clear signature of mass transfer and accretion onto the white dwarf. The low-resolution XMM-Newton EPIC spectra are consistent with a cooling flow model and indicate an accretion rate of Mdot= 1.7\times10^-13M\odot/yr. At 48 pc distant, QS Vir is then the second nearest accreting cataclysmic variable known, with one of the lowest accretion rates fou…
According to standard evolutionary theory for cataclysmic variables (CVs), angular momentum loss drives CVs to initially evolve from longer to shorter orbital periods until a minimum period is reached (\approx 80 min). At roughly this stage, the donors becomes degenerate, expand in size, and the systems move towards longer Porb. Theory predicts that 70% of all CVs should have passed their minimum period and have sub-stellar donors, but until recently, no such systems were known. I present one CV showing evidence of harbouring a sub-dwarf donor, SDSS J1507+52. Due to the system's unusually shor…
We present 855 cataclysmic variable candidates detected by the Catalina Real-time Transient Survey (CRTS) of which at least 137 have been spectroscopically confirmed and 705 are new discoveries. The sources were identified from the analysis of five years of data, and come from an area covering three quarters of the sky. We study the amplitude distribution of the dwarf novae CVs discovered by CRTS during outburst, and find that in quiescence they are typically two magnitudes fainter compared to the spectroscopic CV sample identified by SDSS. However, almost all CRTS CVs in the SDSS footprint ha…
