We present observations and analysis of a new eclipsing binary HBHA 4705-03. Using decomposition of the light curve into accretion disk and hot spot components, we estimated photometrically the mass ratio of the studied system to be q=0.62 +-0.07. Other fundamental parameters was found with modeling. This approach gave: white dwarf mass M_1 = (0.8 +- 0.2) M_sun, secondary mass M_2=(0.497 +- 0.05) M_sun, orbital radius a=1.418 R_sun, orbital inclination i = (81.58 +- 0.5) deg, accretion disk radius r_d/a = 0.366 +- 0.002, and accretion rate dot{M} = (2.5 +- 2) * 10^{18}[g/s], (3*10^{-8} [M_sun/yr]). Power spectrum analysis revealed ambiguous low-period Quasi Periodic Oscillations centered at the frequencies f_{1}=0.00076 Hz, f_2=0.00048 Hz and f_3=0.00036 Hz. The B-V=0.04 [mag] color corresponds to a dwarf novae during an outburst. The examined light curves suggest that HBHA 4705-03 is a nova-like variable star.
Results of photometric and spectroscopic investigations of the recently discovered eclipsing cataclysmic variable star HBHA 4705-03 are presented. The emission spectra of the system show broad hydrogen and helium emission lines. The bright spots with an approximately zero velocity components are found in the Doppler maps for the hydrogen and ionized helium lines. The disc structure is more prominent in the maps for the neutral helium lines. The masses of the components (M_WD = 0.54 \pm 0.10 M_sun and M_RD = 0.45 \pm 0.05 M_sun), and the orbit inclination (i = 71.8 \pm 0.^7 deg) were estimated …
PHL 1445 is found to be an eclipsing cataclysmic variable with an orbital period of 76.3 minutes. GALEX J003535.7+462353 is a new eclipsing dwarf nova with an orbital period of 4.13 hours. Both objects show deep eclipses with an amplitude of more than two magnitudes.
The dependencies of the phase of eclipse of the white dwarf's centre and the durations of the ascending and descending branches of the light curve on the binary system's parameters were computed using the spherically-symmetric approximation and the more accurate model of the elliptical projection onto the celestial sphere of the companion (red dwarf) that fills its Roche lobe. The parameters of eclipses in the classical eclipsing polar OTJ 071126+440405 = CSS 081231:071126+440405 were estimated.
We present high-speed photometry covering one eclipse of the cataclysmic variable system 1RXS J180834.7+101041. The data are modelled as arising from a close binary system containing a low-mass stars filling its Roche lobe plus a white dwarf with an accretion disc. We find an orbital inclination of 77.07 +/- 0.47 degrees and a mass ratio of 0.168 +/- 0.016. The relatively low inclination means that only the accretion disc and not the white dwarf are eclipsed by the low-mass star in this system.
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…
MASTER OT J190519.41+301524.4 was discovered as an optical transient of 15.7m by the Mobile Astronomical System of TElescope-Robots in March 2014. We report the results of photometric observations of this variable performed at Lajatico Astronomical Center in June-July 2015. The light curve is showing deep V-shaped eclipses with an amplitude of two magnitudes. The orbital period was determined to be 0.129694 d (3.113 h). Based on the archival observations and the shape of the orbital curve we suggest that MASTER OT J190519.41+301524.4 is a new cataclysmic variable of VY Scl type ("anti-nova") w…
We study the newly discovered variable star GSC 4560--02157. CCD photometry was performed in 2013--2014, and a spectrum was obtained with the 6-m telescope in June, 2014. GSC 4560--02157 is demonstrated to be a short-period (P=0.265359d) eclipsing variable star. All its flat-bottom primary minima are approximately at the same brightness level, while the star's out-of-eclipse brightness and brightness at secondary minimum varies considerably (by up to 0.6m) from cycle to cycle. Besides, there are short-term (time scale of 0.03-0.04 days) small-amplitude brightness variations out of eclipse. Thi…
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 new time-resolved photometry of 74 cataclysmic variables (CVs), 47 of which are eclipsing. 13 of these eclipsing systems are newly discovered. For all 47 eclipsing systems we show high cadence (1-20 seconds) light curves obtained with the high-speed cameras ultracam and ultraspec. We provide new or refined ephemerides, and supply mid-eclipse times for all observed eclipses. We assess the potential for light curve modelling of all 47 eclipsing systems to determine their system parameters, finding 20 systems which appear to be suitable for future study.
In this work, we search for negative superhumps (nSHs) in poorly studied cataclysmic variables using TESS data. We find three eclipsing binaries with nSH signatures: HBHA 4204-09, Gaia DR3 5931071148325476992, and SDSS J090113.51+144704.6. The last one exhibits IW And-like behaviour in archival ZTF data, and appears to have shallow, grazing eclipses. In addition, we detect nSH signatures in two non-eclipsing systems: KQ Mon and Gaia DR3 4684361817175293440, by identifying the orbital period from the superorbital-dependent irradiation of the secondary. We discover nSH signatures in one more sys…
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…
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 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…
NSV 1907, formerly listed as an irregular variable in variability catalogues, was classified as an Algol-type eclipsing binary in the Catalina Surveys Periodic Variable Star Catalogue. We have identified NSV 1907 as an ultraviolet (UV) bright source using measurements from the GALEX space telescope and detected obvious out-of-eclipse variability in archival photometric data from the Catalina Sky Survey, which instigated a closer examination of the object. A spectrum and extensive multicolour photometric observations were acquired, from which we deduce that NSV 1907 is a deeply eclipsing, nova-…
The eclipsing novalike cataclysmic variable CRTS SSS100505 J093417-174421
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina(圣卡塔琳娜联邦大学);Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica(国家天体物理学实验室);Universidade Federal de Sergipe(塞尔希培联邦大学);Observatório Nacional(国家天文台);Instituto de Astronomia, Geofísica e Ciências Atmosféricas da USP(圣保罗大学天文、地球物理和大气科学研究所);Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espacias(国家空间研究 institute);Universidade do Vale do Paraíba(帕拉伊巴河谷大学);Universidade Estadual Paulista(圣保罗州立大学)
We report the discovery of an eclipsing cataclysmic variable with eclipse depths > 5.7 mag, orbital period 94.657 min, and peak brightness V~18 at J2000 position 17h 25m 54s.8, -64d 38' 39". Detected by visual inspection of images from Yale University's QUEST camera on the ESO 1.0-m Schmidt telescope at La Silla, we obtained light curves in B, V, R, I, z and J with the SMARTS 1.3-m and 1.0-m telescopes at Cerro Tololo and spectra from 3500 to 9000 Angstrom with the SOAR 4.3-m telescope at Cerro Pachon. The optical light curves show a deep, 5-min eclipse immediately followed by a shallow 38-min…
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 discuss a method for determination of the size of the emitting region close to the compact star in a binary system with eclipses by a secondary, which fills its Roche lobe. The often used approach is to model the Roche lobe by a sphere with the "effective radius" corresponding to the volume of the Roche lobe. This approach leads to a 4-6% overestimate of the radius, if taking into account the angular dimensions of the Roche lobe seen form the compact star. Andronov (1992) had shown that the projection of the Roche lobe onto the celestial sphere is close to an ellipse and had tabulated these…
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 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 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 majority of cataclysmic variable (CV) stars contain a stochastic noise component in their light curves, commonly referred to as flickering. This can significantly affect the morphology of CV eclipses and increases the difficulty in obtaining accurate system parameters with reliable errors through eclipse modelling. Here we introduce a new approach to eclipse modelling, which models CV flickering with the help of Gaussian processes (GPs). A parameterised eclipse model - with an additional GP component - is simultaneously fit to 8 eclipses of the dwarf nova ASASSN-14ag and system parameters …
We present high-speed, three-colour photometry of the eclipsing dwarf nova PHL 1445, which, with an orbital period of 76.3 min, lies just below the period minimum of ~82 min for cataclysmic variable stars. Averaging four eclipses reveals resolved eclipses of the white dwarf and bright spot. We determined the system parameters by fitting a parameterised eclipse model to the averaged lightcurve. We obtain a mass ratio of q = 0.087 +- 0.006 and inclination i = 85.2 +- 0.9 degrees. The primary and donor masses were found to be Mw = 0.73 +- 0.03 Msun and Md = 0.064 +- 0.005 Msun, respectively. Thro…
TESS light curves of two new magnetic cataclysmic variables: an asynchronous polar at the period minimum, and an eclipsing system with a large spin-to-orbit ratio
Bay Area Environmental Research Institute(湾区环境研究所);Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, Polish Academy of Sciences(波兰科学院尼古拉·哥白尼天文学中心);New Mexico State University(新墨西哥州立大学);Picture Rocks Observatory(皮克洛克天文台);Department of Physics, University of Notre Dame(圣母大学物理系);Centre for Extragalactic Astronomy, Department of Physics, Durham University(达勒姆大学物理系河外天文中心);INAF – Osservatorio Astronomico di Capodimonte(意大利国家天体物理研究所卡波迪蒙特天文台)
ZTF J191814.28+010850.2: An eclipsing cataclysmic-variable candidate in the SW Sextantis period range
Bundesdeutsche Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Veränderliche Sterne e.V.(德国变星工作组);American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO)(美国变星观测者协会);Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex(萨塞克斯大学物理与天文学系)
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…
We present the analysis results of an eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) V729 Sgr, based on our observations and AAVSO data. Some outburst parameters were determined such as outburst amplitude ($A_{n}$) and recurrence time ($T_{n}$), and then the relationship between $A_{n}$ and $T_{n}$ is discussed. A cursory examination for the long-term light curves reveals that there are small-amplitude outbursts and dips present, which is similar to the behaviors seen in some nova-like CVs (NLs). More detailed inspection suggests that the outbursts in V729 Sgr may be Type A (outside-in) with a rise time …
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 report the discovery of a new eclipsing polar, CRTS J035010.7+323230 (hereafter CRTS J0350+3232). We identified this cataclysmic variable (CV) candidate as a possible polar from its multi-year Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey (CRTS) optical light curve. Photometric monitoring of 22 eclipses in 2015 and 2017 was performed with the 2.1-m Otto Struve Telescope at McDonald Observatory. We derive an unambiguous high-precision ephemeris. Strong evidence that CRTS J0350+3232 is a polar comes from optical spectroscopy obtained over a complete orbital cycle using the Apache Point Observatory 3.5-…
Time series photometry of 20 Cataclysmic Variables detected by the Catalina Real-time Transient Survey is presented. 14 of these systems have not been observed previously and only two have been examined in-depth. From the observations we determined 12 new orbital periods and independently found a further two. Eight of the CVs are eclipsing systems, five of which have eclipse depths of more than 0.9 mag. Included in the sample are six SU UMa systems (three of which show superhumps in our photometry), a polar (SSS1944-42) and one system (CSS1417-18) that displays an abnormally fast decline from …
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…
We present a collection of 450 598 eclipsing and ellipsoidal binary systems detected in the OGLE fields toward the Galactic bulge. The collection consists of binary systems of all types: detached, semi-detached, and contact eclipsing binaries, RS CVn stars, cataclysmic variables, HW Vir binaries, double periodic variables, and even planetary transits. For all stars we provide the I- and V-band time-series photometry obtained during the OGLE-II, OGLE-III, and OGLE-IV surveys. We discuss methods used to identify binary systems in the OGLE data and present several objects of particular interest.
All eclipsing nova-likes in the 2.8-4h orbital period range belong to the group of SW Sex stars, and as such experience very high mass transfer rates. Since the physical properties of a star should be independent of the inclination it is observed at, this suggests that all or at least a large fraction of the non- or weakly-magnetic cataclysmic variables in this period range are physically SW Sex stars. We here present preliminary results of a large campaign to search for SW Sex characteristic features in the spectra of such stars. We find that 14 out of the 18 observed non-eclipsing cataclysmi…
We present the results of an analysis of data covering 1.5 years of the dwarf nova V447 Lyr. We detect eclipses of the accretion disk by the mass donating secondary star every 3.74 hrs which is the binary orbital period. V447 Lyr is therefore the first dwarf nova in the Kepler field to show eclipses. We also detect five long outbursts and six short outbursts showing V447 Lyr is a U Gem type dwarf nova. We show that the orbital phase of the mid-eclipse occurs earlier during outbursts compared to quiescence and that the width of the eclipse is greater during outburst. This suggests that the brig…
We present the results of our photometric and spectroscopic studies of the new eclipsing cataclysmic variable star 1RXS J180834.7+101041. Its spectrum exhibits double-peaked hydrogen and helium emission lines. The Doppler maps constructed from hydrogen lines show a nonuniform distribution of emission in the disk similar to that observed in IP Peg. This suggests that the object can be a cataclysmic variable with tidal density waves in the disk. We have determined the component masses (M_WD =0.8 \pm 0.22 M_sun and M_RD =0.14 \pm 0.02 M_sun) and the binary inclination (i =78 \pm 1.5 deg) based on…
Taking advantage of the now available Gaia EDR3 parallaxes, we carry out an archival {\it Hubble Space Telescope} (HST) far ultraviolet spectroscopic analysis of 10 cataclysmic variable systems, including 5 carefully selected eclipsing systems. We obtain accurate white dwarf (WD) masses and temperatures, in excellent agreement with the masses for 4 of the eclipsing systems. For three systems in our sample, BD Pav, HS 2214, and TT Crt, we report the first robust masses for their WDs. We modeled the absorption lines to derive the WD chemical abundances and rotational velocities for each of the t…
The magnetic cataclysmic variable HU Aquarii displayed pronounced modulations of its eclipse timing. These were intensively modeled and discussed in recent years in the framework of planets orbiting the binary or the Applegate effect. No scenario yielded a unique and satisfactory interpretation of the data. Here we present 26 new eclipse epochs obtained between 2014 and 2018. The steep and continuous decrease of the orbital period observed in the time interval 2010 - 2013 has slowed down sometimes before mid 2016. The new slope in the (O-C)-diagram of eclipse arrival times will further constra…
We present high-speed photometric observations of 25 cataclysmic variables detected by the All Sky Automated Search for Super-Novae (ASAS-SN), the Mobile Astronomical System of the TElescope-Robot (MASTER) and the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey (CRTS). From these observations we determine 16 new orbital periods and 1 new superhump period. Two systems (ASASSN-14ik and ASASSN-14ka) have outburst periods of approximately 1 month, with a third (ASASSN-14hv) having outbursts approximately every 2 months. Included in the sample are 11 eclipsing systems, one probable intermediate polar (ASASSN-1…
We report photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eclipsing SU UMa-type dwarf nova ASASSN-18aan. We observed the 2018 superoutburst with 2.3 mag brightening and found the orbital period ($P_{\rm orb}$) to be 0.149454(3) d, or 3.59 hr. This is longward of the period gap, establishing ASASSN-18aan as one of a small number of long-$P_{\rm orb}$ SU UMa-type dwarf novae. The estimated mass ratio, ($q=M_2/M_1 = 0.278(1)$), is almost identical to the upper limit of tidal instability by the 3:1 resonance. From eclipses, we found that the accretion disk at the onset of the superoutburst may r…
We report the occurrence of a deep low state in the eclipsing short-period cataclysmic variable IR Com, lasting more than two years. Spectroscopy obtained in this state shows the system as a detached white dwarf plus low-mass companion, indicating that accretion has practically ceased. The spectral type of the companion derived from the SDSS spectrum is M6-7, somewhat later than expected for the orbital period of IR Com. Its radial velocity amplitude, K_2=419.6+-3.4 km/s, together with the inclination of 75-90deg implies 0.8Msun<Mwd<1.0Msun. We estimate the white dwarf temperature to be ~15000…
We present time resolved photometry of the cataclysmic variable SDSS J081610.84+453010.2 and have established for the first time that it is an eclipsing dwarf nova. We observed an outburst of the system which lasted about 11 days and had an amplitude of 3.4 magnitudes above mean quiescence. From an analysis of the eclipse times of minimum during the outburst, we determined the orbital period as Porb = 0.2096(4) d or 5.030(10) h. The orbital period places it above the period gap in the distribution of orbital periods of dwarf novae. The eclipses are of short duration (average FWHM = 10.7 min or…
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…
We report an analysis of two poorly studied systems GSC 04396-00605 and GSC 04395-00485, which were recently named as V0455 Dra and V0454 Dra, respectively. For two eclipsing stars, the periods and epochs were significantly corrected using our extensive data. The phenomenological characteristics of the mean light curves were determined using the "New Algol Variable" (NAV) algorithm. The individual times of Maxima/Minima (ToM) were determined using the newly developed software MAVKA, which outputs the accurate parameters using the "asymptotic parabola" approximations. The light curves were appr…
Results are presented of a five-year project to study the orbital periods of eighteen deeply eclipsing novalike cataclysmic variables, collectively known as SW Sextantis stars, by combining new measurements of eclipse times with published measurements stretching back in some cases over fifty years. While the behaviour of many of these binary systems is consistent with a constant orbital period, it is evident that in several cases this is not true. Although the time span of these observations is relatively short, evidence is emerging that the orbital periods of some of these stars show cyclical…
We report on the search for new eclipsing white dwarf plus main-sequence (WDMS) binaries in the light curves of the Catalina surveys. We use a colour selected list of almost 2000 candidate WDMS systems from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, specifically designed to identify WDMS systems with cool white dwarfs and/or early M type main-sequence stars. We identify a total of 17 eclipsing systems, 14 of which are new discoveries. We also find 3 candidate eclipsing systems, 2 main-sequence eclipsing binaries and 22 non-eclipsing close binaries. Our newly discovered systems generally have optical fluxes…
We report follow-up observations of five cataclysmic variable candidates from LAMOST published by Hou et al. (2020). LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 is the most unusual of the five; an early-M type secondary star contributes strongly to its spectrum, and its spectral and photometric behavior are strikingly reminiscent of the hitherto-unique propeller system AE Aqr. We confirm that a 7.34-hr period discovered in the Catalina survey data (Drake et al. 2014) is orbital. Another object, LAMOST J204305.95+341340.6 appears to be a near twin of the novalike variable V795 Her, with an orbital period in the…
We present new photometry and spectroscopy of the 94m eclipsing binary LSQ1725-64 that provide insight into the fundamental parameters and evolutionary state of this system. We confirm that LSQ1725-64 is a magnetic cataclysmic variable whose white dwarf has a surface-averaged magnetic field strength of $12.5 \pm 0.5$ MG measured from Zeeman splitting. The spectral type and colour of the secondary, as well as the eclipse length, are consistent with other secondaries that have not yet evolved through the period minimum expected for cataclysmic variables. We observe two different states of mass t…
Context: We present a new study of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable CzeV404 Her (Porb = 0.098 d) that is located in the period gap. Aims: This report determines the origin of the object and the system parameters and probes the accretion flow structure of the system. Methods: We conducted simultaneous time-resolved photometric and spectroscopic observations of CzeV404 Her. We applied our light-curve modelling techniques and the Doppler tomography method to determine the system parameters and analyse the structure of the accretion disk. Results: We found that the system has a massive white dwa…
We report the discovery and analysis of PTF1 J085713+331843, a new eclipsing post common-envelope detached white-dwarf red-dwarf binary with a 2.5h orbital period discovered by the Palomar Transient Factory. ULTRACAM multicolour photometry over multiple orbital periods reveals a light curve with a deep flat-bottomed primary eclipse and a strong reflection effect. Phase-resolved spectroscopy shows broad Balmer absorption lines from the DA white dwarf and phase-dependent Balmer emission lines originating on the irradiated side of the red dwarf. The temperature of the DA white dwarf is $T_\mathrm…
We present an extensive Doppler tomography study of the eclipsing novalike EC21178--5417, which exhibits the classic accretion disc signature in the form of double-peak emission lines in its spectrum. Doppler tomograms confirm the presence of a strong, two-armed spiral pattern visible in the majority of the spectral lines studied. This makes EC21178--5417 one of the very few novalikes that show spiral structure in their discs. We also report night-to-night changes in the position and relative strength of the spiral arms, revealing fluctuations on the conditions in the accretion disc.
AE Aqr was until recently the only known magnetic cataclysmic variable (MCV) containing a rapidly spinning (33.08 s) white dwarf (WD). Its radio emission is believed to be a superposition of synchrotron emitting plasmoids, because it has a positive spectral index spanning three orders of magnitude (~2-2000 GHz) and is unpolarized. Both characteristics are unusual for MCVs. Recently, Thorstensen has suggested that the cataclysmic variable LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 (henceforth, J0240+19) is a twin of AE Aqr based on its optical spectra. Optical photometry shows the star to be a high-inclination…
Flickering is a universal phenomenon in accreting astronomical systems which still defies detailed physical understanding. It is particularly evident in cataclysmic variables (CVs). Attempting to define boundary conditions for models, the strength of the flickering is measured in several thousand light curves of more than 100 CVs. The flickering amplitude is parameterized by the FWHM of a Gaussian fit to the magnitude distribution of data points in a light curve. This quantity requires several corrections before a comparison between different sources can be made. While no correlations of the f…
We report photometric detections of orbital and superorbital signals, and negative orbital sidebands, in the light curves of the nova-like cataclysmic variables AQ Mensae and IM Eridani. The frequencies of the orbital, superorbital, and sideband signals are 7.0686 (3), 0.263 (3), and 7.332 (3) cycles per day (c/d) in AQ Mensae, and 6.870 (1), 0.354 (7), and 7.226 (1) c/d in IM Eridani. We also find a spectroscopic orbital frequency in IM Eridani of 6.86649 (2) c/d. These observations can be reproduced by invoking an accretion disc that is tilted with respect to the orbital plane. This model wo…
AM CVn-type systems are ultra-compact, hydrogen-deficient accreting binaries with degenerate or semi-degenerate donors. The evolutionary history of these systems can be explored by constraining the properties of their donor stars. We present high-speed photometry of Gaia14aae, an AM CVn with a binary period of 49.7 minutes and the first AM CVn in which the central white dwarf is fully eclipsed by the donor star. Modelling of the lightcurves of this system allows for the most precise measurement to date of the donor mass of an AM CVn, and relies only on geometric and well-tested physical assump…
We present the first scientific results of the program on short term period variable stars observed using the OAUNI facility at the peruvian Andes. These results include good quality light curves of delta Scuti stars, rapidly oscillating stars along with eclipsing and cataclysmic binaries. The photometric precision reached by the available instrumental and equipment, and used in the several scientific subprograms, has satisfied the initial expectations.
Over six years of operation, the Catalina Real-time Transient Survey (CRTS) has identified 1043 cataclysmic variable (CV) candidates --- the largest sample of CVs from a single survey to date. Here we provide spectroscopic identification of 85 systems fainter than g<19, including three AMCVn binaries, one helium-enriched CV, one polar and one new eclipsing CV. We analyse the outburst properties of the full sample and show that it contains a large fraction of low accretion rate CVs with long outburst recurrence times. We argue that most of the high accretion rate dwarf novae in the survey footp…