We present the results of a search for deeply-eclipsing white dwarfs in the ZTF Data Release 4. We identify nine deeply-eclipsing white dwarf candidates, four of which we followed up with high-cadence photometry and spectroscopy. Three of these systems show total eclipses in the ZTF data and our follow-up APO 3.5-meter telescope observations. Even though the eclipse duration is consistent with sub-stellar companions, our analysis shows that all four systems contain a white dwarf with low-mass stellar companions of ~0.1 Msol. We provide mass and radius constraints for both stars in each system based on our photometric and spectroscopic fitting. Finally, we present a list of 41 additional eclipsing WD+M candidates identified in a preliminary search of ZTF DR7, including 12 previously studied systems. We identify two new candidate short-period, eclipsing, white dwarf-brown dwarf binaries within our sample of 41 WD+M candidates based on PanSTARRS colors.
In a search for eclipsing white dwarfs using the Zwicky Transient Facility lightcurves, we identified a deep eclipsing white dwarf with a dark, substellar companion. The lack of an infrared excess and an orbital period of 10 hours made this a potential exoplanet candidate. We obtained high-speed photometry and radial velocity measurements to characterize the system. The white dwarf has a mass of $0.50\pm0.02\,\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$ and a temperature of $10900\pm200\,$K. The companion has a mass of $0.059\pm0.004\,\mathrm{M_{\odot}}$ and a small radius of $0.0783\pm0.0013\,\mathrm{R_{\odot}}$. It …
We present the results of our search for variable stars using the long-term Las Cumbres Observatory (LCO) monitoring of white dwarf ZTF J0139+5245 with the two 1.0-m telescope nodes located at McDonald Observatory using the Sinistro imaging instrument. In this search, we find 38 variable sources, of which 27 are newly discovered or newly classified (71%) based on comparisons with previously published catalogs, thereby increasing the number of detections in the field-of-view under consideration by a factor of $\approx$ 2.5. We find that the improved photometric precision per-exposure due to lon…
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）
Gaia provided the largest-ever catalogue of white dwarf stars. We use this catalogue, along with the third public data release of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), to identify new eclipsing white dwarf binaries. Our method exploits light curve statistics and the Box Least Squares algorithm to detect periodic light curve variability. The search revealed 18 new binaries, of which 17 are eclipsing. We use the position in the Gaia H-R diagram to classify these binaries and find that the majority of these white dwarfs have main sequence companions. We identify one system as a candidate eclipsing…
Gaia22ayj (=ZTF19aagmvuk) was detected as a transient on 2022 March 3 both by the Gaia satellite and the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). I analyzed the past public ZTF data and found that Gaia22ayj showed coherent large-amplitude double-wave variations with a period of 0.00649910257(13) d = 9.36 min. The period can be either from the spin period of the white dwarf or the orbital period of the binary. I consider the latter possibility more likely based on the light curve resembling an eclipsing binary and on the stability of the profile. The presence of an outburst lasting at least ~1 d sugges…
Wide-field time-domain photometric sky surveys are now finding hundreds of eclipsing white dwarf plus M dwarf binaries, a population encompassing a wealth of information and potential insight into white dwarf and close binary astrophysics. Precise follow-up observations are essential in order to fully constrain these systems and capitalise on the power of this sample. We present the first results from our program of high-speed, multi-band photometric follow-up. We develop a method to measure temperatures, (model-dependent) masses, and radii for both components from the eclipse photometry alone…
The Zwicky Transient Facility has begun to discover binary systems with orbital periods that are less than 1\,hr. Combined with dedicated follow-up systems, which allow for high-cadence photometry of these sources, systematic confirmation and characterization of these sources are now possible. Here, we report the discovery of ZTF J190125.42+530929.5, a 40.6\,min orbital period, eclipsing double white-dwarf binary. Both photometric and spectroscopic modeling confirm its nature, yielding an estimated inclination of $i = 86.2^{+0.6}_{-0.2}\,\rm degrees$ and primary and secondary effective tempera…
We constrain the orbital period ($P_{\rm orb}$) distribution of low-mass detached main-sequence eclipsing binaries (EBs) with light curves from the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), which provides a well-understood selection function and sensitivity to faint stars. At short periods ($P_{\rm orb}\lesssim 2$ days), binaries are predicted to evolve significantly due to magnetic braking (MB), which shrinks orbits and ultimately brings detached binaries into contact. The period distribution is thus a sensitive probe of MB. We find that the intrinsic period distribution of low-mass ($0.1\lesssim M_1/…
Using Liverpool Telescope+RISE photometry we identify the 2.78 hour period binary star CSS 41177 as a detached eclipsing double white dwarf binary with a 21,100K primary star and a 10,500K secondary star. This makes CSS 41177 only the second known eclipsing double white dwarf binary after NLTT 11748. The 2 minute long primary eclipse is 40% deep and the secondary eclipse 10% deep. From Gemini+GMOS spectroscopy we measure the radial velocities of both components of the binary from the Hα absorption line cores. These measurements, combined with the light curve information, yield white dwarf mass…
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 present an analysis of multi-epoch low-resolution spectrophotometry, complemented by the light curves provided by massive photometric surveys spanning over 100 years, of the symbiotic binary LMC S63. We showed that it is an eclipsing binary with the orbital period of 1050d. We also found evidence of outbursts in history of the white dwarf. If it was a Z-And type outburst, as is most likely, it would be a second such outburst recorded in the Magellanic Cloud symbiotic system. We confirmed that the red giant is enhanced in carbon, and estimated C/O~1.2 by fitting a model atmosphere to the SAL…
We present time-series spectroscopy and photometry of Gaia DR2 6097540197980557440, a new deeply-eclipsing hot subdwarf B (sdB) + M dwarf (dM) binary. We discovered this object during the course of the Eclipsing Reflection Effect Binaries from Optical Surveys (EREBOS) project, which aims to find new eclipsing sdB+dM binaries (HW Vir systems) and increase the small sample of studied systems. In addition to the primary eclipse, which is in excess of $\sim$5 magnitudes in the optical, the light curve also shows features typical for other HW Vir binaries such as a secondary eclipse and strong refl…
AM CVn systems are ultra-compact, helium-rich, accreting binaries with degenerate or semi-degenerate donors. We report the discovery of five new eclipsing AM CVn systems with orbital periods of 61.5, 55.5, 53.3, 37.4, and 35.4 minutes. These systems were discovered by searching for deep eclipses in the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) lightcurves of white dwarfs selected using Gaia parallaxes. We obtained phase-resolved spectroscopy to confirm that all systems are AM CVn binaries, and we obtained high-speed photometry to confirm the eclipse and characterize the systems. The spectra of two long-…
We report unfiltered photometry during superoutbursts of PU UMa in 2009 and 2012. The amplitude was 4.5 magnitudes above mean quiescence and lasted at least 9 to 10 days. Superhumps were present with a peak-to-peak amplitude of up to ~0.3 mag, thereby confirming it to be a member of the SU UMa family of dwarf novae. The mean superhump period during the later part of the 2012 outburst was Psh = 0.08076(40) d. Analysis of the eclipse times of minimum, supplemented with data from other researchers, revealed an orbital period of Porb = 0.077880551(17) d. The superhump period excess was epsilon = 0…
The development of large-scale time-domain surveys provides an opportunity to study the physical properties as well as the evolutionary scenario of B-type subdwarfs (sdB) and M-type dwarfs (dM). Here, we obtained 33 sdB+dM eclipsing binaries based on the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) light curves and $Gaia$ early data release 3 (EDR3) parallaxes. By using the PHOEBE code for light curve analysis, we obtain probability distributions for parameters of 29 sdB+dM. $R_1$, $R_2$, and $i$ are well determined, and the average uncertainty of mass ratio $q$ is 0.08. Our parameters are in good agreemen…
We present time-resolved photometry of a cataclysmic variable discovered in the Isaac Newton Telescope Photometric Halpha Survey of the northern galactic plane, IPHAS J062746.41+014811.3 and classify the system as the fourth deeply eclipsing intermediate polar known with an orbital period of Porb=8.16 h, and spin period of Pspin=2210 s. The system shows mild variations of its brightness, that appear to be accompanied by a change in the amplitude of the spin modulation at optical wavelengths, and a change in the morphology of the eclipse profile. The inferred magnetic moment of the white dwarf …
During July 2009 we observed the first confirmed superoutburst of the eclipsing dwarf nova SDSS J150240.98+333423.9 using CCD photometry. The outburst amplitude was at least 3.9 magnitudes and it lasted at least 16 days. Superhumps having up to 0.35 peak-to-peak amplitude were present during the outburst, thereby establishing it to be a member of the SU UMa family. The mean superhump period during the first 4 days of the outburst was Psh = 0.06028(19) d, although it increased during the outburst with dPsh/dt = + 2.8(1.0) x 10-4. The orbital period was measured as Porb = 0.05890946(5) d from ti…
Recently, a single-line spectroscopic binary, LTD064402+245919, has been discovered by Yang et al. Using data from LAMOST and ZTF, the unseen companion is estimated to have a mass of 1-3 $M_{\odot}$, orbiting a subgiant with orbital period of 14.50 days, making it a good compact binary candidate without X-ray emission. However, new light curves from ZTF and ASAS-SN, have shown the depth of one dip increases towards a bluer wavelength, indicating LTD064402+245919 is more likely to be a subgiant with a red star. Using both Wilson-Devinney code and Phoebe, the derived $T_{eff}$ of secondary is ab…
Variable sources probe a wide range of astrophysical phenomena. We present a catalog of over ten million variable source candidates found in Data Release 1 (DR1) of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). We perform a periodicity search up to a frequency of 160 day^-1, and we classify the light curves into erratic and smooth variables. We also present variability indicators and the results of a periodicity search, up to a frequency of 5 day^-1, for about 1 billion sources in the ZTF-DR1 light curve database. We present several new short-period (<90 min) candidates, and about 60 new dwarf nova can…
The evolutionary history of ultra-compact accreting binaries. I. Chemical abundances and formation channel of the eclipsing AM CVn system ZTF J225237.05-051917.4 from HST spectroscopy
Hamburg Observatory, University of Hamburg（汉堡天文台，汉堡大学）；European Southern Observatory（欧洲南方天文台）；Department of Physics and Astronomy, Texas Tech University（德克萨斯理工大学物理与天文学系）；Department of Physics, University of Warwick（华威大学物理系）；Institut für Theoretische Physik und Astrophysik, University of Kiel（基尔大学理论物理与天体物理研究所）；São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Engineering and Sciences（圣保罗州立大学（UNESP）工程与科学学院）；The Observatories of the Carnegie Institution for Science（卡内基科学机构天文台）；Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara（加州大学圣塔芭芭拉分校物理系）；Departamento de Física, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María（费德里科·圣玛丽亚技术大学物理系）；Institute of Science and Technology Austria（奥地利科学技术研究所）；Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy, University of Amsterdam（阿姆斯特丹大学安东·潘农克天文研究所）
We report the discovery of ZTF J2243+5242, an eclipsing double white dwarf binary with an orbital period of just $8.8$ minutes, the second known eclipsing binary with an orbital period less than ten minutes. The system likely consists of two low-mass white dwarfs, and will merge in approximately 400,000 years to form either an isolated hot subdwarf or an R Coronae Borealis star. Like its $6.91\, \rm min$ counterpart, ZTF J1539+5027, ZTF J2243+5242 will be among the strongest gravitational wave sources detectable by the space-based gravitational-wave detector The Laser Space Interferometer Ante…
In over a thousand known cataclysmic variables (CVs), where a white dwarf is accreting from a hydrogen-rich star, only a dozen have orbital periods below 75 minutes. One way to achieve these short periods requires the donor star to have undergone substantial nuclear evolution prior to interacting with the white dwarf, and it is expected that these objects will transition to helium accretion. These transitional CVs have been proposed as progenitors of helium CVs. However, no known transitional CV is expected to reach an orbital period short enough to account for most of the helium CV population…
We present the results of a photometric and spectroscopic analysis of the Galactic Bulge Survey X-ray source CXOGBS J174954.5-294335 (hereafter, referred to as CX19). CX19 is a long period, eclipsing intermediate polar type cataclysmic variable with broad, single-peaked Balmer and Paschen emission lines along with HeII $\lambda4686$ and Bowen blend emission features. With coverage of one full and two partial eclipses and archival photometry, we determine the ephemeris for CX19 to be HJD(eclipse) = 2455691.8581(5) + 0.358704(2)$\times$N. We also recovered the white dwarf spin period of P$_{\rm …
We observed the deeply eclipsing SU UMa-type dwarf nova V4140 Sgr and established the very short supercycle of 69.7(3) d. There were several short outbursts between superoutbursts. These values, together with the short orbital period (0.06143 d), were similar to, but not as extreme as, those of ER UMa-type dwarf novae. The object is thus the first, long sought, eclipsing ER UMa-like object. This ER UMa-like nature can naturally explain the high (apparent) quiescent viscosity and unusual temperature profile in quiescence, which were claimed observational features against the thermal-tidal insta…
Circular polarimetry of suspect wind-accreting pre-polars II
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield（谢菲尔德大学物理与天文学系）；Armagh Observatory and Planetarium（阿马赫天文台和行星馆）；Department of Physics, University of Warwick（华威大学物理系）；Hamburger Sternwarte, University of Hamburg（汉堡天文台，汉堡大学）
IPHAS J190812.63+045728.1: A deeply eclipsing, X-ray bright cataclysmic variable with frequent outbursts
Universidade Federal de Sergipe（塞尔希培联邦大学）；Observatório Nacional（国家天文台）；Laboratório Nacional de Astrofísica（国家天体物理实验室）；NASA/GSFC（美国宇航局戈达德太空飞行中心）；University of Maryland, Baltimore County（马里兰大学巴尔的摩县分校）；Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais（国家空间研究所）
KIC 6464285: A Solar-type Eclipsing Binary in a Hierarchical Triple System with Quasi-periodic Out-of-eclipse Modulations
Yunnan Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)（中国科学院云南天文台）；University of Chinese Academy of Sciences（中国科学院大学）；Department of Astronomy, School of Physics and Astronomy, Yunnan University（云南大学物理与天文学院天文学系）；Ulugh Beg Astronomical Institute, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences（乌兹别克斯坦科学院乌鲁格别克天文研究所）
We present detailed simulations of the Pan-STARRS-1 (PS1) multi-epoch, multi-band 3-pi Survey in order to assess its potential yield of transiting planets and eclipsing binaries. This survey differs from dedicated transit surveys in that it will cover the entire Northern sky but provide only sparsely sampled light curves. Since most eclipses would be detected at only a single epoch, the 3-pi Survey will be most sensitive to deep eclipses (> 0.10 mag) caused by Jupiters transiting M dwarfs and eclipsing stellar/substellar binaries. The survey will also provide parallaxes for the ~400,000 stars …
Using photometry collected with the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), we are conducting an ongoing survey for binary systems with short orbital periods ($P_{\rm b}<1\rm \,hr)$ with the goal of identifying new gravitational-wave sources detectable by the upcoming Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Here, we present a sample of fifteen binary systems discovered thus far, with orbital periods ranging from $6.91\rm\,min$ to $56.35\rm\,min$. Of the fifteen systems, seven are eclipsing systems which do not show signs of significant mass transfer. Additionally, we have discovered two AM Canum V…
LAMOST J113208.06-005052.3 and LAMOST J052957.56+344127.0: two new binaries with a hot white dwarf and a flaring companion star
Institute of Astrophysics, Chuxiong Normal University（楚雄师范学院天体物理研究所）；International Centre of Supernovae (ICESUN), Yunnan Key Laboratory（超新星国际中心（ICESUN），云南省重点实验室）；Faculty of Science, Kunming University of Science and Technology（昆明理工大学理学院）
