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A. Dobrotka

Publications and source records attributed to A. Dobrotka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A very rapidly rotating white dwarf in nova YZ Reticuli

YZ Ret (Nova Reticuli 2020) is the first VY Scl-type nova-like variable observed to undergo a classical nova eruption. Following the outburst, timing analysis of 20-s cadence TESS data revealed a periodicity at approximately 42 s, suggesting a possible classification as a fast-spinning Intermediate Polar. To definitively identify the nature of this modulation, we performed a multi-instrument timing analysis using high-speed ground-based photometry Zorro/Gemini South (1 s cadence) and the South African Astronomical Observatory (5 s cadence) alongside TESS Sector 97 observations. Our ground-based data reveal a highly coherent period of 37.69131 +- 0.00001 s, which we identify as the true rotation period of the white dwarf. We demonstrate that the apparent 42.61 s signal in the TESS data is a Nyquist alias of this fundamental frequency. Furthermore, the signal amplitude in the TESS data is suppressed by a factor of ~0.6 relative to the Gemini observations, a result consistent with the theoretical sinc-function damping expected for a 20-s integration time. The extreme coherence and long-term stability of the 37.69131 s signal rule out transient phenomena such as dwarf nova oscillations or non-radial pulsations. We conclude that YZ Ret hosts a fast-spinning magnetic white dwarf in an Intermediate Polar configuration. This discovery implies that mass loss during the nova eruption was likely driven by a fast magnetic rotator wind and provides a physical explanation for the missing supersoft X-ray phase, suggesting that nearly the entire accreted envelope was exhausted, promptly quenching the nuclear burning.

astro-ph.SR

A TESS View of Post-Eruption Variability in the Novae V1405 Cas,V1716 Sco, and V1674 Her

We analyzed TESS archival data of three novae after recent outbursts, searching the orbital and white dwarf (WD) rotation period and possible variations of these periods. In V1405 Cas, we detected a period of $\sim$116.88 seconds, which we identified as due to the WD spin, and measured a rate of increase of 0.00165$\pm0.000006\, {\rm s\, d}^{-1}$, one of the fastest spin-down rates ever recorded. The rapid spin-down coupled with an X-ray luminosity several orders of magnitude lower than the available spin-down power, strongly indicates that the system is in a magnetic ``propeller'' state, namely the rotational energy powers the system's X-ray luminosity. We measured a previously unknown orbital period of 1.357$\pm0.005\,{\rm days}$ for V1716 Sco. If the X-ray flux modulation with a period of 77.9 s detected in outburst for this nova is due to the rotation of an strongly magnetized white dwarf as in other novae with similar modulations of the supersoft X-ray source in outburst, the system is in a parameter space that challenges standard models of cataclysmic variable evolution. For V1674 Her, which has already been classified as an intermediate polar (IP), we confirm the known spin period of 501.328$\pm0.024\,{\rm s}$ and the orbital period of $0.15293 \pm 0.00004$ days, suggesting that the spin modulation was also the root cause of the periodicity in X-rays in outburst, and that the WD atmosphere in the supersoft X-ray phase was not thermally homogeneous. Our results highlight the power of high-cadence, continuous observations in revealing extreme and unexpected characteristics of accreting white dwarfs.

astro-ph.SR

Searching for similarities in the accretion flow of Seyfert 1 galaxies and cataclysmic variables based on flare profiles of IRAS 13224-3809, 1H 0707-495, Mrk 766 and MV Lyr

AIMS: We studied fast variability of three selected AGNs, IRAS 13224-3809, 1H 0707-495 and Mrk 766, and the cataclysmic variable MV Lyr observed by XMM-Newton and Kepler spacecrafts, respectively. Our goal is to search for common origin of the variability and to test the so-called sandwich model where a geometrically thick corona is surrounding a geometrically thin disc. METHODS: We study substructures of the averaged flare profiles. The flare profile method identifies individual flares in the light curve, and averages them. Direct fitting of the profile substructures identify individual characteristic frequencies seen in standard power density spectra (PDS) as a break frequency or quasi-periodic oscillation. The credibility of flare profile substructures is demonstrated by comparison with autocorrelation function. RESULTS: We found that the flare profiles of AGNs are similar to that of the cataclysmic variable in the low state. We explain this as a consequence of a truncated inner disc in a sandwich model. The same scenario is also able to explain the presence of characteristic break frequencies in X-ray PDS, but not seen in optical. We also searched for substructures in the flare profile of IRAS 13224-3809. In addition to a permanently present main flare, we found transient side-lobe appearing before the main flare and only seen in a high flux period. This complex flare profile of this AGN suggests that an additional source of X-rays appears during the high flux period. We propose a scenario in which an accretion flow fluctuation enters the sandwich corona and propagates further to some very central part of the accretion disc.

astro-ph.GA

Searching for the mHz variability in the TESS observations of nova-like cataclysmic variables

AIMS: We investigated fast optical variability of selected nova-like cataclysmic variables observed by TESS satellite. We searched for break frequencies (f_b) in the corresponding power density spectra (PDS). The goal is to study whether these systems in almost permanent high optical state exhibit preferred f_b around 1 mHz. METHODS: We selected non-interrupted light curve portions with duration of 5 and 10 days. We divided these portions into ten equally long light curve subsamples and calculated mean PDS. We searched for f_b in frequency interval from log(f/Hz) = -3.5 to -2.4. We defined as positive detection when the f_b was present in at least 50% of the light curve portions with a predefined minimum number of detections. RESULTS: We measured f_b in 15 nova-like systems and confirmed that the value of this frequency is clustered around 1 mHz with a maximum of the distribution between log(f/Hz) = -2.95 and -2.84. The confidence that this maximum is not a random feature of a uniform distribution is at least 96%. This is considerably improved since previous value of 69%. We discuss the origin of these f_b in the context of sandwich model where central hot X-ray corona surrounds central optically thick disc. This scenario could be supported by correlation between white dwarf mass and f_b; the larger the mass, the lower the frequency. We see such tendency in the measured data, however the data are too scattered and based on low number of measurements. Finally, it appears that systems with detected f_b have lower inclination than 60-75 degrees. In higher inclination binaries the central disc is not seen and the PDS is dominated by red noise. This also supports the inner disc regions as source of the observed f_b.

astro-ph.SR

V407 Lup, an intermediate polar nova

We present X-ray and optical observations of nova V407 Lup (Nova Lup 2016), previously well monitored in outburst, as it returned to quiescent accretion. The X-ray light curve in 2020 February revealed a clear flux modulation with a stable period of 564.64$\pm$0.64 s, corresponding to the period measured in outburst and attributed to the spin of a magnetized white dwarf in an intermediate polar (IP) system. This detection in quiescence is consistent with the IP classification proposed after the nova eruption. The XMM-Newton EPIC X-ray flux is about 1.3 $\times 10^{-12}$ erg/cm$^2$/s at a distance, most likely, larger than 5 kpc, emitted in the whole 0.2-12 keV range without a significant cut-off energy. The X-ray spectra are complex; they can be fitted including a power law component with a relatively flat slope (a power law index of about 1), although, alternatively, a hard thermal component at kT$\geq$19 keV also yields a good fit. The SALT optical spectra obtained in 2019 March and 2022 May are quite typical of IPs, with strong emission lines, including some due to a high ionization potential, like He II at 4685.7 Angstrom. Nebular lines of O [III] were prominent in 2019 March, but their intensity and equivalent width appeared to be decreasing during that month, and they were no longer detectable in 2022, indicating that the nova ejecta dispersed. Complex profiles of the He II lines of V407 Lup are also characteristic of IPs, giving further evidence for this classification.

astro-ph.HE

Recurrent mini-outbursts and a magnetic white dwarf in the symbiotic system FN Sgr

AIMS: We investigated the optical variability of the symbiotic binary FN Sgr, with photometric monitoring during $\simeq$55 years and with a high-cadence Kepler light curve lasting 81 days. METHODS: The data obtained in the V and I bands were reduced with standard photometric methods. The Kepler data were divided into subsamples and analyses with the Lomb-Scargle algorithm. RESULTS: The V and I band light curves showed a phenomenon never before observed with such recurrence in any symbiotic system, namely short outbursts, starting between orbital phase 0.3 and 0.5 and lasting about a month, with a fast rise and a slower decline, and amplitude of 0.5-1 mag. In the Kepler light curve we discovered three frequencies with sidebands. We attribute a stable frequency of 127.5 d$^{-1}$ (corresponding to an 11.3 minutes period) to the white dwarf rotation. We suggest that this detection probably implies that the white dwarf accretes through a magnetic stream, like in intermediate polars. The small outbursts may be ascribed to the stream-disc interaction. Another possibility is that they are due to localized thermonuclear burning, perhaps confined by the magnetic field, like recently inferred in intermediate polars, albeit on different timescales. We measured also a second frequency around 116.9 d$^{-1}$ (corresponding to about 137 minutes), which is much less stable and has a drift. It may be due to rocky detritus around the white dwarf, but it is more likely to be caused by an inhomogeneity in the accretion disk. Finally, there is a third frequency close to the first one that appears to correspond to the beating between the rotation and the second frequency.

astro-ph.SR

XMM-Newton observation of V1504 Cyg as a probe for the existence of an evaporated corona

AIMS: We present an analysis of an XMM-Newton observation of the dwarf novae V1504 Cyg during the decline from an outburst. Our goal is to search for evidence for an evaporated X-ray corona. Such a corona can be understood as an optically thin geometrically thick disc around a central part of an optically thick geometrically thin disc. METHODS: We study the X-ray spectra using a cooling flow model and the evolution of the amplitude of variability and power density spectra in UV and X-rays. RESULTS: The X-ray (pn) count rate increases from initially around 0.03 cps to 0.17 cps with a harder spectrum and a higher degree of variability. Meanwhile, the OM/UVW1 light curve follows a slow decline with decreasing amplitude of variability. For further study we split the X-ray data into two parts, and analysed them separately. Both parts are described by a cooling flow model, while the first low luminosity part requires an additional power law component suggesting presence of a wind. Spectral fitting revealed a higher temperature during the second brighter part. Timing analysis reveals a potential break frequency at log(f/Hz) = -3.02 during decline towards the quiescence. This detection agrees with optical data from Kepler observations. CONCLUSIONS: The X-ray nature of the break frequency supports the innermost parts of the disc as source of the variability. Moreover, a similar frequency was observed in several other cataclysmic variables and a sandwich model where a geometrically thick corona surrounds the geometrically thin disc is a possible accretion configuration.

astro-ph.SR

High Resolution X-ray Spectra of RS Ophiuchi (2006 and 2021): Revealing the cause of SSS variability

Swift observed the SSS phase in RS Oph much fainter in 2021 than in 2006, and we compare an XMM-Newton grating spectrum on day 55.6 in 2021 (2021d55.6) to SSS Chandra and XMM-Newton grating spectra from days 2006d39.7, 2006d54, and 2006d66.9. We present a novel approach to down-scale the observed (brighter) 2006 SSS spectra to match the 2021d55.6 spectrum by parameter optimisation of: (1) A constant factor, (2) a multi-ionisation photoelectric absorption model, and (3) scaling with a ratio of two blackbody models with different effective temperatures. This approach avoids defining a source model and is more sensitive to incremental changes than modeling source plus absorption simultaneously. The 2021d55.6 spectrum can be reproduced remarkably well by multiplying the brighter 2006 spectra with an absorption model. Only for the 2006d66.9 spectrum, an additional temperature change is needed. We further find the 2021d55.6 spectrum to resemble much more the 2006d39.7 spectrum in shape and structure than the same-epoch 2006d54 spectrum with more absorption lines with a deeper OI absorption edge, and higher blue shifts (1200km/s) than on day 2006d54 (700km/s). On days 2006d39.7, 2006d54 and 2021d55.6, brightness and hardness variations are correlated indicating variations of the OI column density. The 35s period was detected on day 2021d55.6 with lower significance compared to 2006d54. We conclude absorption to be the principal reason for observing lower soft X-ray emission in 2021 compared to 2006. We explain the reduction in line blue shift, depth in OI edge, and number of absorption lines from day 2006d39.7 to 2006d54 by deceleration and heating of the ejecta within the stellar wind of the companion. Less such deceleration and heating in 2021 indicates viewing at different angles through an inhomogeneous stellar wind.

astro-ph.HE

NICER monitoring of supersoft X-ray sources

We monitored four supersoft sources - two persistent ones, CAL 83 and MR Vel, and the recent novae YZ Ret (Nova Ret 2020) and V1674 Her (Nova Her 2021) - with NICER. The two persistent SSS were observed with unvaried X-ray flux level and spectrum, respectively, 13 and 20 years after the last observations. Short period modulations of the supersoft X-ray source (SSS) appear where the spectrum of the luminous central source was fully visibl (in CAL 83 and V1674 Her) and were absent in YZ Ret and MR Vel, in which the flux originated in photoionized or shocked plasma, while the white dwarf (WD) was not observable. We thus suggest that the pulsations occur on, or very close to, the WD surface. The pulsations of CAL 83 were almost unvaried after 15 years, including an irregular drift of the $\simeq$67 s period by 2.1 s. Simulations, including previous XMM-Newton data, indicate actual variations in period length within hours, rather than an artifact of the variable amplitude of the pulsations. Large amplitude pulsations with a period of 501.53$\pm$0.30 s were always detected in V1674 Her, as long as the SSS was observable. This period seems to be due to rotation of a highly magnetized WD.We cannot confirm the maximum effective temperature of ($\simeq$145,000 K) previously inferred for this nova, and discuss the difficulty in interpreting its spectrum. The WD appears to present two surface zones, one of which does not emit SSS flux.

astro-ph.HE

The Super-Soft Source Phase of the recurrent nova V3890 Sgr

The 30-year recurrent symbiotic nova V3890 Sgr exploded 2019 August 28 and was observed with multiple X-ray telescopes. An XMM-Newton observation during the SSS phase captured a high degree of X-ray variability including a deep dip in the middle of the observation, an initial rise of similar depth and shape and, after the deep dip, smaller dips of 10% amplitude, which might be periodic over 18.1-minutes. An eclipse model of the dips yields clump sizes and orbital radii of 0.5-8 and 5-150 white dwarf radii, respectively. The simultaneous UV light curve shows no significant variations beyond slow fading. The RGS spectrum contains both residual shock emission at short wavelengths and the SSS emission at longer wavelengths. The shock temperature has clearly decreased compared to an earlier Chandra observation (day 6). The dip spectrum is dominated by emission lines like in U Sco. The intensity of underlying blackbody-like emission is much lower with the blackbody normalisation yielding a similar radius as during the brighter phases, while the lower bolometric luminosity is ascribed to lower T_eff. This would be inconsistent with clump occultations unless Compton scattering of the continuum emission reduces the photon energies to mimic a lower effective temperature. However, systematic uncertainties are high. The absorption lines in the bright SSS spectrum are blue-shifted by 870+/-10 km/s before the dip and 900+/-10 km/s, after the dip. The reproduction of the observed spectrum is astonishing, especially that only a single absorbing layer is necessary while three such layers are needed to reproduce the RGS spectrum of V2491 Cyg. The ejecta of V3890 Sgr are thus more homogeneous than many other SSS spectra indicate. Abundance determination is in principle possible but highly uncertain. Generally, solar abundances are found except for N and possibly O higher by an order of magnitude.

astro-ph.HE

Searching for the 1 mHz variability in the flickering of V4743 Sgr: a Cataclysmic Variable accreting at a high rate

AIMS: A few well studied cataclysmic variables (CVs) have shown discrete characteristic frequencies of fast variability; the most prominent ones are around log(f/Hz) $\simeq$ -3. Because we still have only small number statistics, we obtained a new observation to test whether this is a general characteristic of CVs, especially if mass transfer occurs at a high rate typical for dwarf nova in outbursts, in the so called "high state". METHODS: We analyzed optical Kepler data of the quiescent nova and intermediate polar V4743 Sgr. This system hosts a white dwarf accreting through a disk in the high state. We calculated the power density spectra, and searched for break or characteristic frequencies. Our goal is to assess whether the mHz frequency of the flickering is a general characteristic. RESULTS: V4743 Sgr has a clear break frequency at log(f/Hz) $\simeq$ -3. This detection increases the probability that the mHz characteristic frequency is a general feature of CVs in the high state, from 69% to 91%. Furthermore, we propose the possibility that the variability is generated by similar mechanism as in the nova-like system MV Lyr, which would make V4743 Sgr unique.

astro-ph.SR

Alternation of the flickering morphology between the high and low state in MV Lyr

AIMS: We studied unique data of a nova-like system MV Lyr during transition from the high to low state and vice versa taken by the Kepler space telescope. We were interested in evolution of frequency components found previously by Scaringi et al. in different data also obtained by Kepler. METHODS: We divided the light curve into 10 day segments and investigated the corresponding power density spectra. We searched for individual frequency components by fitting with Lorentzian functions. Additionally, we investigated the variability using averaged shot profiles calculated from the light curve divided into 10 equally spaces subsamples. RESULTS: We found very complex changes of the power density spectra. We focused our study onto three frequency components. Strong activity increase is seen at low frequencies. Contrariwise, the high frequency part of the spectrum strongly decreases in power with specific rise in characteristic frequencies of the individual components. We discuss various scenarios of this phenomenology as reprocessing of X-rays in a receding accretion disc or a radiation from a more active region at the outer disc. Finally, we show that various cataclysmic variables show similar characteristic frequencies in their power density spectra. These are dependent on activity stage, making the situation similar to X-ray binaries.

astro-ph.SR

Similar shot profile morphology of fast variability in cataclysmic variable, X-ray binary and blazar; the MV Lyr case

The cataclysmic variable MV Lyr was present in the Kepler field yielding a light curve with the duration of almost 1500 days with 60 second cadence. Such high quality data of this nova-like system with obvious fast optical variability show multicomponent power density spectra. Our goal is to study the light curve from different point of view, and perform a shot profile analysis. We search for characteristics not discovered with standard power density spectrum based methods. The shot profile method identifies individual shots in the light curve, and averages them in order to get all substructures with typical time scales. We also tested the robustness of our analysis using simple shot noise model. We obtained mean profiles with multicomponent features. The shot profile method distinguishes substructures with similar time scales which appear as a single degenerate feature in power density spectra. Furthermore, this method yields the identification of another high frequency component in the power density spectra of Kepler and XMM-Newton data not detected so far. Moreover, we found side-lobes accompanied with the central spike, making the profile very similar to another Kepler data of blazar W2R 1926+42, and Ginga data of Cyg X-1. All three objects show similar time scale ratios of the rising vs. declining part of the central spikes, while the two binaries have also similar rising profiles of the shots described by a power-law function. The similarity of both binary shot profiles suggests that the shots originate from the same origin, e.g. aperiodic mass accretion in the accretion disc. Moreover, the similarity with the blazar may imply that the ejection fluctuations in the blazar jet are connected to accretion fluctuations driving the variability in binaries. This points out to connection between jet and the accretion disc.

astro-ph.SR

Multicomponent Power Density Spectra of Kepler AGNs, an instrumental artifact or a physical origin?

We analysed the light curves of four active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the Kepler field, and find multicomponent power density spectra with characteristic frequencies that are surprisingly similar to other Kepler AGNs (including ZW229-15). An identical time series analysis of randomly selected planet candidate stars revealed the same features, suggesting an instrumental origin for the variability. This result is enigmatic, as these signals have been confirmed for ZW229-15 using independent observations from Swift. Based on our re-analysis of these Swift data and test simulations, we now distinguish the instrumental artifact in Kepler data from the real pattern in Swift observations. It appears that some other AGNs observed with instruments such as XMM-Newton show similar frequency components. This supports the conclusion that the similarity between the variability timescales of the Kepler artifact and real Swift features is coincidental.

astro-ph.GA

Multiwavelength observations of V407 Lupi (ASASSN-16kt) --- a very fast nova erupting in an intermediate polar

We present a detailed study of the 2016 eruption of nova V407 Lupi (ASASSN-16kt), including optical, near-infrared, X-ray, and ultraviolet data from SALT, SMARTS, SOAR, Chandra, Swift, and XMM-Newton. Timing analysis of the multiwavelength light-curves shows that, from 168 days post-eruption and for the duration of the X-ray supersoft source phase, two periods at 565 s and 3.57 h are detected. We suggest that these are the rotational period of the white dwarf and the orbital period of the binary, respectively, and that the system is likely to be an intermediate polar. The optical light-curve decline was very fast ($t_2 \leq$ 2.9 d), suggesting that the white dwarf is likely massive ($\gtrsim 1.25$ M$_{\odot}$). The optical spectra obtained during the X-ray supersoft source phase exhibit narrow, complex, and moving emission lines of He II, also characteristics of magnetic cataclysmic variables. The optical and X-ray data show evidence for accretion resumption while the X-ray supersoft source is still on, possibly extending its duration.

astro-ph.SR

What we learn from the X-ray grating spectra of Nova SMC 2016

Nova SMC 2016 has been the most luminous nova known in the direction of the Magellanic Clouds. It turned into a very luminous supersoft X-ray source between day 16 and 28 after the optical maximum. We observed it with Chandra, the HRC-S camera and the Low Energy Transmission Grating (LETG) on 2016 November and 2017 January (days 39 and 88 after optical maximum), and with XMM-Newton on 2016 December (day 75). We detected the compact white dwarf (WD) spectrum as a luminous supersoft X-ray continuum with deep absorption features of carbon, nitrogen, magnesium, calcium, probably argon and sulfur on day 39, and oxygen, nitrogen and carbon on days 75 and 88. The spectral features attributed to the WD atmosphere are all blue-shifted, by about 1800 km/s on day 39 and up to 2100 km/s in the following observations. Spectral lines attributed to low ionization potential transitions in the interstellar medium are also observed. Assuming the distance of the Small Magellanic Cloud, the bolometric luminosity exceeded Eddington level for at least three months. A preliminary analysis with atmospheric models indicates effective temperature around 700,000 K on day 39, peaking at the later dates in the 850,000-900,000 K range, as expected for a 1.25 m(sol) WD. We suggest a possible classification as an oxygen-neon WD, but more precise modeling is needed to accurately determine the abundances. The X-ray light curves show large, aperiodic ux variability, not associated with spectral variability. We detected red noise, but did not find periodic or quasi-periodic modulations.

astro-ph.HE

New structures of Power Density Spectra for four Kepler AGNs

Many nearby AGNs display a significant short-term variability. In this work we re-analyze photometric data of four active galactic nuclei observed by Kepler in order to study the flickering activity, having as main goal that of searching for multiple components in the power density spectra. We find that all four objects have similar characteristics, with two break frequencies at approximately log(f/Hz)=-5.2 and -4.7. We consider some physical phenomena whose characteristic time-scales are consistent with those observed, in particular mass accretion fluctuations in the inner geometrically thick disc (hot X-ray corona) and unstable relativistic Rayleigh-Taylor modes. The former is supported by detection of the same break frequencies in the Swift X-ray data of ZW229-15. We also discuss rms-flux relations, and we detect a possible typical linear trend at lower flux levels. Our findings support the hypothesis of a multiplicative character of variability, in agreement with the propagating accretion fluctuation model.

astro-ph.GA

XMM-Newton observation of MV Lyr and the sandwiched model confirmation

We present spectral and timing analyses of simultaneous X-ray and UV observations of the VY Scl system MV Lyr taken by XMM-Newton, containing the longest continuous X-ray+UV light curve and highest signal-to-noise X-ray (EPIC) spectrum to date. The RGS spectrum displays emission lines plus continuum, confirming model approaches to be based on thermal plasma models. We test the sandwiched model based on fast variability that predicts a geometrically thick corona that surrounds an inner geometrically thin disc. The EPIC spectra are consistent with either a cooling flow model or a 2-T collisional plasma plus Fe emission lines in which the hotter component may be partially absorbed which would then originate in a central corona or a partially obscured boundary layer, respectively. The cooling flow model yields a lower mass accretion rate than expected during the bright state, suggesting an evaporated plasma with a low density, thus consistent with a corona. Timing analysis confirms the presence of a dominant break frequency around log(f/Hz) = -3 in the X-ray Power Density Spectrum (PDS) as in the optical PDS. The complex soft/hard X-ray light curve behaviour is consistent with a region close to the white dwarf where the hot component is generated. The soft component can be connected to an extended region. We find another break frequency around log(f/Hz) = -3.4 that is also detected by Kepler. We compared flares at different wavelengths and found that the peaks are simultaneous but the rise to maximum is delayed in X-rays with respect to UV.

astro-ph.SR