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Augustin Skopal

Publications and source records attributed to Augustin Skopal.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
arXiv2026

The first hours and days of the 2021 explosion of the recurrent symbiotic nova RS Ophiuchii

The accretion of matter on a massive white dwarf (WD) can lead to repeated nuclear explosions on its surface over a timescale of years to decades. The seventh explosion of the recurrent symbiotic nova RS Ophiuchi (RS Oph) was recorded on August 8, 2021. In this paper, we examine its early evolution, from 9 hours before its optical maximum until day 42. We achieved our goal by modeling the spectral energy distribution (SED) using optical spectroscopy and simultaneous $BVR_{\rm C}I_{\rm C}$ photometry, supplemented by $JHKL$ photometry and ultraviolet spectroscopy from previous explosions in 2006 and 1985. Our SED models revealed an early stage of development of the ejecta bipolar structure, consisting of a flared, density-enhanced equatorial disk and low-density regions in bipolar directions. The comparability of the internal shocks' luminosity in the equatorial outflow, inferred from our model parameters, with the luminosity of the warm WD pseudophotosphere during its presence in the spectrum (until $\sim$day 42) confirmed that a significant part of its radiation originates from reprocessed shock emission. We explain the formation and evolution of the bipolar ejecta structure during RS Oph explosions by the rotation of the accreting WD. Such an ejecta structure provides a natural framework for the generation of strong internal shocks and thus $\gamma$-ray emission inside the ejecta.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2025

V1047 Cen: The first Z And-type outburst observed in the classical nova binary

In 2019, the classical nova V1047 Cen experienced an unusual outburst, the nature of which has not yet been clearly determined. In this paper, we show that the 2019 V1047~Cen outburst is of Z And-type -- a type that is characteristic and has so far been observed only in symbiotic binaries. We support our claim by modeling the near-ultraviolet to near-infrared spectral energy distribution, which revealed a close similarity between the fundamental parameters and the mass-loss rate of the burning white dwarf during the 2019 V1047 Cen outburst and those measured during Z And-type outbursts in symbiotic stars. All parameters are in agreement with the theoretical prediction when the accretion rate exceeds the stable burning limit for white dwarfs with masses less than 0.7 solar units. Our analysis showed that after a nova explosion, the Z And-type outburst can occur not only in symbiotic binaries but also in short-period cataclysmic variables, when the accretion-powered system changes to a nuclear-powered one, as a consequence of the donor's reaction to the nova explosion. Such a development promotes the production of Type Ia supernovae.

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arXiv2023

Wind-mass transfer in S-type symbiotic binaries IV. Indication of high wind-mass-transfer efficiency from active phases

Observational indications of wind-mass transfer from an evolved giant to its distant white dwarf (WD) companion in symbiotic binaries are rare. Here, we present a way to examine the neutral wind from the giant in symbiotic binaries, which is temporarily observable throughout the orbital plane during outbursts. We find that the mass-loss rate from giants in the orbital plane of S-type symbiotic binaries is high, indicating a high wind-mass-transfer efficiency in these systems. We modeled hydrogen column densities in the orbital plane between the observer and the WD for all suitable eclipsing S-type symbiotic binaries during outbursts in any orbital phase. The mass-loss rate from the giant in the orbital plane is on the order of 10$^{-6}\,M_{\odot}\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$, which is a factor of $\sim$10 higher than rates derived from nebular emission produced by the ionized wind from normal giants in symbiotic stars. This finding suggests a substantial focusing of the giant's wind toward the orbital plane and, thus, its effective transfer onto the WD companion. Our finding suggests that wind focusing on the orbital plane may be a common property of winds from giants in S-type symbiotic stars. Such wind-focusing resolves a long-standing problem of the large energetic output from their burning WDs and deficient fueling by the giant via a standard Bondi-Hoyle accretion. It also allows the WD to grow faster in mass, which lends support to the possibility that S-type symbiotic binaries are progenitors of Type Ia supernovae.

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arXiv2023

The emergence of a neutral wind region in the orbital plane of symbiotic binaries during their outbursts

Accretion of mass onto a white dwarf (WD) in a binary system can lead to stellar explosions. If a WD accretes from stellar wind of a distant evolved giant in a symbiotic binary, it can undergo occasional outbursts in which it brightens by several magnitudes, produces a low- and high-velocity mass-outflow, and, in some cases, ejects bipolar jets. In this paper, we complement the current picture of these outbursts by the transient emergence of a neutral region in the orbital plane of symbiotic binaries consisting of wind from the giant. We prove its presence by determining H$^0$ column densities ($N_{\rm H}$) in the direction of the WD and at any orbital phase of the binary by modeling the continuum depression around the Ly$\alpha$ line caused by Rayleigh scattering on atomic hydrogen for all suitable objects, i.e., eclipsing symbiotic binaries, for which a well-defined ultraviolet spectrum from an outburst is available. The $N_{\rm H}$ values follow a common course along the orbit with a minimum and maximum of a few times $10^{22}$ and $10^{24}$ cm$^{-2}$ around the superior and inferior conjunction of the giant, respectively. Its asymmetry implies an asymmetric density distribution of the wind from the giant in the orbital plane with respect to the binary axis. The neutral wind is observable in the orbital plane due to the formation of a dense disk-like structure around the WD during outbursts, which blocks ionizing radiation from the central burning WD in the orbital plane.

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arXiv2022

Multiwavelength modeling the SED of Luminous Supersoft X-ray Sources in Large Magellanic Cloud and Small Magellanic Cloud

Classical supersoft X-ray sources (SSSs) are understood as close binary systems in which a massive white dwarf (WD) accretes from its companion at rates sustaining steady hydrogen burning on its surface generating bolometric luminosities of $10^{36}-2\times10^{38}$ erg/s. Here, we perform for the first time the global supersoft X-rays to near-infrared (NIR) spectral energy distribution (SED) for the brightest SSSs in LMC and SMC. We test a model in which the ultraviolet--NIR is dominated by the emission from a compact (unresolved) circumstellar nebula represented by the ionized gas out-flowing from the SSS. The SED models correspond to luminosities of SSSs a few times $10^{38}-10^{39}$ erg/s, radiating at blackbody temperatures of $\approx 3\times 10^{5}$ K, and indicate nebular continuum, whose emission measure of $\gtrsim 2\times10^{60}$ cm$^{-3}$ corresponds to a wind mass-loss at rates $\gtrsim 2\times 10^{-6}$ $M_{\odot}\,{\rm yr}^{-1}$. Such extreme parameters suggest that the brightest SSSs could be unidentified optical novae in a post-nova SSS state sustained at a high long-lasting luminosity by resumed accretion, possibly at super-Eddington rates. New observations and theoretical multiwavelength modeling of the global SED of SSSs are needed to reliably determine their parameters, and thus understand their proper stage in stellar evolution.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2020

Classical Nova Persei 2018 outburst from the dwarf nova V392 Per

On 2018, April 29, a bright classical nova (CN) Per 2018 was discovered. Its progenitor is a well-known dwarf nova V392 Per. In this contribution, we analyze $UBVR_{C}I_{C}$ photometry and optical spectroscopy of the CN V392 Per. From the $V$ light curve (LC) we found the brightness decline times t$_{2,V}$ = 3 d, t$_{3,V}$ = 10 d and calculated absolute magnitude of the nova at maximum $MV_{max}$ = -9.30 ${\pm}$0.57 using the new $MV_{max}$ - t$_{3}$ "universal" decline law and $MV_{15}$ relations, adopting the Gaia data for CNe. We determined the colour excess $E_{B-V}$ = 0.90$\pm$0.09 and distance to the nova $d$ = 3.55$\pm$0.6 kpc. The optical spectrum obtained in brightness maximum resembles that of the F2 supergiant. Its bolometric luminosity computed by fitting the continuum by atmospheric and black-body models is in agreement with the luminosity, that we have found from photometry. We estimated the mass of the ONe white dwarf in V392 Per as $M_{wd}$ = 1.21 M$_{\odot}$. The CN Per 2018 can be classified as a fast super-Eddington nova with an outburst LC of plateau type. Nova displayed He/N spectrum classification, large expansion velocities, and triple-peaked emission-line profiles during the decline, explained by equatorial ring seen nearly face on and a bipolar flow aligned almost with the line of sight. The post maximum spectra of CN Per 2018 and available radio data were used to estimate the inclination angle of the system as $i\sim$ 9$^{\circ}$. The difference in intensity of redward and blueward emission bumps is possible to explain by about 1.5 times higher density of the receding outtflow. The rapid increase of the bipolar outflow radial velocities by $\sim$300 km/s around day 5 after the maximum was caused by the fast bipolar winds from the burning white dwarf after shrinking of its pseudophotosphere.

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arXiv2019

Multiwavelength modeling the SED of nova V339~Del: Stopping the wind and long-lasting super-Eddington luminosity with dust emission

During the classical nova outburst, the radiation generated by the nuclear burning of hydrogen in the surface layer of a white dwarf (WD) is reprocessed by the outer material into different forms at softer energies, which distribution in the spectrum depends on the nova age. Using the method of multiwavelength modeling the SED we determined physical parameters of the stellar, nebular and dust component of radiation isolated from the spectrum of the classical nova V339 Del from day 35 to day 636 after its explosion. The transition from the iron-curtain phase to the super-soft source phase (days 35 - 72), when the optical brightness dropped by 3-4 mag, the absorbing column density fell by its circumstellar component from $\sim 1\times 10^{23}$ to $\sim 1\times 10^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$, and the emission measure decreased from $\sim 2\times 10^{62}$ to $\sim 8.5\times 10^{60}$ cm$^{-3}$, was caused by stopping-down the mass-loss from the WD. The day 35 model SED indicated an oblate shape of the WD pseudophotosphere and the presence of the dust located in a slow equatorially concentrated outflow. The dust emission peaked around day 59. Its co-existence with the strong super-soft X-ray source in the day 100 model SED constrained the presence of the disk-like outflow, where the dust can spend a long time. Both the models SED revealed a super-Eddington luminosity of the burning WD at a level of $1-2\times 10^{39}\,(d/4.5{\rm kpc})^2$ erg s$^{-1}$, lasting from $\sim$day 2 to at least day 100.

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arXiv2018

Repeated transient jets from a warped disk in the symbiotic prototype Z And: A link to the long-lasting active phase

Active phases of some symbiotic binaries survive for a long time from years to decades. The accretion process onto a white dwarf (WD) sustaining long-lasting activity, and sometimes leading to collimated ejection, is not well understood. We present the repeated emergence of highly collimated outflows (jets) from the symbiotic prototype Z And during its 2008 and 2009-10 outbursts and suggest their link to the current long-lasting (from 2000) active phase. We monitored Z And with the high-resolution spectroscopy, multicolor $UBVR_{\rm C}$ and high-time-resolution photometry. The well-pronounced bipolar jets were ejected again during the 2009-10 outburst together with the simultaneous emergence of the rapid photometric variability ($Δm \approx 0.06$ mag) on the timescale of hours, showing similar properties as those during the 2006 outburst. These phenomena and the measured disk-jets connection could be caused by the radiation-induced warping of the inner disk due to a significant increase of the burning WD luminosity. Ejection of transient jets by Z And around outburst maxima signals a transient accretion at rates above the upper limit of the stable hydrogen burning on the WD surface. The enhanced accretion through the disk warping, supplemented by the accretion from the giant's wind, can keep a high luminosity of the WD for a long time, until depletion of the disk. In this way, the jets provide a link to long-lasting active phases of Z And.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2017

Wind asymmetry imprint in the UV light curves of the symbiotic binary SY Mus

Context: Light curves (LCs) of some symbiotic stars show a different slope of the ascending and descending branch of their minimum profile. The origin of this asymmetry is not understood well. Aims: We explain this effect in the ultraviolet LCs of the symbiotic binary SY Mus. Methods: We model the continuum fluxes in the spectra obtained by the International Ultraviolet Explorer at 10 wavelengths, from 1280 to 3080 Å. We consider that the white dwarf radiation is attenuated by $H^0$ atoms, $H^-$ ions and free electrons in the red giant wind. Variation in the nebular component is approximated by a sine wave along the orbit as suggested by spectral energy distribution models. The model includes asymmetric wind velocity distribution and the corresponding ionization structure of the binary. Results: We determined distribution of the $H^0$ and $H^+$, as well as upper limits of $H^-$ and $H^0$ column densities in the neutral and ionized region at the selected wavelengths as functions of the orbital phase. Corresponding models of the LCs match well the observed continuum fluxes. In this way, we suggested the main UV continuum absorbing (scattering) processes in the circumbinary environment of S-type symbiotic stars. Conclusions: The asymmetric profile of the ultraviolet LCs of SY Mus is caused by the asymmetric distribution of the circumstellar matter at the near-orbital-plane area.

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arXiv2016

Wind mass transfer in S-type symbiotic binaries II. Indication of wind focusing

Context. The wind mass transfer from a giant to its white dwarf companion in symbiotic binaries is not well understood. For example, the efficiency of wind mass transfer of the canonical Bondi-Hoyle accretion mechanism is too low to power the typical luminosities of the accretors. However, recent observations and modelling indicate a considerably more efficient mass transfer in symbiotic binaries. Aims. We determine the velocity profile of the wind from the giant at the near-orbital-plane region of eclipsing S-type symbiotic binaries EG And and SY Mus, and derive the corresponding spherical equivalent of the mass-loss rate. With this approach, we indicate the high mass transfer ratio. Methods. We achieved this aim by modelling the observed column densities taking into account ionization of the wind of the giant, whose velocity profile is derived using the inversion of Abel's integral operator for the hydrogen column density function. Results. Our analysis revealed the spherical equivalent of the mass-loss rate from the giant to be a few times 10^{-6}M_{Sun}/yr, which is a factor of >=10 higher than rates determined by methods that do not depend on the line of sight. This discrepancy rules out the usual assumption that the wind is spherically symmetric. As our values were derived from near-orbital-plane column densities, these values can be a result of focusing the wind from the giant towards the orbital plane. Conclusions. Our findings suggests that the wind from giants in S-type symbiotic stars is not spherically symmetric, since it is enhanced at the orbital plane and, thus, is accreted more effectively onto the hot component.

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arXiv2015

Mass-loss rate by the Mira in the symbiotic binary V1016 Cygni from Raman scattering

The mass-loss rate from Mira variables represents a key parameter in our understanding of their evolutionary tracks. We introduce a method for determining the mass-loss rate from the Mira component in D-type symbiotic binaries via the Raman scattering of atomic hydrogen in the wind from the giant. Using our method, we investigated Raman HeII 1025Å --> 6545Å conversion in the spectrum of the symbiotic Mira V1016 Cyg. We determined its efficiency to be 0.102 and 0.148, and the corresponding mass-loss rate 2.0 (+0.1/-0.2) x 1E-6 and 2.7 (+0.2/-0.1) x 1E-6 M(Sun)/year, using our spectra from 2006 April and 2007 July,respectively. Our values of the mass-loss rate that we derived from Raman scattering are comparable with those obtained independently by other methods. Applying the method to other Mira-white dwarf binary systems can provide a necessary constraint in the calculation of asymptotic giant branch evolution.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2015

On the diversity and similarity of outbursts of symbiotic binaries and cataclysmic variables

Outbursts in two classes of interacting binary systems, the symbiotic stars (SSs) and the cataclysmic variables (CVs), show a number of similarities in spite of very different orbital periods. Typical values for SSs are in the order of years, whereas for CVs they are of a few hours. Both systems undergo unpredictable outbursts, characterized by a brightening in the optical by 1 - 3 and 7 - 15 mag for SSs and CVs, respectively. By modelling the multiwavelength SED of selected examples from both groups of these interacting binaries, I determine their basic physical parameters at a given time of the outburst evolution. In this way I show that the principal difference between outbursts of these objects is their violence, whereas the ionization structure of their ejecta is basically very similar. This suggests that the mechanism of the mass ejection by the white dwarfs in these systems is also similar.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Wind mass transfer in S-type symbiotic binaries I. Focusing by the wind compression model

Context: Luminosities of hot components in symbiotic binaries require accretion rates that are higher than those that can be achieved via a standard Bondi-Hoyle accretion. This implies that the wind mass transfer in symbiotic binaries has to be more efficient. Aims: We suggest that the accretion rate onto the white dwarfs (WDs) in S-type symbiotic binaries can be enhanced sufficiently by focusing the wind from their slowly rotating normal giants towards the binary orbital plane. Methods: We applied the wind compression model to the stellar wind of slowly rotating red giants in S-type symbiotic binaries. Results: Our analysis reveals that for typical terminal velocities of the giant wind, 20 to 50 km/s, and measured rotational velocities between 6 and 10 km/s, the densities of the compressed wind at a typical distance of the accretor from its donor correspond to the mass-loss rate, which can be a factor of $\sim$10 higher than for the spherically symmetric wind. This allows the WD to accrete at rates of $10^{-8} - 10^{-7}$ M(Sun)/year, and thus to power its luminosity. Conclusions: We show that the high wind-mass-transfer efficiency in S-type symbiotic stars can be caused by compression of the wind from their slowly rotating normal giants, whereas in D-type symbiotic stars, the high mass transfer ratio can be achieved via the gravitational focusing, which has recently been suggested for very slow winds in Mira-type binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

The applicability of the wind compression model

Compression of the stellar winds from rapidly rotating hot stars is described by the wind compression model. However, it was also shown that rapid rotation leads to rotational distortion of the stellar surface, resulting in the appearance of non-radial forces acting against the wind compression. In this note we justify the wind compression model for moderately rotating white dwarfs and slowly rotating giants. The former could be conducive to understanding density/ionization structure of the mass outflow from symbiotic stars and novae, while the latter can represent an effective mass-transfer mode in the wide interacting binaries.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Multiwavelength modelling the SED of supersoft X-ray sources. II. RS Ophiuchi: From the explosion to the SSS phase

RS Oph is a recurrent symbiotic nova that undergoes nova-like outbursts on a time scale of 20 years. Its two last eruptions (1985 and 2006) were subject of intensive multiwavelengths observational campaign from the X-rays to the radio. This contribution aims to determine physical parameters and the ionization structure of the nova from its explosion to the first emergence of the supersoft X-rays (day 26) by using the method of multiwavelength modelling the SED. From the very beginning of the eruption, the model SED revealed the presence of both a strong stellar and nebular component of radiation in the spectrum. During the first 4 days, the nova evinced a biconical ionization structure. The $\sim 8200$ K warm and 160 - 200 R$_{\odot}$ extended pseudo-photosphere encompassed the white dwarf (WD) around its equator to the latitude $>40^{\circ}$. The remaining space around the WD's poles was ionized, producing a strong nebular continuum with the emission measure $EM \sim 2.3 \times 10^{62}$ cm$^{-3}$ via the fast wind from the WD. The luminosity of the burning WD was highly super-Eddington for the whole investigated period. The wind mass loss at rates of $10^{-4} - 10^{-5}$ M$_{\odot}$yr$^{-1}$ and the presence of jets suggest an accretion throughout a disk at a high rate, which can help to sustain the super-Eddington luminosity of the accretor for a long time.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2014

Multiwavelength modelling the SED of supersoft X-ray sources. I. The method and examples

Radiation of supersoft X-ray sources (SSS) dominates both the supersof X-ray and the far-UV domain. A fraction of their radiation can be reprocessed into the thermal nebular emission, seen in the spectrum from the near-UV to longer wavelengths. In the case of symbiotic X-ray binaries (SyXBs) a strong contribution from their cool giants is indicated in the optical/near-IR. In this paper I introduce a method of multiwavelength modelling the spectral energy distribution (SED) of SSSs from the supersoft X-rays to the near-IR with the aim to determine the physical parameters of their composite spectra. The method is demonstrated on two extragalactic SSSs, the SyXB RX J0059.1-7505 (LIN 358) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), RX J0439.8-6809 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and two Galactic SSSs, the classical nova RX J2030.5+5237 (V1974 Cyg) during its supersoft phase and the classical symbiotic star RX J1601.6+6648 (AG Dra) during its quiescent phase. The multiwavelength approach overcomes the problem of the mutual dependence between the temperature, luminosity and amount of absorption, which appears when only the X-ray data are fitted.Thus, the method provides an unambiguous solution. It was found that selection of the model (a blackbody or an atmospheric model) is not of crucial importance in fitting the global X-ray/IR SED. The multiwavelength modelling of the SED of SSSs is essential in determining their physical parameters.

astro-ph.SR↗
arXiv2013

Multiwavelength modeling the SED of very slow novae PU Vul and V723 Cas

Evolution in the spectrum of very slow novae PU Vul and V723 Cas during their transition from the optical maximum to the nebular phase is investigated using the method of disentangling the composite UV/optical spectra. Model SEDs suggested that a transient decrease in the WD luminosity, during the decline from the maximum, was caused by a negative beaming effect, when a neutral disk around the WD was formed. When the disk disappeared, the luminosity increased again to values from the beginning of the outburst (in the case of V723 Cas, at/above the Eddington limit). This suggests the presence of a mechanism maintaining a high energy output for a much longer time than it is predicted by the current theories. Similarity of light curves, but enormous difference of the separation between the components of PU Vul and V723 Cas binaries suggest that the mechanism is basically powered by the accretor.

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