arXiv subjects

B. T. Gänsicke

Publications and source records attributed to B. T. Gänsicke.

113 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

High Spatial Resolution Galactic 3D Extinction Mapping with IPHAS

We present an algorithm ({\scshape mead}, for `Mapping Extinction Against Distance') which will determine intrinsic ($r' - i'$) colour, extinction, and distance for early-A to K4 stars extracted from the IPHAS $r'/i'/\Halpha$ photometric database. These data can be binned up to map extinction in three dimensions across the northern Galactic Plane. The large size of the IPHAS database ($\sim 200$ million unique objects), the accuracy of the digital photometry it contains and its faint limiting magnitude ($r' \sim 20$) allow extinction to be mapped with fine angular ($ \sim 10 $ arcmin) and distance ($\sim 0.1$ ~kpc) resolution to distances of up to 10 kpc, outside the Solar Circle. High reddening within the Solar Circle on occasion brings this range down to $\sim 2$ kpc. The resolution achieved, both in angle and depth, greatly exceeds that of previous empirical 3D extinction maps, enabling the structure of the Galactic Plane to be studied in increased detail. {\scshape mead} accounts for the effect of the survey magnitude limits, photometric errors, unresolved ISM substructure, and binarity. The impact of metallicity variations, within the range typical of the Galactic disc is small. The accuracy and reliability of {\scshape mead} are tested through the use of simulated photometry created with Monte-Carlo sampling techniques. The success of this algorithm is demonstrated on a selection of fields and the results are compared to the literature.

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arXiv2008

How Many CVs are Crossing the Period Gap? A Test for the Disruption of Magnetic Braking

We apply population synthesis techniques to calculate the present day number of two types of white dwarf-main sequence star (WDMS) binaries within the cataclysmic variable period gap. The first are post-common envelope binaries with secondary stars that have masses between 0.17 and 0.36 Msun (gPCEBs), such that they will commence mass transfer within the period gap. The second type are systems that were CVs at some point in their past, but detached once they evolved down in orbital period to ~3 h as a consequence of disrupted magnetic braking, and are crossing the period gap via gravitational radiation (dCVs). Full population synthesis calculations are performed where we assume either constant, global values of the common envelope ejection efficiency, or consider the ejection efficiency as a function of secondary mass. Several forms of magnetic braking are also considered. We predict an excess of dCVs over gPCEBs within the period gap of ~4 to ~13 assuming an ejection efficiency between 0.1 and 0.6, and a flat initial mass ratio distribution. This excess is revealed as a prominent peak at the location of the period gap in the orbital period distribution of the combined gPCEB and dCV population. We suggest that if such a feature is observed in the orbital period distribution of an observed sample of short orbital period WDMS binaries, this would strongly corroborate the disruption of magnetic braking.

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arXiv2007

Discovery of two new accreting pulsating white dwarf stars

We report the discovery of two new accreting pulsating white dwarf stars amongst the cataclysmic variables of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey: SDSSJ074531.91+453829.5 and SDSSJ091945.10+085710.0. We observe high amplitude non-sinusoidal variations of 4.5-7% at a period close to 1230s in the optical light curves of SDSSJ074531.91+453829.5 and a low amplitude variation of 0.7-1.6% near 260s in the light curves of SDSSJ091945.10+085710.0. We infer that these optical variations are a consequence of nonradial g-mode pulsations in the accreting primary white dwarfs of these cataclysmic variables. However we cannot rule out the remote possibility that the 260s period could be the spin period of the accreting white dwarf SDSSJ091945.10+085710.0. We also uncovered a non-variable SDSSJ171145.08+301320.0 during our search; our two observing runs exclude any pulsation related periodicities in the range of 85-1400s with an amplitude greater than or equal to 0.5%. This discovery paper brings the total number of known accreting white dwarf pulsators to eleven.

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arXiv2006

SDSSJ212531.92-010745.9 - the first definite PG1159 close binary system

The archival spectrum of SDSSJ212531.92-010745.9 shows not only the typical signature of a PG1159 star, but also indicates the presence of a companion. Our aim was the proof of the binary nature ofthis object and the determination of its orbital period.We performed time-series photometry of SDSSJ212531.92-010745.9. We observed the object during 10 nights, spread over one month, with the Tuebingen 80cm and the Goettingen 50cm telescopes. We fitted the observed light curve with a sine and simulated the light curve of this system with the nightfall program. Furthermore, we compared the spectrum of SDSSJ212531.92-010745.9 with NLTE models, the results of which also constrain the light curve solution. An orbital period of 6.95616(33)h with an amplitude of 0.354(3)mag is derived from our observations. A pulsation period could not be detected. For the PG1159 star we found, as preliminary results from comparison with our NLTE models, Teff about 90000K, log g about 7.60, and the abundance ratio C/He = 0.05 by number fraction. For the companion we obtained with a mean radius of 0.4 +/- 0.1 Rsol, a mass of 0.4 +/- 0.1 Msol, and a temperature of 8200K on the irradiated side, good agreement between the observed light curve and the nightfall simulation, but we do not regard those values as final.

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arXiv1999

Time-resolved HST and IUE UV spectroscopy of the Intermediate Polar FO Aqr

Time resolved spectroscopy of the Intermediate Polar FO Aqr reveals the presence of multiple periodicities in the UV range. A strong orbital modulation dominates both continuum and emission line flux variabilities, while line velocity motions are only detected at the rotational frequency. A prominent orbital periodicity is also observed in coordinated optical photometry, where FO Aqr was previously found to be spin dominated. The spectral dependence of the main periodicities shows the presence of multi-temperature components in FO Aqr and for the first time a hot and a cool component in the rotational modulation. From a comparison with previous UV and optical data obtained in 1990, no spectral variations in the orbital and rotational variabilities are detected, indicating no significant changes in the effects of X-ray illumination but rather a shrinking of the accretion curtain accompained by an increase in size of the thickened part of the accretion disc. These observations, consistent with the recently discovered long term trend in the X-ray pulsation amplitudes, independently confirm a change in the accretion mode in FO Aqr, which switched from a disc-fed into a disc-overflow state, likely triggered by mass accretion variations.

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