arXiv subjects

B. T. Gaensicke

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

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2013

A progenitor binary and an ejected mass donor remnant of faint type Ia supernovae

Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) are the most important standard candles for measuring the expansion history of the universe. The thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf can explain their observed properties, but neither the progenitor systems nor any stellar remnants have been conclusively identified. Underluminous SN Ia have been proposed to originate from a so-called double-detonation of a white dwarf. After a critical amount of helium is deposited on the surface through accretion from a close companion, the helium is ignited causing a detonation wave that triggers the explosion of the white dwarf itself. We have discovered both shallow transits and eclipses in the tight binary system CD-30 11223 composed of a carbon/oxygen white dwarf and a hot helium star, allowing us to determine its component masses and fundamental parameters. In the future the system will transfer mass from the helium star to the white dwarf. Modelling this process we find that the detonation in the accreted helium layer is sufficiently strong to trigger the explosion of the core. The helium star will then be ejected at so large a velocity that it will escape the Galaxy. The predicted properties of this remnant are an excellent match to the so-called hypervelocity star US 708, a hot, helium-rich star moving at more than 750 km/s, sufficient to leave the Galaxy. The identification of both progenitor and remnant provides a consistent picture of the formation and evolution of underluminous type Ia supernovae.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

A J-band detection of the sub-stellar mass donor in SDSS J1433+1011

We present time-resolved J-band spectroscopy of the short period cataclysmic variable SDSS J143317.78+101123.3. We detect absorption lines from the sub-stellar donor star in this system, which contributes 38 +/- 5% to the J-band light. From the relative strengths of the absorption lines in the J-band, we estimate the spectral type of the donor star to be L2 +/- 1. These data are the first spectroscopic detection of a confirmed sub-stellar donor in a cataclysmic variable, and the spectral type is consistent with that expected from semi-empirical evolutionary models. Using skew mapping, we have been able to derive an estimate for the radial velocity of the donor of Kd = 520 +/- 60 km/s. This value is consistent with, though much less precise than, predictions from mass determinations found via photometric fitting of the eclipse light curves.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

M dwarf companions to white dwarfs I: relating magnetic activity, rotation and age

We make use of the largest and most homogeneous sample of white dwarf/M dwarf (WD/dM) binaries from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS DR7) to investigate relations between magnetic activity, rotation, magnetic braking and age in M stars. These relations are studied separately for close WD/dM binaries that underwent a common envelope phase and thus contain tidally locked and hence rapidly rotating M dwarfs, and for wide WD/dM binaries that never interacted. For the wide WD/dM binary sample we find that the M dwarf activity fractions are significantly higher than those measured in single M stars of spectral type M0 to M5. We attribute this effect as a consequence of M dwarfs in wide SDSS WD/dM binaries being, on average, significantly younger and hence more active than the field M dwarf population. The measured M dwarf activity fractions in wide WD/dM binaries show as well a significant increase from spectral types M3 to M5, where these low-mass stars become fully convective. This provides additional observational evidence for magnetic braking being less efficient below the fully convective boundary, in agreement with the hypothesis of fully convective stars having considerably longer activity lifetimes than partially convective stars. The M dwarfs in all our close binaries are active, independently of the spectral type, giving robust observational evidence for magnetic activity being enhanced due to fast rotation. The rotational velocities of the M dwarfs in our close binary sample are significantly higher than seen among field M dwarfs, however the strength of magnetic activity remains saturated at log LHalpha/Lbol approximately -3.5. This unambiguously confirms the M dwarf saturation-type rotation-activity relation.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Discovery of the closest hot subdwarf binary with white dwarf companion

We report the discovery of an extremely close, eclipsing binary system. A white dwarf is orbited by a core He-burning compact hot subdwarf star with a period as short as $\simeq0.04987 {\rm d}$ making this system the most compact hot subdwarf binary discovered so far. The subdwarf will start to transfer helium-rich material on short timescales of less than $50 {\rm Myr}$. The ignition of He-burning at the surface may trigger carbon-burning in the core although the WD is less massive than the Chandrasekhar limit ($>0.74\,M_{\rm \odot}$) making this binary a possible progenitor candidate for a supernova type Ia event.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

CSS100603:112253-111037: A helium-rich dwarf nova with a 65 minute orbital period

We present time-resolved optical spectroscopy of the dwarf nova CSS100603:112253-111037. Its optical spectrum is rich in helium, with broad, double-peaked emission lines produced in an accretion disc. We measure a line flux ratio HeI5876/H_alpha = 1.49 +/- 0.04, a much higher ratio than is typically observed in dwarf novae. The orbital period, as derived from the radial velocity of the line wings, is 65.233 +/- 0.015 minutes. In combination with the previously measured superhump period, this implies an extreme mass ratio of M_2/M_1 = 0.017 +/- 0.004. The H_alpha and HeI6678 emission lines additionally have a narrow central spike, as is often seen in the spectra of AM CVn type stars. Comparing its properties with CVs, AM CVn systems and hydrogen binaries below the CV period minimum, we argue that CSS100603:112253-111037 is the first compelling example of an AM CVn system forming via the evolved CV channel. With the addition of this system, evolved cataclysmic variables (CVs) now account for seven per cent of all known semi-detached white dwarf binaries with Porb < 76 min. Two recently discovered binaries may further increase this figure. Although the selection bias of this sample is not yet well defined, these systems support the evolved CV model as a possible formation channel for ultracompact accreting binaries. The orbital periods of the three ultracompact hydrogen accreting binaries overlap with those of the long period AM CVn stars, but there are currently no known systems in the period range 67 - 76 minutes.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

The evolutionary state of short period magnetic white dwarf binaries

We present phase-resolved spectroscopy of two new short period low accretion rate magnetic binaries, SDSSJ125044.42+154957.3 (Porb = 86 min) and SDSSJ151415.65+074446.5 (Porb = 89 min). Both systems were previously identified as magnetic white dwarfs from the Zeeman splitting of the Balmer absorption lines in their optical spectra. Their spectral energy distributions exhibit a large near-infrared excess, which we interpret as a combination of cyclotron emission and possibly a late type companion star. No absorption features from the companion are seen in our optical spectra. We derive the orbital periods from a narrow, variable H_alpha emission line which we show to originate on the companion star. The high radial velocity amplitude measured in both systems suggests a high orbital inclination, but we find no evidence for eclipses in our data. The two new systems resemble the polar EF Eri in its prolonged low state and also SDSSJ121209.31+013627.7, a known magnetic white dwarf plus possible brown dwarf binary, which was also recovered by our method.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Post-common envelope binaries from SDSS - XVI. Long orbital period systems and the energy budget of CE evolution

Virtually all close compact binary stars are formed through common-envelope (CE) evolution. It is generally accepted that during this crucial evolutionary phase a fraction of the orbital energy is used to expel the envelope. However, it is unclear whether additional sources of energy, such as the recombination energy of the envelope, play an important role. Here we report the discovery of the second and third longest orbital period post-common envelope binaries (PCEBs) containing white dwarf (WD) primaries, i.e. SDSSJ121130.94-024954.4 (Porb = 7.818 +- 0.002 days) and SDSSJ222108.45+002927.7 (Porb = 9.588 +- 0.002 days), reconstruct their evolutionary history, and discuss the implications for the energy budget of CE evolution. We find that, despite their long orbital periods, the evolution of both systems can still be understood without incorporating recombination energy, although at least small contributions of this additional energy seem to be likely. If recombination energy significantly contributes to the ejection of the envelope, more PCEBs with relatively long orbital periods (Porb >~ 1-3 day) harboring massive WDs (Mwd >~ 0.8 Msun) should exist.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

Discovery of Halpha satellite emission in a low state of the SW Sextantis star BB Doradus

BB Dor was observed during its low state state in 2009. Signatures of both binary components are revealed in the average optical spectrum; no signature of accretion is observed. Narrow emission lines of Halpha, HeI and Na-D, as well as TiO absorption troughs trace the motion of the irradiated secondary star. We detect two additional components in the Halpha emission line that share many characteristics of similar "satellite" lines observed in the low state of magnetic cataclysmic variables of AM Her type. It is the first time such emission components are detected for an SW Sex star.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

HS 2325+8205 - an ideal laboratory for accretion disk physics

We identify HS 2325+8205 as an eclipsing, frequently outbursting dwarf nova with an orbital period of 279.841731(5) min. Spectroscopic observations are used to derive the radial velocity curve of the secondary star from absorption features and also from the H-alpha emission lines, originating from the accretion disc, yielding K_secondary = K_abs = 237 +- 28 km/s and K_emn = 145 +- 9 km/s respectively. The distance to the system is calculated to be 400 (+200, -140) pc. A photometric monitoring campaign reveals an outburst recurrence time of 12-14 d, The combination of magnitude range (17-14 mag), high declination, eclipsing nature and frequency of outbursts makes HS 2325+8205 the ideal system for "real-time" studies of the accretion disc evolution and behavior in dwarf nova outbursts.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The MUCHFUSS project - Searching for the most massive companions to hot subdwarf stars in close binaries and finding the least massive ones

The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims at finding hot subdwarf stars with massive compact companions (massive white dwarfs M>1.0 Msun, neutron stars or stellar mass black holes). The existence of such systems is predicted by binary evolution theory and some candidate systems have been found. We classified about 1400 hot subdwarf stars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) by colour selection and visual inspection of their spectra. Stars with high velocities have been reobserved and individual SDSS spectra have been analysed. In total 201 radial velocity variable subdwarfs have been discovered and about 140 of them have been selected as good candidates for follow-up time resolved spectroscopy to derive their orbital parameters and photometric follow-up to search for features like eclipses in the light curves. Up to now we found seven close binary sdBs with short orbital periods ranging from 0.21 d to 1.5 d and two eclipsing binaries with companions that are most likely of substellar nature. A new pulsating sdB in a close binary system has been discovered as well.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Post Common Envelope Binaries from SDSS. XV: Accurate stellar parameters for a cool 0.4-solar mass white dwarf and a 0.16-solar mass M-dwarf in a 3 hour eclipsing binary

We identify SDSSJ121010.1+334722.9 as an eclipsing post-common-envelope binary, with an orbital period of P ~ 3 hrs, containing a very cool, low-mass, DAZ white dwarf and a low-mass main-sequence star of spectral type M5. A model atmosphere analysis of the metal absorption lines detected in the blue part of the optical spectrum, along with the GALEX near-ultraviolet flux, yields a white dwarf temperature of 6000 +/- 200 K and a metallicity value of log(Z/H)= -2.0 +/- 0.3. The sodium absorption doublet is used to measure the radial velocity of the secondary star, K2 ~ 252 km/s and iron absorption lines in the blue part of the spectrum provide the radial velocity of the white dwarf, K1 ~ 95 km/s, yielding a mass ratio of q ~ 0.38. Light curve model fitting, using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method, gives the inclination angle as i = (79.05 - 79.36) +/- 0.15 degrees, and the stellar masses as M1 = 0.415 +/- 0.010 solar-masses and M2 = 0.158 +/- 0.006 solar-masses. Systematic uncertainties in the absolute calibration of the photometric data influence the determination of the stellar radii. The radius of the white dwarf is found to be R1 = (0.0157 - 0.0161) +/- 0.0003 solar-radii and the volume-averaged radius of the tidally distorted secondary is R2 = (0.197 - 0.203) +/- 0.003 solar-radii. The white dwarf in J1210+3347 is a very strong He-core candidate.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

A Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Analysis of BZ Ursae Majoris

We present an analysis of the Hubble Space Telescope/Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (HST/STIS) far ultraviolet snapshot spectrum of the dwarf nova BZ UMa taken during quiescence. We find that the flux continuum is consistent with that of a white dwarf atmosphere with a temperature of 15,000K, and a distance of about 156pc when assuming a white dwarf gravity of log(g)=7.5. We also show that the hydrogen quasi-molecular satellite lines opacity affects the spectrum around 1300-1400 A and has to be included to fine-tune the spectral modeling, this is self-consistent with the low stellar temperature we find.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Discovery of a stripped red giant core in a bright eclipsing binary system

We have identified a star in the WASP archive photometry with an unusual lightcurve due to the total eclipse of a small, hot star by an apparently normal A-type star and with an orbital period of only 0.668d. From an analysis of the WASP lightcurve together with V-band and I_C-band photometry of the eclipse and a spectroscopic orbit for the A-type star we estimate that the companion star has a mass of (0.23+-0.03)Msun and a radius of (0.33+-0.01)Rsun, assuming that the A-type star is a main-sequence star with the metalicity appropriate for a thick-disk star. The effective temperature of the companion is (13400+-1200)K from which we infer a luminosity of (3+-1)Lsun. From a comparison of these parameters to various models we conclude that the companion is most likely to be the remnant of a red giant star that has been very recently stripped of its outer layers by mass transfer onto the A-type star. In this scenario, the companion is currently in a shell hydrogen-burning phase of its evolution, evolving at nearly constant luminosity to hotter effective temperatures prior to ceasing hydrogen burning and fading to become a low-mass white dwarf composed of helium (He-WD). The system will then resemble the pre-He-WD/He-WD companions to A-type and B-type stars recently identified from their Kepler satellite lightcurves (KOI-74, KOI-81 and KIC10657664). This newly discovered binary offers the opportunity to study the evolution of a stripped red giant star through the pre-He-WD stage in great detail.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

DA white dwarfs in SDSS DR7 and a search for infrared excess emission

We present a method which uses colour-colour cuts on SDSS photometry to select white dwarfs with hydrogen rich (DA) atmospheres without the recourse to spectroscopy. This method results in a sample of DA white dwarfs that is 95% complete at an efficiency of returning a true DA white dwarf of 62%. The approach was applied to SDSS Data Release 7 for objects with and without SDSS spectroscopy. This lead to 4636 spectroscopically confirmed DA white dwarfs with g<=19; a ~70% increase compared to Eisenstein et al.'s 2006 sample. Including the photometric-only objects, we estimate a factor of 3 increase in DA white dwarfs. We find that the SDSS spectroscopic follow-up is 44% complete for DA white dwarfs with effective temperature >~ 8000K. We further cross-correlated the SDSS sample with Data Release 8 of the UKIDSS Large Area Survey. The spectral energy distributions of both subsets, with and without SDSS spectroscopy, were fitted with white dwarf models to determine the fraction of DA white dwarfs with low-mass stellar companions or dusty debris discs via the detection of excess near-infrared emission. From the spectroscopic sample we find that 2.0% of white dwarfs have an excess consistent with a brown dwarf type companion, with a firm lower limit of 0.8%. From the white dwarfs with photometry only, we find that 1.8% are candidates for having brown dwarf companions. Similarly, both samples show that ~1% of white dwarfs are candidates for having a dusty debris disc.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Detection of a white dwarf companion to the white dwarf SDSSJ125733.63+542850.5

SDSSJ125733.63+542850.5 (hereafter SDSSJ1257+5428) is a compact white dwarf binary from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey that exhibits high-amplitude radial velocity variations on a period of 4.56 hours. While an initial analysis suggested the presence of a neutron star or black-hole binary companion, a follow-up study concluded that the spectrum was better understood as a combination of two white dwarfs. Here we present optical spectroscopy and ultraviolet fluxes which directly reveal the presence of the second white dwarf in the system. SDSSJ1257+5428's spectrum is a composite, dominated by the narrow-lined spectrum from a cool, low gravity white dwarf (Teff ~6300K, log g = 5 to 6.6) with broad wings from a hotter, high-mass white dwarf companion (11,000 to 14,000K; ~ 1Msun). The high-mass white dwarf has unusual line profiles which lack the narrow central core to Halpha that is usually seen in white dwarfs. This is consistent with rapid rotation with v sin i = 500 to 1750km/s, although other broadening mechanisms such as magnetic fields, pulsations or a helium-rich atmosphere could also be contributory factors. The cool component is a puzzle since no evolutionary model matches its combination of low gravity and temperature. Within the constraints set by our data, SDSSJ1257+5428 could have a total mass greater than the Chandrasekhar limit and thus be a potential Type Ia supernova progenitor. However, SDSSJ1257+5428's unusually low mass ratio q ~ 0.2 suggests that it is more likely that it will evolve into an accreting double white dwarf (AM CVn star).

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The MUCHFUSS project - Searching for hot subdwarf binaries with massive unseen companions: Survey, target selection and atmospheric parameters

The project Massive Unseen Companions to Hot Faint Underluminous Stars from SDSS (MUCHFUSS) aims at finding sdBs with compact companions like supermassive white dwarfs (M>1.0 Msun), neutron stars or black holes. The existence of such systems is predicted by binary evolution theory and recent discoveries indicate that they are likely to exist in our Galaxy. A determination of the orbital parameters is sufficient to put a lower limit on the companion mass by calculating the binary mass function. If this lower limit exceeds the Chandrasekhar mass and no sign of a companion is visible in the spectra, the existence of a massive compact companion is proven without the need for any additional assumptions. We identified about 1100 hot subdwarf stars from the SDSS by colour selection and visual inspection of their spectra. Stars with high velocities have been reobserved and individual SDSS spectra have been analysed. In total 127 radial velocity variable subdwarfs have been discovered. Binaries with high RV shifts and binaries with moderate shifts within short timespans have the highest probability of hosting massive compact companions. Atmospheric parameters of 69 hot subdwarfs in these binary systems have been determined by means of a quantitative spectral analysis. The atmospheric parameter distribution of the selected sample does not differ from previously studied samples of hot subdwarfs. The systems are considered the best candidates to search for massive compact companions by follow-up time resolved spectroscopy.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Cataclysmic Variables below the Period Gap: Mass Determinations of 14 Eclipsing Systems

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 donor mass of SDSS 1501 has been revised upwards by 0.024Msun. This system was previously identified as having evolved passed the minimum orbital period for cataclysmic variables, but the new mass determination suggests otherwise. Our new analysis confirms that SDSS 1035 and SDSS 1433 have evolved past the period minimum for cataclysmic variables, corroborating our earlier studies. We find that the radii of donor stars are oversized when compared to theoretical models, by approximately 10 percent. We show that this can be explained by invoking either enhanced angular momentum loss, or by taking into account the effects of star spots. We are unable to favour one cause over the other, as we lack enough precise mass determinations for systems with orbital periods between 100 and 130 minutes, where evolutionary tracks begin to diverge significantly. We also find a strong tendency towards high white dwarf masses within our sample, and no evidence for any He-core white dwarfs. The dominance of high mass white dwarfs implies that erosion of the white dwarf during the nova outburst must be negligible, or that not all of the mass accreted is ejected during nova cycles, resulting in the white dwarf growing in mass. (Abridged)

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

Binaries discovered by the MUCHFUSS project SDSS J08205+0008 - An eclipsing subdwarf B binary with brown dwarf companion

Hot subdwarf B stars (sdBs) are extreme horizontal branch stars believed to originate from close binary evolution. Indeed about half of the known sdB stars are found in close binaries with periods ranging from a few hours to a few days. The enormous mass loss required to remove the hydrogen envelope of the red-giant progenitor almost entirely can be explained by common envelope ejection. A rare subclass of these binaries are the eclipsing HW Vir binaries where the sdB is orbited by a dwarf M star. Here we report the discovery of an HW Vir system in the course of the MUCHFUSS project. A most likely substellar object ($\simeq0.068\,M_{\rm \odot}$) was found to orbit the hot subdwarf J08205+0008 with a period of 0.096 days. Since the eclipses are total, the system parameters are very well constrained. J08205+0008 has the lowest unambiguously measured companion mass yet found in a subdwarf B binary. This implies that the most likely substellar companion has not only survived the engulfment by the red-giant envelope, but also triggered its ejection and enabled the sdB star to form. The system provides evidence that brown dwarfs may indeed be able to significantly affect late stellar evolution.

astro-ph.SR↗