arXiv subjects

D. A. H. Buckley

Publications and source records attributed to D. A. H. Buckley.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Archival transients detected with the MeerLICHT telescope I: Supernovae

Wide-field optical transient surveys collectively discover $\sim$50 new transients per night, making rapid, multi-filter and/or spectroscopic follow-up of all but the most exceptional events unfeasible. Consequently, the (early) light-curve properties of most supernovae (SNe), particularly sub-luminous events, are often poorly characterised. Here, we showcase recovery of key parameters by combining publicly available data from multiple, contemporaneous surveys. We built a catalogue of $125$ SNe by cross-matching the MeerLICHT (ML) transient survey with the Transient Name Server list of spectroscopically classified SNe detected between August 2017 and October 2022. For a subset of $14$ SNe with good multi-survey photometric coverage, we combined ML-$q$, ZTF-$g,r$, and ATLAS-$c,o$ data to construct composite early-time light curves. We then applied an expanding fireball ($t^2$) model to constrain their explosion dates and rest-frame rise times. We find that this simple model provides a reliable description for the early emission of most SNe in our sample and successfully constrains their rise time, a key parameter for characterising SN categories and probing progenitor origins. This multi-survey approach, only using standard survey products, provides a powerful method to characterise large numbers of SNe that would otherwise be lost, a technique that will be essential for maximising the scientific return from current and future surveys such as GOTO, BlackGEM, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory's LSST, and Global Open Transient Telescope Array (GOTTA).

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arXiv2026

Cataclysmic variables from SRG/eROSITA: new systems from eRASS1

(abridged) Aims. We aim to generate large samples of CVs selected from the SRG/eROSITA surveys to address fundamental questions about binary evolution, the role of magnetic fields in CV evolution and their contribution to the Galactic Ridge X-ray Emission (GRXE). Methods. We have trained a Random Forest (RF) classifier based on combined X-ray and optical properties to select CV candidates from the first eROSITA X-ray all-sky survey (eRASS1). Follow-up spectroscopy to securly identify the objects was performed on a subset of the selected candidates using telescopes at the Northern and the Southern hemisphere. Newly identified CVs were further analyzed to determine their likely subtype with the help of dedicated follow-up photometry, spectroscopy and archival resources. Results. We have identified 156 CVs of almost all subtypes covering a wide range of distances (between 170 pc and several kpc), absolute magnitudes (G= 4.5-12) and X-ray luminosities (log LX (0.2-2.3 keV)= 29.6-33.3 erg/s). For most objects, the nature as a CV is reported here for the first time. For 40 objects periods were determined, which were regarded as their likely orbital periods. These range from 79.2 min, at the CV minimum period, to almost 22 hours. Seven objects were found to be eclipsing, a lower limit to the actual number due to the current lack of dedicated follow-up observations. A further five objects show cyclotron or Zeeman features, that allowed to determine their field strengths. A soft component was found in 14 CVs, all were regarded being magnetic. The sample comprises X-ray luminous objects, excellent candidates for being new Intermediate Polars, that are thought to be main contributors to the GRXE. The new method of selecting CVs from eRASS1 was found to be superior to other methods described in the literature ...

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arXiv2026

The flash-ionised SN Ibn 2025kzr: H-free CSM formed during a precursor outburst 55 days prior to explosion

Type Ibn supernovae (SNe) are a class of interacting SNe characterised by narrow helium lines in their spectra. We present an extensive observational dataset of the Type Ibn SN 2025kzr at 51 Mpc, including the discovery of a precursor outburst with a peak brightness of M_r~-13.6 mag beginning ~55 days before explosion. Our photometry indicates the SN was discovered within the first day of explosion, showing fast-rising, ultraviolet-bright emission peaking at M_r=-19.26+/-0.09 mag and a peak blackbody temperature of T~29000 K, consistent with shock breakout within a region of dense and confined circumstellar material (CSM). Our high-cadence spectroscopic dataset spanning 1.9-58.5 days post-explosion shows flash-ionised emission features during the first 10 days. In our SALT spectrum at 3.8 days we observe a pronounced blueshift of the He II lines by 460 km/s compared to the He I lines at zero velocity, while a Pickering-decrement analysis reveals a CSM that is fully hydrogen-free. The timing of the disappearance of the flash features combined with the CSM velocity of 1500 km/s imply a mass-loss event ~66 days before explosion, in close agreement with the timing of the precursor observed 55 days before explosion and strongly suggestive of a physical link. We derive a CSM mass of 0.03-1.7 M_sun and a corresponding high mass-loss rate >~10^{-1} M_sun/yr. The precursor timescale and energetics suggest an extreme mass-loss event that might be explained by wave-driven mass loss during the late stages of nuclear burning, in particular the oxygen-burning phase. Overall, we favour a single massive Wolf-Rayet progenitor with M_ZAMS~30-40 M_sun to explain SN 2025kzr, although a binary origin cannot be excluded.

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arXiv2026

Multi-wavelength outburst activity from EP J174942.2-384834: a very faint X-ray transient discovered by Einstein Probe

We report the discovery and multi-wavelength characterization of the Galactic transient EP J174942.2$-$384834, first detected by the Einstein Probe during a faint X-ray outburst in March 2025. Coordinated follow-up observations revealed two major outbursts and a rebrightening over a seven-month period. Broadband X-ray spectral modeling shows that the outburst emission was dominated by thermal Comptonization of very soft seed photons. The absence of a detected thermal disk component, together with the low inferred seed-photon temperature, is consistent with a cool and possibly truncated accretion disk. The X-ray spectrum remained consistently hard throughout the outburst activity, with a power-law photon index of $Γ\approx 1$-2, gradually softening as the flux declined. The optical/UV counterpart brightened in tandem with the X-ray emission and exhibited a blue continuum with broad Balmer absorption features. Together with the optical/UV - X-ray luminosity correlation, this supports a disk-dominated origin of the optical/UV outburst emission, with viscous heating likely playing a major role and irradiation possibly contributing, especially in the UV. No radio counterpart was detected, implying at most very faint jet activity. Taken together, the observed properties support the classification of EP J174942.2$-$384834 as a very faint X-ray transient black hole candidate. This study demonstrates the ability of Einstein Probe to uncover and characterize the faintest accreting compact objects in the Galaxy.

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arXiv2026

Photometric and late-time spectropolarimetric observations of GRB 250129A afterglow

Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglows arise from the interaction of relativistic ejecta with the circumburst medium and are observed across the electromagnetic spectrum. Afterglow polarisation is expected at early and late phases depending on the presence of reverse shocks (RS) and the observer's viewing geometry relative to the jet. Polarimetric observations of GRB afterglows provide a unique diagnostic tool to probe the geometry and structure of magnetic fields in the emitting region, which cannot be inferred from photometric or spectroscopic data alone. We report late-time (~19 hours post-burst) spectropolarimetric observations of GRB 250129A using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). The data reveal a hint of linear polarisation, with no evidence for rotation in the polarisation angle across wavelengths. Polarisation is typically expected during the early afterglow (<100 s) when the RS dominates. However, multi-wavelength modelling shows no indication of RS contribution at late times. Modelling incorporating both forward shock (FS) and RS components confirms that the RS fades rapidly after ~100 s. The afterglow emission is best explained by an off-axis viewing geometry of a jet with a Gaussian core and wings evolving in a uniform density environment. GRB 250129A thus provides rare observational evidence linking late-time polarisation to jet geometry and structure.

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arXiv2026

Optical outburst evolution of the transient black hole X-ray binary Swift J1727.8-1613: Disc response to jet ejections and late-outburst emergence of powerful disc winds

Swift J1727.8$-$1613 is a newly discovered transient low-mass X-ray binary harbouring a stellar-mass ($\sim 10M_\odot$) black hole. We present state-resolved VLT/X-Shooter optical spectroscopy of its 2023 outburst, sampling the luminous hard-to-soft and late soft-to-hard transitions. During the onset of the brightest radio flare, He\,\textsc{ii} flux rises relative to adjacent epochs, with reduced peak-to-peak separation and full-width-half-maximum, consistent with enhanced irradiation shifting line emissivity to larger radii. We detect no contemporaneous change in the line base tracing the inner disc. The most dramatic change occurs at the onset of the dim-hard state, when strong, broad (higher-order) Balmer lines appear in absorption, and He\,\textsc{ii} remains in emission, but becomes highly asymmetric. While the hardening of the X-ray spectrum likely promotes the reappearance of an underlying disc photosphere, the kinematic alignment between the Balmer absorption ($v_w\sim-750\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$) and the suppressed blue peak of He\,\textsc{ii} suggests a unified origin in a massive, cool ($T\lesssim10^{4}\,\mathrm{K}$) accretion disc wind. Radiative transfer simulations demonstrate that such asymmetric He\,\textsc{ii} profiles are naturally produced in a rotating and accelerating outflow. Using the Sobolev approximation, we estimate the wind mass-loss rate to be $\dot{M}_w\gtrsim10^{-9}\,M_\odot\,\mathrm{yr^{-1}}$, comparable to the instantaneous accretion rate and a significant fraction of the secular mass-transfer rate from the donor. If persistent at quiescent-level X-ray luminosities, this outflow could strongly impact the system's secular evolution.

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arXiv2026

A Catalogue of Orbital Periods of Cataclysmic Variables and Candidates from TESS Observations

We present a systematic analysis of 2544 cataclysmic variable systems and related candidates observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), with the aim of compiling a comprehensive catalogue of orbital periods. Using 2-minute photometric time-series data, we applied an automated algorithm to generate Lomb-Scargle periodograms and identify the most significant coherent periodic signals, which were subsequently verified through visual inspection. This process yielded a confident sample of 910 sources exhibiting at least one periodic signal, hereafter referred to as the Cataclysmic Variable Confident Catalogue (CCC). For each object, we report the most likely orbital period together with additional periodic features such as spin modulations and/or superhump signals when present. To assess consistency with previously published measurements, we cross-matched the CCC with the Ritter \& Kolb catalogue, identifying 300 overlapping systems, of which 215 showed full agreement with the R\&K orbital periods, while 39 displayed discrepancies for which the R\&K values were revised based on our TESS measurements and supporting evidence from the literature. Overall, the CCC provides a means to validate known orbital periods, propose corrections where necessary, and offer new determinations for systems with previously unknown periods, thereby supporting a more complete and reliable characterisation of the cataclysmic variable population.

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arXiv2026

A comprehensive catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Large Magellanic Cloud detected during the first eROSITA all-sky survey

The Magellanic Clouds, the closest star-forming galaxies to the Milky Way, offer an excellent environment to study high-mass X-ray binaries. While the Small Magellanic Cloud has been thoroughly investigated with over 120 systems identified, the Large Magellanic Cloud has lacked a complete survey due to its large angular size. Most prior studies targeted central or high-star-formation regions. The SRG/eROSITA all-sky surveys now enable a comprehensive coverage of the LMC, particularly due to its close vicinity to the south ecliptic pole. This work aims to improve our understanding of the HMXB population in the LMC by building a flux-limited catalogue. This allows us to compare sample properties with those of HMXB populations in other nearby galaxies. Using detections during the first eROSITA all-sky survey, we cross-matched X-ray positions with optical and infrared catalogues to identify candidate HMXBs. We assigned flags based on multi-wavelength follow-up observations and archival data, using properties of known LMC HMXBs. These flags defined confidence classes for our candidates. We detect sources down to X-ray luminosities of a few $10^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$, resulting in a catalogue of 53 objects, including 28 confirmed HMXBs and 21 new eROSITA detections. We identify several likely supergiant systems, including a candidate supergiant fast X-ray transient with phase-dependent flares. We find three Be stars with likely white dwarf companions. Two of the Be/WD candidates show steady luminosities across four eROSITA scans, unlike the post-nova states seen in the majority of previous Be/WD reports. Our catalogue is the first to cover the entire LMC since the ROSAT era, providing a basis for statistical population studies. Using the HMXB population, we estimate the LMC star-formation rate to be $(0.22^{+0.06}_{-0.07})$ M$_{\odot}$yr$^{-1}$, which is in agreement with other tracers.

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arXiv2026

A multi-wavelength study of the 2025 low state of the intermediate polar BG CMi

We present multi-wavelength observations of the first recorded low state of the intermediate polar BG CMi. Optical monitoring of the source by members of the American Association of Variable Star Observers reveals a decrease of ~0.5 mag that lasted ~50 d in early 2025. During the low state the optical timing properties imply that BG CMi underwent a change in the accretion mode, as power at the spin frequency $ω$ dramatically dropped. An XMM-Newton observation revealed a substantial decrease in intrinsic absorption and a slight increase in intrinsic X-ray luminosity, compared to archival Suzaku data. Timing analysis of the X-ray light curves shows that power shifted from the orbital frequency $Ω$ (prominent in Suzaku data) to $2Ω$ in the low state XMM-Newton data, along with the strengthening of certain orbital sidebands. We suggest that BG CMi transitioned to disk-overflow accretion, where the white dwarf accreted matter via both a disk and a stream, the latter becoming more dominant during the low state due to a decrease in the mass and size of the disk.

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arXiv2026

X-ray counterparts to stellar MeerKAT Galactic-plane compact radio sources

Radio emission from magnetically active stars arises mainly from non-thermal processes and complements high-energy X-ray emission. Sensitive, wide-field radio and X-ray surveys now allow identification of larger samples of active stars across the Galaxy. We aim to identify and characterise radio and X-ray-emitting stars in the Galactic plane by combining MeerKAT radio data with soft X-ray observations and assess their consistency with the canonical Güdel-Benz relation, which links thermal coronal X-rays to non-thermal gyrosynchrotron radio emission. We cross-matched compact sources from the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey with counterparts from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey and the first release of SRG/eROSITA (eRASS1). We computed radio-brightness temperatures and radio-X-ray luminosities to test the relation. We identify 137 stars with both radio and X-ray detections. Their $T_B$ ranges from $10^7$ to $10^{12}$ K, except two outliers: AXJ1600.9-5142 ($4.8 \pm 1.5 \times 10^{12}$ K) and HD~124831 ($8 \pm 1 \times 10^{6}$ K). The remainder are consistent with incoherent gyrosynchrotron emission. The sample lies below the canonical Güdel-Benz relation, driven by enhanced 1.3 GHz radio luminosities relative to the 5 GHz relation. This suggests the classical relation represents an upper envelope rather than a tight correlation. Additionally, eROSITA detections show early-type stars lie below the typical $\log (L_{\rm X}/L_{\rm bol}) \sim -3$ relation.

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arXiv2026

Gaia20fnr: A binary-lens microlensing event with full orbital motion revealed by four space telescopes

The microlensing event Gaia20fnr is a long-duration, non-caustic-crossing binary-lens event at high Galactic latitude. Triggered by a photometric rise detected by the Gaia space mission, the event was followed up with observations from multiple ground-based facilities and four space telescopes: Gaia, NEOWISE, Swift, and TESS. We characterize the Gaia20fnr microlensing system by determining the physical and orbital properties of the binary lens, the nature of the luminous source, and the kinematics of both the source and the lens. We employed a binary-lens microlensing model including full Keplerian orbital motion and annual microlens parallax to fit the photometric data. The event is best explained by a K2 giant source at $D_{\rm S} = 3.10 \pm 0.10\,\mathrm{kpc}$ lensed by a stellar binary composed of $M_{\rm L,1} = 0.46 \pm 0.06\,M_\odot$ and $M_{\rm L,2} = 0.52 \pm 0.06\,M_\odot$ at a distance of $D_{\rm L} = 0.54 \pm 0.05\,\mathrm{kpc}$. The light curve exhibits strong signatures of orbital motion and requires a full Keplerian model with a period of $P = 0.67 \pm 0.04\,\mathrm{yr}$ and a radial-velocity semi-amplitude of $K_1 = 16.9 \pm 0.9\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$. Gaia20fnr is one of the few microlensing events for which a complete Keplerian binary-lens solution has been derived. The model can be tested with follow-up radial-velocity and high-resolution imaging observations as well as forthcoming Gaia DR4 and DR5 astrometric time-series data. Its long duration, multi-peak structure, and extensive coverage make it a benchmark for studying faint nearby low-mass binaries through microlensing.

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arXiv2026

The optical photometric and spectroscopic periodicities of the cataclysmic variable SRGt 062340.2-265751

We report on optical spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations of the eROSITA discovered transient SRGt 062340.2-265751 and show that it displays the characteristics of a nova-like cataclysmic variable (CV), with possible indications of being a magnetic system. We try to put better constraints on the classification of SRGt 062340.2-265751 using optical time-resolved spectroscopic and photometric observations to find any periodicities in the system. From these periodicities we can classify the CV sub-type that it belongs to. Spectroscopic observations revealed a very low amplitude, K $\sim$ 14 km s$^{-1}$, in the radial velocity of the H$β$ and H$γ$ emission lines, suggesting that the system is likely observed at a low inclination angle. High-speed photometric observations revealed highly stochastic variability, characteristic of many magnetic cataclysmic variable systems. A probable 3.645 $\pm$ 0.006 hour orbital period was found by applying Lomb-Scargle period analysis to the H$β$ and H$γ$ emission line radial velocities. A 24.905 $\pm$ 0.065 min period was found from photometric observations, which we associate with the white dwarf spin. However, it was also found that the photometry revealed multiple periodicities from night to night. TESS observations in three sectors did not reveal any of the periodicities found from ground-based observations, but did show a prominent period in only one sector, which might be attributed to a positive superhump period. These multiple periodicities as well as the HeII $λ$4686 and Bowen blend emission lines seen in the spectra indicate that SRGt 062340.2-265751 is likely a nova-like CV, and might belong to the VY Scl sub-type.

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arXiv2025

Flashing fast: characterising the 2025 outburst of MAXI J1957+032

MAXI J1957+032 is an accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar that shows brief, recurrent outbursts in an ultra-compact ~1 h orbit. We characterise the 2025 outburst using X-ray timing and spectroscopy from XMM-Newton and Swift (and a late-time NuSTAR observation), together with contemporaneous optical photometry from LCO, and compare the spin frequency with the 2022 outburst. Timing searches detect coherent pulsations at ~313.6 Hz with no measurable frequency derivative during the XMM-Newton exposure. Relative to its 2022 outburst, we measure a long-term spin-down of ~-2x10^-14 Hz s^-1, consistent with magnetic-dipole braking in quiescence. The pulse profile is nearly sinusoidal, with significant power at the fundamental, second, and fifth harmonics; the fractional amplitude decreases with increasing flux and shows soft lags up to a few keV. The 0.5-10 keV spectrum is well described by absorbed thermal Comptonisation (photon index ~2.4) plus a cool blackbody (kT ~0.23 keV) consistent with emission from a surface hotspot; no reflection or Fe-line features are detected. Requiring R_m \leq R_co implies B_s ~(0.5-3)x10^8 G for d=(5 \pm 2) kpc and ξ=0.3-0.5, below the upper limit from the secular spin-down (B_p \leq 10^9 G), possibly indicating a mildly leaky propeller. The optical emission lies on the neutron-star branch of the L_OIR-L_X relation, consistent with reprocessing in a compact disc. The optical SEDs are broadly flat, while an early red excess suggests a transient jet contribution during the initial hard X-ray phase; an optical peak delayed relative to the X-rays may trace an outward-propagating heating front and rapid disc evolution in these short-lived outbursts.

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arXiv2025

Confirmation of SRGt 062340.2-265751 as a nova-like cataclysmic variable with a possible magnetic nature

SRGt 062340.2-265751, a cataclysmic variable identified by SRG/eROSITA thanks to its significant X-ray variability, remains poorly characterised despite the multi-wavelength follow-up. We present spectral and timing analyses from the first dedicated X-ray and ultraviolet observations with XMM-Newton, complemented by SRG/eROSITA data from four all-sky surveys (eRASS1-4) and ASAS-SN optical photometry. Our timing analysis reveals a >8$σ$ significant modulation at 3.6 $\pm$ 0.5 hours, likely representing the orbital period. Long-term ASAS-SN monitoring confirms the source as a VY Sculptoris-type nova-like system, while short-timescale X-ray and ultraviolet variability, down to a few minutes, suggests a possible underlying magnetic white dwarf. Two additional significant X-ray modulations at 43 $\pm$ 1 min and 36.0 $\pm$ 0.7 min tentatively point to the spin period of an intermediate polar. The best-fit XMM-Newton energy spectra reveal a multi-temperature thermal plasma ($kT$ = 0.23, 0.94, and 5.2 keV), while the SRG/eROSITA spectra are consistent with a single-temperature thermal plasma of a few keV. We estimate unabsorbed X-ray luminosities of $\gtrsim$$10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ (0.2-12 keV). Broadband spectral energy distribution modelling, from near-ultraviolet to infrared, indicates a disc-dominated system consistent with a nova-like classification. We discuss these results in the context of the source's confirmed nova-like classification and its possible magnetic nature, a scenario increasingly supported by discoveries of intermediate polars exhibiting VY Sculptoris-type nova-like features.

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arXiv2025

TESS and ground-based observations of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae in outburst

Dwarf nova (DN) superoutbursts are accompanied by superhumps, which change their periods and profiles over a superoutburst. We present the TESS and ground-based observations of nine WZ Sge-type DNe and candidates in superoutburst. In TCP J23580961$+$5502508, ASASSN-23ba, PNV J19030433$-$3102187, V748 Hya, and ASASSN-25ci, we confirmed double-peaked oscillations called early superhumps, which are regarded as the unambiguous feature of WZ Sge-type DNe. On the other hand, the superhump and outburst properties of MO Psc and V1676 Her suggest that they may not be a member of WZ Sge-type DNe. The 2022 superoutburst of a confirmed WZ Sge-type DN TCP J05515391$+$6504346, however, lacked an early superhump phase. We find superhumps in a WZ Sge-type DN ASASSN-20mq during its rebrightening outburst. Thanks to the continuous coverage of TESS, we find the broken-powerlaw rise of the outburst light curve in V748 Hya and PNV J19030433$-$3102187, previously found in only one WZ Sge-type DN observed by Kepler. Early superhumps appeared when the system reached $\simeq40$% of the outburst peak flux. No orbital modulation from a hot spot is detected before and after this. This non-detection of orbital humps on the early rise of V748 Hya constrains that the corresponding mass transfer rate should be below $\simeq1\times10^{16}$ g s$^{-1}$, disfavouring an enhancement of a mass transfer rate by an order of magnitude or larger, even if it occurs. The contentious TESS observations also confirm the coexistence of early and ordinary superhumps during their transition and $\leq$2-cycle duration of stage A--B superhump transition in V748 Hya.

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arXiv2025

Counterpart identification and classification for eRASS1 and characterisation of the AGN content

[abridged] Accurately accounting for the AGN phase in galaxy evolution requires a large, clean AGN sample. This is now possible with SRG/eROSITA. The public Data Release 1 (DR1, Jan 31, 2024) includes 930,203 sources from the Western Galactic Hemisphere. The data enable the selection of a large AGN sample and the discovery of rare sources. However, scientific return depends on accurate characterisation of the X-ray emitters, requiring high-quality multiwavelength data. This paper presents the identification and classification of optical and infrared counterparts to eRASS1 sources using Gaia DR3, CatWISE2020, and Legacy Survey DR10 (LS10) with the Bayesian NWAY algorithm and trained priors. Sources were classified as Galactic or extragalactic via a Machine Learning model combining optical/IR and X-ray properties, trained on a reference sample. For extragalactic LS10 sources, photometric redshifts were computed using Circlez. Within the LS10 footprint, all 656,614 eROSITA/DR1 sources have at least one possible optical counterpart; about 570,000 are extragalactic and likely AGN. Half are new detections compared to AllWISE, Gaia, and Quaia AGN catalogues. Gaia and CatWISE2020 counterparts are less reliable, due to the surveys shallowness and the limited amount of features available to assess the probability of being an X-ray emitter. In the Galactic Plane, where the overdensity of stellar sources also increases the chance of associations, using conservative reliability cuts, we identify approximately 18,000 Gaia and 55,000 CatWISE2020 extragalactic sources. We release three high-quality counterpart catalogues, plus the training and validation sets, as a benchmark for the field. These datasets have many applications, but in particular empower researchers to build AGN samples tailored for completeness and purity, accelerating the hunt for the Universes most energetic engines.

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arXiv2025

Detection of spin-modulated circular polarisation and radial velocity variations in the long period Intermediate Polar 1RXS J080114.6-462324

We present a comprehensive photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric study of the intermediate polar (IP) 1RXS J080114.6-462324, using observations from the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) 1.0-m and 1.9-m telescopes and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), complemented by archival TESS photometry. Photometric and photo-polarimetric data reveal a coherent modulation at the white dwarf (WD) spin period. TESS confirms periodicities of 1307.517 s (spin) and 11.803 h (orbital). Photopolarimetric and circular spectropolarimetric measurements show circular polarisation reaching ~+5%, modulated with the WD spin period, consistent with cyclotron emission from an accreting magnetic pole. Time-resolved optical spectra display prominent Balmer (H$γ$, H$β$, and H$α$) and He\textsc{ii} $λ$4686 emission features and additional He\textsc{i} emissions, all exhibiting minimal radial-velocity variations. We detect red-shifted absorption dips adjacent to the He\textsc{ii} and H$β$ lines, modulated at the WD spin period; periodogram analysis of the emission lines also yields spin modulation. These observations indicate that the system is a disc-fed, low-inclination IP. The combination of circular polarisation and spin-modulated absorption by infalling accretion curtain material supports this classification. Its comparatively long orbital period among IPs and the detection of polarised emission render 1RXS J080114.6-462324 an appealing candidate for evolutionary studies, potentially offering insight into how magnetic accretion systems evolve toward synchronism at longer orbital periods.

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arXiv2025

Infrared Synchrotron Emission in the Soft State of GX 339-4 and the Mid-Infrared/X-ray Luminosity Plane of Black Hole X-ray Binaries

Progress in understanding the growth of accreting black holes remains hampered by a lack of sensitive coordinated multiwavelength observations. In particular, the mid-infrared (MIR) regime remains ill-explored except for jet-dominant states. Here, we present comprehensive follow-up of the black hole X-ray binary GX 339-4 during a disc-dominated state in its 2023/24 outburst as part of a multi-wavelength campaign coordinated around JWST/MIRI. The X-ray properties are fairly typical of soft accretion states, with a high-energy Comptonised tail. The source is significantly detected between 5-10$μ$m, albeit at a faint flux level requiring MIR compact jet emission to be quenched by a factor of $\sim$300 or more relative to previous hard-state detections. The MIRI spectrum can be described as a simple power-law with slope $α$ = +0.39$\pm$0.07 ($F_ν$ $\propto$ $ν^α$), but surprisingly matches neither the radio/sub-mm nor the optical broadband slopes. Significant MIR stochastic variability is detected. Synchrotron radiation from the same medium responsible for high-energy Comptonisation can self-consistently account for the observed MIRI spectral-timing behaviour, offering new constraints on the physical conditions in the soft-state accretion disc atmosphere/corona. Alternative explanations, including a circumbinary disc or emission from a warm wind, fail to cleanly explain either the spectral properties or the variability. Multiwavelength timing cross-correlations show a puzzlingly long MIR lag relative to the optical, though at limited significance. We compile archival MIR and X-ray luminosities of transient black hole systems, including previously unreported detections of GX 339-4. These trace the evolution of the MIR-to-X-ray flux ratio with accretion state, and also reveal high MIR luminosities for GX 339-4 across all states. (abridged)

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