arXiv subjects

F. A. Ringwald

Publications and source records attributed to F. A. Ringwald.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

Characterising the short-orbital period X-ray transient Swift J1910.2-0546

SwiftJ1910.2-0546 is a Galactic X-ray transient discovered during a bright outburst in 2012. We use time-series optical photometry and spectroscopy to estimate the orbital period, characterise the donor star, determine the interstellar extinction, distance, and system geometry, and constrain the component masses. Multi-site r-band and clear-filter light curves and WHT/ACAM spectra from the 2012 outburst are combined with time-series spectroscopy from GTC/OSIRIS and VLT/FORS2 in quiescence. Period searches are conducted using generalised Lomb-Scargle, phase-dispersion minimisation, and analysis-of-variance algorithms. Diffuse interstellar bands constrain E(B-V), while empirical correlations involving H$\alpha$ yield estimates of K2, q, and i. We detect a double-humped modulation with a period of $0.0941\pm0.0007$d ($2.26\pm0.02$h) during the outburst. Its morphology is consistent with an early superhump, suggesting that the true orbital period may be slightly shorter than 4.52h. The H$\alpha$ radial velocity curves do not yield a definitive orbital period. In quiescence, TiO bands indicate an M3-M3.5 donor contributing 70% of the red continuum. Diffuse interstellar bands give E(B-V)=$0.60\pm0.05$ and N_H=$(3.9\pm1.3)$x10$^{21}$cm$^{-2}$, placing the system at a distance of 2.8-4.0 kpc. The H$\alpha$ line width in quiescence (FWHM_0 =$990\pm45$km/s), via a FWHM-K_2 calibration, provides an estimate of K_2, while its double peaked profile gives q and i. Adopting the resulting K_2=$230\pm17$km/s and q=$0.032\pm0.010$, and two orbital period scenarios (2.25 and 4.50h), Monte Carlo sampling returns a compact object mass M_1=8-11M_sun and an inclination i=13-18 deg for plausible donor masses (M_2=0.25-0.35M_sun). We favour an orbital period of 4.5h. Further phase-resolved spectroscopy and photometry during quiescence are needed to better determine its fundamental parameters.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2012

A Search for Superhumps in the Cataclysmic Variable SW Sextantis

We present differential photometry of the cataclysmic variable star SW Sextantis. A time series analysis was performed in search of superhumps in the accretion disk of this star, which is the prototype of a class of cataclysmic variables, the SW Sex stars. We find no superhumps, which shows that the presence of superhumps is not a defining feature of the SW Sex stars.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

The Photometric Period and Variability of the Cataclysmic Variable V849 Herculis (PG 1633+115)

We report time-resolved photometry of the cataclysmic variable V849 Her, and measure a period of 0.1414 \pm 0.0030 days (3.394 \pm 0.072 hours). We also present photometry taken over several weeks in 2010 and 2011, as well as light curves from 1995 to 2011 by the American Association of Variable Star Observers. The spectra, absolute magnitude derived from infrared magnitudes, and variability all suggest that V849 Her is a nova-like variable. The shallow (0.5-magnitude) low states we observe resemble the erratic low states of the VY Sculptoris stars, although they may recur quasi-periodically over an average cycle of 12.462 \pm 0.074 days.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The Orbital Period and Negative Superhumps of the Nova-Like Cataclysmic Variable V378 Pegasi

A radial velocity study is presented of the cataclysmic variable V378 Pegasi (PG 2337+300). It is found to have an orbital period of 0.13858 +/- 0.00004 d (3.32592 +/- 0.00096 hours). Its spectrum and long-term light curve suggest that V378 Peg is a nova-like variable, with no outbursts. We use the approximate distance and position in the Galaxy of V378 Peg to estimate E(B-V) = 0.095, and use near-infrared magnitudes to calculate a distance of 680 +/- 90 pc and M_V = 4.68 +/- 0.70, consistent with V378 Peg being a nova-like. Time-resolved photometry taken between 2001 and 2009 reveals a period of 0.1346 +/- 0.0004 d (3.23 +/- 0.01 hours). We identify this photometric variability to be negative superhumps, from a precessing, tilted accretion disk. Our repeated measurements of the photometric period of V378 Peg are consistent with this period having been stable between 2001 and 2009, with its negative superhumps showing coherence over as many as hundreds or even thousands of cycles.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The Photometric Periods of the Nova-Like Cataclysmic Variable LQ Pegasi (PG 2133+115)

We present a time-resolved differential photometric study and time series analysis of the nova-like cataclysmic variable star LQ Peg. We discover three periodicities in the photometry, one with a period of 3.42 +/- 0.03 hours, and another with a period of 56.8 +/- 0.01 hours. We interpret these to be the apsidal superhump and precessional periods of the accretion disk, respectively, and predict that the orbital period of LQ Peg is 3.22 +/- 0.03 hours. The third periodicity, with a period of 41.3 +/- 0.01 hours, we interpret to be the nodal precessional period of the accretion disk. We also report a flare that lasted four minutes and had an energy in visible light of (1.2 +/- 0.3) x 10^36 ergs, or 10^4-5 times more energetic than the largest solar flares, comparable to the most energetic visible-light stellar flares known. We calculate the absolute magnitude of LQ Peg to be M_J = 4.78 +/- 0.54, and its distance to be 800 +/- 200 pc.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The Photometric Period of the Cataclysmic Variable HV Andromedae

We present four nights of time-resolved photometry of the cataclysmic variable star HV And. Our time series analysis has revealed a prominent period at 3.368 +/- 0.060 hours, as well as some low frequency power. We interpret this signal, from saw-tooth waves in the light curve, as evidence of superhumps in HV And.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

A critical analysis of three near-infrared photometric methods of estimating distances to cataclysmic variables

A critical analysis of three methods of estimating distances to cataclysmic variables (CVs) is performed. These methods, by Ak et al., Beuermann, and Knigge, all use near-infrared (JHK or Ks) magnitudes and the Barnes-Evans relation. We compare all three methods to distances measured by trigonometric parallax by Thorstensen, with Hubble Space Telescope, and with the HIPPARCOS spacecraft. We find that the method of Ak et al. works best overall for all CVs, predicting distances on the average 4% less than those measured by trigonometric parallaxes. The method of Beuermann overestimates distances by 52%. The method of Knigge underestimates distances by 26%, although this was only ever meant as a lower limit, since it assumes all light comes from the secondary star.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The Orbital Period and Variability of the Dwarf Nova ES Draconis

A radial velocity study of the cataclysmic variable ES Dra (PG 1524+622) is presented. ES Dra is found to have an orbital period of 0.17660 \pm 0.00006 d (4.2384 \pm 0.0014 h). The mass-losing secondary star of ES Dra is detectable in the spectrum, and it has a spectral type of M2 \pm 1. From this, we estimate the absolute magnitude of ES Dra during our spectroscopic observations to have been MR = 6.5 \pm 0.5, and its distance to be 720 \pm 150 pc. The long-term light curve of ES Dra compiled by the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) shows that ES Dra is a Z Cam star, which between 1995 and 2009 spent most of its time in standstill.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2008

The Intermediate Polar EI UMa: A Pre-Polar Cataclysmic Variable

We present optical and X-ray time-series photometry of EI UMa that reveal modulation at 746 and 770 s, which we interpret as the white dwarf spin and spin-orbit sidebands. These detections, combined with previous X-ray studies, establish EI UMa as an intermediate polar. We estimate the mass accretion rate to be ~ 3.6 x 10^{17} g s^{-1}, which is close to, and likely greater than, the critical rate above which dwarf nova instabilities are suppressed. We also estimate the white dwarf to have a large magnetic moment mu > (3.4 +/- 0.2) x 10^{33} G cm^3. The high mass accretion rate and magnetic moment imply the existence of an accretion ring rather than a disk, and along with the relatively long orbital period, these suggest that EI UMa is a rare example of a pre-polar cataclysmic variable.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

The Research Productivity of Small Telescopes and Space Telescopes

We present statistics on the research productivity of astronomical telescopes. These were compiled by finding papers in which new data were presented, noting which telescopes were used, and then counting the number of papers, number of pages, and other statistics. The journals used were the Astronomical Journal, the Astrophysical Journal (including the Letters and Supplements), and the Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. We also compiled citations from the Science Citation Index. This work was designed to be similar to that of Trimble (1995), except that more recent journals (from 1995) and citations (from 1998) were used. We also did not restrict our sample to large telescopes only: we included all telescopes from which new data were presented, the smallest of which was a 0.1-m. The data were gathered by first-year work-study undergraduates, who were instructed to include data for all telescopes for which they found new data were included in the journals. A by-product of this research was therefore the relative productivity of ground-based versus space telescopes, and the relative productivity of radio and other telescopes across the spectrum, versus optical telescopes.

astro-ph↗

arXiv2003

The Origin of Soft X-rays in DQ Herculis

DQ Herculis (Nova Herculis 1934) is a deeply eclipsing cataclysmic variable containing a magnetic white dwarf primary. The accretion disk is thought to block our line of sight to the white dwarf at all orbital phases due to its extreme inclination angle. Nevertheless, soft X-rays were detected from DQ Her with ROSAT PSPC. To probe the origin of these soft X-rays, we have performed Chandra ACIS observations. We confirm that DQ Her is an X-ray source. The bulk of the X-rays are from a point-like source and exhibit a shallow partial eclipse. We interpret this as due to scattering of the unseen central X-ray source, probably in an accretion disk wind. At the same time, we observe what appear to be weak extended X-ray features around DQ Her, which we interpret as an X-ray emitting knot in the nova shell.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1998

Optical Spectroscopy of V635 Cassiopeiae/4U 0115+63

V635 Cas is the optical counterpart of the X-ray binary system 4U 0115+63. It was previously tentatively identified as a Be star based on its optical colours and the presence of H alpha emission. Our observations indicate that it is an O9e star. This is the first direct determination of this star's optical spectral type. The presence of a hotter companion star may in part explain the large temporal variation observed in this system. Extreme variability was observed in 1992 February when both the H alpha and a series of Paschen lines changed from emission to absorption. This was interpreted as a disk-loss event and it is the first time that it has been observed in this system. We use far red spectra of V635 Cas to probe the circumstellar disk, discussing the various line formation regions. The lines observed are consistent with a late type Oe star. The flux standard Hiltner 102 was also observed. Although it is classified as a B0 III star, we re-classify it as a O9.7 II star with a slight nitrogen enhancement.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

High-Speed Optical Spectroscopy of a Cataclysmic Variable Wind: BZ Camelopardalis

BZ Cam is the first cataclysmic variable star with an accretion disk wind evident in its optical spectrum. The wind was found by Thorstensen, who discovered intermittent P Cygni profiles occurring simultaneously in He I 5876 Angstroms and H alpha. We have since obtained spectra with 0.4-Angstroms/pixel dispersion and 60-s time resolution. We find a wind much faster and more rapidly variable than the radiatively accelerated winds of OB stars, Wolf-Rayet stars, or luminous blue variables. Instead of showing blob ejection, the whole wind of BZ Cam appears to turn on and off. We use this to measure the acceleration law of a CV wind for the first time. The velocity increases linearly with time, attaining blue edge velocities near -3000 km/s, and absorption velocities near -1700 km/s, in 6 to 8 min after starting near rest. We also find a subsequent linear deceleration to nearly rest in 30 to 40 min, perhaps an effect of dilution as the wind expands. No periodicity from rotational outflow is obvious. This wind is erratic and incessantly variable, and perhaps bipolar and face-on, but not highly collimated. The P Cygni absorption events trace out sawtooth waves, occurring within 30 to 40 white dwarf radii from the disk. This is the approximate size of the disk, as well as the disk/wind transition region recently postulated by Knigge and Drew. We estimate a distance of 830 +/- 160 pc, and an orbital inclination i such that 12 < i(degrees) < 40.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

PG 1002+506: a Be Star Apparently at Z Greater Than +10 kpc

PG 1002+506 is found to be a Be star, one of two so far found by the Palomar-Green survey. Its spectrum is classified as a B5 +/- 1 Ve, with Teff = 14,900 +/- 1200, log g = 4.2 +/- 0.2, and v sin i = 340 +/- 50 km/s. At b = +51 degrees, its height above the Galactic plane would therefore be Z = +10.8 kpc, putting this apparently young, rapidly rotating star well into the Galactic halo. Its heliocentric radial velocity is found to be -2 +/- 15 km/s, consistent with either having been formed in the Galactic disk and subsequently ejected, or having been formed in the halo.

astro-ph↗

arXiv1997

The Status of Nova Orionis 1667

Images taken in 1.3" seeing show that a claimed hibernating nova, Candidate 5 shown in a Sky & Telescope Newswire item, is found to be a visual binary, with a 1.1" separation between components. Spectra reveal the components to be emission-line M0 and K7 stars.

astro-ph↗