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L. Schmidtobreick

Publications and source records attributed to L. Schmidtobreick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

MUSE observations of V1425 Aql reveal an arc-shaped nova shell

Nova shells are the remnants of a nova eruption in a cataclysmic variable system. By studying their geometry we can better understand the physical mechanisms that shape them during the nova eruption. A nova shell that challenges our current understanding of these processes is the shell observed around V1425 Aql. It has at least two different components: an inner and symmetric shell, and an outer and asymmetric shell, with the latter expanding faster than the former. The physical reason behind the asymmetric ejecta is not clear. We aim to characterize the properties and differences between these two components to understand the origin behind the unusual shape. We acquired MUSE data to study the spatial position and kinematics of the expanding gas across the shell. Our analysis includes channel maps, position-velocity diagrams, and the reconstruction of the 3D geometry of the nova shell. Several emission lines are detected within the MUSE wavelength coverage, including but not limited to Balmer, Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Helium lines. There are significant differences in the spectra of the inner and outer shells, with the latter being observed only in forbidden transitions, while the inner shows a mix of forbidden and allowed ones. Our analysis reveals that the outer shell has a geometry consistent with an arc-shaped structure that partially encircles the more spherical inner shell. Within the inner shell, clumpy structures start to be noticeable in the lines of H$α$+[Nii]. We have constrained the geometry of the outer shell to an arc-shaped structure, although the physical reason behind its origin is still eluding us. Further monitoring of the evolution of both shells in this object might help to clarify the mechanism behind this unusual configuration.

astro-ph.SR

J-PLUS: The fraction of calcium white dwarfs along the cooling sequence

We used the Javalambre Photometric Local Universe Survey (J-PLUS) DR2 photometry in twelve optical bands over 2176 deg2 to estimate the fraction of white dwarfs with presence of CaII H+K absorption along the cooling sequence. We compared the J-PLUS photometry against metal-free theoretical models to estimate the equivalent width in the J0395 passband of 10 nm centered at 395 nm (EW_J0395), a proxy to detect calcium absorption. A total of 4399 white dwarfs within 30000 > Teff > 5500 K and mass M > 0.45 Msun were analyzed. Their EW_J0395 distribution was modeled using two populations, corresponding to polluted and non-polluted systems, to estimate the fraction of calcium white dwarfs (f_Ca) as a function of Teff. The probability for each individual white dwarf of presenting calcium absorption, pca, was also computed. The comparison with both the measured Ca/He abundance and the metal pollution from spectroscopy shows that EW_J0395 correlates with the presence of calcium. The fraction of calcium white dwarfs increases from f_Ca = 0 at Teff = 13500 K to f_Ca = 0.15 at Teff = 5500 K. We compare our results with the fractions derived from the 40 pc spectroscopic sample and from SDSS spectra. The trend found in J-PLUS observations is also present in the 40 pc sample, however SDSS shows a deficit of metal-polluted objects at Teff < 12000 K. Finally, we found 39 white dwarfs with pca > 0.99. Twenty of them have spectra presented in previous studies, whereas we observed six additional targets. These 26 objects were all confirmed as metal-polluted systems. The J-PLUS optical data provide a robust statistical measurement for the presence of CaII H+K absorption in white dwarfs. We find a 15 +- 3 % increase in the fraction of calcium white dwarfs from Teff = 13500 K to 5500 K, which reflects their selection function in the optical from the total population of metal-polluted systems.

astro-ph.SR

Science with a small two-band UV-photometry mission II: Observations of stars and stellar systems

We outline the impact of a small two-band UV-photometry satellite mission on the field of stellar physics, magnetospheres of stars, binaries, stellar clusters, interstellar matter, and exoplanets. On specific examples of different types of stars and stellar systems, we discuss particular requirements for such satellite missions in terms of specific mission parameters such as bandpass, precision, cadence, and mission duration. We show that such a mission may provide crucial data not only for hot stars that emit most of their light in UV, but also for cool stars, where UV traces their activity. This is important, for instance, for exoplanetary studies, because the level of stellar activity influences habitability. While the main asset of the two-band UV mission rests in time-domain astronomy, an example of open clusters proves that such a mission would be important also for the study of stellar populations. Properties of the interstellar dust are best explored when combining optical and IR information with observations in UV. It is well known that dust absorbs UV radiation efficiently. Consequently, we outline how such a UV mission can be used to detect eclipses of sufficiently hot stars by various dusty objects and study disks, rings, clouds, disintegrating exoplanets or exoasteroids. Furthermore, UV radiation can be used to study the cooling of neutron stars providing information about the extreme states of matter in the interiors of neutron stars and used for mapping heated spots on their surfaces.

astro-ph.SR

The peculiar ejecta of the nova V1425 Aquilae

Many important details of the mechanisms underlying the ejection of material during a (classical) nova eruption are still not understood. Here we present optical spectroscopy and narrow-band images of the nova V1425 Aql, 23 years after the nova eruption. We find that the ejecta consist of two significantly different components. The first resembles what is commonly seen in novae, that is, a symmetric distribution centred on the position of the underlying cataclysmic binary and presenting both allowed (hydrogen and helium) and forbidden ([OIII] and [NII]) transitions. The second one, on the other hand, consists of material travelling at an approximately three times higher velocity that is not visible in the allowed transitions, presents a significantly different [NII] - [OIII] ratio, and is located at approximately 2.3 arcsec to the southwest of the position of the binary. Comparing the velocities and spatial extensions of the two ejecta, we find that both originated in the same nova eruption. We explore possible extrinsic and intrinsic mechanisms for the asymmetry of the high-velocity material in the form of asymmetrically distributed interstellar material and magnetic accretion, respectively, but find the available data to be inconclusive. From the expansion parallax, we derive a distance for the nova of 3.3(3) kpc.

astro-ph.SR

The White Dwarf Binary Pathways Survey VII: Evidence for a bi-modal distribution of post mass transfer systems?

Binary systems consisting of a white dwarf and a main-sequence companion with orbital periods up to $\approx 100$ d are often thought to be formed through common envelope evolution which is still poorly understood. To provide new observational constraints on the physical processes involved in the formation of these objects, we are conducting a large-scale survey of close binaries consisting of a white dwarf and an A to K-type companion. Here we present three systems with eccentric orbits and orbital periods between $\approx10-42$ d discovered by our survey. Based on HST spectroscopy and high angular resolution images obtained with SPHERE-IRDIS, we find that two of these systems are most likely triple systems while the remaining one could be either a binary or a hierarchical triple but none of them is a post common envelope binary (PCEB). The discovery of these systems shows that our survey is capable to detect systems with orbital periods of the order of weeks, but all six PCEBs we have previously discovered have periods below 2.5 d. We suggest that the fact that all of the systems we identify with periods of the order of weeks are not PCEBs indicates a transition between two different mechanisms responsible for the formation of very close ($\lesssim 10$ d) and somewhat wider WD+AFGK binaries: common envelope evolution and non-conservative stable mass transfer.

astro-ph.SR

Life after eruption VIII: The orbital periods of novae

The impact of nova eruptions on the long-term evolution of Cataclysmic Variables(CVs) is one of the least understood and intensively discussed topics in the field. Acrucial ingredient to improve with this would be to establish a large sample of post-novae with known properties, starting with the most easily accessible one, the orbitalperiod. Here we report new orbital periods for six faint novae: X Cir (3.71 h), ILNor (1.62 h), DY Pup (3.35 h), V363 Sgr (3.03 h), V2572 Sgr (3.75 h) and CQ Vel(2.7 h). We furthermore revise the periods for the old novae OY Ara, RS Car, V365Car, V849 Oph, V728 Sco, WY Sge, XX Tau and RW UMi. Using these new dataand critically reviewing the trustworthiness of reported orbital periods of old novae inthe literature, we establish an updated period distribution. We employ a binary-starevolution code to calculate a theoretical period distribution using both an empiricaland the classical prescription for consequential angular momentum loss. In comparisonwith the observational data we find that both models especially fail to reproduce thepeak in the 3 - 4 h range, suggesting that the angular momentum loss for CVs abovethe period gap is not totally understood.

astro-ph.SR

The luminosity evolution of nova shells -- I. A new analysis of old data

We present a re-analysis of the H$α$ and [OIII] flux data from the only comprehensive study of the luminosity evolution of nova shells, undertaken almost two decades ago. We use newly available distances and extinction values, and include additional luminosity data of 'ancient' nova shells. We compare the long-term behaviour with respect to nova speed class and light curve type. We find that, in general, the luminosity as a function of time can be described as consisting of an initial shallow logarithmic decline or constant behaviour, followed by a logarithmic main decline phase, with a possible return to a shallow decline or constancy at very late stages. The luminosity evolution in the first two phases is likely to be dominated by the expansion of the shell and the corresponding changes in volume and density, while for the older nova shells, the interaction with the interstellar medium comes into play. The slope of the main decline is very similar for almost all groups for a given emission line, but it is significantly steeper for [OIII], compared to H$α$, which we attribute to the more efficient cooling provided by the forbidden lines. The recurrent novae are among the notable exceptions, along with the plateau light curve type novae and the nova V838 Her. We speculate that this is due to the presence of denser material, possibly in the form of remnants from previous nova eruptions, or of planetary nebulae, As a by-product of our study, we revised the identification of all novae included in our investigation with sources in the Gaia Data Release 2 catalogue.

astro-ph.SR

The White Dwarf Binary Pathways Survey III: contamination from hierarchical triples containing a white dwarf

The White Dwarf Binary Pathways Survey aims at increasing the number of known detached A, F, G and K main sequence stars in close orbits with white dwarf companions (WD+AFGK binaries) to refine our understanding about compact binary evolution and the nature of Supernova Ia progenitors. These close WD+AFGK binary stars are expected to form through common envelope evolution, in which tidal forces tend to circularize the orbit. However, some of the identified WD+AFGK binary candidates show eccentric orbits, indicating that these systems are either formed through a different mechanism or perhaps they are not close WD+AFGK binaries. We observed one of these eccentric WD+AFGK binaries with SPHERE and find that the system TYC 7218-934-1 is in fact a triple system where the WD is a distant companion. The inner binary likely consists of the G-type star plus an unseen low mass companion in an eccentric orbit. Based on this finding, we estimate the fraction of triple systems that could contaminate the WD+AFGK sample. We find that less than 15 per cent of our targets with orbital periods shorter than 100 days might be hierarchical triples.

astro-ph.SR

On the long cycle variability of the Algol OGLE-LMC-DPV-065 and its stellar, orbital and disk parameters

OGLE-LMC-DPV-065 is an interacting binary whose double-hump long photometric cycle remains hitherto unexplained. We analyze photometric time series available in archive datasets spanning 124 years and present the analysis of new high-resolution spectra. A refined orbital period is found of 10\fd0316267 $\pm$ 0\fd0000056 without any evidence of variability. In spite of this constancy, small but significant changes in timings of the secondary eclipse are detected. We show that the long period continuously decreases from 350 to 218 days during 13 years, then remains almost constant for about 10 years. Our study of radial velocities indicates a circular orbit for the binary and yields a mass ratio of 0.203 $\pm$ 0.001. From the analysis of the orbital light curve we find that the system contains 13.8 and 2.81 \msun\ stars of radii 8.8 and 12.6 \rsun\ and absolute bolometric magnitudes -6.4 and -3.0, respectively. The orbit semi-major axis is 49.9 \rsun\ and the stellar temperatures are 25460 K and 9825 K. We find evidence for an optically and geometrically thick disk around the hotter star. According to our model, the disk has a radius of 25 \rsun, central and outer vertical thickness of 1.6 \rsun\ and 3.5 \rsun, and temperature of 9380 K at its outer edge. Two shock regions located at roughly opposite parts of the outer disk rim can explain the light curves asymmetries. The system is a member of the double periodic variables and its relatively high-mass and long photometric cycle make it similar in some aspects to $β$ Lyrae.

astro-ph.SR

Raman-scattered laser guide star photons to monitor the scatter of astronomical telescope mirrors

The first observations of laser guide star photons Raman-scattered by air molecules above the Very Large Telescope (VLT) were reported in June 2017. The initial detection came from the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) optical integral field spectrograph, following the installation of the 4 Laser Guide Star Facility (4LGSF) on the Unit Telescope 4 (UT4) of the VLT. In this Letter, we delve further into the symbiotic relationship between the 4LGSF laser guide star system, the UT4 telescope, and MUSE by monitoring the spectral contamination of MUSE observations by Raman photons over a 27 month period. This dataset reveals that dust particles deposited on the primary and tertiary mirrors of UT4 -- responsible for a reflectivity loss of ~8% at 6000Å -- contribute (60$\pm5)% to the laser line fluxes detected by MUSE. The flux of Raman lines, contaminating scientific observations acquired with optical spectrographs, thus provides a new, non-invasive means to monitor the evolving scatter properties of the mirrors of astronomical telescopes equipped with laser guide star systems.

astro-ph.IM

Catching VY Sculptoris in a low state

Context. In the context of a large campaign to determine the system parameters of high mass transfer cataclysmic variables, we found VY Scl in a low state in 2008. Aims. Making use of this low state, we study the stellar components of the binary with little influence of the normally dominating accretion disc. Methods. Time-resolved spectroscopy and photometry of VY Scl taken during the low state are presented. We analysed the light-curve and radial velocity curve and use time-resolved spectroscopy to calculate Doppler maps of the dominant emission lines. Results. The spectra show narrow emission lines of Halpha, Hbeta, HeI, NaID, and FeII, as well as faint TiO absorption bands that trace the motion of the irradiated secondary star, and Halpha and HeI emission line wings that trace the motion of the white dwarf. From these radial velocities, we find an orbital period of 3.84 h, and put constraints on binary parameters such as the mass ratio M2/M1 of 0.43 and the inclination of 15 deg. With a secondary's mass between 0.3 and 0.35 Msol, we derive the mass for the white dwarf as M1 = 0.6-0.1 Msol.

astro-ph.SR

J-PLUS: measuring ${\rm H}α$ emission line fluxes in the nearby universe

In the present paper we aim to validate a methodology designed to extract the Halpha emission line flux from J-PLUS photometric data. J-PLUS is a multi narrow-band filter survey carried out with the 2 deg2 field of view T80Cam camera, mounted on the JAST/T80 telescope in the OAJ, Teruel, Spain. The information of the twelve J-PLUS bands, including the J0660 narrow-band filter located at rest-frame Halpha, is used over 42 deg2 to extract de-reddened and [NII] decontaminated Halpha emission line fluxes of 46 star-forming regions with previous SDSS and/or CALIFA spectroscopic information. The agreement of the inferred J-PLUS photometric Halpha fluxes and those obtained with spectroscopic data is remarkable, with a median comparison ratio R = 1.05 +- 0.25. This demonstrates that it is possible to retrieve reliable Halpha emission line fluxes from J-PLUS photometric data. With an expected area of thousands of square degrees upon completion, the J-PLUS dataset will allow the study of several star formation science cases in the nearby universe, as the spatially resolved star formation rate of nearby galaxies at z < 0.015, and how it is influenced by the environment, morphology or nuclear activity. As an illustrative example, the close pair of interacting galaxies NGC3994 and NGC3995 is analyzed, finding an enhancement of the star formation rate not only in the center, but also in outer parts of the disk of NGC3994.

astro-ph.GA

Photometric long-term variations and superhump occurrence in the Classical Nova RR Pictoris

We present an analysis of all available time-resolved photometry from the literature and new light curves obtained in 2013-2014 for the old nova RR Pictoris. The well-known hump light curve phased with the orbital period reveals significant variations over the last 42 years in shape, amplitude and other details which apparently are caused by long-term variations in the disc structure. In addition we found evidence for the presence of superhumps in 2007, with the same period (~9% longer than the orbital period), as reported earlier by other authors from observations in 2005. Possibly, superhumps arise quickly in RR Pic, but are sporadic events, because in all the other observing runs analysed no significant superhump signal was detected. We also determined an actual version of the Stolz--Schoembs relation between superhump period and orbital period, analysing separately dwarf novae, classical novae and nova-like stars, and conclude that this relation is of general validity for all superhumpers among the cataclysmic variables (CVs), in spite of small but significant differences among the sub-types mentioned above. We emphasize the importance of such a study in context with the still open question of the interrelation between the different sub-classes of CVs, crucial for our understanding of the long-term CV evolution.

astro-ph.SR

Classical novae vs cataclysmic variables

We present a preliminary comparison of the post-nova population with that of general cataclysmic variables (CVs). We particularly focus on the mass-transfer rate and its potential relation to the nova eruption. We find that the known post-nova sample exclusively consists of high mass-transfer CVs, but that this is more likely to be due to the shorter recurrent time for those systems, rather than the mass-transfer rate being affected by the eruption. Nevertheless, we find evidence for such an effect for specific post-novae, and that it is potentially related to the binary separation and to presence or absence of an accretion disc.

astro-ph.SR

The orbital ephemeris of the classical nova RR Pictoris: presence of a third body?

The ex-nova RR Pic presents a periodic hump in its light curve which is considered to refer to its orbital period. Analyzing all available epochs of these hump maxima in the literature, and combining them with those from new light curves obtained in 2013 and 2014, we establish an unique cycle count scheme valid during the past 50 years, and derive an ephemeris with the orbital period 0.145025959(15) days. The O - C diagram of this linear ephemeris reveals systematic deviations which could have different causes. One of them could be a light-travel-time effect caused by the presence of a hypothetical third body near the star/brown dwarf mass limit, with an orbital period of the order of 70 years. We also examine the difficulty of the problematic of detecting sub-stellar or planetary companions of close red-dwarf white-dwarf binaries (including cataclysmic variables), and discuss other possible mechanisms responsible for the observed deviations in O - C. For RR Pic, we propose strategies in order to solve this question by new observations.

astro-ph.SR

Life after eruption - VI. Recovery of the old novae EL Aql, V606 Aql, V908 Oph, V1149 Sgr, V1583 Sgr and V3964 Sgr

We report on the recovery of the six old novae EL Aql, V606 Aql, V908 Oph, V1149 Sgr, V1583 Sgr and V3964 Sgr, using photometric and spectroscopic data. Analysing several properties, we find that EL Aql is a good candidate for an intermediate polar. Furthermore, the system inclination of EL Aql, V606 Aql, V1583 Sgr and V3964 Sgr appears to be sufficiently high to suggest them as good targets for time series observations. We also eliminate some previously suggested candidates for the post-novae V1301 Aql and V1151 Sgr.

astro-ph.SR

Life after eruption - V. Spectroscopy of eight candidate old novae with Gemini-South

We present the analysis of photometric and spectroscopic data on eight candidates for post-nova systems. Five post-novae, V528 Aql, HS Sge, BS Sgr, GR Sgr and V999 Sgr, are successfully recovered. We furthermore identify likely candidates for the fields of V1301 Aql, V1151 Sgr and V3964 Sgr. The spectroscopic properties of the confirmed post-novae are briefly discussed. We find that two of the oldest post-novae in our sample, GR Sgr and V999 Sgr, contain an optically thick accretion disc, and thus can be suspected to have a high mass-transfer rate, contrary to what one would expect from most models. HS Sge and V528 Aql show evidence for a (comparatively) high system inclination, which makes them attractive targets for time-series observations. Finally, the presence of particularly strong He II emission together with a small eruption amplitude suggests that BS Sgr is a good candidate for an intermediate polar.

astro-ph.SR

Life after eruption - IV. Spectroscopy of 13 old novae

We present data on 13 post-nova systems. This includes the recovery via UBVR photometry of the five post-novae X Cir, V2104 Oph, V363 Sgr, V928 Sgr and V1274 Sgr and their spectroscopic confirmation. We provide accurate coordinates and finding charts for those objects. Additional first-time or improved spectroscopic data are presented for V356 Aql, V500 Aql, V604 Aql, V1370 Aql, MT Cen, V693 CrA, V697 Sco and MU Ser. Investigating the behaviour of a few easily accessible parameters yields (limited) information on the accretion state and the system inclination. We predict that X Cir and V697 Sco are likely to reveal their orbital period via time series photometry and that long-term photometric monitoring of V356 Aql, V500 Aql, V1370 Aql and X Cir has a good chance of discovering outburst-like behaviour in these systems.

astro-ph.SR