arXiv subjects

Linda Schmidtobreick

Publications and source records attributed to Linda Schmidtobreick.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2025

A tale of three cataclysmic variables with distinct superhumps

We present the TESS observations of CRTS J110014.7+131552, SDSS J093537.46+161950.8, and [PK2008] HalphaJ130559. Among them, a superoutburst is observed in CRTS J110014.7+131552 which is associated with the precursor outburst, where prominent superhumps are observed during maximum of the outburst with a mean period of 0.06786(1) d. We have observed variations in the superhump period, along with changes in the shape of the light curve profile and the amplitude of the superhumps during different phases of the outburst, indicating disc-radius variation as well as periodically variable dissipation at the accretion stream's bright spot. The data on SDSS J093537.46+161950.8 reveal previously unknown variations modulated with periods 0.06584(2) d and 2.36(2) d, related to the positive superhump and the disc-precession periods, respectively, which can reasonably be interpreted as a result of the prograde rotation of an eccentric accretion disc. Despite its short orbital period, the lack of outburst activity, along with its stable long-term brightness, discovery spectrum, and absolute magnitude suggests that the object might not be an SU UMa type dwarf nova. Instead, it may belong to the group of high mass-transfer CVs below the period gap, either to a rare class of nova-like variables or to the class of high-luminosity IPs, a subclass of magnetic CVs. For [PK2008] HalphaJ130559, a new average orbital period of 0.15092(1) d has been identified. Additionally, this system displays previously undetected average periods of 0.14517(3) d and 3.83(1) d, which can be provisionally identified as negative superhump and disc-precession periods, respectively. If the identified simultaneous signals do indeed reflect negative superhump and disc-precession period variations then their origin may be associated with the retrograde precession of a tilted disc and its interaction with the secondary stream.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Unveiling the 3D structure of nova shells with MUSE -- The case of RR Pic

Nova eruptions occur in cataclysmic variables when enough material has been accreted onto the surface of the white dwarf primary. As a consequence, the material that has been accumulated until then is expelled into the interstellar medium, forming an expanding nova shell around the system. Understanding the physical process that shapes the morphology of nova shells is essential to fully comprehend how the ejection mechanism operates during nova eruptions. Because of its closeness and age, the nova shell around the classical nova RR Pic (Nova Pic 1925) is an ideal target for studying the evolving morphology of nova shells. In this work, we present an IFS study of the RR Pic nova shell, with a particular emphasis on the extraction of the 3D morphology of the shell. The nova shell was observed by the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) instrument placed at the ESO-VLT. The MUSE datacube confirms the presence of the nova shell in H$\rmα$, H$\rmβ$ and [OIII], and very faintly in [NII]. A comparison with previous observations suggests that the shell continues in its free-expansion phase but with the different parts of the shell apparently expanding at different rates. The data analysis corroborates the previous vision that the shell is composed of an equatorial ring and polar filaments. At the same time, the new data also reveal that [OIII] is confined in gaps located in the tropical regions of the shell where no Hydrogen is observed. The flux measurements indicate that ~99% of the shell flux is confined to the equatorial ring, while the polar filaments show a flux asymmetry between the NE and SW filaments. We have estimated the mass of the shell to be ~5x10$^{-5}$M$_\odot$. From the analysis of the 3D-extracted data, we determine that the ring structure extends ~8,000 au from the central binary, and has a position angle of ~155 deg and an inclination of ~74 deg.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Introducing the Condor Array Telescope: IV. A possible nova super-remnant surrounding the putative recurrent nova KT Eridani

Just 10 recurrent novae (RNe) - which erupt repeatedly on timescales shorter than one century - are known in our Galaxy. The most extreme RN known (located in the Andromeda galaxy), M31N 2008-12a, undergoes a nova eruption every year, and is surrounded by a vast nova "super-remnant", 134 pc in extent. Simulations predict that all RNe should be surrounded by similar vast shells, but previous searches have failed to detect them. KT Eri has recently been suggested to be a RN, and we have used the Condor Array Telescope to image its environs through multiple narrowband filters. We report the existence of a large ($\sim$ 50 pc diameter), H$\,α$-bright shell centered on KT Eri, exactly as predicted. This strongly supports the claim that KT Eri is the 11th Galactic recurrent nova, and only the second nova known to be surrounded by a super-remnant. SALT spectra of the super-remnant demonstrate that its velocity width is consistent with that of M31-2008-12a.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2023

Structure of the accretion flow of IX Velorum as revealed by high-resolution spectroscopy

Context: Several high-mass transfer cataclysmic variables show evidence for outflow from the system, which could play an important role in their evolution. We investigate the system IX Vel, which was proposed to show similar characteristics. Aims: We study the structure of the IX Vel system, particularly the structure of its accretion flow and accretion disc. Methods: We use high-resolution time-resolved spectroscopy to construct radial velocity curves of the components in IX Vel, we compute Doppler maps of the system which we use to estimate the temperature distribution maps. Results: We improve the spectroscopic ephemeris of the system and its orbital period P_orb = 0.19392793(3) d. We construct Doppler maps of the system based on hydrogen and helium emission lines and the Bowen blend. The maps show features corresponding to the irradiated face of the secondary star, the outer rim of the accretion disc, and low-velocity components located outside the accretion disc and reaching towards L3. We constructed a temperature distribution map of the system using the Doppler maps of Balmer lines. Apart from the features found in the Doppler maps, the temperature distribution map shows a region of high temperature in the accretion disc connecting the expected position of a bright spot and the inner parts of the disc. Conclusions: We interpret the low-velocity emission found in the Doppler map as emission originating in the accretion disc wind and in an outflow region located in the vicinity of the third Lagrangian point L3. This makes IX Vel a member of the RW Sex class of Cataclysmic Variables.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Disentangling Cataclysmic Variables in Gaia's HR-Diagram

Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) are interacting binaries consisting of at least three components that control their colour and magnitude. Using Gaia we here investigate the influence of the physical properties of these binaries on their position in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HR-diagram). The CVs are on average located between the main sequence and the white dwarf regime, the maximum density being at $G_{BP}-G_{RP} \sim 0.56$ and $G_{abs} \sim 10.15$. We find a trend of the orbital period with colour and absolute brightness: with decreasing period, the CVs become bluer and fainter. We also identify the location of the various CV sub-types in the HR-diagram and discuss the possible location of detached CVs, going through the orbital period gap.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2019

Astro2020 Science White Paper: Understanding the evolution of close white dwarf binaries

Interacting binaries containing white dwarfs can lead to a variety of outcomes that range from powerful thermonuclear explosions, which are important in the chemical evolution of galaxies and as cosmological distance estimators, to strong sources of low frequency gravitational wave radiation, which makes them ideal calibrators for the gravitational low-frequency wave detector LISA mission. However, current theoretical evolution models still fail to explain the observed properties of the known populations of white dwarfs in both interacting and detached binaries. Major limitations are that the existing population models have generally been developed to explain the properties of sub-samples of these systems, occupying small volumes of the vast parameter space, and that the observed samples are severely biased. The overarching goal for the next decade is to assemble a large and homogeneous sample of white dwarf binaries that spans the entire range of evolutionary states, to obtain precise measurements of their physical properties, and to further develop the theory to satisfactorily reproduce the properties of the entire population. While ongoing and future all-sky high- and low-resolution optical spectroscopic surveys allow us to enlarge the sample of these systems, high-resolution ultraviolet spectroscopy is absolutely essential for the characterization of the white dwarfs in these binaries. The Hubble Space Telescope is currently the only facility that provides ultraviolet spectroscopy, and with its foreseeable demise, planning the next ultraviolet mission is of utmost urgency.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2018

The cataclysmic variable QZ Lib: a period bouncer

While highly evolved cataclysmic variables (CVs) with brown dwarf donors, often called "period bouncers", are predicted to make up $\simeq40-70$ % of the Galactic CV population, only a handful of such systems are currently known. The identification and characterization of additional period bouncers is therefore important to probe this poorly understood phase of CV evolution. We investigate the evolution of the CV QZ Lib following its 2004 super-outburst using multi-epoch spectroscopy. From time-resolved spectroscopic observations we measure the orbital period of the system, $P_\mathrm{orb}= 0.06436(20)$ d, which, combined with the superhump period $P_\mathrm{SH}= 0.064602(24)$ d, yields the system mass ratio, $q = 0.040(9)$. From the analysis of the spectral energy distribution we determine the structure of the accretion disc and the white dwarf effective temperature, $T_\mathrm{eff} = 10\,500 \pm 1500\,\mathrm{K}$. We also derive an upper limit on the effective temperature of the secondary, $T_\mathrm{eff} \lesssim 1700\,\mathrm{K}$, corresponding to a brown dwarf of T spectral type. The low temperature of the white dwarf, the small mass ratio and the fact that the donor is not dominating the near-infrared emission are all clues of a post bounce system. Although it is possible that QZ Lib could have formed as a white dwarf plus a brown dwarf binary, binary population synthesis studies clearly suggest this scenario to be less likely than a period bouncer detection and we conclude that QZ Lib is a CV that has already evolved through the period minimum.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

The transiting multi-planet system HD3167: a 5.7 MEarth Super-Earth and a 8.3 MEarth mini-Neptune

HD3167 is a bright (V=8.9 mag) K0V star observed by the NASA's K2 space mission during its Campaign 8. It has been recently found to host two small transiting planets, namely, HD3167b, an ultra short period (0.96 d) super-Earth, and HD3167c, a mini-Neptune on a relatively long-period orbit (29.85 d). Here we present an intensive radial velocity follow-up of HD3167 performed with the FIES@NOT, HARPS@ESO-3.6m, and HARPS-N@TNG spectrographs. We revise the system parameters and determine radii, masses, and densities of the two transiting planets by combining the K2 photometry with our spectroscopic data. With a mass of 5.69+/-0.44 MEarth, radius of 1.574+/-0.054 REarth, and mean density of 8.00(+1.0)(-0.98) g/cm^3, HD3167b joins the small group of ultra-short period planets known to have a rocky terrestrial composition. HD3167c has a mass of 8.33 (+1.79)(-1.85) MEarth and a radius of 2.740(+0.106)(-0.100) REarth, yielding a mean density of 2.21(+0.56)(-0.53) g/cm^3, indicative of a planet with a composition comprising a solid core surrounded by a thick atmospheric envelope. The rather large pressure scale height (about 350 km) and the brightness of the host star make HD3167c an ideal target for atmospheric characterization via transmission spectroscopy across a broad range of wavelengths. We found evidence of additional signals in the radial velocity measurements but the currently available data set does not allow us to draw any firm conclusion on the origin of the observed variation.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2017

SW Sex Stars Then and Now: A Review

SW Sextantis stars are a class of cataclysmic variables originally defined via certain peculiar properties that they all have in common. In this article, I review our knowledge of these stars and show the way from a phenomenological classification to a physical understanding of these systems. The fact that SW Sex stars accumulate at the upper edge of the period gap is discussed with respect to the secular evolution of cataclysmic variables.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2017

Nova Scorpius 1437 A.D. is now a dwarf nova, age-dated by its proper motion

Here we report the recovery of the binary underlying the classical nova of 11 March 1437 A.D. whose age is independently confirmed by proper motion-dating, and show that in the 20th century it exhibits dwarf nova eruptions. The four oldest recovered classical novae are now all dwarf novae. Taken together they strongly suggest that mass transfer rates decrease by an order of magnitude or more in the centuries after a classical nova event, greatly slowing the evolution, and lengthening the lifetimes of these explosive binary stars.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2015

On the absence of nova shells

We present our wide field Halpha+N[II] observations of 15 cataclysmic variables to search for remnant nova shells. Such shells have been found around other cataclysmic variables that were hitherto not known as novae. Our candidates were selected as objects in the period regime of high-mass transfer systems that experience - at least occasionally - low mass transfer rates. The fact that we find no indication of a nova shell in any of these systems allows us to set a lower limit of 13000 years to the recurrence time of these objects.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2014

SW Sex stars, old novae, and the evolution of cataclysmic variables

The population of cataclysmic variables with orbital periods right above the period gap are dominated by systems with extremely high mass transfer rates, the so-called SW Sextantis stars. On the other hand, some old novae in this period range which are expected to show high mass transfer rate instead show photometric and/or spectroscopic resemblance to low mass transfer systems like dwarf novae. We discuss them as candidates for so-called hibernating systems, CVs that changed their mass transfer behaviour due to a previously experienced nova outburst. This paper is designed to provide input for further research and discussion as the results as such are still very preliminary.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2013

Old novae and the SW Sex phenomenon

From a large observing campaign, we found that nearly all non- or weakly magnetic cataclysmic variables (CVs) in the orbital period range between 2.8 and 4 hours are of SW Sex type and as such experience very high mass transfer rates. The exceptions seem to be some old novae that have periods around 3.5 h. Their spectra do not show the typical SW Sex characteristics but rather resemble those of dwarf novae with low mass transfer rates. The presence of old novae in this period range of SW Sex stars that do not follow the trend but show instead rather low mass transfer rates is interpreted as evidence for an effect of the nova eruption on the mass transfer rate of the underlying CV similar to the hibernation scenario.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2012

The SW Sex phenomenon as an evolutionary stage of Cataclysmic Variables

From recent large observing campaigns, one finds that nearly all non- or weakly magnetic cataclysmic variables in the orbital period range between 2.8 and 4 hours are of SW Sex type and as such experience very high mass transfer rates. The evolution of cataclysmic variables as for any interacting binary is driven by angular momentum loss which results in a decrease of the orbital period on evolutionary time scales. In particular, all long-period systems need to cross the SW Sex regime of the orbital period distribution before entering the period gap. This makes the SW Sex phenomenon an evolutionary stage in the life of a cataclysmic variable. Here, I present a short overview of the current state of research on these systems.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The Search for SW Sex Type Stars

All eclipsing nova-likes in the 2.8-4h orbital period range belong to the group of SW Sex stars, and as such experience very high mass transfer rates. Since the physical properties of a star should be independent of the inclination it is observed at, this suggests that all or at least a large fraction of the non- or weakly-magnetic cataclysmic variables in this period range are physically SW Sex stars. We here present preliminary results of a large campaign to search for SW Sex characteristic features in the spectra of such stars. We find that 14 out of the 18 observed non-eclipsing cataclysmic variables belong to the group of SW Sex stars the classification of the other four is uncertain from our data. This confirms the domination of SW Sex stars in the period range of 2.8-4 h just above the period gap. Since all long-period systems need to cross this range before entering the gap, the SW Sex phenomenon is likely to be an evolutionary stage in the life of a cataclysmic variable.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The post-nova population

We here present our on-going project to unveil the post-nova population by re-discovering old novae that have been lost after the initial outburst and of which the binary itself is unobserved. We take UBVR photometry for the candidate selection, long-slit spectroscopy to confirm these candidates, and time-resolved spectroscopy to measure the orbital period of the newly confirmed post-novae. Some preliminary results are shown as examples.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

SS433's accretion disc, wind and jets: before, during and after a major flare

The Galactic microquasar SS433 occasionally exhibits a major flare when the intensity of its emission increases significantly and rapidly. We present an analysis of high-resolution, almost-nightly optical spectra obtained before, during and after a major flare, whose complex emission lines are deconstructed into single gaussians and demonstrate the different modes of mass loss in the SS433 system. During our monitoring, an initial period of quiescence was followed by increased activity which culminated in a radio flare. In the transition period the accretion disc of SS433 became visible in H-alpha and HeI emission lines and remained so until the observations were terminated; the line-of-sight velocity of the centre of the disc lines during this time behaved as though the binary orbit has significant eccentricity rather than being circular, consistent with three recent lines of evidence. After the accretion disc appeared its rotation speed increased steadily from 500 to 700 km/s. The launch speed of the jets first decreased then suddenly increased. At the same time as the jet launch speed increased, the wind from the accretion disc doubled in speed. Two days afterwards, the radio flux exhibited a flare. These data suggest that a massive ejection of material from the companion star loaded the accretion disc and the system responded with mass loss via different modes that together comprise the flare phenomena. We find that archival data reveal similar behaviour, in that when the measured jet launch speed exceeds 0.29c this is invariably simultaneous with, or a few days before, a radio flare. Thus we surmise that a major flare consists of the overloading of the accretion disc, resulting in the speeding up of the H-alpha rotation disc lines, followed by enhanced mass loss not just via its famous jets at higher-than-usual speeds but also directly from its accretion disc's wind.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2010

Optical and near-infrared velocity dispersions of early-type galaxies

We have carried out a systematic, homogeneous comparison of optical and near-infrared dispersions. Our magnitude-limited sample of early-type galaxies in the Fornax cluster comprises 11 elliptical and 11 lenticular galaxies more luminous than MB = -17. We were able to determine the central dispersions based on the near-infrared CO absorption band head for 19 of those galaxies. The velocity dispersions range from less than 70 km/s to over 400 km/s. We compare our near-infrared velocity dispersions to the optical dispersions measured by Kuntschner (2000). Contrary to previous studies, we find a one-to-one correspondence with a median fractional difference of 6.4%. We examine the correlation between the relative dust mass and the fractional difference of the velocity dispersions, but find no significant trend. Our results suggest that early-type galaxies are largely optically thin, which is consistent with recent Herschel observations.

astro-ph.CO↗