arXiv subjects

M. K. Szymanski

Publications and source records attributed to M. K. Szymanski.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2016

The awakening of a classical nova from hibernation

Cataclysmic variable stars (CVs) are close binary systems consisting of a white dwarf (primary) that is accreting matter from a low-mass companion star (secondary). From time to time such systems undergo large-amplitude brightenings. The most spectacular eruptions, over $10^4$ times in brightness, occur in classical novae and are caused by a thermonuclear runaway on the surface of the white dwarf. Such eruptions are thought to recur on timescales of $10^4-10^6$. In between, the system's properties depend primarily on the mass-transfer rate: if it is lower than a $10^{-9} M_{\odot}$/year, the accretion becomes unstable and the matter is dumped onto the white dwarf during quasi-periodic dwarf nova outbursts. The hibernation hypothesis predicts that nova eruptions strongly affect the mass-transfer rate, keeping it high for centuries after the event. Subsequently, the mass-transfer rate should significantly decrease for $10^3-10^6$ years, starting the hibernation phase. After that the nova awakes again - with accretion returning to the pre-eruption level and leading to a new nova explosion. The hibernation model predicts cyclical evolution of CVs through phases of high and low mass-transfer. The theory gained some support from the discovery of ancient nova shells around dwarf novae Z Cam and AT Cnc, but direct evidence for considerable mass-transfer changes prior, during and after nova eruptions has not hitherto been found. Here we report long-term observations of the classical nova V1213 Cen (Nova Cen 2009) covering its pre- and post-eruption phases. Within the six years before the explosion, the system revealed dwarf nova outbursts indicative of a low mass-transfer rate. The post-nova is two orders of magnitude brighter than the pre-nova at minimum light with no trace of dwarf nova behavior, implying that the mass-transfer rate increased considerably as a result of the nova explosion.

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arXiv2016

OGLE Study of the Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal Galaxy and its M54 Globular Cluster

We use the fundamental-mode RR Lyr-type variable stars (RRab) from OGLE-IV survey to draw a 3D picture of the central part of the tidally disrupted Sagittarius Dwarf Spheroidal (Sgr dSph) galaxy. We estimate the line-of-sight thickness of the Sgr dSph stream to be FWHM_cen=2.42 kpc. Based on OGLE-IV observations collected in seasons 2011-2014 we conduct a comprehensive study of stellar variability in the field of the globular cluster M54 (NGC 6715) residing in the core of this dwarf galaxy. Among the total number of 268 detected variable stars we report the identification of 174 RR Lyr stars, four Type II Cepheids, 51 semi-regular variable red giants, three SX Phe-type stars, 18 eclipsing binary systems. Eighty-three variable stars are new discoveries. The distance to the cluster determined from RRab stars is d_M54 = 26.7 +/-0.03(stat) +/-1.3(sys) kpc. From the location of RRab stars in the period-amplitude (Bailey) diagram we confirm the presence of two old populations, both in the cluster and the Sgr dSph stream.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Discovery of a high state AM CVn binary in the Galactic Bulge Survey

We report on the discovery of a hydrogen-deficient compact binary (CXOGBS J175107.6-294037) belonging to the AM CVn class in the Galactic Bulge Survey. Deep archival X-ray observations constrain the X-ray positional uncertainty of the source to 0.57 arcsec, and allow us to uniquely identify the optical and UV counterpart. Optical spectroscopic observations reveal the presence of broad, shallow He i absorption lines while no sign of hydrogen is present, consistent with a high state system. We present the optical lightcurve from Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment monitoring, spanning 15 years. It shows no evidence for outbursts; variability is present at the 0.2 mag level on timescales ranging from hours to weeks. A modulation on a timescale of years is also observed. A Lomb-Scargle analysis of the optical lightcurves shows two significant periodicities at 22.90 and 23.22 min. Although the physical interpretation is uncertain, such timescales are in line with expectations for the orbital and superhump periods. We estimate the distance to the source to be between 0.5 - 1.1 kpc. Spectroscopic follow-up observations are required to establish the orbital period, and to determine whether this source can serve as a verification binary for the eLISA gravitational wave mission.

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arXiv2016

The First Neptune Analog or Super-Earth with Neptune-like Orbit: MOA-2013-BLG-605Lb

We present the discovery of the first Neptune analog exoplanet or super-Earth with Neptune-like orbit, MOA-2013-BLG-605Lb. This planet has a mass similar to that of Neptune or a super-Earth and it orbits at $9\sim 14$ times the expected position of the snow-line, $a_{\rm snow}$, which is similar to Neptune's separation of $ 11\,a_{\rm snow}$ from the Sun. The planet/host-star mass ratio is $q=(3.6\pm0.7)\times 10^{-4}$ and the projected separation normalized by the Einstein radius is $s=2.39\pm0.05$. There are three degenerate physical solutions and two of these are due to a new type of degeneracy in the microlensing parallax parameters, which we designate "the wide degeneracy". The three models have (i) a Neptune-mass planet with a mass of $M_{\rm p}=21_{-7}^{+6} M_{Earth}$ orbiting a low-mass M-dwarf with a mass of $M_{\rm h}=0.19_{-0.06}^{+0.05} M_\odot$, (ii) a mini-Neptune with $M_{\rm p}= 7.9_{-1.2}^{+1.8} M_{Earth}$ orbiting a brown dwarf host with $M_{\rm h}=0.068_{-0.011}^{+0.019} M_\odot$ and (iii) a super-Earth with $M_{\rm p}= 3.2_{-0.3}^{+0.5} M_{Earth}$ orbiting a low-mass brown dwarf host with $M_{\rm h}=0.025_{-0.004}^{+0.005} M_\odot$ which is slightly favored. The 3-D planet-host separations are 4.6$_{-1.2}^{+4.7}$ AU, 2.1$_{-0.2}^{+1.0}$ AU and 0.94$_{-0.02}^{+0.67}$ AU, which are $8.9_{-1.4}^{+10.5}$, $12_{-1}^{+7}$ or $14_{-1}^{+11}$ times larger than $a_{\rm snow}$ for these models, respectively. The Keck AO observation confirm that the lens is faint. This discovery suggests that low-mass planets with Neptune-like orbit are common. So processes similar to the one that formed Neptune in our own Solar System or cold super-Earth may be common in other solar systems.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2016

Mass Measurements of Isolated Objects from Space-based Microlensing

We report on the mass and distance measurements of two single-lens events from the 2015 \emph{Spitzer} microlensing campaign. With both finite-source effect and microlens parallax measurements, we find that the lens of OGLE-2015-BLG-1268 is very likely a brown dwarf. Assuming that the source star lies behind the same amount of dust as the Bulge red clump, we find the lens is a $45\pm7$ $M_{\rm J}$ brown dwarf at $5.9\pm1.0$ kpc. The lens of of the second event, OGLE-2015-BLG-0763, is a $0.50\pm0.04$ $M_\odot$ star at $6.9\pm1.0$ kpc. We show that the probability to definitively measure the mass of isolated microlenses is dramatically increased once simultaneous ground- and space-based observations are conducted.

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arXiv2016

Black Hole, Neutron Star and White Dwarf Candidates from Microlensing with OGLE-III

Most stellar remnants so far have been found in binary systems, where they interact with matter from their companions. Isolated neutron stars and black holes are difficult to find as they are dark, yet they are predicted to exist in our Galaxy in vast numbers. We explored the OGLE-III database of 150 million objects observed in years 2001-2009 and found 59 microlensing events exhibiting a parallax effect due to the Earth's motion around the Sun. Combining parallax and brightness measurements from microlensing light curves with expected proper motions in the Milky Way, we identified 13 microlensing events which are consistent with having a white dwarf, neutron star or a black hole lens and we estimated their masses and distances. The most massive of our black hole candidates has 9.3 MSun and is at a distance of 2.4 kpc. The distribution of masses of our candidates indicates a continuum in mass distribution with no mass gap between neutron stars and black holes. We also present predictions on how such events will be observed by the astrometric Gaia mission.

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arXiv2016

The OGLE Collection of Variable Stars. Classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System

We present here a nearly complete census of classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System. The sample extends the set of Cepheids published in the past by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) to the outer regions of the Large (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The entire collection consists of 9535 Cepheids of which 4620 belong to the LMC and 4915 are members of the SMC. We provide the I- and V-band time-series photometry of the published Cepheids, their finding charts, and basic observational parameters. Based on this unique OGLE sample of Cepheids we present updated period--luminosity relations for fundamental, first, and second mode of pulsations in the I- and V-bands and for the W_I extinction-free Wesenheit index. We also show the distribution of classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System. The OGLE collection contains several classical Cepheids in the Magellanic Bridge - the region of interaction between the Magellanic Clouds. The discovery of classical Cepheids and their estimated ages confirm the presence of young stellar population between these galaxies.

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arXiv2016

Multi-Mode and Non-Standard Classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System

We present a sample of the most interesting classical Cepheids selected from the OGLE collection of classical Cepheids in the Magellanic System. The main selection criterion for this sample was the presence of non-standard, unique pulsational properties. The sample contains the first known double-mode Cepheid pulsating in the second- and third-overtone modes and a large number of objects with non-radial modes excited. We also found Cepheids revealing Blazhko-like light curve modulation, objects ceasing pulsations or showing atypical shapes of their light curves. Additionally, the status of several triple mode classical Cepheids is updated based on OGLE-IV photometry extending the time baseline to 15 years.

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arXiv2016

One Thousand New Dwarf Novae from the OGLE Survey

We present one of the largest collections of dwarf novae (DNe) containing 1091 objects that have been discovered in the long-term photometric data from the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) survey. They were found in the OGLE fields toward the Galactic bulge and the Magellanic Clouds. We analyze basic photometric properties of all systems and tentatively find a population of DNe from the Galactic bulge. We identify several dozen of WZ Sge-type DN candidates, including two with superhump periods longer than 0.09 d. Other interesting objects include SU UMa-type stars with "early" precursor outbursts or a Z Cam-type star showing outbursts during standstills. We also provide a list of DNe which will be observed during the K2 Campaign 9 microlensing experiment in 2016. Finally, we present the new OGLE-IV real-time data analysis system: CVOM, which has been designed to provide continuous real time photometric monitoring of selected CVs.

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arXiv2016

OGLE Atlas of Classical Novae. II. Magellanic Clouds

The population of classical novae in the Magellanic Clouds was poorly known because of a lack of systematic studies. There were some suggestions that nova rates per unit mass in the Magellanic Clouds were higher than in any other galaxy. Here, we present an analysis of data collected over 16 years by the OGLE survey with the aim of characterizing the nova population in the Clouds. We found 20 eruptions of novae, half of which are new discoveries. We robustly measure nova rates of $2.4 \pm 0.8$ yr$^{-1}$ (LMC) and $0.9 \pm 0.4$ yr$^{-1}$ (SMC) and confirm that the K-band luminosity-specific nova rates in both Clouds are 2-3 times higher than in other galaxies. This can be explained by the star formation history in the Magellanic Clouds, specifically the re-ignition of the star formation rate a few Gyr ago. We also present the discovery of the intriguing system OGLE-MBR133.25.1160 which mimics recurrent nova eruptions.

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arXiv2015

No Evidence for Classical Cepheids and a New Dwarf Galaxy Behind the Galactic Disk

Based on data from the ongoing OGLE Galaxy Variability Survey (OGLE GVS) we have verified observed properties of stars detected by the near-infrared VVV survey in a direction near the Galactic plane at longitude l~-27 deg and recently tentatively classified as classical Cepheids belonging to a, hence claimed, dwarf galaxy at a distance of about 90 kpc from the Galactic Center. Three of four stars are detected in the OGLE GVS I-band images. We show that two of the objects are not variable at all and the third one with a period of 5.695 d and a nearly sinusoidal light curve of an amplitude of 0.5 mag cannot be a classical Cepheid and is very likely a spotted object. These results together with a very unusual shape of the Ks-band light curve of the fourth star indicate that very likely none of them is a Cepheid and, thus, there is no evidence for a background dwarf galaxy. Our observations show that a great care must be taken when classifying objects by their low-amplitude close-to-sinusoidal near-infrared light curves, especially with a small number of measurements. We also provide a sample of high-amplitude spotted stars with periods of a few days that can mimick pulsations and even eclipses.

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arXiv2015

Planet Sensitivity from Combined Ground- and Space-based Microlensing Observations

To move one step forward toward a Galactic distribution of planets, we present the first planet sensitivity analysis for microlensing events with simultaneous observations from space and the ground. We present this analysis for two such events, OGLE-2014-BLG-0939 and OGLE-2014-BLG-0124, which both show substantial planet sensitivity even though neither of them reached high magnification. This suggests that an ensemble of low to moderate magnification events can also yield significant planet sensitivity and therefore probability to detect planets. The implications of our results to the ongoing and future space-based microlensing experiments to measure the Galactic distribution of planets are discussed.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2015

MOA-2010-BLG-353Lb A Possible Saturn Revealed

We report the discovery of a possible planet in microlensing event MOA-2010-BLG-353. This event was only recognised as having a planetary signal after the microlensing event had finished, and following a systematic analysis of all archival data for binary lens microlensing events collected to date. Data for event MOA-2010-BLG-353 were only recorded by the high cadence observations of the OGLE and MOA survey groups. If we make the assumptions that the probability of the lens star hosting a planet of the measured mass ratio is independent of the lens star mass or distance, and that the source star is in the Galactic bulge, a probability density analysis indicates the planetary system comprises a 0.9^{+1.6}_{-0.53} M_{Saturn} mass planet orbiting a 0.18^{+0.32}_{-0.11} M_{sun} red dwarf star, 6.43^{+1.09}_{-1.15} kpc away. The projected separation of the planet from the host star is 1.72^{+0.56}_{-0.48} AU. Under the additional assumption that the source is on the far side of the Galactic bulge, the probability density analysis favours a lens system comprising a slightly lighter planet.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2015

Deciphering the 3D structure of the old Galactic bulge from the OGLE RR Lyrae stars

We have analyzed a sample of 27,258 fundamental-mode RR Lyrae variable stars (type RRab) detected recently toward the Galactic bulge by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) survey. The data support our earlier claim that these metal-poor stars trace closely the barred structure formed of intermediate-age red clump giants. The distance to the Galactic center (GC) inferred from the bulge RR Lyrae stars is R_0=8.27+/-0.01(stat)+/-0.40(sys) kpc. We show that their spatial distribution has the shape of a triaxial ellipsoid with an major axis located in the Galactic plane and inclined at an angle of i=20+/-3 deg to the Sun-GC line of sight. The obtained scale-length ratio of the major axis to the minor axis in the Galactic plane and to the axis vertical to the plane is 1:0.49(2):0.39(2). We do not see the evidence for the bulge RR Lyrae stars forming an X-shaped structure. Based on the light curve parameters, we derive metallicities of the RRab variables and show that there is a very mild but statistically significant radial metallicity gradient. About 60% of the bulge RRab stars form two very close sequences on the period-amplitude (or Bailey) diagram, which we interpret as two major old bulge populations: A and B. Their metallicities likely differ. Population A is about four times less abundant than the slightly more metal-poor population B. Most of the remaining stars seem to represent other, even more metal-poor populations of the bulge. The presence of multiple old populations indicates that the Milky Way bulge was initially formed through mergers.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Spitzer Parallax of OGLE-2015-BLG-0966: A Cold Neptune in the Galactic Disk

We report the detection of a Cold Neptune m_planet=21+/-2MEarth orbiting a 0.38MSol M dwarf lying 2.5-3.3 kpc toward the Galactic center as part of a campaign combining ground-based and Spitzer observations to measure the Galactic distribution of planets. This is the first time that the complex real-time protocols described by Yee et al. (2015), which aim to maximize planet sensitivity while maintaining sample integrity, have been carried out in practice. Multiple survey and follow-up teams successfully combined their efforts within the framework of these protocols to detect this planet. This is the second planet in the Spitzer Galactic distribution sample. Both are in the near-to-mid disk and clearly not in the Galactic bulge.

astro-ph.EP↗

arXiv2015

The OGLE Collection of Variable Stars. Anomalous Cepheids in the Magellanic Clouds

We present a collection of 250 anomalous Cepheids (ACs) discovered in the OGLE-IV fields toward the Large (LMC) and Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). The LMC sample is an extension of the OGLE-III Catalog of ACs published in 2008, while the SMC sample contains the first known bona fide ACs in this galaxy. The total sample is composed of 141 ACs in the LMC and 109 ACs in the SMC. All these stars pulsate in single modes: fundamental (174 objects) or first overtone (76 objects). Additionally, we report the discovery of four ACs located in the foreground of the Magellanic Clouds. These are the first fundamental-mode ACs known in the Galactic field. We demonstrate that the coefficients phi_21 and phi_31 determined by the Fourier light curve decomposition are useful discriminators between classical Cepheids and ACs, at least in the LMC and in the field of the Milky Way. In the SMC, the light curve shapes and mean magnitudes of short-period classical Cepheids make them similar to ACs, which is a source of difficulties in the discrimination of both classes of pulsators. The presence of unidentified ACs in the catalogs of classical Cepheids may be partly responsible for the observed non-linearity of the period-luminosity relation observed for short-period Cepheids in the SMC. We compare spatial distributions of ACs, classical Cepheids and RR Lyr stars. We show that the distribution of ACs resembles that of old stars (RR Lyr variables), although in the LMC there are visible structures typical for young population (classical Cepheids): the bar and spiral arms. This may suggest that ACs are a mixture of relatively young stars and mergers of very old stars.

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arXiv2015

OGLE Atlas of Classical Novae I. Galactic Bulge Objects

Eruptions of classical novae are possible sources of lithium formation and gamma-ray emission. Nova remnants can also become Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia). The contribution of novae to these phenomena depends on nova rates, which are not well established for the Galaxy. Here, we directly measure a Galactic bulge nova rate of $13.8 \pm 2.6$ per year. This measurement is much more accurate than any previous measurement of this kind thanks to many years' monitoring of the bulge by the Optical Gravitational Lensing Experiment (OGLE) survey. Our sample consists of 39 novae eruptions, $\sim$1/3 of which are OGLE-based discoveries. This long-term monitoring allows us to not only measure the nova rate but also to study in detail the light curves of 39 eruptions and more than 80 post-nova candidates. We measured orbital periods for 9 post-novae and 9 novae, and in 14 cases we procured the first estimates. The OGLE survey is very sensitive to the frequently erupting recurrent novae. We did not find any object similar to M31 2008-12a, which erupts once a year. The lack of detection indicates that there is only a small number of them in the Galactic bulge.

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arXiv2015

Ultra-Short-Period Binary Systems in the OGLE Fields Toward the Galactic Bulge

We present a sample of 242 ultra-short-period (P < 0.22 d) eclipsing and ellipsoidal binary stars identified in the OGLE fields toward the Galactic bulge. Based on the light curve morphology, we divide the sample into candidates for contact binaries and non-contact binaries. In the latter group we distinguish binary systems consisting of a cool main-sequence star and a B-type subdwarf (HW Vir stars) and candidates for cataclysmic variables, including five eclipsing dwarf novae. One of the detected eclipsing binary systems - OGLE-BLG-ECL-000066 - with the orbital period below 0.1 d, likely consists of M dwarfs in a nearly contact configuration. If confirmed, this would be the shortest-period M-dwarf binary system currently known. We discuss possible evolutionary mechanisms that could lead to the orbital period below 0.1 d in an M-dwarf binary.

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