arXiv subjects

M. Uemura

Publications and source records attributed to M. Uemura.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2004

The Peculiar 2004 Superoutburst in the Helium Dwarf Nova, 2003aw

We conducted a time-resolved photometric campaign of the helium dwarf nova, 2003aw in 2004 May--June. 2003aw stayed at 14.7--15.7 mag for the first several days during this campaign, which is the plateau phase of this superoutburst. This variable then rapidly decayed to $\sim$18.0 mag, still brighter by about 2 mag than its quiescence magnitude, and maintained this brightness for about 20 days, having short flares of $\sim$2 mag. A long fading tail followed it. We detected superhumps with a period of 0.02357(4) d [= 2036(3) s] during the plateau phase. The whole light curve of the superoutburst in 2003aw, taking into account the present data and those in the literature, perfectly resembles that of the 1996-1997 superoutburst of the peculiar WZ Sge-type hydrogen-rich dwarf nova, EG Cnc.

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arXiv2003

Photometric Observations of an SU UMa-type Dwarf Nova VW Coronae Borealis during Outbursts

We report the photometric observations of an SU UMa-type dwarf nova VW CrB during two superoutbursts in 2001 and 2003 and a normal outburst in 2003. Superhumps with a period of 0.07287(1) d were observed during the 2003 superoutburst. The change rate of the superhump period was positive. During the normal outburst, there are some hint of modulation up to a 0.2-mag amplitude. However, any periodicity was not found. The recurrence cycles of the normal outburst and the superoutburst, and the distance were estimated to be > ~50 d, 270-500 d, and 690(+230, -170) pc, respectively. These recurrence cycles are usual values for an SU UMa-type dwarf nova having this superhump period. The superhump period of VW CrB was the longest among those of the SU UMa stars with positive derivatives of the superhump period. The coverage of our observations was, however, not enough, and the variation of the Psh change rate of VW CrB is still unknown. A superhump regrowth and a brightening were seen near the end of the plateau phase. Measuring the deviation of the start timings of the brightening and the superhump regrowth (>2 days in VW CrB) will be a key to reveal the mechanism of these phenomena.

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arXiv2003

V1494 Aql: Eclipsing Fast Nova with an Unusual Orbital Light Curve

We present time-resolved photometry of V1494 Aql (Nova Aql 1999 No. 2: http://www.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/Novae/v1494aql.html) between 2001 November and 2003 June. The object is confirmed to be an eclipsing nova with a period of 0.1346138(2) d. The eclipses were present in all observed epochs. The orbital light curve shows a rather unusual profile, consisting of a bump-like feature at phase 0.6-0.7 and a dip-like feature at phase 0.2-0.4. These features were probably persistently present in all available observations between 2001 and 2003. A period analysis outside the eclipses has confirmed that these variations have a period common to the orbital period, and are unlikely interpreted as superhumps. We suspect that structure (probably in the accretion disk) fixed in the binary rotational frame is somehow responsible for this feature.

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arXiv2003

A New SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova, QW Serpentis (= TmzV46)

We report on the results of the QW Ser campaign which has been continued from 2000 to 2003 by the VSNET collaboration team. Four long outbursts and many short ones were caught during this period. Our intensive photometric observations revealed superhumps with a period of 0.07700(4) d during all four superoutbursts, proving the SU UMa nature of this star. The recurrence cycles of the normal outbursts and the superoutbursts were measured to be $\sim$50 days and 240(30) days, respectively. The change rate of the superhump period was -5.8x10^{-5}. The distance and the X-ray luminosity in the range of 0.5-2.4 keV are estimated to be 380(60) pc and log L_x = 31.0 \pm 0.1 erg s^{-1}. These properties have typical values for an SU UMa-type dwarf nova with this superhump period.

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arXiv2003

Variable Star Network: World Center for Transient Object Astronomy and Variable Stars

Variable Star Network (VSNET, http://www.kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp/vsnet/) is a global professional-amateur network of researchers in variable stars and related objects, particularly in transient objects, such as cataclysmic variables, black hole binaries, supernovae and gamma-ray bursts. The VSNET has been playing a pioneering role in establishing the field of "transient object astronomy", by effectively incorporating modern advance in observational astronomy and global electronic network, as well as collaborative progress in theoretical astronomy and astronomical computing. The VSNET is now one of the best-featured global networks in this field of astronomy. We review on the historical progress, design concept, associated technology, and a wealth of scientific achievements powered by the VSNET.

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arXiv2003

Outburst and Post-Outburst Active Phase of the Black Hole X-ray Binary V4641 Sgr in 2002

The black hole X-ray binary V4641 Sgr experienced an outburst in 2002 May which was detected at X-ray, optical, and radio wavelengths. The outburst lasted for only 6 days, but the object remained active for the next several months. Here we report on the detailed properties of light curves during the outburst and the post-outburst active phase. We reveal that rapid optical variations of ~100 s became more prominent when a thermal flare weakened and the optical spectrum flattened in the Ic, Rc, and V-band region. In conjunction with the flat spectrum in the radio range, this strongly indicates that the origin of rapid variations is not thermal emission, but synchrotron emission. Just after the outburst, we detected repeated flares at optical and X-ray wavelengths. The optical and X-ray light curves exhibited a strong correlation, with the X-rays, lagging by about 7 min. The X-ray lag can be understood in terms of a hot region propagating into the inner region of the accretion flow. The short X-ray lag, however, requires modifications of this simple scenario to account for the short propagation time. We also detected rapid optical variations with surprisingly high amplitude 50 days after the outburst, which we call optical flashes. During the most prominent optical flash, the object brightened by 1.2 mag only within 30 s. The released energy indicates that the emission source should be at the innermost region of the accretion flow.

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arXiv2003

Period change of Superhumps in the WZ Sge-Type Dwarf Nova, HV Virginis

After 10 years of quiescence, HV Vir underwent a superoutburst in January 2002. We report time-series observations clearly revealing the period change of ordinary superhumps during the superoutburst. We derived a mean superhump period of 0.058260 d and a positive period derivative of $7 \times 10^{-5}$. These results are in good agreement with the value obtained from the 1992 superoutburst. We also detected early superhumps, which were not clearly recognized in the past outburst, and a possible rebrightening. Both of them are the common characteristics of WZ Sge-type stars.

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arXiv2003

In-the-Gap SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova, Var73 Dra with a Supercycle of about 60 Days

An intensive photometric-observation campaign of the recently discovered SU UMa-type dwarf nova, Var73 Dra was conducted from 2002 August to 2003 February. We caught three superoutbursts in 2002 October, December and 2003 February. The recurrence cycle of the superoutburst (supercycle) is indicated to be $\sim$60 d, the shortest among the values known so far in SU UMa stars and close to those of ER UMa stars. The superhump periods measured during the first two superoutbursts were 0.104885(93) d, and 0.10623(16) d, respectively. A 0.10424(3)-d periodicity was detected in quiescence. The change rate of the superhump period during the second superoutburst was $1.7\times10^{-3}$, which is an order of magnitude larger than the largest value ever known. Outburst activity has changed from a phase of frequent normal outbursts and infrequent superoutbursts in 2001 to a phase of infrequent normal outbursts and frequent superoutbursts in 2002. Our observations are negative to an idea that this star is an related object to ER UMa stars in terms of the duty cycle of the superoutburst and the recurrence cycle of the normal outburst. However, to trace the superhump evolution throughout a superoutburst, and from quiescence more effectively, may give a fruitful result on this matter.

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arXiv2003

Grazing Eclipsing Dwarf Nova CW Monocerotis: Dwarf Nova-Type Outburst in a Possible Intermediate Polar?

We observed the 2002 October-November outburst of the dwarf nova CW Mon. The outburst showed a clear signature of a premaximum halt, and a more rapid decline after reaching the outburst maximum. On two separate occasions, during the premaximum stage and near the outburst maximum, shallow eclipses were recorded. This finding confirms the previously suggested possibility of the grazing eclipsing nature of this system. The separate occurrence of the eclipses and the premaximum halt can be understood as a result of a combination of two-step ignition of an outburst and the inside-out propagation of the heating wave. We detected a coherent short-period (0.02549 d) signal on two subsequent nights around the optical maximum. This signal was likely present during the maximum phase of the 2000 January outburst. We interpret this signal as a signature of the intermediate polar (IP) type pulses. The rather strange outburst properties, strong and hard X-ray emission, and the low luminosity of the outburst maximum might be understood as consequences of the supposed IP nature. The ratio between the suggested spin period and the orbital period, however, is rather unusual for a system having an orbital period of ~0.176 d.

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arXiv2002

Photometric study of new southern SU UMa-type dwarf novae and candidates: V877 Ara, KK Tel and PU CMa

We photometrically observed three dwarf novae V877 Ara, KK Tel and PU CMa. We discovered undisputed presence of superhumps in V877 Ara and KK Tel, with mean periods of 0.08411(2) d and 0.08808(3) d, respectively. Both V877 Ara and KK Tel are confirmed to belong to long-period SU UMa-type dwarf novae. In V877 Ara, we found a large decrease of the superhump period (dot(P)/P = -14.5 +/- 2.1 x 10^(-5)). There is evidence that the period of KK Tel decreased at a similar or a more exceptional rate. Coupled with the past studies of superhump period changes, these findings suggest that a previously neglected diversity of phenomena is present in long-period SU UMa-type dwarf novae. The present discovery of a diversity in long-period SU UMa-type systems would become an additional step toward a full understanding the dwarf nova phenomenon. PU CMa is shown to be an excellent candidate for an SU UMa-type dwarf nova. We examined the outburst properties of these dwarf novae, and derived characteristic outburst recurrence times. Combined with the recently published measurement of the orbital period of PU CMa, we propose that PU CMa is the first object filling the gap between the extreme WZ Sge-type and ER UMa-type stars.

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arXiv2002

V463 Scuti (Nova Sct 2000): Rapidly Evolving Nova with a Prominent Premaximum Halt

We summarize photometric and spectroscopic observations of V463 Sct (Nova Sct 2000), which was originally thought to be a red variable. The spectrum taken on 2000 March 16.81 UT showed prominent emission lines with a FHWM of 990 km/s (H alpha). The light curve shows a conspicuous premaximum halt lasting at least for 24 d, and a late-phase flare-like maximum. The nova then started rapidly fading at a rate corresponding to t2 = 15 +/- 3 d. Long premaximum halts have been considered as a unique character of the "slowest" novae. The present observation, however, suggests that the long premaximum halts are not a unique character of the slowest novae, but a more general phenomenon spreading over a wider range of nova speed classes than has been previously believed. A recent interpretation of premaximum halts requires that the conditions of thermonuclear runaway was only marginally satisfied. Since such conditions are more difficult to meet in rapidly evolving novae, V463 Sct would provide an unique opportunity in testing this interpretation. The early post-outburst spectrum showed co-existence of Fe II lines and some forbidden lines, which suggests that substantial amount of material may have been ejected before the observed optical maximum. The impact of the modern global network (VSNET) on confirmatory processes of transient objects is briefly discussed.

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arXiv2002

WZ Sge-Type Star V592 Herculis

We observed the entire course of the 1998 outburst of V592 Her, which was originally reported as a nova in 1968. We have been able to construct a full light curve of the outburst, which is characterized by a rapid initial decline (0.98 mag/d), which smoothly developed into a plateau phase with a slower linear decline. We detected superhumps characteristic to SU UMa-type dwarf novae ~7 d after the optical maximum. The overall behavior of the light curve and the development of superhumps were characteristic to a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova. Combined with the past literature, we have been able to uniquely determine the superhump period to be 0.05648(2) d. From this period, together with a modern interpretation of the absolute magnitude of the outburst light curve, we conclude that the overall picture of V592 Her is not inconsistent with a lower main-sequence secondary star in contrast to a previous claim that V592 Her contains a brown dwarf.

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arXiv2002

Photometric Study of KR Aurigae during the High State in 2001

We photometrically observed the VY Scl-type cataclysmic variable KR Aurigae after its final rise from the fading episode in 2000-2001. Time-resolved observation revealed that the light curve is dominated by persistent short-term variation with time-scales of minutes to tens of minutes. On some nights, quasi-periodic variations with periods of 10--15 min were observed. No coherent variation was detected. The power spectral density of the variation has a power law component (f^(-1.63)). The temporal properties of the short-term variations in KR Aur present additional support for the possibility that flickering in CVs may be better understood as a result of self-organized critical state as in black-hole candidates. The light curve lacks "superhump"-type signals, which are relatively frequently seen in VY Scl-type systems and which are suggested to arise from tidal instability of the accretion disk induced by changing mass-transfer rates. The present observation suggests a borderline of superhump excitation in VY Scl-type stars between mass ratios q=0.43 (MV Lyr) and q=0.60 (KR Aur).

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arXiv2002

Superhumps of CC Cancri Revisited

We observed the 2001 November superoutburst of CC Cnc. This observation makes the first detailed coverage of a superoutburst of this object. The best-determined mean superhump period is 0.075518 +/- 0.000018 d, which is 2.7% longer than the reported orbital period. This fractional superhump excess is a quite typical value for a normal SU UMa-type dwarf nova, excluding the previously raised possibility that CC Cnc may have an anomalously large fractional superhump excess. During the superoutburst plateau, the object showed a decrease of the superhump period at dot(P)/P = -10.2(1.3) x 10^(-5), which is one of the largest negative period derivative known in all SU UMa-type dwarf novae.

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arXiv2002

Dramatic Changes in the Outburst Properties in V503 Cygni

We examined the VSNET light curve of the unusual SU UMa-type dwarf nova V503 Cyg which is known to show a short (89 d) supercycle length and exceptionally small (a few) normal outbursts within a supercycle. In 1999-2000, V503 Cyg displayed frequent normal outbursts with typical recurrence times of 7-9 d. The behavior during this period is characteristic to an usual SU UMa-type dwarf nova with a short supercycle length. On the other hand, V503 Cyg showed very infrequent normal outbursts in 2001-2002. Some of the superoutbursts during this period were observed shorter than usual. The remarkable alternations of the outbursting states in V503 Cyg support the presence of mechanisms of suppressing normal outbursts and premature quenching superoutbursts, which have been proposed to explain some unusual SU UMa-type outbursts. The observed temporal variability of the suppressing/quenching mechanisms in the same object suggests that these mechanisms are not primarily governed by a fixed system parameter but more reflect state changes in the accretion disk.

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arXiv2002

The Nature of V359 Centauri Revealed: New Long-Period SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova

We detected four outbursts of V359 Cen (possible nova discovered in 1939) between 1999 and 2002. Time-resolved CCD photometry during two outbursts (1999 and 2002) revealed that V359 Cen is actually a long-period SU UMa-type dwarf nova with a mean superhump period of 0.08092(1) d. We identified its supercycle length as 307-397 d. This secure identification of the superhump period precludes the previously supposed possibility that V359 Cen could be related to a WZ Sge-type system with a long persistence of late superhumps. The outburst characteristics of V359 Cen are, however, rather unusual in its low occurrence of normal outbursts.

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arXiv2002

Outburst Photometry of the Eclipsing Dwarf Nova GY Cancri

We observed the ROSAT-selected eclipsing dwarf nova GY Cnc (=RX J0909.8+1849) during the 2001 November outburst. We refined the orbital period to be 0.17544251(5) d. The fading portion of the outburst was indistinguishable from those of typical dwarf novae with similar orbital periods. However, the signature of orbital humps (or a hot spot) was far less prominently observed in the orbital light curves and eclipse profiles than in usual dwarf novae with similar orbital periods. The combination of low frequency of outbursts and the apparent lack of slowly rising, long outbursts in GY Cnc is difficult to reconcile within the standard framework of dwarf novae. We suspect that GY Cnc may be the first above-the-gap counterpart of unusual eclipsing dwarf novae HT Cas and IR Com.

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arXiv2002

Observations of the Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable VV Puppis with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer

We present the first far-ultraviolet (FUV) observations of the magnetic cataclysmic variable VV Puppis, obtained with the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer satellite. In addition, we have obtained simultaneous ground-based optical photometric observations of VV Pup during part of the FUV observation. The shapes of the FUV and optical light curves are consistent with each other and with those of past observations at optical, extreme-ultraviolet, and X-ray wavelengths. Time-resolved FUV spectra during the portion of VV Pup's orbit when the accreting magnetic pole of the white dwarf can be seen show an increasing continuum level as the accretion spot becomes more directly visible. The most prominent features in the spectrum are the O VI 1031.9A, 1037.6A emission lines. We interpret the shape and velocity shift of these lines in the context of an origin in the accretion funnel near the white dwarf surface. A blackbody function with T > 90,000 K provides an adequate fit to the FUV spectral energy distribution of VV Pup.

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