arXiv subjects

Paulina Sowicka

Publications and source records attributed to Paulina Sowicka.

18 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

K 1-6 is a photoionised ISM nebula shaped by a fast-moving hot white dwarf in a triple system

K 1-6 has long been classified as a planetary nebula (PN) hosting a binary central star, yet it has remained poorly studied due to its faintness. The central star exhibits pronounced photometric variability whose origin has so far been unclear. We aim to present a comprehensive characterisation of the K 1-6 system, including the physical properties of its stellar components and the nature of the surrounding nebulosity. We conducted a multi-wavelength analysis combining optical and UV spectroscopy obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias, the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo, the Nordic Optical Telescope, and the Hubble Space Telescope. We also present long-term multi-band ground- and space-based photometry, including high-cadence data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, narrow-band imaging, and the latest astrometric constraints from Gaia. Our results show that the nebula is not a remnant PN, but instead consists of interstellar medium photoionised by a hot white dwarf, which is relatively evolved. It has a cooling age of 1-2 Myr, implying that any original PN has long since dissipated. We further find that the central object is a hierarchical triple system, comprising an inner binary with an orbital period likely of the order of thousands of days and a distant tertiary companion on a timescale of tens of thousands of years. The optically dominant cool component of the inner binary is an inflated K-type star displaying extreme magnetic activity, including large-amplitude variability and flaring. Its properties resemble those of BY Dra-type binaries and Abell 35-type systems, and are difficult to reconcile with single-star evolution, pointing instead to a history of binary interaction.

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arXiv2026

Observing bright pulsating white dwarfs with PLATO: A new window into the late stages of stellar evolution

We present the scientific case for exploiting the capabilities of the PLATO mission to study bright pulsating white dwarfs across a wide spectral range, including hydrogen-deficient types (GW Vir and DBV stars) and hydrogen-rich classes (classical DAVs, pulsating extremely low-mass DA white dwarfs, and ultra-massive DA white dwarfs). PLATOs exceptional photometric precision, long-duration continuous monitoring, and extensive sky coverage promise transformative advances in white dwarf asteroseismology. Our key objectives include probing the internal structure and chemical stratification of white dwarfs, detecting secular changes in pulsation modes over extended timescales, and discovering rare or previously unknown classes of pulsators. To assess feasibility, we constructed a sample of 650 white dwarf candidates identified within PLATOs Southern LOPS2 field using the PLATO complementary science catalogue combined with Gaia DR3, and derived atmospheric parameters through photometric modeling. This sample comprises 118 DA white dwarfs (including 23 ZZ Ceti candidates), and 41 non-DAs (including 35 DBV candidates). Simulated observations using PlatoSim demonstrate that PLATO will be capable of detecting white dwarf pulsation modes with amplitudes as low as 0.1 mma depending on stellar magnitude, observation duration, pixel location, and the number of contributing cameras. We provide detailed detection limits and visibility forecasts for known pulsators across a representative range of these parameters. Furthermore, we emphasize strong synergies with Gaia astrometry, TESS photometry, and targeted spectroscopic campaigns, which together will enable robust mode identification and detailed stellar modeling. Collectively, these efforts will unlock unprecedented insights into white dwarf origins, evolution and internal physics, and the fate of their planetary systems.

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arXiv2026

Kepler Discovery of GW Vir Pulsations of the Central Star of Planetary Nebula Kn 61

We report the discovery of pulsations in the N-rich PG 1159-type central star of the planetary nebula Kn 61 based on one month of Kepler Short Cadence observations. We detect four significant peaks in the frequency range consistent with g-modes excited in GW Vir stars. From the detected modes, we identify a mean period spacing of $ΔΠ=21.526(6)$ s for a sequence of three $\ell=1$ modes. This allows us to derive the asteroseismic mass of the star, which we estimate to be $0.551(6)~\mathrm{M}_{\odot}$, consistent with the one derived from the evolutionary tracks. We also characterize sporadic brightening events in the Long Cadence Kepler light curve of Kn 61. If we assume these are caused by increases in effective temperature, we estimate their energies to be $\sim10^{40}$ erg, though this may not be accurate as the mechanism for releasing so much energy is still unknown.

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arXiv2026

Classifying white dwarfs from multi-object spectroscopy surveys with machine learning

With tens to hundreds of spectra of white dwarfs being taken each night from multi-object spectroscopic surveys, automated spectral classification is essential as part of efficient data processing. In this study, we design a neural network to classify the spectral type of white dwarfs using a combination of spectra from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) data release~1 and imaging from Pan-STARRS photometry. The trained network has a near 100% accuracy at identifying DA and DB white dwarf spectral types, while having an 85-95% accuracy for identifying all other primary types, including metal pollution. Distinct spectral or photometric features map into separate structures when performing a Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection (UMAP) dimensionality reduction. Investigating further and looking at multiple epoch spectra, we performed a separate search for objects that have strongly changing spectral signatures using UMAP, discovering 3 new inhomogeneous surface composition ('double-faced') white dwarfs in the process. We lastly show how machine learning has the potential to separate single white dwarfs from double white dwarf binary star systems in a large dataset, ideal for isolating a single star population. The results from all of these techniques show a compelling use of machine learning to boost efficiency in analysing white dwarfs observed in multi-object spectroscopy surveys, at times replacing the need for human-driven spectral classifications. This demonstrates our techniques as powerful tools for batch population analyses, finding outliers as a form of rare subclass detection, and in conducting multi-epoch spectral analyses.

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arXiv2026

Appraising the Necklace: A post-common-envelope carbon dwarf inside an apparently carbon-poor planetary nebula

Context: The Necklace nebula is a bipolar, post-common-envelope planetary nebula, the central star of which has been shown to have a dwarf carbon star companion. Aims: We aim to understand the origins of the Necklace and its dwarf carbon central star. Methods: We study the carbon abundance of the nebula through far ultraviolet spectroscopy obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope. Furthermore, through simultaneous modelling of multiband light and velocity curves, we attempt to constrain the parameters of the central star system. Results: Puzzlingly, we find that the region of the inner nebula observed with the Hubble Space Telescope is seemingly not carbon-rich, at odds with the dwarf carbon star nature of the companion of the central star. The initial mass of the nebular progenitor was likely very close to the limit to become carbon-rich, perhaps experiencing a very late thermal pulse. The dwarf carbon star companion is found to be significantly inflated with respect to that expected for an isolated main sequence star of the same mass. Conclusions: The properties of the central binary are consistent with the progenitor having become carbon-rich and its companion having accreted a significant amount of that carbon-enriched material. However, it is unclear how this evolutionary hypothesis can be reconciled with the inner nebula potentially being carbon poor.

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arXiv2026

Spectral evolution of hot hybrid white dwarfs: II. Photometry

We present a photometric analysis of 19 DA and 13 DAO white dwarfs (WDs) with effective temperatures exceeding 60 kK, building on the spectral analysis reported in the first paper of this two-part study. By examining archival light curves for periodic signals, we identify that four of the 32 objects ($13^{+8}_{-4}$%) exhibit photometric variability. Spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting allowed us to derive radii, luminosities, and gravity masses, as well as to characterise the infrared excesses observed in six sources. A notable discovery is the identification of a 1.87 d period in the ZTF light curves of WD1342+443 and weak emission lines in the optical spectra of this star, which strongly indicate an irradiation effect system. Our SED fit indicates the presence of cool dust, which must be located farther from the star, and that any companion with a spectral type earlier than L2.0 would appear in the SED. This leads us to speculate that WD1342+443 might have an irradiated, sub-stellar companion. We also highlight that we uncovered, for the first time, a 4.23 d photometric period in the well-known, close DA+dM binary WD0232+035, based on TESS data. We find that the phase and amplitude of the light curve variations are consistent with expectations from an irradiation effect. Intriguingly, we detected an additional, mysterious period at 1.39 d, which is approximately one-third of the orbital period. Moreover, we revisited the longstanding discrepancy between Kiel and gravity masses for the hottest WDs. To address this, we explored fully metal line blanketed model atmospheres as a potential solution, contrasting them with the results from pure H and H+He models. Our results show that including metal opacities does not resolve the discrepancy - in fact, it slightly deteriorates the agreement. Finally, we reaffirm the previously observed correlation between He abundance and luminosity.

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arXiv2024

Pulsating hydrogen-deficient white dwarfs and pre-white dwarfs observed with TESS VI. Asteroseismology of the GW Vir-type central star of the Planetary Nebula NGC 246

Significant advances have been achieved through the latest improvements in the photometric observations accomplished by the recent space missions, substantially boosting the study of pulsating stars via asteroseismology. The TESS mission has already proven to be of relevance for pulsating white dwarf and pre-white dwarf stars. We report a detailed asteroseismic analysis of the pulsating PG 1159 star NGC 246 (TIC3905338), the central star of the planetary nebula NGC 246, based on high-precision photometric data gathered by the TESS space mission. We reduced TESS observations of NGC 246 and performed a detailed asteroseismic analysis using fully evolutionary PG 1159 models computed accounting for the complete prior evolution of their progenitors. We constrained the mass of this star by comparing the measured mean period spacing with the average of the computed period spacings of the models and also employed the observed individual periods to search for a seismic stellar model. We extracted 17 periodicities from the TESS light curves from the two sectors where NGC246 was observed. All the oscillation frequencies are associated with g-mode pulsations, with periods spanning from ~1460 to ~1823s. We found a constant period spacing of $ΔΠ= 12.9$s, allowing us to deduce that the stellar mass is larger than ~0.87 Mo if the period spacing is assumed to be associated with l= 1 modes, and ~ 0.568 Mo if it is associated with l= 2 modes. The less massive models are more consistent with the distance constraint from Gaia parallax. Although we were not able to find a unique asteroseismic model for this star, the period-to-period fit analyses suggest a high-stellar mass ($\gtrsim$0.74 Mo) when the observed periods are associated with modes with l= 1 only, and both a high ($\gtrsim$ 0.74 Mo) and intermediate (~0.57 Mo) stellar mass when the observed periods are associated with modes with l= 1 and 2.

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arXiv2023

The GW Vir instability strip in the light of new observations of PG 1159 stars. Discovery of pulsations in the central star of Abell 72 and variability of RX J0122.9-7521

We present the results of new time series photometric observations of 29 pre-white dwarf stars of PG 1159 spectral type, carried out in the years 2014-2022. For the majority of stars, a median noise level in Fourier amplitude spectra of 0.5-1.0 mmag was achieved. This allowed the detection of pulsations in the central star of planetary nebula Abell 72, consistent with g-modes excited in GW Vir stars, and variability in RX J0122.9-7521 that could be due to pulsations, binarity or rotation. For the remaining stars from the sample that were not observed to vary, we placed upper limits for variability. After combination with literature data, our results place the fraction of pulsating PG 1159 stars within the GW Vir instability strip at 36%. An updated list of all known PG 1159 stars is provided, containing astrometric measurements from the recent Gaia DR3 data, as well as information on physical parameters, variability, and nitrogen content. Those data are used to calculate luminosities for all PG 1159 stars to place the whole sample on the theoretical Hertzsprung-Russell diagram for the first time in that way. The pulsating stars are discussed as a group, and arguments are given that the traditional separation of GW Vir pulsators in "DOV" and "PNNV" stars is misleading and should not be used.

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arXiv2021

The post-common-envelope binary central star of the planetary nebula Ou 5: a doubly-eclipsing post-red-giant-branch system

We present a detailed study of the stellar and orbital parameters of the post-common envelope binary central star of the planetary nebula Ou~5. Low-resolution spectra obtained during the primary eclipse -- to our knowledge the first isolated spectra of the companion to a post-common-envelope planetary nebula central star -- were compared to catalogue spectra, indicating that the companion star is a late K- or early M-type dwarf. Simultaneous modelling of multi-band photometry and time-resolved radial velocity measurements was then used to independently determine the parameters of both stars as well as the orbital period and inclination. The modelling indicates that the companion star is low mass ($\sim$0.25~M$_\odot$) and has a radius significantly larger than would be expected for its mass. Furthermore, the effective temperature and surface gravity of nebular progenitor, as derived by the modelling, do not lie on single-star post-AGB evolutionary tracks, instead being more consistent with a post-RGB evolution. However, an accurate determination of the component masses is challenging. This is principally due to the uncertainty on the locus of the spectral lines generated by the irradiation of the companion's atmosphere by the hot primary (used to derive companion star's radial velocities), as well as the lack of radial velocities of the primary.

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arXiv2021

The Missing Link? Discovery of Pulsations in the Nitrogen-rich PG 1159 Star PG 1144+005

Up to 98% of all single stars will eventually become white dwarfs - stars that link the history and future evolution of the Galaxy, and whose previous evolution is engraved in their interiors. Those interiors can be studied using asteroseismology, utilizing stellar pulsations as seismic waves. The pulsational instability strips of DA and DB white dwarf stars are pure, allowing the important generalization that their interior structure represents that of all DA and DB white dwarfs. This is not the case for the hottest pulsating white dwarfs, the GW Vir stars: only about 50% of white dwarfs in this domain pulsate. Several explanations for the impurity of the GW Vir instability strip have been proposed, based on different elemental abundances, metallicity, and helium content. Surprisingly, there is a dichotomy that only stars rich in nitrogen, which by itself cannot cause pulsation driving, pulsate - the only previous exception being the nitrogen-rich non-pulsator PG 1144+005. Here, we report the discovery of pulsations in PG 1144+005 based on new observations. We identified four frequency regions: 40, 55, 97, and 112 day$^{-1}$ with low and variable amplitudes of about 3-6 mmag and therefore confirm the nitrogen dichotomy. As nitrogen is a trace element revealing the previous occurrence of a very late thermal pulse (VLTP) in hot white dwarf stars, we speculate that it is this VLTP that provides the interior structure required to make a GW Vir pulsator.

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arXiv2020

The post-common-envelope binary central star of the planetary nebula ETHOS 1

We present a detailed study of the binary central star of the planetary nebula ETHOS 1 (PN G068.1+11.0). Simultaneous modelling of light and radial velocity curves reveals the binary to comprise a hot and massive pre-white-dwarf with an M-type main-sequence companion. A good fit to the observations was found with a companion that follows expected mass-temperature-radius relationships for low-mass stars, indicating that despite being highly irradiated it is consistent with not being significantly hotter or larger than a typical star of the same mass. Previous modelling indicated that ETHOS 1 may comprise the first case where the orbital plane of the central binary does not lie perpendicular to the nebular symmetry axis, at odds with the expectation that the common envelope is ejected in the orbital plane. We find no evidence for such a discrepancy, deriving a binary inclination in agreement with that of the nebula as determined by spatio-kinematic modelling. This makes ETHOS 1 the ninth post-common-envelope planetary nebula in which the binary orbital and nebular symmetry axes have been shown to be aligned, with as yet no known counter-examples. The probability of finding such a correlation by chance is now less than 0.00002%.

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arXiv2020

The post-common-envelope binary central star of the planetary nebula PN G283.7-05.1: A possible post-red-giant-branch planetary nebula central star

We present the discovery and characterisation of the post-common-envelope central star system in the planetary nebula PN G283.7$-$05.1. Deep images taken as part of the POPIPlaN survey indicate that the nebula may possess a bipolar morphology similar to other post-common-envelope planetary nebulae. Simultaneous light and radial velocity curve modelling reveals the newly discovered binary system to comprise a highly-irradiated, M-type main-sequence star in a 5.9 hour orbit with a hot pre-white-dwarf. The nebular progenitor is found to have a particularly low mass of around 0.4 M$_\odot$, making PN G283.7$-$05.1 one of only a handful of candidate planetary nebulae to be the product of a common-envelope event while still on the red giant branch. Beyond its low mass, the model temperature, surface gravity and luminosity are all found to be consistent with the observed stellar and nebular spectra through comparison with model atmospheres and photoionisation modelling. However, the high temperature (T$_\mathrm{eff}\sim$95kK) and high luminosity of the central star of the nebula are not consistent with post-RGB evolutionary tracks.

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arXiv2020

Physics of Eclipsing Binaries. IV. The impact of interstellar extinction on the light curves of eclipsing binaries

Traditionally, the effects of interstellar extinction on binary star light curves have been treated as a uniform reduction in the observed brightness of the system that is independent of orbital phase. However, unless the orbital plane of the system coincides with the plane of the sky, or if the two stars are completely identical and present with minimal mutual irradiation and tidal/rotational distortions, then this is unlikely to be an accurate representation of the effect of interstellar extinction. Here, we present an updated treatment of interstellar extinction as incorporated in the PHOEBE 2.2 release (publicly available from http://phoebe-project.org) and assess the importance of using such an approach in the modeling of different types of binary systems. We also present the incorporation of PHOENIX model atmospheres into the PHOEBE 2.2 release, providing increased fidelity on computed observables down to lower temperatures than previously available. The importance of these new code developments is then highlighted via an extincted toy model of the eclipsing white-dwarf-subdwarf binary SDSS~J235524.29+044855.7 -- demonstrating that, in the age of LSST as well as complementary space-based photometric missions, a proper accounting for extinction and as well as the use of realistic model atmospheres will be essential in deriving accurate binary parameters.

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arXiv2018

The short orbital period binary star at the heart of the planetary nebula M 3-1

We present the discovery of a 3h5m orbital-period binary star at the heart of the planetary nebula M 3-1 - the shortest period photometrically-variable central star known and second only to V458 Vul, in general. Combined modelling of light and radial velocity curves reveals both components to be close to Roche-lobe-filling, strongly indicating that the central star will rapidly evolve to become a cataclysmic variable, perhaps experiencing a similar evolution to V458 Vul resulting in a nova eruption before the planetary nebula has fully dissipated. While the short orbital period and near Roche-lobe filling natures of both components make the central binary of M 3-1 an important test case with which to constrain the formation processes of cataclysmic variables, novae and perhaps even supernovae type Ia.

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arXiv2018

On $ε$-mechanism driven pulsations in VV 47

We report new observations of the central star of the planetary nebula VV 47 carried out to verify earlier assertions that the short-period pulsation modes detected in the star are driven by the $ε$ mechanism. In our data, VV 47 was not variable up to a limit of 0.52 mmag in the Fourier amplitude spectrum up to the Nyquist frequency of 21.7 mHz. Given this null result we re-analyzed the data set in which oscillations were claimed. After careful data reduction, photometry, extinction correction, and analysis with a conservative criterion of S/N $\geq$ 4 in the Fourier amplitude spectrum, we found that the star was not variable during the original observations. The oscillations reported earlier were due to an over-optimistic detection criterion. We conclude that VV 47 did not pulsate during any measurements at hand; the observational detection of $ε$-driven pulsations remains arduous.

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arXiv2017

The planetary nebula IC 4776 and its post-common-envelope binary central star

We present a detailed analysis of IC 4776, a planetary nebula displaying a morphology believed to be typical of central star binarity. The nebula is shown to comprise a compact hourglass-shaped central region and a pair of precessing jet-like structures. Time-resolved spectroscopy of its central star reveals periodic radial velocity variability consistent with a binary system. While the data are insufficient to accurately determine the parameters of the binary, the most likely solutions indicate that the secondary is probably a low-mass main sequence star. An empirical analysis of the chemical abundances in IC 4776 indicates that the common-envelope phase may have cut short the AGB evolution of the progenitor. Abundances calculated from recombination lines are found to be discrepant by a factor of approximately two relative to those calculated using collisionally excited lines, suggesting a possible correlation between low abundance discrepancy factors and intermediate-period post-common-envelope central stars and/or Wolf-Rayet central stars. The detection of a radial velocity variability associated with binarity in the central star of IC 4776 may be indicative of a significant population of (intermediate-period) post-common-envelope binary central stars which would be undetected by classic photometric monitoring techniques.

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arXiv2017

Search for exoplanets around pulsating stars of A--F type in Kepler Short Cadence data and the case of KIC 8197761

We searched for extrasolar planets around pulsating stars by examining $\textit{Kepler}$ data for transit-like events hidden in the intrinsic variability. All Short Cadence observations for targets with 6000 K $< T_{\rm eff} <$ 8500 K were visually inspected for transit-like events following the removal of pulsational signals by sinusoidal fits. Clear transit-like events were detected in KIC 5613330 and KIC 8197761. KIC 5613330 is a confirmed exoplanet host (Kepler-635b), where the transit period determined here is consistent with the literature value. KIC 8197761 is a $γ$ Doradus - $δ$ Scuti star exhibiting eclipses/transits occurring every 9.8686667(27) d, having durations of 8.37 h, and causing brightness drops $\frac{ΔF}{F} = 0.00629(29)$. The star's pulsation spectrum contains several mode doublets and triplets, identified as $l = 1$, with a mean spacing of 0.001659(15) c/d, implying an internal rotation period of $301\pm3$ d. Trials to calculate the size of the light travel time effect (LTTE) from the pulsations to constrain the companion's mass ended inconclusive. Finding planets around $γ$ Doradus stars from the pulsational LTTE, therefore, is concluded to be unrealistic. Spectroscopic monitoring of KIC 8197761 revealed sinusoidal radial velocity variations with a semi-amplitude of $19.75 \pm 0.32$ km/s, while individual spectra present rotational broadening consistent with $v \sin i = 9\pm1$ km/s. This suggests that the stellar surface rotation is synchronized with the orbit, whereas the stellar core rotates $\sim$30 times slower. Combining the observed radial velocity variability with the transit photometry, constrains the companion's mass to be $\approx 0.28$ M$_{\odot}$, ruling out an exoplanet hypothesis.

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arXiv2014

Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae. VI: The Sixth Year (2013-2014)

Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395, arXiv:0905.1757), we collected times of superhump maxima for 56 SU UMa-type dwarf novae mainly observed during the 2013-2014 season and characterized these objects. We detected negative superhumps in VW Hyi and indicated that the low number of normal outbursts in some supercycle can be interpreted as a result of the disk tilt. This finding, combined with the Kepler observation of V1504 Cyg and V344 Lyr, suggests that the disk tilt is responsible for modulating the outburst pattern in SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We also studied the deeply eclipsing WZ Sge-type dwarf nova MASTER OT J005740.99+443101.5 and found evidence of a sharp eclipse during the phase of early superhumps. The profile can be reproduced by a combination of the eclipse of the axisymmetric disk and the uneclipsed light source of early superhumps. This finding confirms the lack of evince of a greatly enhanced hot spot during the early stage of WZ Sge-type outburst. We detected growing (stage A) superhumps in MN Dra and give a suggestion that some of SU UMa-type dwarf novae situated near the critical condition of tidal instability may show long-lasting stage A superhumps. The large negative period derivatives reported in such systems can be understood a result of the combination of stage A and B superhumps. The WZ Sge-type dwarf novae AL Com and ASASSN-13ck showed a long-lasting (plateau-type) rebrightening. In the early phase of the rebrightening, both objects showed a precursor-like outburst, suggesting that the long-lasting rebrightening is triggered by a precursor outburst.

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