arXiv subjects

Rachael M. Roettenbacher

Publications and source records attributed to Rachael M. Roettenbacher.

42 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Serendipitous Kepler observations of a background dwarf nova of SU UMa type

We have discovered a dwarf nova (DN) of type SU UMa in Kepler data which is 7.0 arcsec from the G-type exoplanet survey target KIC 4378554. The DN appears as a background source in the pixel aperture of the foreground G star. We extracted only the pixels where the DN is present and observed the source to undergo five outbursts -- one a superoutburst -- over a timespan of 22 months. The superoutburst was triggered by a normal outburst, a feature that has been seen in all DNe superoutburst observed by Kepler. Superhumps during the super outburst had a period of 1.842+/-0.004 h and we see a transition from disc-dominated superhump signal to a mix of disc and accretion stream impact. Predictions of the number of DNe present in Kepler data based on previously published space densities vary from 0.3 to 258. An investigation of the background pixels targets would lead to firmer constraints on the space density of DN.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2011

The Distance of the Gamma-ray Binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856

The recently discovered gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856 has a proposed optical/near-infrared (OIR) counterpart 2MASS 10185560-5856459. We present Stromgren photometry of this star to investigate its photometric variability and measure the reddening and distance to the system. We find that the gamma-ray binary has E(B-V) = 1.34 +/- 0.04 and d = 5.4^+4.6_-2.1 kpc. While E(B-V) is consistent with X-ray observations of the neutral hydrogen column density, the distance is somewhat closer than some previous authors have suggested.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2010

A Study of Differential Rotation on II Pegasi via Photometric Starspot Imaging

We present the results of a study of differential rotation on the K2 IV primary of the RS CVn binary II Pegasi (HD 224085) performed by inverting light curves to produce images of the dark starspots on its surface. The data were obtained in the standard Johnson B and V filter passbands via the Tennessee State University T3 0.4-m Automated Photometric Telescope from JD 2447115.8086 to 2454136.6221 (1987 November 16 to 2007 February 5). The observations were subdivided into 68 data sets consisting of pairs of B and V light curves, which were then inverted using a constrained non-linear inversion algorithm that makes no a priori assumptions regarding the number of spots or their shapes. The resulting surface images were then assigned to 21 groups corresponding to time intervals over which we could observe the evolution of a given group of spots (except for three groups consisting of single data sets). Of these 21 groups, six showed convincing evidence of differential rotation over time intervals of several months. For the others, the spot configuration was such that differential rotation was neither exhibited nor contraindicated. The differential rotation we infer is in the same sense as that on the Sun: lower latitudes have shorter rotation periods. From plots of the range in longitude spanned by the spotted regions vs. time, we obtain estimates of the differential rotation coefficient k defined in earlier work by Henry et al., and show that our results for its value are consistent with the value obtained therein.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Multiwavelength Observations of the Runaway Binary HD 15137

HD 15137 is an intriguing runaway O-type binary system that offers a rare opportunity to explore the mechanism by which it was ejected from the open cluster of its birth. Here we present recent blue optical spectra of HD 15137 and derive a new orbital solution for the spectroscopic binary and physical parameters of the O star primary. We also present the first XMM-Newton observations of the system. Fits of the EPIC spectra indicate soft, thermal X-ray emission consistent with an isolated O star. Upper limits on the undetected hard X-ray emission place limits on the emission from a proposed compact companion in the system, and we rule out a quiescent neutron star in the propellor regime or a weakly accreting neutron star. An unevolved secondary companion is also not detected in our optical spectra of the binary, and it is difficult to conclude that a gravitational interaction could have ejected this runaway binary with a low mass optical star. HD 15137 may contain an elusive neutron star in the ejector regime or a quiescent black hole with conditions unfavorable for accretion at the time of our observations.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

Non-radial Pulsations in the Open Cluster NGC 3766

Non-radial pulsations (NRPs) are a proposed mechanism for the formation of decretion disks around Be stars and are important tools to study the internal structure of stars. NGC 3766 has an unusually large fraction of transient Be stars, so it is an excellent location to study the formation mechanism of Be star disks. High resolution spectroscopy can reveal line profile variations from NRPs, allowing measurements of both the degree, l, and azimuthal order, m. However, spectroscopic studies require large amounts of time with large telescopes to achieve the necessary high S/N and time domain coverage. On the other hand, multi-color photometry can be performed more easily with small telescopes to measure l only. Here, we present representative light curves of Be stars and non-emitting B stars in NGC 3766 from the CTIO 0.9m telescope in an effort to study NRPs in this cluster.

astro-ph.SR↗

arXiv2009

The Orbits of the Gamma-ray Binaries LS I +61 303 and LS 5039

LS I +61 303 and LS 5039 are two of only a handful of known high mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) that exhibit very high energy emission in the MeV-TeV range, and these "gamma-ray binaries" are of renewed interest due to the recent launch of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Here we present new radial velocities of both systems based on recent red and blue optical spectra. Both systems have somewhat discrepant orbital solutions available in the literature, and our new measurements result in improved orbital elements and resolve the disagreements. The improved geometry of each orbit will aid in studies of the high energy emission region near each source.

astro-ph.HE↗