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Ryoko Ishioka

Publications and source records attributed to Ryoko Ishioka.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Search for Surviving Companions of Progenitors of Young LMC Type Ia Supernova Remnants

We have used two methods to search for surviving companions of Type Ia supernova progenitors in three Balmer-dominated supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud: 0519-69.0, 0505-67.9 (DEM L71), and 0548-70.4. In the first method, we use the Hubble Space Telescope photometric measurements of stars to construct color-magnitude diagrams (CMDs), and compare positions of stars in the CMDs with those expected from theoretical post-impact evolution of surviving main sequence or helium star companions. No obvious candidates of surviving companion are identified in this photometric search. Future models for surviving red giant companions or with different explosion mechanisms are needed for thorough comparisons with these observations in order to make more definitive conclusions. In the second method, we use Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (MUSE) observations of 0519-69.0 and DEM L71 to carry out spectroscopic analyses of stars in order to use large peculiar radial velocities as diagnostics of surviving companions. We find a star in 0519-69.0 and a star in DEM L71 moving at radial velocities of 182 $\pm$ 0 km s$^{-1}$ and 213 $\pm$ 0 km s$^{-1}$, more than 2.5$σ$ from the mean radial velocity of the underlying stellar population, 264 km s$^{-1}$ and 270 km s$^{-1}$, respectively. These stars need higher-quality spectra to investigate their abundances and rotation velocities to determine whether they are indeed surviving companions of the SN progenitors.

astro-ph.SR

Searching for Surviving Companion in the Young SMC Supernova Remnant 1E 0102.2-7219

1E 0102.2--7219 (hereafter E0102) is a young supernova remnant (SNR) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). It contains oxygen-rich SN ejecta, a possible neutron star (NS), and a small amount of fast-moving H-rich ejecta material. These properties are also seen in Cas A, it has thus been suggested that E0102 is also a Type IIb SNR, whose SN progenitor's hydrogen envelope was stripped off possibly via interactions with a companion star. To search for a surviving companion of E0102's SN progenitor, we have used archival Hubble Space Telescope (HST) continuum images to make photometric measurements of stars projected in the SNR to construct color-magnitude diagrams and compare the stars with those expected from surviving companions of Type IIb SNe. We have also used the Multi-Unit Spectroscopic Explorer observations taken with the Very Large Telescope to perform spectroscopic analyses of stars and search for peculiar radial velocities as diagnostics of surviving companions. We further use the HST and Gaia data to inspect proper motions of stars for complementary kinetic studies. No plausible companion candidates are found if the SN explosion site was near the NS, while the B3 V star 34a may be a plausible companion candidate if the SN explosion site is near the SN ejecta's expansion center. If the NS is real and associated with E0102, it needs a ~1000 km/s runaway velocity, which has been observed in other SNRs and can be acquired from an asymmetric SN explosion or a kick by the SN explosion of a massive companion.

astro-ph.SR

On the Nature of Long-Period Dwarf Novae with Rare and Low-Amplitude Outbursts

There are several peculiar long-period dwarf-nova like objects, which show rare, low-amplitude outbursts with highly ionized emission lines. 1SWASP J162117$+$441254, BD Pav, and V364 Lib belong to this kind of objects. Some researchers even doubt whether 1SWASP J1621 and V364 Lib have the same nature as normal dwarf novae. We studied the peculiar outbursts in these three objects via our optical photometry and spectroscopy, and performed numerical modeling of their orbital variations to investigate their properties. We found that their outbursts lasted for a long interval (a few tens of days), and that slow rises in brightness were commonly observed during the early stage of their outbursts. Our analyses and numerical modeling suggest that 1SWASP J1621 has a very high inclination, close to 90 deg, plus a faint hot spot. Although BD Pav seems to have a slightly lower inclination ($\sim$75 deg), the other properties are similar to those in 1SWASP J1621. On the other hand, V364 Lib appears to have a massive white dwarf, a hot companion star, and a low inclination ($\sim$35 deg). In addition, these three objects possibly have low transfer rate and/or large disks originating from the long orbital periods. We find that these properties of the three objects can explain their infrequent and low-amplitude outbursts within the context of the disk instability model in normal dwarf novae without strong magnetic field. In addition, we suggest that the highly-ionized emission lines in outburst are observed due to a high inclination and/or a massive white dwarf. More instances of this class of object may be unrecognized, since their unremarkable outbursts can be easily overlooked.

astro-ph.SR

RZ Leonis Minoris Bridging between ER Ursae Majoris-Type Dwarf Nova and Novalike System

We observed RZ LMi, which is renowned for the extremely (~19d) short supercycle and is a member of a small, unusual class of cataclysmic variables called ER UMa-type dwarf novae, in 2013 and 2016. In 2016, the supercycles of this object substantially lengthened in comparison to the previous measurements to 35, 32, 60d for three consecutive superoutbursts. We consider that the object virtually experienced a transition to the novalike state (permanent superhumper). This observed behavior extremely well reproduced the prediction of the thermal-tidal instability model. We detected a precursor in the 2016 superoutburst and detected growing (stage A) superhumps with a mean period of 0.0602(1)d in 2016 and in 2013. Combined with the period of superhumps immediately after the superoutburst, the mass ratio is not as small as in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae, having orbital periods similar to RZ LMi. By using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) two-dimensional power spectra, we detected possible negative superhumps with a period of 0.05710(1)d. We estimated the orbital period of 0.05792d, which suggests a mass ratio of 0.105(5). This relatively large mass ratio is even above ordinary SU UMa-type dwarf novae, and it is also possible that the exceptionally high mass-transfer rate in RZ LMi may be a result of a stripped core evolved secondary which are evolving toward an AM CVn-type object.

astro-ph.SR

Repetitive Patterns in Rapid Optical Variations in the Nearby Black-hole Binary V404 Cygni

How black holes accrete surrounding matter is a fundamental, yet unsolved question in astrophysics. It is generally believed that matter is absorbed into black holes via accretion disks, the state of which depends primarily on the mass-accretion rate. When this rate approaches the critical rate (the Eddington limit), thermal instability is supposed to occur in the inner disc, causing repetitive patterns of large-amplitude X-ray variability (oscillations) on timescales of minutes to hours. In fact, such oscillations have been observed only in sources with a high mass accretion rate, such as GRS 1915+105. These large-amplitude, relatively slow timescale, phenomena are thought to have physical origins distinct from X-ray or optical variations with small amplitudes and fast ($\lesssim$10 sec) timescales often observed in other black hole binaries (e.g., XTE J1118+480 and GX 339-4). Here we report an extensive multi-colour optical photometric data set of V404 Cygni, an X-ray transient source containing a black hole of nine solar masses (and a conpanion star) at a distance of 2.4 kiloparsecs. Our data show that optical oscillations on timescales of 100 seconds to 2.5 hours can occur at mass-accretion rates more than ten times lower than previously thought. This suggests that the accretion rate is not the critical parameter for inducing inner-disc instabilities. Instead, we propose that a long orbital period is a key condition for these large-amplitude oscillations, because the outer part of the large disc in binaries with long orbital periods will have surface densities too low to maintain sustained mass accretion to the inner part of the disc. The lack of sustained accretion -- not the actual rate -- would then be the critical factor causing large-amplitude oscillations in long-period systems.

astro-ph.HE

Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae. II: The Second Year (2009-2010)

As an extension of the project in Kato et al. (2009, arXiv:0905.1757), we collected times of superhump maxima for 61 SU UMa-type dwarf novae mainly observed during the 2009-2010 season. The newly obtained data confirmed the basic findings reported in Kato et al. (2009): the presence of stages A-C, as well as the predominance of positive period derivatives during stage B in systems with superhump periods shorter than 0.07 d. There was a systematic difference in period derivatives for systems with superhump periods longer than 0.075 d between this study and Kato et al. (2009). We suggest that this difference is possibly caused by the relative lack of frequently outbursting SU UMa-type dwarf novae in this period regime in the present study. We recorded a strong beat phenomenon during the 2009 superoutburst of IY UMa. The close correlation between the beat period and superhump period suggests that the changing angular velocity of the apsidal motion of the elliptical disk is responsible for the variation of superhump periods. We also described three new WZ Sge-type objects with established early superhumps and one with likely early superhumps. We also suggest that two systems, VX For and EL UMa, are WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with multiple rebrightenings. The O-C variation in OT J213806.6+261957 suggests that the frequent absence of rebrightenings in very short-Porb objects can be a result of sustained superoutburst plateau at the epoch when usual SU UMa-type dwarf novae return to quiescence preceding a rebrightening. We also present a formulation for a variety of Bayesian extension to traditional period analyses.

astro-ph.SR

Survey of Period Variations of Superhumps in SU UMa-Type Dwarf Novae

We systematically surveyed period variations of superhumps in SU UMa-type dwarf novae based on newly obtained data and past publications. In many systems, the evolution of superhump period are found to be composed of three distinct stages: early evolutionary stage with a longer superhump period, middle stage with systematically varying periods, final stage with a shorter, stable superhump period. During the middle stage, many systems with superhump periods less than 0.08 d show positive period derivatives. Contrary to the earlier claim, we found no clear evidence for variation of period derivatives between superoutburst of the same object. We present an interpretation that the lengthening of the superhump period is a result of outward propagation of the eccentricity wave and is limited by the radius near the tidal truncation. We interpret that late stage superhumps are rejuvenized excitation of 3:1 resonance when the superhumps in the outer disk is effectively quenched. Many of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae showed long-enduring superhumps during the post-superoutburst stage having periods longer than those during the main superoutburst. The period derivatives in WZ Sge-type dwarf novae are found to be strongly correlated with the fractional superhump excess, or consequently, mass ratio. WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with a long-lasting rebrightening or with multiple rebrightenings tend to have smaller period derivatives and are excellent candidate for the systems around or after the period minimum of evolution of cataclysmic variables (abridged).

astro-ph.SR

The 2006 November outburst of EG Aquarii: the SU UMa nature revealed

We report time-resolved CCD photometry of the cataclysmic variable EG Aquarii during the 2006 November outburst During the outburst, superhumps were unambiguously detected with a mean period of 0.078828(6) days, firstly classifying the object as an SU UMa-type dwarf nova. It also turned out that the outburst contained a precursor. At the end of the precursor, immature profiles of humps were observed. By a phase analysis of these humps, we interpreted the features as superhumps. This is the second example that the superhumps were shown during a precursor. Near the maximum stage of the outburst, we discovered an abrupt shift of the superhump period by ${\sim}$ 0.002 days. After the supermaximum, the superhump period decreased at the rate of $\dot{P}/P$=$-8.2{\times}10^{-5}$, which is typical for SU UMa-type dwarf novae. Although the outburst light curve was characteristic of SU UMa-type dwarf novae, long-term monitoring of the variable shows no outbursts over the past decade. We note on the basic properties of long period and inactive SU UMa-type dwarf novae.

astro-ph

Photometric Studies of New Southern SU UMa-type dwarf novae, FL Triangulum Australe and CTCV J0549-4921

We report time-resolved optical CCD photometry on newly discovered SU UMa-type dwarf novae, FL TrA and CTCV J0549-4921. During the 2006 August outburst, we detected superhumps with a period of 0.59897(11) days for FL TrA, clarifying the SU UMa nature of the system. On the first night of our observations on FL TrA, the object showed no superhumps. This implies that it takes a few days for full development of superhumps. The superhump period variation diagram of FL TrA was similar to that observed in some WZ Sge stars and short period SU UMa-type stars. This indicates that the system is closely related to WZ Sge stars and SU UMa stars having short orbital periods. For CTCV J0549-4921, the candidates of the mean superhump period are 0.083249(10) days and 0.084257(8) days, respectively. Due to a lack of the observations, we cannot determine the true superhump period, but the latter period is favorable. Using the ASAS-3 archive, it turned out that the system shows only four outbursts over the past 6 years. The outburst amplitude of CTCV J0549-4921 was relatively small, with about 4.5 mag. One possibility is that mass evaporation may play a role during quiescence.

astro-ph

Long-term monitoring of the short period SU UMa-type dwarf nova, V844 Herculis

We report on time-resolved CCD photometry of four outbursts of a short-period SU UMa-type dwarf nova, V844 Herculis. We successfully determined the mean superhump periods to be 0.05584(64) days, and 0.055883(3) for the 2002 May superoutburst, and the 2006 April-May superoutburst, respectively. During the 2002 October observations, we confirmed that the outburst is a normal outburst, which is the first recorded normal outburst in V844 Her. We also examined superhump period changes during 2002 May and 2006 April-May superoutbursts, both of which showed increasing superhump period over the course of the plateau stage. In order to examine the long-term behavior of V844 Her, we analyzed archival data over the past ten years since the discovery of this binary. Although photometry is not satisfactory in some superoutbursts, we found that V844 Her showed no precursors and rebrightenings. Based on the long-term light curve, we further confirmed V844 Her has shown almost no normal outbursts despite the fact that the supercycle of the system is estimated to be about 300 days. In order to explain the long-term light curves of V844 Her, evaporation in the accretion disk may play a role in the avoidance of several normal outbursts, which does not contradict with the relatively large X-ray luminosity of V844 Her.

astro-ph

Discovery of a new dwarf nova, TSS J022216.4+412259.9: WZ Sge-type dwarf novae breaking the shortest superhump period record

We report on the time-resolved CCD photometry of a newly discovered variable star, TSS J022216.4+412259.9 during the outburst in 2005 November-December brightening. The obtained light curves unambiguously showed 0.2-0.3 mag modulations, which we confirmed to be the superhump observed among SU UMa-type dwarf novae. We also performed a period search for the data obtained during the outburst plateau phase, and revealed the existence of the two periodicities: 0.054868(98) days for the first two nights and 0.055544(26) days for the following plateau phase. This bi-periodicity is hardly observed in usual SU UMa-type dwarf novae, but characteristic of WZ Sge-type stars. We undoubtedly detected a rebrightening in the post-outburst stage, which is typical of short-period SU UMa-type dwarf novae including WZ Sge-type stars. These observations suggests that TSS J022216.4+412259.9 may be a new WZ Sge stars breaking the shortest superhump period of 0.05648 days for V592 Her among this class with a known superhump period so far.

astro-ph

The 2003/2004 superoutburst of SDSS J013701.06-091234.9

We report on time-resolved photometry of the superoutburst of an SU UMa-type dwarf nova, SDSS J013701.06-091234.9 in 2003 December-2004 January. The obtained light curves definitely show superhumps with a period of 0.056686 (12) d, which is one of the shortest superhump periods among those of SU UMa-type dwarf novae ever observed. Considering quiescent photometric studies, we estimated the fractional superhump excess to be 0.024. Spectroscopic observations by Szkody et al. (2003) provided evidence for TiO bands despite the short orbital period, implying that the system has a luminous secondary star. We draw a color-color diagram of SU UMa-type dwarf novae in quiescence using 2MASS archives, revealing that the location of this star in the color-color diagram is deviated from the general trend. The distance to the system was roughly estimated to be 300${\pm}$80 pc, using the empirical period-absolute magnitude relation and based on the proper motion.

astro-ph

The 2003 Superoutburst of an SU UMa-type Dwarf Nova, GO Comae Berenices

We photometrically observed the 2003 June superoutburst of GO Gom. The mean superhump period was 0.063059(13) d. The resultant data revealed that (1) the obtained light curve contained a precursor, (2) a plateau stage of the object lasted 8 days, which is remarkably shorter than that of ordinary SU UMa-type dwarf novae, and (3) the amplitude of the superoutburst was less than 5 mag, which is unpredictably small when taking into account the fact that the supercycle of GO Com is about 2800 days. In order to explain these anomalies, a mass elimination process from the accretion disk, such as evaporation, may play an important role.

astro-ph

Structure in the early afterglow lightcurve of the gamma-ray burst of 29 March 2003

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are energetic explosions that for 0.01--100 s are the brightest gamma-ray sources in the sky. Observations of the early evolution of afterglows we expected to provide clues about the nature of the bursts, but their rapid fading has hampered such studies; some recent rapid localizations of bursts have improved the situation. Here we report on an early detection of the very bright afterglow of the burst of 29 March 2003 (GRB030329). Our data show that, even early in the aferglow phase, the light curve shows unexpectedly complicated structures superimposed on the fading background.

astro-ph

Discovery of a short plateau phase in the early evolution of a gamma-ray burst afterglow

We report optical observations during the first hour of the gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglow of GRB021004. Our observation revealed the existence of a short plateau phase, in which the afterglow remained at almost constant brightness, before an ordinary rapid fading phase. This plateau phase lasted for about 2 hours from 0.024 to 0.10 d after the burst, which corresponds to a missing blank of the early afterglow light curve of GRB990123. We propose that the plateau phase can be interpreted as the natural evolution of synchrotron emission from the forward shock region of a blast wave. The time when the typical frequency of the synchrotron emission passes through the optical range has been predicted to be about 0.1 d after the burst, which is consistent with the observed light curve. Our scenario hence implies that the observed feature in GRB021004 is a common nature of GRB afterglows.

astro-ph

CI Aquilae: a recurrent nova with an unusually long plateau phase

We present the results of optical photometry of the recurrent nova CI Aql in later phase of the outburst which occurred in 2000. Our observation revealed that the object reached the quiescent level between 2001 December and 2002 April and therefore that CI Aql is a unique recurrent nova characterized by an extremely long (1.4--1.7 yr) plateau phase. The light curve obtained in the outburst suggests that the object is the first example of an intermediate between classical novae and recurrent novae. In comparison with estimation given in published theoretical calculations, the long duration of the plateau phase supports a higher hydrogen content of the white-dwarf envelope, while such an abundance of hydrogen requires a later cessation of the wind which is in disagreement with the sudden fading observed in late November of 2000. The light curve obtained in later phase of the outburst indicates that the object was fainter and the gradual decline was steeper than predicted. These discrepancies between the observation and theoretical prediction require drastic modification of the present model of CI Aql.

astro-ph

Rapid Optical Fluctuations in the Black Hole Binary, V4641 Sgr

We report on unprecedented short-term variations detected in the optical flux from the black hole binary system, V4641 Sgr. Amplitudes of the optical fluctuations were larger at longer time scales, and surprisingly reached ~60% around a period of ~10 min. The power spectra of fluctuations are characterized by a power law. It is the first case in black hole binaries that the optical emission was revealed to show short-term and large-amplitude variations given by such a power spectrum. The optical emission from black hole binaries is generally dominated by the emission from the outer portion of an accretion disc. The rapid optical fluctuations however indicate that the emission from an inner accretion region significantly contributes to the optical flux. In this case, cyclo-synchrotron emission associated with various scales of magnetic flares is the most promising mechanism for the violently variable optical emission.

astro-ph

Dwarf Nova-like Outburst of Short Period Intermediate Polar HT Camelopardalis

We report the first time-series observations of the short outburst of the proposed intermediate polar HT Cam (=RX J0757.0+6306). On 2001 December 29, we detected the object was undergoing a bright outburst at the magnitude of $m_{vis}=12.2$. Following this detection, we started international joint observations through VSNET. The light curve showed a gradual decline for the first 0.5 d. Following this short plateau phase, the rate of decline dramatically increased to more than 4 mag d$^{-1}$. Within 1.5 d from the outburst detection, the object almost declined to the quiescent level. During the rapidly declining phase, long-term modulations with a period of 86 min and strong pulses with a period of 8.6 min were observed. We concluded that 86 min and 8.6 min are the orbital period and the spin period of HT Cam, respectively. By the detection of the spin period, we confirmed the IP classification of HT Cam. However, its outburst behavior rather resembles that of dwarf novae. The discrepancy between the declining rates of the total flux and the pulse flux strongly suggests that the disk instabilities were taking place during the outburst.

astro-ph