Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy Commons^™

Optical Studies Of 13 Hard X-Ray Selected Cataclysmic Binaries From The Swift-Bat Survey, Jules P. Halpern, John R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

From a set of 13 cataclysmic binaries that were discovered in the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) survey, we conducted time-resolved optical spectroscopy and/or time-series photometry of 11, with the goal of measuring their orbital periods and searching for spin periods. Seven of the objects in this study are new optical identifications. Orbital periods are found for seven targets, ranging from 81 minutes to 20.4 hr. PBC J0706.7+0327 is an AM Herculis star (polar) based on its emission-line variations and large amplitude photometric modulation on the same period. Swift J2341.0+7645 may be a polar, although the evidence here is less …

Spectroscopic Orbital Periods For 29 Cataclysmic Variables From The Sloan Digital Sky Survey, John R. Thorstensen, Cynthia J. Taylor, Christopher S. Peters, Julie N. Skinner

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report follow-up spectroscopy of 29 cataclysmic variables from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), 22 of which were discovered by SDSS and seven of which are previously known systems that were recovered in SDSS. The periods for 16 of these objects were included in the tabulation by Gänsicke et al. While most of the systems have periods less than 2 hr, only one has a period in the 80–86 minutes "spike" found by Gänsicke et al., and 11 have periods longer than 3 hr, indicating that the present sample is skewed toward longer-period, higher-luminosity objects. Seven of the objects …

Cataclysmic Variables In The Superblink Proper Motion Survey, Julie N. Skinner, John R. Thorstensen, Sébastien Lépine

Dartmouth Scholarship

We have discovered a new high proper motion cataclysmic variable (CV) in the SUPERBLINK proper motion survey, which is sensitive to stars with proper motions greater than 40 mas yr⁻¹. This CV was selected for follow-up observations as part of a larger search for CVs selected based on proper motions and their near-UV−V and V−K_s colors. We present spectroscopic observations from the 2.4 m Hiltner Telescope at MDM Observatory. The new CVʼs orbital period is near 96 minutes, its spectrum shows the double-peaked Balmer emission lines characteristic of quiescent dwarf novae, and its V magnitude is …

Optical And X-Ray Studies Of 10 X-Ray-Selected Cataclysmic Binaries, John R. Thorstensen, Jules Halpern

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report on ground-based optical observations of 10 cataclysmic binaries that were discovered through their X-ray emission. Time-resolved radial velocity spectroscopy yields unambiguous orbital periods for eight objects and ambiguous results for the remaining two. The orbital periods range from 87 minutes to 9.38 hr. We also obtained time-series optical photometry for six targets, four of which have coherent pulsations. These periods are 1218 s for 1RXS J045707.4+452751, 628 s for AX J1740.2–2903, 477 s for AX J1853.3–0128, and 935 s for IGR J19267+1325. A total of seven of the sources have coherent oscillations in X-rays or optical, indicating that …

Orbital, Superhump And Superorbital Periods In The Cataclysmic Variables Aq Mensae And Im Eridani, E. Armstrong, J. Patterson, E. Michelsen, John Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report photometric detections of orbital and superorbital signals, and negative orbital sidebands, in the light curves of the nova-like cataclysmic variables AQ Mensae and IM Eridani. The frequencies of the orbital, superorbital, and sideband signals are 7.0686 (3), 0.263 (3), and 7.332 (3) cycles per day (c/d) in AQ Mensae, and 6.870 (1), 0.354 (7), and 7.226 (1) c/d in IM Eridani. We also find a spectroscopic orbital frequency in IM Eridani of 6.86649 (2) c/d. These observations can be reproduced by invoking an accretion disc that is tilted with respect to the orbital plane. This model works well …

Identifying A New Intermediate Polar Using Xmm-Newton And Integral, Matthew J. Middleton, Edward M. Cackett, Craig Shaw, Gavin Ramsay, Timothy P. Roberts, Peter J. Wheatley

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Research Publications

The bright X-ray source 2XMMi J180438.7-145647 is fortunate to have long baseline observations in INTEGRAL that complement observations taken by other missions. Optical spectroscopy of this object has suggested a distance of ˜7 kpc and an identification with a low-mass X-ray binary. We instead use the X-ray data from 0.3 to 40 keV to identify the source as a bright intermediate polar (IP) with an estimate for the white dwarf mass of ˜0.60 M_⊙. This identification is supported by the presence of an iron triplet, the component lines of which are some of the strongest seen in IPs, …

The Cataclysmic Variable Sdss J1507+52: An Eclipsing Period Bouncer In The Galactic Halo, Helena Uthas, Christian Knigge, Knox S. Long, Joseph Patterson, John Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

SDSS J1507+52 is an eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) consisting of a cool, non-radially pulsating white dwarf and an unusually small substellar secondary. The system has a high space velocity and a very short orbital period of about 67 min, well below the usual minimum period for CVs. To explain the existence of this peculiar system, two theories have been proposed. One suggests that SDSS J1507+52 was formed from a detached white dwarf-brown dwarf binary. The other theory proposes that the system is a member of the Galactic halo population.

Here, we present the ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy of SDSS J1507+52 obtained …

Deriving An X-Ray Luminosity Function Of Dwarf Novae Based On Parallax Measurements, K. Byckling, K. Mukai, J. R. Thorstensen, J. P. Osborne

Dartmouth Scholarship

We have derived an X-ray luminosity function using parallax-based distance measurements of a set of 12 dwarf novae, consisting of Suzaku, XMM-Newton and ASCA observations. The shape of the X-ray luminosity function obtained is the most accurate to date, and the luminosities of our sample are concentrated between ~10^{30}-10^{31} erg s^{-1}, lower than previous measurements of X-ray luminosity functions of dwarf novae. Based on the integrated X-ray luminosity function, the sample becomes more incomplete below ~3 x 10^{30} erg s^{-1} than it is above this luminosity limit, and the sample is dominated by X-ray bright dwarf novae. The total integrated …

Sdss Unveils A Population Of Intrinsically Faint Cataclysmic Variables At The Minimum Orbital Period, B. T. Gänsicke, M. Dillon, J. Southworth, J. R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We discuss the properties of 137 cataclysmic variables (CVs) which are included in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) spectroscopic data base, and for which accurate orbital periods have been measured. 92 of these systems are new discoveries from SDSS and were followed-up in more detail over the past few years. 45 systems were previously identified as CVs because of the detection of optical outbursts and/or X-ray emission, and subsequently re-identified from the SDSS spectroscopy. The period distribution of the SDSS CVs differs dramatically from that of all the previously known CVs, in particular it contains a significant accumulation of …

Hs 2331+3905: The Cataclysmic Variable That Has It All, S. Araujo-Betancor, B. T. Gänsicke, H.-J. Hagen, T. R. Marsh, E T. Harlaftis, J Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report detailed follow-up observations of the cataclysmic variable HS 2331+3905, identified as an emission- line object in the Hamburg Quasar Survey. An orbital period of 81.08 min is unambiguously determined from the detection of eclipses in the light curves of HS 2331+3905. A second photometric period is consistently detected at P ≃ 83.38 min, ∼2.8% longer than Porb, which we tentatively relate to the presence of permanent superhumps. High time resolution photometry exhibits short-timescale variability on time scales of ≃5−6 min which we interpret as non-radial white dwarf pulsations, as well as a coherent signal at 1.12 min, which …

Parallaxes And Distance Estimates For 14 Cataclysmic Variable Stars, John R. Thorstensen

Dartmouth Scholarship

I used the 2.4 m Hiltner Telescope at MDM Observatory in an attempt to measure trigonometric parallaxes for 14 cataclysmic variable stars. Techniques are described in detail. In the best cases the parallax uncertainties are below 1 mas, and significant parallaxes are found for most of the program stars. A Bayesian method that combines the parallaxes together with proper motions and absolute magnitude constraints is developed and used to derive distance estimates and confidence intervals. The most precise distance derive here is for WZ Sge, for which I find 43: 3.1:6 1:5 pc. Six Luyten Half-Second stars with previous precise …

The Cataclysmic Variable Cw 1045+525: A Secondary-Dominated Dwarf Nova?, C. Tappert, J. R. Thorstensen, W. H. Fenton, N. Bennert

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable CW 1045+525. Both the optical spectrum and the photometric lightcurve show a strong contribution of a K5V–M0V secondary. We derive an orbital period Porb = 0.271278(1) d by measuring the radial velocities of the absorption lines of the secondary. The period and spectral type of the secondary suggest a distance of 350–700 pc. There is evidence for additional sources of line- and continuum emission, but no direct evidence of an accretion disc. We discuss several scenarios for the nature of CW 1045+525 on the basis of our results, finding a …

Spectroscopy And Orbital Periods Of Four Cataclysmic Variable Stars, John R. Thorstensen, Cynthia J. Taylor

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present spectroscopy and orbital periods P_orb of four relatively little-studied cataclysmic variable stars. The stars and their periods are: AF Cam, P_orb = 0.324(1) d (the daily cycle count is slightly ambiguous); V2069 Cyg (= RX J2123.7+4217), 0.311683(2) d; PG 0935+075, 0.1868(3) d; and KUV 03580+0614, 0.1495(6) d. V2069 Cyg and KUV 03580+0614 both show He iiλ4686 emission comparable in strength to Hβ. V2069 Cyg appears to be a luminous nova-like variable, and the strong He ii suggests it may be an intermediate polar. The period of KUV 03580+0614 is similar to members …

The Long-Period Orbit Of The Dwarf Nova V630 Cassiopeiae, J. A. Orosz, J. R. Thorstensen, R. K. Honeycutt

Dartmouth Scholarship

We present extensive spectroscopy and photometry of the dwarf nova V630 Cassiopeiae. A late-type (K4-5) absorption spectrum is easily detectable, from which we derive the orbital parameters. We find a spectroscopic period of P=2.56387 +/- (4 times 10^{-5}) days and a semiamplitude of K_2=132.9 +/- 4.0 km/s. The resulting mass function, which is a firm lower limit on the mass of the white dwarf, is then f(M)=0.624 +/- 0.056 solar masses. The secondary star is a ``stripped giant'', and using relations between the core mass and the luminosity and the core mass and the radius we derive a lower limit …

Spectroscopy And Orbital Periods Of The Old Novae V533 Herculis, V446 Herculis And X Serpentis, J. R. Thorstensen, C. J. Taylor

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report spectroscopic orbital periods of 0.147 d (= 3.53 h) for V533 Her, 0.207 d (= 4.97 h) for V446 Her and 1.478 d for X Ser. V533 Her (Nova Herculis 1963) shows absorption features in its He i and Balmer lines which appear only in a limited range of orbital phase, suggesting that it is a low-inclination SW Sextantis star. V446 Her is unusual in that it has started normal dwarf nova eruptions after a nova outburst, but we find nothing else unusual about it — in particular, a distance estimate based on its dwarf nova outbursts agrees …

A Newly-Discovered Cataclysmic Binary Near The Rosat Galactic Plane Source Rx J1910.8+2856, J R. Thorstensen, F Haberl

Dartmouth Scholarship

We report the discovery of a new cataclysmic binary star from the ROSAT Galactic Plane Survey. The star has V >∼ 18.5atminimumlightandwehavemeasureditasbrightasV = 15.7. Spectroscopy shows broad hydrogen and helium emission lines; HeII λ4686 is not detected. Hα radial velocities yield an orbital period of 0.1429 ± 0.0004 d (3.430 ± 0.010 h). Time- series photometry covering one orbital cycle near maximum light shows irregular variability, but no evidence of an eclipse. ThesystemappearstobeanewdwarfnovaoftheUGemorZ Cam type, and is unlikely to be a magnetic system. Its period is unusually short for a U Gem star.

Curiously, the new cataclysmic binary is 83′′ …

The Orbital Period Of Bk Lyncis (Pg 0917 + 342), F. A. Ringwald, J. R. Thorstensen, R. K. Honeycutt, J. W. Robertson

Dartmouth Scholarship

Long-term light curves of the cataclysmic variable BK Lyn = PG 0917 + 342 from the Indiana Automated CCD photometric telescope (‘RoboScope’) and the Harvard College Observatory plate archive reveal no dwarf nova outbursts. Two radial velocity studies show its orbital period to be 107.97 ;1 0.07 min, confirming that it does have an orbital period shorter than the period gap for cataclysmic variables. Whether this is the first nova-like variable below the period gap or a dwarf nova with rare outbursts resembling WZ Sge is still unclear, however.

Orbital Studies Of The Cataclysmic Variables Cz Orionis, V1193 Orionis And Bz Ursae Majoris, F. A. Ringwald, J. R. Thorstensen, R. M. Hamwey

Dartmouth Scholarship

Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals the orbital periods of three cataclysmic variables. CZ Ori has an orbital period of 0.2189 d. This is within 3 per cent of a prediction relating orbital period and dwarf nova outburst decline time. We find the M2.5 ± 1.0 secondary, and infer an absolute magnitude for CZ Ori in RKc of 8.5 ± 1.0 and a distance of 260 ± 110 pc. V1193 Ori, also called Hamuy's Blue Variable, has an orbital period of 0.165 d. In 1988, Ha emission line profile variations suggested red star illumination. In 1989, this line's red wing flared at orbital …

Fe Ii Fluorescence And Anomalous C Iv Doublet Intensities In Symbiotic Novae, A. G. Michalitsianos, Menas Kafatos, S. R. Meier

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

Symbiotic stars frequently exhibit anomalous C IV λλ1548.2, 1550.8 doublet flux ratios, in which the intensity ratio of the blue and red doublet members is below the optically thick limit of unity. Three symbiotic stars (RR Tel, RX Pup, and AG Peg) have been investigated in detail with high-resolution spectra obtained from the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) archives. We have examined the deficit of C IV λ1548.2 emission relative to λ1550.8 in context with the fluorescent pumping of the Fe II multiplet (45.01) λ1548.204 by the C IV λ1548.2 line. In RR Tel the C IV λ1548.2 flux is correlated …