Cataclysmic Variable Candidates Research Articles

Cataclysmic variables from Sloan Digital Sky Survey - V (2020-2023) identified using machine learning.

Abstract SDSS-V is carrying out a dedicated survey for white dwarfs, single and in binaries, and we report the analysis of the spectroscopy of 504 cataclysmic variables (CVs) and CV candidates obtained during the first 34 months of observations of SDSS-V. We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to aid with the identification of CV candidates among the over 2 million SDSS-V spectra obtained with the BOSS spectrograph. The CNN reduced the number of spectra that required visual inspection to ≃ 2 per cent of the total. We identified 776 CV spectra among the CNN-selected candidates, plus an additional 27 CV spectra that the CNN misclassified, but that were found serendipitously by human inspection of the data. Analysing the SDSS-V spectroscopy and ancillary data of the 504 CVs in our sample, we report 61 new CVs, spectroscopically confirm 248 and refute 13 published CV candidates, and we report 82 new or improved orbital periods. We discuss the completeness and possible selection biases of the machine learning methodology, as well as the effectiveness of targeting CV candidates within SDSS-V. Finally, we re-assess the space density of CVs, and find 1.2 × 10−5 pc−3.

Searching for new cataclysmic variables in the Chandra Source Catalog

Aims. Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are compact binary systems in which a white dwarf accretes matter from a Roche-lobe-filling companion star. For this study we searched for new CVs in the Milky Way in the Chandra Source Catalog v2.0, cross-matched with Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3). Methods. We identified new CV candidates by combining X-ray and optical data in a color-color diagram called the X-ray main sequence. We used two different cuts in this diagram to compile pure and optically variable samples of CV candidates. We undertook optical spectroscopic follow-up observations with the Keck and Palomar Observatories to confirm the nature of these sources. Results. We assembled a sample of 25 887 Galactic X-ray sources and found 14 new CV candidates. Seven objects show X-ray and/or optical variability. All sources show X-ray luminosity in the 1029 − 1032 erg s−1 range, and their X-ray spectra can be approximated by a power-law model with photon indices in the Γ ∼ 1 − 3 range or an optically thin thermal emission model in the kT ∼ 1 − 70 keV range. We spectroscopically confirmed four CVs, discovering two new polars, one low accretion rate polar and a WZ Sge-like low accretion rate CV. X-ray and optical properties of the other nine objects suggest that they are also CVs (likely magnetic or dwarf novae), and one other object could be an eclipsing binary, but revealing their true nature requires further observations. Conclusions. These results show that a joint X-ray and optical analysis can be a powerful tool for finding new CVs in large X-ray and optical catalogs. X-ray observations such as those by Chandra are particularly efficient at discovering magnetic and low accretion rate CVs, which could be missed by purely optical surveys.

Discovery of the magnetic cataclysmic variable XMM J152737.4–205305.9 with a deep eclipse-like feature

We report the identification and subsequent examination of a polar-type cataclysmic variable named XMM J152737.4−205305.9 newly discovered with the X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton). This discovery was made by matching the XMM-Newton data archive with the cataclysmic variable candidate catalog provided by Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3). The use of X-ray photometry led to the identification of two distinct dips that exhibit a recurring pattern with a precise period of 112.4 (1) min in two XMM-Newton observations made one year apart. The data obtained from photometry provided by the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and the Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System (ATLAS) survey consistently indicate the presence of mass-accretion states that differ by up to 2 mag. Following the optical data, the Spectrum Roentgen Gamma(SRG)/eROSITA All Sky Survey observed the system at two different X-ray levels, which may imply different accretion states. Following these observations, the low-resolution spectrum obtained using SALT spectroscopy exposes the prominent hydrogen Balmer and helium emission lines, strongly supporting the categorization of this system as a polar-type magnetic cataclysmic variable. The XMM-Newton observations conducted at various X-ray levels reveal a consistent pattern of a deep dip-like feature with a width of ≈9.1 min. This feature implies the presence of an eclipse in both observations. According to Gaia data, the object is located at a distance of 1156−339+720 pc, and its X-ray luminosity lies within the LX = (3 − 6)×1031 erg s−1 range.

Light Curves of Some Cataclysmic Variable Candidates in GAIA Observations of TÜBİTAK TUG T60 and Istanbul University IST60

Gaia uyarıları içerisinde 5 adet kataklismik değişen (CV) adayı (Gaia16ahl, 16bnz, 14adn, 16awq ve 21bpe) küçük açıklıklı robotik teleskoplarla (büyük olanlarla da koordineli şekilde) B, V, R süzgeçlerinde ve filtresiz olarak gözlenmiştir. Adayların tanımlamaları şöyledir: 16ahl-CV, 16bnz-bilinmeyen, 14adn-bilinmeyen, 16awq-bilinmeyen ve 21bpe-nova. Gaia’nın G bandında ortalama parlaklıkları da 16ahl(14.9), 16bnz(12.9), 14adn(16.3), 16awq(9.0) ve 21bpe(15.4) kadirdir. Bu Gaia kaynaklarının farklı tarihlerde uzun süreli fotometrik gözlemleri yapılarak ışık eğrileri elde edilmiştir. Buna göre, 16ahl Z Cam türü duraksamalar ve bitiminde parlaklık artışları göstermiştir. B’de 4.2 kadir genlikli derin minimum da görülmüştür. 16adn’nin RR Lyra türü değişen olduğu teyit edilmiştir. 16awq’nun manyetik aktiviteye sahip bir yıldız olması yönü desteklenmiştir. 21bpe, yaklaşık 9 kadirlik bir parlama ile nova patlaması gösterdi ve 7 Haziran 2021’de 6.5 kadir seviyesinde maksimum parlaklığa ulaştı. Patlama sonrası erken iniş evresine ait ışık eğrileri alındı ve novanın bu aşamadaki evrimine fotometrik katkı verilmiştir.

Cataclysmic Variables from Sloan Digital Sky Survey – V. The search for period bouncers continues

ABSTRACT SDSS-V is carrying out a dedicated survey for white dwarfs, single, and in binaries, and we report the analysis of the spectroscopy of 118 cataclysmic variables (CVs) and CV candidates obtained during the final plug plate observations of SDSS. We identify eight new CVs, spectroscopically confirm 53 and refute 11 published CV candidates, and we report 21 new or improved orbital periods. The orbital period distribution of the SDSS-V CVs does not clearly exhibit a period gap. In common with previous studies, the distribution shows that spectroscopically identified CVs have a larger proportion of short-period systems compared to samples identified from photometric variability. Remarkably, despite a systematic search, we find very few period bouncers. We estimate the space density of period bouncers to be $\simeq 0.2\times 10^{-6}\, \mathrm{pc}^{-3}$, i.e. they represent only a few per cent of the total CV population. This suggests that during their final phase of evolution, CVs either destroy the donor, e.g. via a merger, or that they become detached and cease mass transfer.

LAMOST J2043+3413—a Fast Disk Precession SW Sextans Candidate in Period Gap

We present follow-up photometric observations and time-series analysis of a nova-like, SW Sextans-type, cataclysmic variable (CV) candidate, LAMOST J204305.95+341340.6 (hereafter J2043+3413), with a Gaia G-band magnitude of 15.30 and a distance of 990 pc, which was identified from the LAMOST spectrum. The photometric data were collected with the Tsinghua-NAOC 0.8 m telescope (TNT), Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), and ASAS-SN. The TESS light curve reveals the presence of two prominent periods of 2.587(8) hr and 1.09(5) days, corresponding to the orbital and superorbital (precession) period, respectively. The TNT data obtained in 2020 shows a possible quasiperiodic oscillation of 1426 s. The precession period is about three times shorter than that of CVs with similar orbital periods, indicating an unusually fast precessing accretion disk. The ZTF data is found to show a sudden decline of ∼0.4 mag on MJD 58979. From the intermittent behavior of the eclipse, we deduce that J2043+3413 is an intermediate inclination system of CV, similar to V795 Her, which is also situated in the period gap.

Automatic detection of cataclysmic variables from SDSS images

Abstract Investigating rare and new objects have always been an important direction in astronomy. Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are ideal and natural celestial bodies for studying the accretion process of semi-detached binaries with accretion processes. However, the sample size of CVs must increase because a lager gap exists between the observational and the theoretical expanding CVs. Astronomy has entered the big data era and can provide massive images containing CV candidates. CVs as a type of faint celestial objects, are highly challenging to be identified directly from images using automatic manners. Deep learning has rapidly developed in intelligent image processing and has been widely applied in some astronomical fields with excellent detection results. YOLOX, as the latest YOLO framework, is advantageous in detecting small and dark targets. This work proposes an improved YOLOX-based framework according to the characteristics of CVs and Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) photometric images to train and verify the model to realise CV detection. We use the Convolutional Block Attention Module to increase the number of output features with the feature extraction network and adjust the feature fusion network to obtain fused features. Accordingly, the loss function is modified. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model produces satisfactory results, with average accuracy (mean average Precision at 0.5) of 92.0%, Precision of 92.9%, Recall of 94.3%, and $F1-score$ of 93.6% on the test set. The proposed method can efficiently achieve the identification of CVs in test samples and search for CV candidates in unlabeled images. The image data vastly outnumber the spectra in the SDSS-released data. With supplementary follow-up observations or spectra, the proposed model can help astronomers in seeking and detecting CVs in a new manner to ensure that a more extensive CV catalog can be built. The proposed model may also be applied to the detection of other kinds of celestial objects.

The Lockman-SpReSO project

Context. Extragalactic surveys are a key tool for better understanding the evolution of galaxies. Both deep and wide-field surveys serve to provide a clearer emerging picture of the physical processes that take place in and around galaxies, and to identify which of these processes are the most important in shaping the properties of galaxies. Aims. The Lockman Spectroscopic Redshift Survey using Osiris (Lockman-SpReSO) aims to provide one of the most complete optical spectroscopic follow-ups of the far-infrared (FIR) sources detected by the Herschel Space Observatory in the Lockman Hole (LH) field. The optical spectroscopic study of the FIR-selected galaxies supplies valuable information about the relation between fundamental FIR and optical parameters, including extinction, star formation rate, and gas metallicity. In this article, we introduce and provide an in-depth description of the Lockman-SpReSO project and of its early results. Methods. We selected FIR sources from Herschel observations of the central 24 arcmin ×24 arcmin of the LH field with an optical counterpart up to 24.5 RC(AB). The sample comprises 956 Herschel FIR sources, plus 188 additional interesting objects in the field. These are point X-ray sources, cataclysmic variable star candidates, high-velocity halo star candidates, radio sources, very red quasi-stellar objects, and optical counterparts of sub-millimetre galaxies. The faint component of the catalogue (RC(AB) ≥ 20) was observed using the OSIRIS instrument on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias in multi-object spectroscopy (MOS) mode. The bright component was observed using two multi-fibre spectrographs: the AF2-WYFFOS at the William Herschel Telescope and the HYDRA instrument at the WYIN telescope. Results. From an input catalogue of 1144 sources, we measured a secure spectroscopic redshift in the range 0.03 ≲ z ≲ 4.96 for 357 sources with at least two identified spectral lines. In addition, for 99 sources that show only one emission or absorption line, a spectroscopic redshift was postulated based on the line and object properties, and photometric redshift. In both cases, properties of emission and absorption lines were measured. Furthermore, to characterize the sample in more depth with determined spectroscopic redshifts, spectral energy distribution (SED) fits were performed using the CIGALE software. The IR luminosity and the stellar mass estimations for the sample are also presented as a preliminary description.

Constraining leptonic emission scenarios for the PeVatron candidate HESS J1702−420 with deep XMM-Newton observations

Aims. We aim to search for a hidden leptonic accelerator, such as a high-Ė pulsar, associated with the unidentified TeV object HESS J1702−420A. Methods. We carried out a 72 ks X-ray observation with the XMM-Newton satellite and analyzed the resulting data jointly with the publicly available HESS spectral energy distribution (SED) results to derive constraints on the leptonic contribution to the TeV emission of HESS J1702−420A. A set of scripts dedicated to the multi-wavelength modeling of X-ray and γ-ray data, based on Gammapy, Naima, and Xspec, has been developed in the context of this work and made publicly available along with this paper. Results. No object clearly associated with HESS J1702−420A was found in the XMM-Newton data. After excluding the unidentified object Suzaku src B as a possible X-ray counterpart and classifying it as a new cataclysmic variable source candidate, we derived strict upper limits on the level of diffuse X-ray emission in the HESS J1702−420A region: F(2 − 10 keV)≲5.4 × 10−5 keV cm−2 s−1 at 2σ (≈95.5%) confidence level. A tight constraint on the magnetic field was derived, under a one-zone leptonic scenario, by jointly fitting the XMM-Newton spectra and the HESS SED: B ≲ 1.45 μG at 2σ level. We additionally report the serendipitous discovery of a new extended X-ray source with a hard spectral index of 1.99 ± 0.45, named XMMU J170147.3−421407 which is likely Galactic. Its classification as a high-speed runaway pulsar wind nebula (PWN), possibly associated with HESS J1702−420A, is not obvious but cannot be ruled out either. Conclusions. The hard γ-ray object HESS J1702−420A remains unidentified, but the absence of a clear X-ray counterpart strongly challenges simple leptonic scenarios. The only remaining possible leptonic counterpart for HESS J1702−420A appears to be a newly discovered X-ray source with extended morphology and hard spectral index, which may be a PWN powered by a high-speed runaway pulsar.

Timing analysis of a sample of five cataclysmic variable candidates observed by the XMM–Newton satellite

ABSTRACT Intermediate polars are a class of cataclysmic variables in which a white dwarf accretes material from a companion star. The intermediate polar nature confirmation usually derives from the detection of two periods in both X-ray and optical photometry. In this respect, the high-energy signal is often characterized by modulations on the white dwarf spin and the orbital period. However, noting that the periodograms may be characterized by strong features also at the synodic period and/or other sidebands, the timing analysis of the X-ray signal may offer the unique possibility to firmly discover an intermediate polar candidate. Here, we concentrate on a sample of five cataclysmic variable binary candidates: i.e. SAXJ1748.2-2808, 1RXS J211336.1 + 542226, CXOGC J174622.7-285218, CXOGC J174517.4-290650, and V381 Vel, listed in the IPHome catalogue. Our main aim is to confirm if they belong to the intermediate polar class or not. The results of our analysis show that we can safely assess the intermediate polar nature of all the considered sources, apart for the case of V381 Vel which instead behaves like a cataclysmic variable of the polar subclass. Moreover, the source SAXJ1748.2-2808, previously classified as an HMXB, appears to be, most likely, an intermediate polar variable.

Investigating the UV-excess in Star Clusters with N-body Simulations: Predictions for Future CSST Observations* *Supported by the research grants from the China Manned Space Project with No. CMS-CSST-2021-A08.

We study the origin of the UV-excess in star clusters by performing N-body simulations of six clusters with N = 10 k and N = 100 k (single stars & binary systems) and metallicities of Z = 0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001, using petar. All models initially have a 50% primordial binary fraction. Using GalevNB we convert the simulated data into synthetic spectra and photometry for the China Space Station Telescope (CSST) and Hubble Space Telescope (HST). From the spectral energy distributions we identify three stellar populations that contribute to the UV-excess: (1) second asymptotic giant branch stars, which contribute to the UV flux at early times; (2) naked helium stars and (3) white dwarfs, which are long-term contributors to the FUV spectra. Binary stars consisting of a white dwarf and a main sequence star are cataclysmic variable (CV) candidates. The magnitude distribution of CV candidates is bimodal up to 2 Gyr. The bright CV population is particularly bright in FUV − NUV. The FUV − NUV color of our model clusters is 1–2 mag redder than the UV-excess globular clusters in M87 and in the Milky Way. This discrepancy may be induced by helium enrichment in observed clusters. Our simulations are based on simple stellar evolution; we do not include the effects of variations in helium and light elements or multiple stellar populations. A positive radial color gradient is present in CSST NUV − y for main sequence stars in all models with a color difference of 0.2–0.5 mag, up to 4 half-mass radii. The CSST NUV − g color correlates strongly with HST FUV − NUV for NUV − g > 1 mag, with the linear relation FUV − NUV =(1.09 ± 0.12) × (NUV − g) + (−1.01 ± 0.22). This allows for conversion of future CSST NUV − g colors into HST FUV − NUV colors, which are sensitive to UV-excess features. We find that CSST will be able to detect UV-excess in Galactic/extragalactic star clusters with ages >200 Myr.

Far-ultraviolet investigation into the galactic globular cluster M30 (NGC 7099): I. Photometry and radial distributions

ABSTRACT We present a far-ultraviolet (FUV) study of the globular cluster M30 (NGC 7099). The images were obtained using the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS/SBC, F150LP, FUV) and the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2, F300W, UV) which were both onboard the Hubble Space Telescope. The FUV − UV colour–magnitude diagram (CMD) shows a main sequence (MS) turnoff at FUV ≈ 22 mag and $FUV-UV\, \approx 3$ mag. The MS extends 4 mag below the turnoff, and a prominent horizontal branch (HB) and blue straggler (BS) sequence can be seen. A total of 1218 MS stars, 185 red giant branch stars, 47 BS stars, and 41 HB stars are identified, along with 78 sources blueward of the MS which consist of white dwarfs (WDs) and objects in the gap between the WDs and the MS that include potential cataclysmic variable (CV) candidates. The radial distribution of the BS population is concentrated towards the cluster centre, indicating that mass segregation has occurred. The blue and red sub-populations of the double BS sequence appear mixed in the ultraviolet CMD, and no significant central concentration of CV candidates is seen in this cluster.

A Catalog of 323 Cataclysmic Variables from LAMOST DR6

Abstract In this work, we present a catalog of cataclysmic variables (CVs) identified from the sixth data release (DR6) of the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST). To single out the CV spectra, we introduce a novel machine-learning algorithm called UMAP to screen out a total of 169,509 Hα emission spectra, and obtain a classification accuracy of the algorithm of over 99.6% from the cross-validation set. We then apply the template-matching program PyHammer v2.0 to the LAMOST spectra to obtain the optimal spectral type with metallicity, which help us identify the chromospherically active stars and potential binary stars from the 169,509 spectra. After visually inspecting all of the spectra, we identify 323 CV candidates from the LAMOST database, among them 52 objects are new. We further classify the new CV candidates in subtypes based on their spectral features, including five DN subtypes during outbursts, five NL subtypes, and four magnetic CVs (three AM Her type and one IP type). We also find two CVs that have been previously identified by photometry and confirm their previous classification with the LAMOST spectra.

Automatic Search of Cataclysmic Variables Based on LightGBM in LAMOST-DR7

The search for special and rare celestial objects has always played an important role in astronomy. Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) are special and rare binary systems with accretion disks. Most CVs are in the quiescent period, and their spectra have the emission lines of Balmer series, HeI, and HeII. A few CVs in the outburst period have the absorption lines of Balmer series. Owing to the scarcity of numbers, expanding the spectral data of CVs is of positive significance for studying the formation of accretion disks and the evolution of binary star system models. At present, the research for astronomical spectra has entered the era of Big Data. The Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopy Telescope (LAMOST) has produced more than tens of millions of spectral data. the latest released LAMOST-DR7 includes 10.6 million low-resolution spectral data in 4926 sky regions, providing ideal data support for searching CV candidates. To process and analyze the massive amounts of spectral data, this study employed the Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM) algorithm, which is based on the ensemble tree model to automatically conduct the search in LAMOST-DR7. Finally, 225 CV candidates were found and four new CV candidates were verified by SIMBAD and published catalogs. This study also built the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT), Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost), and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models and used Accuracy, Precision, Recall, the F1-score, and the ROC curve to compare the four models comprehensively. Experimental results showed that LightGBM is more efficient. The search for CVs based on LightGBM not only enriches the existing CV spectral library, but also provides a reference for the data mining of other rare celestial objects in massive spectral data.

Discovery of deep eclipses in the cataclysmic variable ZTF17aaaeefu (2MASS J00594349+6454419)

I performed photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable candidate ZTF17aaaeefu and discovered very deep eclipses. The observations were obtained over 8 nights covering 7 months. The eclipse profile is similar to the eclipse profiles observed in other cataclysmic variables. During the observations, ZTF17aaaeefu showed brightness changes resembling dwarf nova outbursts and quiescent states. When ZTF17aaaeefu was bright (16.0-16.2 mag), the average eclipse depth was 2.50+/-0.18 mag. When ZTF17aaaeefu was faint (17.2-17.4 mag), the average eclipse depth was 1.45+/-0.06 mag. However, these differences in the eclipse depth may be mainly caused by the contaminating effect of three faint stars around ZTF17aaaeefu. In both cases, the average width of the prominent parts of the eclipses was the same and was about 30 min. Due to the large coverage of observations, I measured the orbital period with high precision, Porb=0.18821155+/-0.00000014 d. I derived the eclipse ephemeris, the validity time of which is 700 years in accordance with the precision of the orbital period. This ephemeris can be used for future studies of the orbital period changes. Because ZTF17aaaeefu has a long orbital period, this cataclysmic variable is of interest for determining the masses of its stellar components. In future radial velocity measurements, my precise eclipse ephemeris may be useful for determining the orbital phases.

Cataclysmic Variables in the Second Year of the Zwicky Transient Facility

Abstract Using a filter in the GROWTH Marshal based on color and the amplitude and timescale of variability, we have identified 372 objects as known or candidate cataclysmic variables (CVs) during the second year of the operation of the Zwicky Transient Facility. From the available difference imaging data, we found that 93 are previously confirmed CVs and 279 are strong candidates. Spectra of four of the candidates confirm them as CVs by the presence of Balmer emission lines, while one of the four has prominent He ii lines indicative of containing a magnetic white dwarf. Gaia EDR3 parallaxes are available for 154 of these systems, resulting in distances from 108–2096 pc and absolute magnitudes in the range of 7.5–15.0, with the largest number of candidates between 10.5 and 12.5. The total numbers are 21% higher than from the previous year of the survey with a greater number of distances available but a smaller percentage of systems close to the Galactic plane. Comparison of these findings with a machine-learning method of searching all the light curves reveals large differences in each data set related to the parameters involved in the search process.

A deep Chandra survey for faint X-ray sources in the Galactic globular cluster M30, and searches for optical and radio counterparts

ABSTRACT We present a deep (∼330 ks) Chandra survey of the Galactic globular cluster M30 (NGC 7099). Combining the new Cycle 18 with the previous Cycle 3 observations we report a total of 10 new X-ray point sources within the 1${_{.}^{\prime}}$03 half-light radius, compiling an extended X-ray catalogue of a total of 23 sources. We incorporate imaging observations by the Hubble Space Telescope and the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array from the MAVERIC survey to search for optical and radio counterparts to the new and old sources. Two X-ray sources are found to have a radio counterpart, including the known millisecond pulsar PSR J2140−2310A, the radio position of which also matches a previously reported faint optical counterpart which is slightly redder than the main sequence. We found optical counterparts to 18 of the 23 X-ray sources, identifying two new cataclysmic variables (CVs), five new CV candidates, two new candidates of RS CVn type of active binary (AB), and two new candidates of BY Dra type of AB. The remaining unclassified X-ray sources are likely background active galactic nuclei (AGNs), as their number is consistent with the expected number of AGN at our X-ray sensitivity. Finally, our analysis of radial profiles of different source classes suggests that bright CVs are more centrally distributed than faint CVs in M30, consistent with other core-collapsed globular clusters.

Follow-up Studies of Five Cataclysmic Variable Candidates Discovered by LAMOST

Abstract We report follow-up observations of five cataclysmic variable candidates from the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fiber Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) published by Hou et al. LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 is the most unusual of the five; an early-M type secondary star contributes strongly to its spectrum, and its spectral and photometric behavior are strikingly reminiscent of the hitherto-unique propeller system AE Aqr. We confirm that a 7.34 hr period discovered in the Catalina survey data is orbital. Another object, LAMOST J204305.95+341340.6, appears to be a near twin of the novalike variable V795 Her, with an orbital period in the so-called 2–3 hr “gap.” LAMOST J035913.61+405035.0 is evidently an eclipsing, weakly outbursting dwarf nova with a 5.48 hr period. Our spectrum of LAMOST J090150.09+375444.3 is dominated by a late-type secondary and shows weak, narrow Balmer emission moving in phase with the absorption lines, but at lower amplitude; we do not see the He ii λ4686 emission evident in the published discovery spectrum. We again confirm that a period from the Catalina data, in this case 6.80 hr, is orbital. LAMOST J033940.98+414805.7 yields a radial-velocity period of 3.54 hr, and its spectrum appears to be typical of novalike variables in this period range. The spectroscopically selected sample from LAMOST evidently includes some interesting cataclysmic variables that have been unrecognized until now, apparently because of the relatively modest range of their photometric variations.

Cataclysmic Variables in the First Year of the Zwicky Transient Facility

Abstract Using selection criteria based on amplitude, time, and color, we have identified 329 objects as known or candidate cataclysmic variables (CVs) during the first year of testing and operation of the Zwicky Transient Facility. Of these, 90 are previously confirmed CVs, 218 are strong candidates based on the shape and color of their light curves obtained during 3–562 days of observation, and the remaining 21 are possible CVs but with too few data points to be listed as good candidates. Almost half of the strong candidates are within 10 deg of the galactic plane, in contrast to most other large surveys that have avoided crowded fields. The available Gaia parallaxes are consistent with sampling the low mass transfer CVs, as predicted by population models. Our follow-up spectra have confirmed Balmer/helium emission lines in 27 objects, with four showing high-excitation He ii emission, including candidates for an AM CVn, a polar, and an intermediate polar. Our results demonstrate that a complete survey of the Galactic plane is needed to accomplish an accurate determination of the number of CVs existing in the Milky Way.

Near-ultraviolet detections of four dwarf nova candidates in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae

We investigate near-ultraviolet variability in the Galactic globular cluster (GC) 47 Tucanae (47 Tuc). This work was undertaken within the GC sub-project of the Transient UV Objects project, a programme which aims to find and study transient and strongly variable UV sources. Globular clusters are ideal targets for transient searches because of their high stellar densities and large populations of variable systems. Using all 75 archival observations of 47 Tuc obtained with the UV/optical telescope (UVOT) aboard theNeil Gehrels Swiftobservatory with theuvm2filter, we searched for UV variability using a specialised pipeline which utilises difference image analysis. We found four clear transients, hereafter SW1–4, with positions consistent with those of known cataclysmic variables (CVs) or CV candidates identified previously usingHubbleSpace Telescope observations. All four sources exhibit significant outbursts, likely brightening by several orders of magnitude. Based on the inferred outburst properties and the association with known CVs, we tentatively identify the UV transients as CV-dwarf novae (DNe). Two DNe have been previously observed in 47 Tuc: V2, which has a position consistent with that of SW4; and AKO 9, which was not in outburst during any of the UVOT observations. We thus increase the known number of DNe in 47 Tuc to 5 and the total number of detected DNe in all Galactic GCs combined from 14 to 17. We discuss our results in the context of the apparent scarcity of DNe in GCs. We suggest that the likely cause is observational biases, such as limited sensitivity due to the high background from unresolved stars in the GC and limited angular resolution of the telescopes used. We additionally detected one strongly variable source in 47 Tuc, which could be identified as the known RR Lyrae star HV 810. We found its period to have significantly increased with respect to that measured from data taken in 1988.