Simultaneous Optical Photometry Research Articles

PROBING WOLF–RAYET WINDS:CHANDRA/HETG X-RAY SPECTRA OF WR 6

With a deep Chandra/HETGS exposure of WR 6, we have resolved emission lines whose profiles show that the X-rays originate from a uniformly expanding spherical wind of high X-ray-continuum optical depth. The presence of strong helium-like forbidden lines places the source of X-ray emission at tens to hundreds of stellar radii from the photosphere. Variability was present in X-rays and simultaneous optical photometry, but neither were correlated with the known period of the system or with each other. An enhanced abundance of sodium revealed nuclear processed material, a quantity related to the evolutionary state of the star. The characterization of the extent and nature of the hot plasma in WR 6 will help to pave the way to a more fundamental theoretical understanding of the winds and evolution of massive stars.

XMM-Newtonobservations of the X-ray soft polar QS Telescopii

Context. On the basis of XMM-Newton observations, we investigate the energy balance of selected magnetic cataclysmic variables, which have shown an extreme soft-to-hard X-ray flux ratio in the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. Aims. We intend to establish the X-ray properties of the system components, their flux contributions, and the accretion geometry of the X-ray soft polar QS Tel. In the context of high-resolution X-ray analyses of magnetic cataclysmic variables, this study will contribute to better understanding the accretion processes on magnetic white dwarfs. Methods. During an intermediate high state of accretion of QS Tel, we have obtained 20 ks of XMM-Newton data, corresponding to more than two orbital periods, accompanied by simultaneous optical photometry and phase-resolved spectroscopy. We analyze the multi-wavelength spectra and light curves and compare them to former high- and low-state observations. Results. Soft emission at energies below 2 keV dominates the X-ray light curves. The complex double-peaked maxima are disrupted by a sharp dip in the very soft energy range (0.1-0.5 keV), where the count rate abruptly drops to zero. The EPIC spectra are described by a minimally absorbed black body at 20 eV and two partially absorbed MEKAL plasma models with temperatures around 0.2 and 3 keV. The black-body-like component arises from one mainly active, soft X-ray bright accretion region nearly facing the mass donor. Parts of the plasma emission might be attributed to the second, virtually inactive pole. High soft-to-hard X-ray flux ratios and hardness ratios demonstrate that the high-energy emission of QS Tel is substantially dominated by its X-ray soft component.

Optical spectroscopic variability of Herbig Ae/Be stars

We analysed 337 multi-epoch optical spectra of 38 Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) stars to gain insights into the variability behaviour of the circumstellar (CS) atomic gas. Equivalent widths (EWs) and line fluxes of the Halpha, [OI]6300, HeI5876 and NaID lines were obtained for each spectrum; the Halpha line width at 10% of peak intensity (W10) and profile shapes were also measured and classified. The mean line strengths and relative variabilities were quantified for each star. Simultaneous optical photometry was used to estimate the line fluxes. We present a homogeneous spectroscopic database of HAeBe stars. The lines are variable in practically all stars and timescales, although 30 % of the objects show a constant EW in [OI]6300, which is also the only line that shows no variability on timescales of hours. The HeI5876 and NaID EW relative variabilities are typically the largest, followed by those in [OI]6300 and Halpha. The EW changes can be larger than one order of magnitude for the HeI5876 line, and up to a factor 4 for Halpha. The [OI]6300 and Halpha EW relative variabilities are correlated for most stars in the sample. The Halpha mean EW and W10 are uncorrelated, as are their relative variabilities. The Halpha profile changes in 70 % of the objects. The massive stars in the sample usually show more stable Halpha profiles with blueshifted self-absorptions and less variable 10% widths. Our data suggest multiple causes for the different line variations, but the [OI]6300 and Halpha variability must share a similar origin in many objects. The physical mechanism responsible for the Halpha line broadening does not depend on the amount of emission; unlike in lower-mass stars, physical properties based on the Halpha luminosity and W10 would significantly differ. Our results provide additional support to previous works that reported different physical mechanisms in Herbig Ae and Herbig Be stars.

OBSERVATIONS OF V592 CAS—AN OUTFLOW AT OPTICAL WAVELENGTHS

We present new red optical spectra of V592 Cas aimed at exploring the properties of the outflow of this system in a spectral region where the underlying white dwarf and the accretion disk do not contribute significantly to the observed absorption components of the H-alpha and HeI line profiles. We use the H-alpha emission line to study the wind, which appears as pronounced blueshifted P-Cygni absorption troughs whose low velocity end contaminates the blue side of the emission line profile. The wind appears to be episodic in nature, with multiple events reaching velocities of 5000km/sec in H-alpha. Similar (but weaker) wind signatures appear in the HeI5876AA line but are absent in HeI6678AA. Our data suggest that during wind episodes the wind is phase dependent and is visible for half the orbit of the system. Considering that V592 Cas is viewed almost face-on, the symmetry axis of the outflow can not be orthogonal to the disk and/or the outflow must have some other inherent asymmetry in outflow geometry. A possible origin of the wind is in a disk hotspot, either at the initial impact point of the accretion stream on the disk edge or as a result of disk overflow (similar to SW Sextantis stars). Simultaneous optical photometry during one night of our spectroscopic observations indicate that there is no clear relationship between the optical brightness variations and the strength of the outflow in this system.

VLBI imaging and optical variability of the BL Lac object OQ 530 (B1418+546)

Results of VLBI and optical observations are presented for the BL Lac object OQ 530 (B1418+546), whose long term optical variability is characterised by a decreasing mean luminosity trend. EVN images at 1.6 GHz and 5 GHz of OQ 530 show a very bright core with a much weaker jet extending to about 35–40 mas. The radio flux density from the core in June 2001 was much higher than that measured in February 1999. A similar increase was also found from nearly simultaneous optical photometry, while the total flux density of the jet remained unchanged. The structure of the jet shows several knots which move outward with an apparent superluminal motion with a $\beta_{\rm app}\geq3.5h^{-1}$. The region within about 3 mas from the core contains a component not well resolved in our images and emerging from it in the jet direction. That component was also detected in images taken from 1990 to 1997 and it seems to be a rather stable structural feature. Using nearly simultaneous optical and radio data, we can describe the SED of the synchrotron peak with a simple formula, approximating a power law at low frequencies and a log-parabola at the high ones, whose maximum lies in the range $3.5{-}5\times10^{13}$ Hz, and the extrapolation in the X-ray range gives a flux comparable to that observed with BeppoSAX.

Simultaneous Photometry and Spectroscopy of the Supersoft X-Ray Source RX J0019.8+2156 (QR Andromedae)

Simultaneous optical photometry and spectroscopy of QR Andromedae (RX J0019.8+2156) obtained in 1995 are reported. The V light curve shows a range of ∼0.5 mag through the 15.85 hr orbital period, with shorter term (∼1.8 hr) variations superposed. There is no clear indication of any color change through the orbit. The spectra show strong emission lines, principally due to He II, which vary in both velocity and strength throughout the orbit. Violet-displaced H absorption lines are present during about half the orbital cycle. Emission lines of O VI (λ3811, λ3834) are clearly present. Two higher dispersion spectra also reveal emission lines of O V, C III, C IV, N III, N V, [Fe X], and [Fe XIV]. A few moderate-strength emission lines remain unidentified. Analysis of the radial velocity variations and light curve show the donor star to be a very low mass object (0.3–0.5 M⊙), assuming the compact star's mass lies below ∼1.5 M⊙. A search for spectral variations associated with the short-term photometric flickering reveals no obvious correlations, but our spectra have rather low resolution and signal-to-noise ratio. Supplemental photometry taken in 2000 July allows us to derive an improved orbital ephemeris for the system.

Multisite observations of surface structures on AB Doradus in 1994 November

We present time-resolved optical spectroscopy and broad-band photometry of the rapidly rotating southern K0 dwarf star AB Doradus, obtained during 1994 November. The data were obtained as part of a collaboration dedicated to MUlti-SIte COntinuous Spectroscopy (MUSICOS), and entailed coordinated observations on three continents to obtain the fullest phase coverage possible subject to limitations of local weather conditions. The Doppler images from the three consecutive nights of the run show excellent mutual agreement, with a dark polar cap and numerous intermediate- and low-latitude features. Simultaneous optical photometry showed numerous short-duration U-band flares, and two longer duration optical flares with durations of the order of hours. The latter produced broad-band continuum enhancements throughout the optical spectrum. Where simultaneous spectroscopy was available, both types of flare were seen to have counterparts in Ha and the Caii H line. Simultaneous time-resolved ultraviolet spectroscopy from the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (GHRS) aboard the Hubble Space Telescope, reported elsewhere, shows that at least one of the short-duration U-band flares was also observed in Civ with the GHRS. Time-series Ha spectra showed significant evolution of the circumstellar prominence system over five consecutive stellar rotations. One prominence underwent a dramatic increase in distance from the stellar rotation axis. We speculate that this event may have been associated with one of the long-duration flares.

A Low‐Amplitude X‐Ray and Optical Outburst from the Periodic Transient A0538−66: Accretion onto a Magnetosphere?

We present ASCA observations made in 1995 February around the time of a predicted outburst from the 16.65 day period recurrent transient A0538-66, together with simultaneous optical photometry. Optical spectroscopy was also obtained near the time of a predicted outburst approximately 2 months earlier. We find that A0538-66 is active, both in X-rays and optically, although at a much lower level than during the largest super-Eddington outbursts that have been seen in the past. The optical spectra show variable Balmer emission, but not the strong He II 4686 Å emission that accompanies large outbursts. The average X-ray luminosity is ~5.5 × 1036 ergs s-1, and we find evidence for the presence of an iron line in the X-ray spectrum. This can be interpreted either as a single line at 6.54 ± 0.04 keV or, alternatively, as a blend of emission at both 6.4 and 6.7 keV. A simple power law, or power law plus high-energy cutoff, does not fit the continuum spectrum well. Instead, a more complicated model is required, and we find that a power law plus blackbody gives a good fit to the continuum, although other models cannot be excluded completely. No evidence for the presence of previously detected 69 ms pulsations is found in our data, although our sensitivity is limited by the low count rate during our observations and the unknown orbital parameters of this system.

The four periodicities of the cataclysmic variable TV Columbae

I present six nights of simultaneous optical photometry and spectroscopy aimed at observing the four periodicities of TV Col. The 32-min white dwarf spin period (known from the X-ray band) is not convincingly detected in the optical. The 5.5-h orbital period is manifest both photometrically and in the emission-line radial velocities. The emission lines show disc emission with a superimposed S-wave. Near orbital phase 0.8, the S-wave is at inferior conjunction, the photometric variation is at minimum, there is absorption in the line centres and we see X-ray dips. All these findings suggest that the rim of the disc is thickened at this location. The 4-d and 5.2-h cycles dominate the continuum variations but do not change the emission-line profiles. These modulations are not absolutely coherent

The nucleus of Comet P/Tempel 2

Simultaneous optical photometry and IR radiometry of Comet P/Tempel 2 are presented. Periodic variations of brightness are present and in phase at all wavelengths. Because the optical and thermal rotational light curves are in phase, it is concluded that the variations are caused by the changing apparent cross section of an elongated nucleus rotating with a period near 8.9 h. The variation of flux with aperture makes it possible to separate the contributions of the nucleus and the coma. The contribution by the coma is about 25 percent at maximum light in the optical and undetectable at the level of 10 percent at all times in the thermal IR.

X-Ray and optical observations of the X-ray source EX0020528+1454.8

We present preliminary results of the EXOSAT X-ray observations and quasisimultaneous and simultaneous optical photometry of the X-ray source EX0020528+1454.8=1E0205+149 found independently as an serendipitous source both with Einstein and EXOSAT satellites. The optical counterpart is a pair of dMe stars. Our results indicate that the object is variable both in X-rays and optical wavelenghts, and probably belongs to dMe flare stars.

X-Ray and Optical Observations of the X-Ray Source EX0020528+1454.8

AbstractWe present preliminary results of the EXOSAT X-ray observations and quasisimultaneous and simultaneous optical photometry of the X-ray source EX0020528+1454.8 = 1E0205+149 found independently as an serendipitous source both with Einstein and EXOSAT satellites. The optical counterpart is a pair of dMe stars, Our results indicate that the object is variable both in X-rays and optical wavelenghts, and probably belongs to dMe flare stars.

Simultaneous X-ray and optical observations of rapid variability in Scorpius X-1<xref ref-type="corresp" rid="cor1">⋆</xref>

Copernicus and SAS-3 observations of Sco X-1 during very active states show strong and rapid X-ray flickering with time scales as short as 20 sec. Simultaneous optical photometry reveals similar and remarkably well correlated flickering of lower amplitude. The level of correlation decreases when the X-ray source becomes fainter, but optical and X-ray fluxes, averaged over 1 min, are usually well correlated for B magnitudes less than 12.9. Cross-correlation analysis of the data during periods of high activity shows no really significant time delay between X-ray and optical features, although the cross-correlation function peaks systematically for positive lag values (optical following X-rays). The amplitude of the X-ray flickering exhibits a strong energy-dependence consistent with the well-known intensity versus spectral-hardness relation derived from previous observations. The highly correlated optical activity is interpreted as due to reprocessing of X-ray photons in the binary system.