V404 Cyg Research Articles

The eccentric massive binary V380 Cyg: revised orbital elements and interpretation of the intrinsic variability of the primary component*

We present a detailed analysis and interpretation of the high-mass binary V380 Cyg, based on high-precision space photometry gathered with the Kepler space mission as well as high-resolution ground-based spectroscopy obtained with the HERMES spectrograph attached to the 1.2m Mercator telescope. We derive a precise orbital solution and the full physical properties of the system, including dynamical component mass estimates of 11.43+/-0.19 and 7.00+/-0.14 solar masses for the primary and secondary, respectively. Our frequency analysis reveals the rotation frequency of the primary in both the photometric and spectroscopic data and additional low-amplitude stochastic variability at low frequency in the space photometry with characteristics that are compatible with recent theoretical predictions for gravity-mode oscillations excited either by the convective core or by sub-surface convective layers. Doppler Imaging analysis of the silicon lines of the primary suggests the presence of two high-contrast stellar surface abundance spots which are located either at the same latitude or longitude. Comparison of the observed properties of the binary with present-day single-star evolutionary models shows that the latter are inadequate and lack a serious amount of near-core mixing.

KIC 7524178—an SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova Predominantly Showing Negative Superhumps throughout Supercycle

Abstract We analyzed Kepler long-cadence data of KIC 7524178 (= KIS J192254.92+430905.4), and found that it is an SU UMa-type dwarf nova with frequent normal outbursts. The signal of the negative superhump has always been the dominant one, even during the superoutburst, in contrast to our common knowledge about superhumps in dwarf novae. The signal of the positive superhump was only transiently seen during the superoutburst, and it quickly decayed afterward. The frequency variation of the negative superhump was similar to the two previously studied dwarf novae in the Kepler field, V1504 Cyg and V344 Lyr. This is the first object in which the negative superhumps dominate throughout the supercycle. Nevertheless, the superoutburst was faithfully accompanied by the positive superhump, indicating that the tidal eccentric instability is essential for triggering a superoutburst. All the pieces of evidence strengthen the thermal-tidal instability as being the origin of the superoutburst and supercycle, which makes this object the third example in the Kepler field. This object had an unusually small ($\sim 1.0$ mag) outburst amplitude, and we considered that this object has a high mass-transfer rate close to the thermal-stability limit of the accretion disk. The average periods of the negative and positive superhumps, and the candidate period of the orbital motion were 0.07288 d (variable in the range $0.0723–0.0731$ d), 0.0785 d (variable in the range $0.0772–0.0788$ d), and 0.074606(1) d, respectively

Peculiarities of the SU UMa-Type Dwarf Nova V1504 Cyg Behavior in 1994 – 2012 Years

For the SU UMa-type dwarf nova V1504 Cyg on the data base of the CrAO (1998 – 2009), space telescope “Kepler” (2009 – 2011), AAVSO and VSNET (1994 – 2012) we found as follows: 1) the supercycle length varying in average from 100 to 140 d; 2) the normal outbursts show a bimodal cycles lengths distributions with centers 8 – 9 days and 11 days within the range of 5 – 22 days; 3) for the quiescent data JD 2451737–2451745 we have detected the 0.0677-d periodicity that probably connected to the negative superhumps, and for the JD 245497 – 2454974 – these consisting either with simultaneous existing of positive and negative superhumps or with one of these periods.

Multiwavelength modelling the SED of supersoft X-ray sources I. The method and examples

Radiation of supersoft X-ray sources (SSS) dominates both the supersof X-ray and the far-UV domain. A fraction of their radiation can be reprocessed into the thermal nebular emission, seen in the spectrum from the near-UV to longer wavelengths. In the case of symbiotic X-ray binaries (SyXBs) a strong contribution from their cool giants is indicated in the optical/near-IR. In this paper I introduce a method of multiwavelength modelling the spectral energy distribution (SED) of SSSs from the supersoft X-rays to the near-IR with the aim to determine the physical parameters of their composite spectra. The method is demonstrated on two extragalactic SSSs, the SyXB RXJ0059.1-7505 (LIN 358) in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), RXJ0439.8-6809 in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) and two Galactic SSSs, the classical nova RXJ2030.5+5237 (V1974 Cyg) during its supersoft phase and the classical symbiotic star RXJ1601.6+6648 (AG Dra) during its quiescent phase. The multiwavelength approach overcomes the problem of the mutual dependence between the temperature, luminosity and amount of absorption, which appears when only the X-ray data are fitted. Thus, the method provides an unambiguous solution. It was found that selection of the model (a blackbody or an atmospheric model) is not of crucial importance in fitting the global X-ray/IR SED. The multiwavelength modelling of the SED of SSSs is essential in determining their physical parameters.

Study of Superoutbursts and Superhumps in SU UMa Stars by the Kepler Light Curves of V344Lyrae and V1504 Cygni

Abstract We have studied the short-cadence Kepler public light curves of two SU UMa stars, V344 Lyr and V1504 Cyg, extending over a period of more than two years by using power spectral analysis. We determined the orbital period of V344 Lyr to be Porb = 0.087903(1)d. We also reanalyzed the frequency variation of the negative superhump in a complete supercycle of V1504 Cyg with additional data of the O – C diagram, confirming that its characteristic variation is in accordance with the thermal-tidal instability model. We present a new two-dimensional period analysis based on a new method of a least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso). The new method gives very sharp peaks in the power spectra, and it is very useful for studying the frequency variation in cataclysmic variable stars. We have analyzed simultaneous frequency variations of the positive and negative superhumps. If they are appropriately converted, it is found that they vary in unison, indicating that they represent a disk-radius variation. We have also studied the frequency (or period) variations of positive superhumps during superoutbursts. These variations can be understood in a qualitative way by combining the disk-radius variation and the variation of pressure effects during a superoutburst. A sudden excitation of oscillation with a frequency range near to the negative superhump (which we call “impulsive negative superhump”) was observed in the descending branch of several outbursts of V344 Lyr. These events seem to have occurred just prior to the next superoutburst, and to act as a “lead” of the impending superoutburst.

A RADIO-SELECTED BLACK HOLE X-RAY BINARY CANDIDATE IN THE MILKY WAY GLOBULAR CLUSTER M62

We report the discovery of a candidate stellar-mass black hole in the Milky Way globular cluster M62. We detected the black hole candidate, which we term M62-VLA1, in the core of the cluster using deep radio continuum imaging from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array. M62-VLA1 is a faint source, with a flux density of 18.7 +/- 1.9 microJy at 6.2 GHz and a flat radio spectrum (alpha=-0.24 +/- 0.42, for S_nu = nu^alpha). M62 is the second Milky Way cluster with a candidate stellar-mass black hole; unlike the two candidate black holes previously found in the cluster M22, M62-VLA1 is associated with a Chandra X-ray source, supporting its identification as a black hole X-ray binary. Measurements of its radio and X-ray luminosity, while not simultaneous, place M62-VLA1 squarely on the well-established radio--X-ray correlation for stellar-mass black holes. In archival Hubble Space Telescope imaging, M62-VLA1 is coincident with a star near the lower red giant branch. This possible optical counterpart shows a blue excess, H alpha emission, and optical variability. The radio, X-ray, and optical properties of M62-VLA1 are very similar to those for V404 Cyg, one of the best-studied quiescent stellar-mass black holes. We cannot yet rule out alternative scenarios for the radio source, such as a flaring neutron star or background galaxy; future observations are necessary to determine whether M62-VLA1 is indeed an accreting stellar-mass black hole.

Four states of the recurrent symbiotic nova V407 Cyg

AbstractWe analyze the results of our spectroscopic and photometric monitoring of V407 Cyg in 1984–2009. We show that the hot component of V407 Cyg can be in four different states: a passive state (the system looks as an ordinary, non‐symbiotic Mira), a quiescent state (the system looks as a low‐excitation classical symbiotic star), a Z And‐type outburst, and an RS Oph‐type outburst. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Near-infrared integral field spectroscopy of massive young stellar objects

We present medium-resolution (R ≈ 5300) K-band integral field spectroscopy of six massive young stellar objects (MYSOs). The targets are selected from the Red MSX Source (RMS) survey, and we used the ALTAIR adaptive optics assisted Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer (NIFS) mounted on the Gemini North telescope. The data show various spectral line features including Brγ, CO, H2 and He i. The Brγ line is detected in emission in all objects with vFWHM ∼ 100–200 km s−1. V645 Cyg shows a high-velocity P-Cygni profile between −800 and −300 km s−1. We performed three-dimensional spectroastrometry to diagnose the circumstellar environment in the vicinity of the central stars using the Brγ line. We measured the centroids of the velocity components with sub-mas precision. The centroids allow us to discriminate the blueshifted and redshifted components in a roughly east–west direction in both IRAS 18151−1208 and S106 in Brγ. This lies almost perpendicular to observed larger scale outflows. We conclude, given the widths of the lines and the orientation of the spectroastrometric signature, that our results trace a disc wind in both IRAS 18151−1208 and S106. The CO ν = 2–0 absorption lines at low J transitions are detected in IRAS 18151−1208 and AFGL 2136. We analysed the velocity structure of the neutral gas discs, which we find to have nearly Keplerian motions. In IRAS 18151−1208, the absorption centroids of the blueshifted and redshifted components are separated in a direction of north-east to south-west, nearly perpendicular to that of the larger scale H2 jet. The position–velocity relations of these objects can be reproduced with central masses of 30 M⊙ for IRAS 18151−1208 and 20 M⊙ for AFGL 2136. We also detect CO ν = 2–0 bandhead emission in IRAS 18151−1208, S106 and V645 Cyg. The results can be fitted reasonably with a Keplerian rotation model, with masses of 15, 20 and 20 M⊙, respectively. These results for a sample of MYSOs can be explained with disc and outflow models and support the hypothesis of massive star formation via mass accretion through discs as is the case for lower mass counterparts.

An interferometric view on binarity and circumstellar envelopes of Cepheids

AbstractOptical interferometry is the only technique giving access to milli-arcsecond (mas) resolution at infrared wavelengths. For Cepheids, this is a powerful and unique tool to detect the orbiting companions and the circumstellar envelopes (CSE). CSEs are interesting because they might be used to trace the Cepheid evolution history, and more particularly they could impact the distance scale. Cepheids belonging to binary systems offer an unique opportunity to make progress in resolving the Cepheid mass discrepancy. The combination of spectroscopic and interferometric measurements will allow us to derive the orbital elements, distances, and dynamical masses. Here we focus on recent results using 2- to 6-telescopes beam combiners for the Cepheids X Sgr, T Mon and V1334 Cyg.

THE 2011 ERUPTION OF THE RECURRENT NOVA T PYXIDIS: THE DISCOVERY, THE PRE-ERUPTION RISE, THE PRE-ERUPTION ORBITAL PERIOD, AND THE REASON FOR THE LONG DELAY

We report the discovery by M. Linnolt on JD 2,455,665.7931 (UT 2011 April 14.29) of the sixth eruption of the recurrent nova T Pyxidis. This discovery was made just as the initial fast rise was starting, so with fast notification and response by observers worldwide, the entire initial rise was covered (the first for any nova), and with high time resolution in three filters. The speed of the rise peaked at 9 mag day–1, while the light curve is well fit over only the first two days by a model with a uniformly expanding sphere. We also report the discovery by R. Stubbings of a pre-eruption rise starting 18 days before the eruption, peaking 1.1 mag brighter than its long-time average, and then fading back toward quiescence 4 days before the eruption. This unique and mysterious behavior is only the fourth known (with V1500 Cyg, V533 Her, and T CrB) anticipatory rise closely spaced before a nova eruption. We present 19 timings of photometric minima from 1986 to 2011 February, where the orbital period is fast increasing with yr. From 2008 to 2011, T Pyx had a small change in this rate of increase, so that the orbital period at the time of eruption was 0.07622950 ± 0.00000008 days. This strong and steady increase of the orbital period can only come from mass transfer, for which we calculate a rate of (1.7-3.5) × 10–7 M ☉ yr–1. We report 6116 magnitudes between 1890 and 2011, for an average B = 15.59 ± 0.01 from 1967 to 2011, which allows for an eruption in 2011 if the blue flux is nearly proportional to the accretion rate. The ultraviolet-optical-infrared spectral energy distribution is well fit by a power law with f ν∝ν1.0, although the narrow ultraviolet region has a tilt with a fit of f ν∝ν1/3. We prove that most of the T Pyx light is not coming from a disk, or any superposition of blackbodies, but rather is coming from some nonthermal source. We confirm the extinction measure from IUE with E(B – V) = 0.25 ± 0.02 mag.

U Scorpii 2010 outburst: observational evidence of an underlying ONeMg white dwarf (Corrigendum)

We have found a computational error in the application of formula (1) of the paper. When this is corrected the [Ne/O] ratios computed from the 2010 April 11 and May 12 U Sco nebular spectra are −0.4 and −0.71 respectively, suggesting only a mild Ne enrichment in the ejecta, possibly consistent with a CO white dwarf (WD). The [Ne/O] ratio computed for V832 Vel (Table 3 in Della Valle et al. 2001), which we used as cross check, also results in lower values than initially estimated in the range −0.3 to +0.2, depending on the considered spectrum/epoch. Note, however, that V832 Vel is an ONe nova (Shore et al. 2003). Most important, the use of the [Ne iii]λ3869/[O iii]λ5007 flux ratio for approximating the ejecta abundances is not reliable when ne is higher than the critical density of the individual lines. In particular, electron densities higher than ∼106 cm−3 (the [O iii] and [Ne iii] D2 critical densities are ∼7 × 105 cm−3 and ∼7.9 × 106 cm−3, respectively, Osterbrock 1989) produce F(3869)/F(5007) flux ratios >1 even for solar abundances (following Seaton 1975 and Ferland & Shields 1978 derivations), which makes the conclusion of enhanced Ne abundances ambiguous. It is interesting to note that most of the known ONe novae for which there are optical spectra in the literature showed F(3869)/F(5007) flux ratios in the range ∼1−2 over several epochs during their late decline (QU Vul, Saizar et al. 1992; V351 Pup, Saizar et al. 1996; V382 Vel, Della Valle et al. 2002; V1974 Cyg, Vanlandingham et al. 2005; V1065 Cen, Helton et al. 2010; V959 Mon, Shore et al. 2013). The only remarkable exceptions were V838 Her and V4160 Sgr with flux ratios in the range 20−46 and 2−7, respectively (Schwarz et al. 2007). These same objects show a flux ratio [O iii](1)/[O iii](2) <5−10 for few to several hundreds of days after maximum, indicating densities in excess of 106 cm−3 (Seaton 1975). In addition, high-energy incident flux will favor higher ionization energy transitions (e.g. [Nev] as observed in the bluer optical spectra) which “reduces” the intensity of the lower ionization energy lines. It is therefore necessary to compare all the ionization levels observing the UV range as well, where the O3+ and O4+ transitions occur. While the optical nebular spectra of the U Sco 2010 outburst show strong [Nev], [Ne iii], and, possibly, weak [Ne iv]λ4714, they are no sufficient diagnostic of the ejecta density and temperature. Hence, lacking a nebular phase UV spectrum for the

AN ANALYSIS OF THE ENVIRONMENTS OF FU ORIONIS OBJECTS WITHHERSCHEL

We present Herschel-HIFI, SPIRE, and PACS 50-670 {\mu}m imaging and spectroscopy of six FU Orionis-type objects and candidates (FU Orionis, V1735 Cyg, V1515 Cyg, V1057 Cyg, V1331 Cyg, and HBC 722), ranging in outburst date from 1936-2010, from the "FOOSH" (FU Orionis Objects Surveyed with Herschel) program, as well as ancillary results from Spitzer-IRS and the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory. In their system properties (Lbol, Tbol, line emission), we find that FUors are in a variety of evolutionary states. Additionally, some FUors have features of both Class I and II sources: warm continuum consistent with Class II sources, but rotational line emission typical of Class I, far higher than Class II sources of similar mass/luminosity. Combining several classification techniques, we find an evolutionary sequence consistent with previous mid-IR indicators. We detect [O I] in every source at luminosities consistent with Class 0/I protostars, much greater than in Class II disks. We detect transitions of 13CO (J_up of 5 to 8) around two sources (V1735 Cyg and HBC 722) but attribute them to nearby protostars. Of the remaining sources, three (FU Ori, V1515 Cyg, and V1331 Cyg) exhibit only low-lying CO, but one (V1057 Cyg) shows CO up to J = 23 - 22 and evidence for H2O and OH emission, at strengths typical of protostars rather than T Tauri stars. Rotational temperatures for "cool" CO components range from 20-81 K, for ~ 10^50 total CO molecules. We detect [C I] and [N II] primarily as diffuse emission.

PHASE-RESOLVED INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY AND PHOTOMETRY OF V1500 CYGNI, AND A SEARCH FOR SIMILAR OLD CLASSICAL NOVAE

We present phase-resolved near-infrared photometry and spectroscopy of the classical nova V1500 Cyg to explore whether cyclotron emission is present in this system. While the spectroscopy do not indicate the presence of discrete cyclotron harmonic emission, the light curves suggest that a sizable fraction of its near-infrared fluxes are due to this component. The light curves of V1500 Cyg appear to remain dominated by emission from the heated face of the secondary star in this system. We have used infrared spectroscopy and photometry to search for other potential magnetic systems amongst old classical novae. We have found that the infrared light curves of V1974 Cyg superficially resemble those of V1500 Cyg, suggesting a highly irradiated companion. The old novae V446 Her and QV Vul have light curves with large amplitude variations like those seen in polars, suggesting they might have magnetic primaries. We extract photometry for seventy nine old novae from the 2MASS Point Source Catalog and use those data to derive the mean, un-reddened infrared colors of quiescent novae. We also extract WISE data for these objects and find that forty five of them were detected. Surprisingly, a number of these systems were detected in the WISE 22 mum band. While two of those objects produced significant dust shells (V705 Cas and V445 Pup), the others did not. It appears that line emission from their ionized ejected shells is the most likely explanation for those detections.

PROPERTIES OF THE CLOSE-IN TERTIARY IN THE QUADRUPLE SYSTEM V401 CYG

V401 Cyg is a quadruple system in which the spectroscopic signature of a close-in tertiary and a distant visual companion star were reported. Orbital properties of the close-in companion should provide valuable information on the formation of close binaries and stellar dynamical interaction. By analyzing new times of minimum light together with those collected from the literature, we discovered that the observed-calculated (O - C) curve of V401 Cyg shows a cyclic change with a short period of 3.5 yr and a semi-amplitude of 0.00436 days while it undergoes an upward parabolic variation. Those photoelectric and CCD data covered more than two cycles and were analyzed for the light-travel time effect via the presence of the tertiary companion. The mass of the third body was determined to be M-3 sin i' = 0.65(+/- 0.08) M-circle dot, which is close to the value estimated from the spectroscopic data (M-3 similar to 0.64 M-circle dot). This reveals that the orbital inclination of the tertiary was about i' similar to 90 degrees, indicating that the contact components of V401 Cyg have the possibility of being eclipsed by the tertiary at an orbital distance of about 3.0 AU, and it may be a triply eclipsing hierarchical triple system. The upward parabolic change indicates a period increase at a rate of (P) over dot = 1.5 x 10(-7) revealing a mass transfer from the secondary to the primary ((M) over dot(2) = 5.9 x 10(-8) M-circle dot yr(-1)). This is consistent with the predictions of the theory of thermal relaxation oscillation (TRO) suggesting that V401 Cyg is undergoing an expanding-orbit stage in the TRO cycles.

Photometric behaviour of the FU Orionis type star, V1057 Cygni, during the last 25 years

The FU Orionis type of variable star (FUor), V1057 Cygni, underwent a nova-like outburst in 1969–1970. Among the FUors, V1057 Cyg is notable for having the most dramatic post-maximum decrease in brightness. Thus, photometric monitoring of this object is important for interpretations of the cause of this event. Here, we study the behaviour of V1057 Cyg over the last 25 years on the basis of our optical and infrared observations. The optical and near-infrared observations of V1057 Cyg started in 1974, and we present all our data (up to the end of 2011), including 1085 and 167 nights of optical and infrared photometry, respectively. The UBVRIJHKLM light curves for 1985–2011 show that despite the increased photometric activity, after a rapid decrease in brightness in the mid-1990s, the average level of brightness remained practically constant. After the object becomes fainter than V ≈ 11.5 mag, a swerve appears in the track of the colour–magnitude diagram. The light variability shows a different periodicity in different spectral regions. We have discovered a period of 1631 ± 60 d in the BVR bands (1995–2011) and 523 ± 40 d in the RIJHK bands (2002–2011) with amplitudes of 0.5–0.3 mag. The 523-d period is presumably correlated with the changes in the radial velocity of an emission component in Li i. We conclude that the observed properties of the FUor star V1057 Cyg are in accordance with current models of FUors involving binary or multiple systems.

The Cause of the Superoutburst in SU UMa Stars is Finally Revealed by Kepler Light Curve of V1504 Cygni

Abstract We have studied the short-cadence Kepler light curve of an SU UMa star, V1504 Cyg, which covers a period of $ \sim$ 630 d. All superoutbursts in V1504 Cyg have turned out to be of precursor-main types, and the superhump first appears near the maximum of the precursor. The superhumps grow smoothly from the precursor to the main superoutburst, showing that the superoutburst was initiated by a tidal instability (as evidenced by the growing superhump) as envisioned in the thermal-tidal instability (TTI) model proposed by Osaki (1989, PASJ, 41, 1005). We performed a power spectral analysis of the light curve of V1504 Cyg. One of the outstanding features is the appearance of a negative superhump extending over around 300 d, well over a supercycle. We found that the appearance of the negative superhump tends to decrease the frequency of occurrence of normal outbursts. Two types of supercycles are recognized in V1504 Cyg, which are similar to those of the Type L and Type S supercycles in the light curve of VW Hyi, a prototype SU UMa star, introduced by Smak (1985, Acta Astron., 35, 357). It is found that the Type L supercycle is the one accompanied by the negative superhump, and Type S is that without the negative superhump. If we adopt a tilted disk as an origin of the negative superhump, two types of the supercycles are understood to be due to a difference in the outburst interval, which is in turn caused by a difference in mass supply from the secondary to different parts of the disk. The frequency of the negative superhump varies systematically during a supercycle in V1504 Cyg. This variation can be used as an indicator of the disk-radius variation, and we have found that the observed disk-radius variation in V1504 Cyg fits very well with a prediction of the TTI model.

The spectroscopic evolution of theγ-ray emitting classical nova Nova Mon 2012

Nova Mon 2012 was the first classical nova to be detected as a high energy $\gamma$-ray transient, by Fermi-LAT, before its optical discovery. We study a time sequence of high resolution optical echelle spectra (Nordic Optical Telescope) and contemporaneous NOT, STIS UV, and CHIRON echelle spectra (Nov 20/21/22). We use [O III] and H$\beta$ line fluxs to constrain the properties of the ejecta. We derive the structure from the optical and UV line profiles and compare our measured line fluxes for with predictions using Cloudy with abundances from other ONe novae. Mon 2012 is confirmed as an ONe nova. We find E(B-V)=0.85$\pm$0.05 and hydrogen column density $\approx 5\times 10^{21}$ cm$^{-2}$. The corrected continuum luminosity is nearly the same in the entire observed energy range as V1974 Cyg, V382 Mon, and Nova LMC 2000 at the same epoch after outburst. The distance, about 3.6 kpc, is quite similar to V1974 Cyg. The line profiles can be modeled using an axisymmetric bipolar geometry for the ejecta with various inclinations of the axis to the line of sight, 60 \le i \le 80 degrees, an opening angle of \approx$70 deg, inner radius $\Delta R/R(t)\approx 0.4$ for permitted lines and less filled for forbidden lines. The filling factor $f\approx 0.1-0.3$ implying M(ejecta) $\leq 6\times 10^{-5}$M$_\odot$. The ONe novae appear to comprise a single physical class with bipolar high mass ejecta, similarly enhanced abundances, and a common spectroscopic evolution within a narrow range of luminosities. The detected $\gamma$-ray emission may be a generic phenomenon, common to all ONe novae, possibly to all classical novae, and connected with acceleration and emission processes within the ejecta (abstract severely truncated).

THE 7.1 HR X-RAY-ULTRAVIOLET-NEAR-INFRARED PERIOD OF THE γ-RAY CLASSICAL NOVA MONOCEROTIS 2012

Nova Mon 2012 is the third gamma-ray transient identified with a thermonuclear runaway on a white dwarf, that is, a nova event. Swift monitoring has revealed the distinct evolution of the harder and super-soft X-ray spectral components, while Swift-UV and V and I-band photometry show a gradual decline with subtle changes of slope. During the super-soft emission phase, a coherent 7.1 hr modulation was found in the soft X-ray, UV, optical and near-IR data, varying in phase across all wavebands. Assuming this period to be orbital, the system has a near-main sequence secondary, with little appreciable stellar wind. This distinguishes it from the first GeV nova, V407 Cyg, where the gamma-rays were proposed to form through shock-accelerated particles as the ejecta interacted with the red giant wind. We favor a model in which the gamma-rays arise from the shock of the ejecta with material close to the white dwarf in the orbital plane. This suggests that classical novae may commonly be GeV sources. We ascribe the orbital modulation to a raised section of an accretion disk passing through the line of sight, periodically blocking and reflecting much of the emission. The disk must, therefore, have reformed by day 150 after outburst.

Multiplicity of Galactic Cepheids from long-baseline interferometry

We aim at determining the masses of Cepheids in binary systems, as well as their geometric distances and the flux contribution of the companions. The combination of interferometry with spectroscopy will offer a unique and independent estimate of the Cepheid masses. Using long-baseline interferometry at visible and infrared wavelengths, it is possible to spatially resolve binary systems containing a Cepheid down to milliarcsecond separations. Based on the resulting visual orbit and radial velocities, we can then derive the fundamental parameters of these systems, particularly the masses of the components and the geometric distance. We therefore performed interferometric observations of the first-overtone mode Cepheid V1334 Cyg with the CHARA/MIRC combiner. We report the first detection of a Cepheid companion using long-baseline interferometry. We detect the signature of a companion orbiting V1334 Cyg at two epochs. We measure a flux ratio between the companion and the Cepheid f = 3.10+/-0.08%, giving an apparent magnitude mH = 8.47+/-0.15mag. The combination of interferometric and spectroscopic data have enabled the unique determination of the orbital elements: P = 1938.6+/-1.2 days, Tp = 2 443 616.1+/-7.3, a = 8.54+/-0.51mas, i = 124.7+/-1.8{\deg}, e = 0.190+/-0.013, {\omega} = 228.7+/-1.6{\deg}, and {\Omega} = 206.3+/-9.4{\deg}. We derive a minimal distance d ~ 691 pc, a minimum mass for both stars of 3.6 Msol, with a spectral type earlier than B5.5V for the companion star. Our measured flux ratio suggests that radial velocity detection of the companion using spectroscopy is within reach, and would provide an orbital parallax and model-free masses.

Exploring the circumstellar environment of the young eruptive star V2492 Cygni

Context. V2492 Cyg is a young eruptive star that went into outburst in 2010. The near-infrared color changes observed since the outburst peak suggest that the source belongs to a newly defined sub-class of young eruptive stars, where time-dependent accretion and variable line-of-sight extinction play a combined role in the flux changes. Aims. In order to learn about the origin of the light variations and to explore the circumstellar and interstellar environment of V2492 Cyg, we monitored the source at ten different wavelengths, between 0.55 \mu m and 2.2 \mu m from the ground and between 3.6 \mu m and 160 \mu m from space. Methods. We analyze the light curves and study the color-color diagrams via comparison with the standard reddening path. We examine the structure of the molecular cloud hosting V2492 Cyg by computing temperature and optical depth maps from the far-infrared data. Results. We find that the shapes of the light curves at different wavelengths are strictly self-similar and that the observed variability is related to a single physical process, most likely variable extinction. We suggest that the central source is episodically occulted by a dense dust cloud in the inner disk, and, based on the invariability of the far-infrared fluxes, we propose that it is a long-lived rather than a transient structure. In some respects, V2492 Cyg can be regarded as a young, embedded analog of UX Orionis-type stars. Conclusions. The example of V2492 Cyg demonstrates that the light variations of young eruptive stars are not exclusively related to changing accretion. The variability provided information on an azimuthally asymmetric structural element in the inner disk. Such an asymmetric density distribution in the terrestrial zone may also have consequences for the initial conditions of planet formation.