The X-ray eclipse of OY Car resolved with XMM–Newton: X-ray emission from the polar regions of the white dwarf

We present the XMM–Newton X-ray eclipse light curve of the dwarf nova OY Car. The eclipse ingress and egress are well resolved for the first time in any dwarf nova placing strong constraints on the size and the location of the X-ray emitting region. We find good fits to a simple linear eclipse model, giving ingress/egress durations of  30 ± 3 s (Δφ_orb= 0.0054 ± 0.0005)  . Remarkably, this is shorter than the ingress/egress duration of the sharp eclipse in the optical, as measured by Wood et al. (1989) and ascribed to the white dwarf  (43 ± 2 s)  . We also find that the X-ray eclipse is narrower than the optical eclipse by  14 ± 2 s  , which is precisely the difference required to align the second and third contact points of the X-ray and optical eclipses. We discuss these results and conclude that X-ray emission in OY Car arises most likely from the polar regions of the white dwarf.
Our data were originally reported by Ramsay et al. (2001b) , but they did not make a quantitative measurement of eclipse parameters. We have also corrected important timing anomalies present in the data available at that time.     

An analytical expression for apsidal superhump precession and comparisons with numerical simulations and dwarf nova observations

We compare analytical expressions of precession rates from apsidal (positive) superhumps in close binary systems with numerical disc simulation results and observed values. In the analytical expressions, we include both the dynamical effects on the precession of the disc and effects caused by pressure forces that have been theorized to provide a retrograde effect (i.e. slowing) on the prograde disc precession. We establish new limits on density wave pitch angle to a normalized disc sound speed 60≥Ω_orb  d  tan  i / c >2.214 . Using average values for the density wave pitch angle i and speed of sound c , we find good correlation between numerical simulations and the analytical expression for the apsidal superhump period excess, which includes both the prograde and retrograde effects, for mass ratios of 0.025≤ q ≤0.33 . We also show good correlations with the four known eclipsing systems, OY Car, Z Cha, HT Cas, and WZ Sge. Our analytical expression for apsidal superhump period excess as a function of orbital period is consistent with the trend found in observed systems.     

An eclipse of the X-ray flux from the dwarf nova OY Carinae in quiescence

We present a phase-resolved ROSAT HRI X-ray light curve of the dwarf nova OY Car in quiescence. The X-ray flux is eclipsed at the same time as the optical eclipse of the primary, and the region of X-ray emission is comparable in size to the white dwarf. We use subsequent optical observations to update the orbital ephemeris of the system.     

Photometry of the 1989 eclipse of τ Persei

Photometry of Persei was obtained during ingress and egress of its 1989 eclipse and analyzed using a simple geometrical model. The estimated depths of eclipse are 0.62, 0.43, and 0.23 mag inU, B, andV, respectively, which imply that all but 17% of the A-type secondary is covered by the G-giant primary at minimum light. When combined with observations from the 1984 eclipse, the data yield a photometric period of 1515.869±0.059 days.     

A photometric study of the Algol system Y Piscium

From the discussion of 417 photoelectric observations of this semi-detached Algol system, obtained in B and V during 82 nights in 1965–1971, the existence of a gas stream may be inferred for the following reasons: The scatter of the single observations is dependent on the orbital phase; the largest scatter occurs at the phases following both eclipses. The conventional photometric solution which is based on the long region rectification and neglects the photometric influences of the gas stream, gives for the two colours different geometric parameters of the system. However, the short region rectification allows a consistent photometric solution. According to this solution a short total phase exists, and the luminous regions caused by the impact of particles of the gas stream are hidden during the central part of the primary eclipse. Outside of eclipses, the additional light is seen during about half of the orbital period. From the variation of the visibility of the additional light during the primary eclipse it may be concluded that during about the first half of the observing time the luminous regions were situated at the high latitudes of the bright component, indicating the existence of magnetic fields on this component at this epoch, whilst later on the additional light came from an equatorial region on the following side of the massive component.Originally presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 16 held at the Univ. of Pennsylvenia, Philadelphia Pa., U.S.A. September 8–11, 1971.     

Substantial stream–disc overflow found in three-dimensional SPH simulations of cataclysmic variables

We study numerically the interaction of the infalling gas stream and the rim of the accretion disc in cataclysmic variables. The simulations were performed with a smoothed particle hydrodynamics scheme with high spatial resolution. Parameters of the systems AM CVn, OY Car, DQ Her, U Gem and IP Peg were used for the simulations. The simulations cover a wide range of orbital periods, mass ratios and mass transfer rates, as well as different thermal states of the accretion disc. The main result of this study is that the accretion stream is not stopped at the impact region (the bright spot at the outer rim of the disc). In fact, after undergoing the shock interaction, most of the matter is deflected vertically and flows in a more or less diffuse stream to inner parts of the disc, hitting the disc surface close to the circularization radius at orbital phase 0.5. This is a common feature in all systems for all simulated parameters. This stream overflow can cause the X-ray absorption dips observed in cataclysmic variables (CVs) and low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) around orbital phase 0.7, if the inclination is at least 65°. Under certain circumstances, namely a sudden increase of the mass transfer rate from the secondary or a rather small disc, parts of the overflowing stream bounce off the disc surface after hitting it at orbital phase ≈0.5. Another absorption region can be expected around orbital phase 0.2.
In our simulations most of the infalling matter reaches the inner disc very quickly. This must alter the evolution of the quiescent disc and the outburst behaviour considerably compared with purely viscous transport of the material through the disc from the outer rim, and therefore should be taken into account in dwarf nova outburst cycle calculations. To our knowledge, the consequences of such a massive stream overflow for the dwarf nova outburst cycle have not been considered yet.     

The May 1985 superoutburst of OY Carinae: II. Phase-resolved IUE spectroscopy and EXOSAT observations

We present ultraviolet and X-ray observations of the eclipsing SU UMa dwarf nova OY Car early in the decline from a superoutburst. From the UV emission line spectrum and lack of X-ray eclipse, we deduce the presence of an extended coronal region.Paper presented at the IAU Colloquium No. 93 on Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments, held at Dr. Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, F.R.G., 16–19 June, 1986.     

Long-term flux variations in Cen X-3: clues from flux-dependent orbital modulation and pulsed fraction

We have investigated the long-term flux variation in Cen X-3 using orbital modulation and pulsed fraction in different flux states using observations made with the All-Sky Monitor and the Proportional Counter Array on board the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer . In the high state, the eclipse ingress and egress are found to be sharp whereas in the intermediate state the transitions are more gradual. In the low state, instead of eclipse ingress and egress, the light curve shows a smooth flux variation with orbital phase. The orbital modulation of the X-ray light curve in the low state shows that the X-ray emission observed in this state is from an extended object. The flux-dependent orbital modulations indicate that the different flux states of Cen X-3 are primarily due to varying degree of obscuration. Measurement of the pulsed fraction in different flux states is consistent with the X-ray emission of Cen X-3 having one highly varying component with a constant pulsed fraction and an unpulsed component and in the low state, the unpulsed component becomes dominant. The observed X-ray emission in the low state is likely to be due to scattering of X-rays from the stellar wind of the companion star. Though we cannot ascertain the origin and nature of the obscuring material that causes the aperiodic long-term flux variation, we point out that a precessing accretion disc driven by radiative forces is a distinct possibility.     

Circumstellar line of Cai λ6572 in Zeta Aurigae and 31 Cygni

In the 1974 eclipse of Zeta Aurigae the satellite line of the Cai intercombination line at 6572 Å appeared in all the phases observed, i.e., near the mid-eclipse and egress, although its equivalent width, 100–200 mÅ, and velocity deviation, –20 im s^–1, from the principal line were considerably less than those for the satellite line found just after the fourth contact of the 1971–72 eclipse. 31 Cygni also showed a similar satellite line to Zeta Aurigae's in the 1974 eclipse, not only in the 1972 eclipse but also outside the eclipse. These satellite lines should be due to the circumstellar gas expanding from the binary systems.     

The complete set of ASCA X-ray observations of non-magnetic cataclysmic variables

We present the complete set of 34 ASCA observations of non-magnetic cataclysmic variables. Timing analysis reveals large X-ray flux variations in dwarf novae in outburst (Z Cam, SS Cyg and SU UMa) and orbital modulation in high inclination systems (including OY Car, HT Cas, U Gem, T Leo). We also found episodes of unusually low accretion rate during quiescence (VW Hyi and SS Cyg). Spectral analysis reveals broad temperature distributions in individual systems, with emission weighted to lower temperatures in dwarf novae in outburst. Absorption in excess of interstellar values is required in dwarf novae in outburst, but not in quiescence. We also find evidence for subsolar abundances and X-ray reflection in the brightest systems.
LS Peg, V426 Oph and EI UMa have X-ray spectra that are distinct from the rest of the sample and all three exhibit candidate X-ray periodicities. We argue that they should be reclassified as intermediate polars.
In the case of V345 Pav we found that the X-ray source had been previously misidentified.     

The 1975 eclipse of AZ Cassiopeiae

We made photoelectric observations of the eclipsing system AZ Cas between 1975 September and 1976 December. This period corresponds to the ascending portion of the light curve, thus happily complements Tempesti's observations during the same eclipse. With these and other data we re-determined the new ephemeris Min = J.D.2442691 + 3403.6(±0.6) E, the duration of the eclipse D = 110 d, and the duration of totality d = 94 d. We found the fourth contact time to be different in different colours and the duration of the egress phase shorter than that of the ingress phase. An elementary photometric solution is presented. The sum of masses is found to be 32 M_?, consistent with the spectroscopic values of Cowley et al. (1978). Their conclusion that the totality duration increases with time is, however, not confirmed.     

Spectroscopic observations of zeta Aurigae during the 1971–72 eclipse

The chromospheric phases in the 1971–72 eclipse were observed at wavelength regions containing the K-line of ionized calcium on six nights at ingress and on eight nights at egress at the Okayama Astrophysical Observatory. The linear dispersion of the spectrograms is about 10 Å mm^?1. The spectrograms were measured for line intensities of the K-line and for radial velocities of metallic and hydrogen lines. The results are compared with those obtained in the earlier eclipses. The intensities of the chromospheric K-line during this eclipse were relatively ‘weak’ at both ingress and egress and were similar to those in the 1939–40 eclipse. It seems that the chromospheric activity of ζ Aurigae increased after 1939, reached a maximum at 1950–56, and then decreased again until 1971. The radial velocities of the chromospheric lines of hydrogen atoms, ionized calcium, and some other atoms and ions varied with phase showing almost the same characteristic features as in most earlier eclipses. Intensities and velocities were also measured for satellite lines of the K-line.     

Solar radio spectra between 160 and 320 MHz

Dynamic spectra of incremental solar radio emission reveal that (mostly faint) pulsating and morphologically similar structures, including patterns of bright spots, dominate between ca. 250 and 320 MHz. As individual bursts these bright spots are similar to Type I bursts but they appear in an entirely different environment. This kind of activity is indicative of Type IV emission and seems to favour the generation of Type III bursts. Often its boundary with storm activity at the lower side of the band is rather sharp.     

Epsilon Aurigae in eclipse: The light and colour variations

Theuvby andVRI observations of Aur during the ingress and early totality phases obtained at the McDonald Observatory are analysed. The light and colour variations of Aur during the 1982–1984 eclipse are compared with those found during the 1955–1957 eclipse.     

A simple derivation of capture probabilities for the J+1:J and J+2:J orbit-orbit resonance problems

We present a simplified analytic derivation of the capture probabilities for the j+1j and j+2j orbital resonances. We apply Henrard's method which is based on an extension of the theory of adiabatic invariants and recover the results originally obtained by Yoder.Contribution number 3874 from the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, U.S.A.     

An analysis of active close binaries (CB) based on photometric measurements

For the purpose of analysing light curves of active CB with an accretion disc being at the evolutional phase of an intensive matter exchange between the components a model for light-curve synthesis has been realized where the attention is given to systems like W Ser not sufficiently examined yet with regard that in them the accretion disc is formed around an ordinary star. In the paper one uses the elements presented in the first paper of this series. The model can successfully describe the essential characteristics of the observed light curves due to existence of an accretion disc and a hot spot, as well as those originated in the temperature distribution along the disc radius. The system components are considered in the framework of the nonsynchronous Roche model and the accretion disc of a constant thickness lies in the orbital plane around the star capturing the matter of the neighbouring component.The primary surrounded by the disc is situated relatively well within the Roche oval and its rotation can be significantly nonsynchronous. Near the Lagrange equilibrium pointL ₁ flows from the secondary (which fills the Roche limit) the gas stream nourishing the disc. In the zone where the stream touches the lateral side of the disc a hot spot is formed.The proposed model enables estimating of the basic orbital and physical parameters of active type W Ser CB (Djuraevi, 1991) on the basis of photometric measurements by applying the inverse-problem method.     

Influence du champ magnétique terrestre sur le mouvement d'un satellite autour de son centre de gravité

Résumé On étudie l'effet du champ magnétique terrestre sur le mouvement d'un satellite autour de son centre de gravité. Le satellite possède une symétrie dynamique et un moment magnétique propre dirigé suivant l'un des axes principaux d'inertie; le champ magnétique terrestre est assimilé au champ d'un dipôle dont les pôles coïncident avec les pôles terrestres. On néglige les perturbations de la trajectoire du satellite qui est supposée circulaire. La position du satellite par rapport à son centre de gravité est repérée dans un système d'axes lié au plan de l'orbite et le mouvement est décrit à l'aide des angles d'Euler , , . La symétrie sphérique et le choix du moment magnétique sur l'un des axes d'inertie permettent d'éliminer l'angle .La solution pour et peut se développer en séries de puissance d'un petit paramètre . Les séries convergent pour ||<1.Lorsque le moment magnétique est faible on la rotation du satellite rapide, est faible. Les développements sont calculés effectivement jusqu'à ².La comparaison des résultats avec l'intégration numérique du système d'équations différentielles est satisfaisante.

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The effect of the Earth's magnetic field on the motion of a satellite around its centre of mass is investigated. The satellite is assumed to be dynamically symmetric and to be magnetized in the same direction as that of a principal axis. The Earth's magnetic field is assumed to be a dipole field whose poles coincide with the rotation poles of the Earth. The satellite's orbit is circular and perturbations are neglected. The position of the satellite with respect to its centre of mass is given with respect to a coordinate system fixed in the orbital plane and the motion is described by Euler's angles , , . The spherical symmetry and the coincidence of the magnetic moment with a principal axis allow one to eliminate the angle .The solution for and , can be expanded in power series for small parameter .The series converge for <1. is small for a small magnetic moment or a high angular velocity of the rotating satellite. The terms of the expansion of the series are calculated up to ².The comparison of the results with those obtained by numerical integration of the differential equation is satisfactory.

     

Fourier analysis of the light curves of eclipsing variable stars

The aim of the present paper is to find the eclipse perturbations, in the frequency-domain, of close eclipsing systems exhibiting partial eclipses.After a brief introduction, in Section 2 we shall deal with the evaluation of thea _n ^(l) integrals for partial eclipses and give them in terms ofa ₀ ⁰ ,a ₀ ⁰ (of the associated -functions) and integrals; while Section 3 gives the eclipse perturbations arising from the tidal and rotational distortion of the two components. The are given for uniformly bright discs (h=1) as well as for linear and quadratic limb-darkening (h=2 and 3, respectively).Finally, Section 4 gives a brief discussion of the results and the way in which they can be applied to practical cases.     

Multi‐epoch time‐resolved photometry of the eclipsing polar CSS081231:071126+440405

The eclipsing polar CSS081231:071126+440405 turned bright (V_max ∼ 14.5) in late 2008 and was subsequently observed intensively with small and medium‐sized telescopes. A homogeneous analysis of this comprehensive dataset comprising 109 eclipse epochs is presented and a linear ephemeris covering the five years of observations, about 24000 orbital cycles, is derived. Formally this sets rather tight constraints on the mass of a hypothetical circumbinary planet, M_pl ≤ 2 M_Jup. This preliminary result needs consolidation by long‐term monitoring of the source. The eclipse lasts 433.08 ± 0.65 s, and the orbital inclination is found to be i = 79.3°–83.7°. The centre of the bright phase displays accretion‐rate dependent azimuthal shifts. No accretion geometry is found that explains all observational constraints, suggesting a complex accretion geometry with possible pole switches and a likely non‐dipolar field geometry. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

High-speed energy-resolved STJ photometry of the eclipsing binary UZ For

We present high-time-resolution optical photometry of the eclipsing binary UZ For using a superconducting tunnel junction (STJ) device, a photon-counting array detector with intrinsic energy resolution. Three eclipses of the ∼18-mag 126.5-min orbital binary were observed using a 6×6 array of tantalum STJs at the 4.2-m William Herschel Telescope on La Palma. The detector presently provides individual photon arrival-time accuracy to about 5 μs, and a wavelength resolution of about 60 nm at 500 nm, with each array element capable of counting up to ∼5000 photon s⁻¹. The data allow us to place accurate constraints on the accretion geometry from our time- and spectrally resolved monitoring, especially of the eclipse ingress and egress. We find that there are two small accretion regions, located close to the poles of the white dwarf. The positions of these are accurately constrained, and show little movement from eclipse to eclipse, even over a number of years. The colour of the emission from the two regions appears similar, although their X-ray properties are known to be significantly different: we argue that the usual accretion shock may be absent at the non-X-ray-emitting region, and instead the flow here interacts directly with the white dwarf surface; alternatively, a special grazing occultation of this region is required. There is no evidence for any quasi-periodic oscillations on time-scales of the order of seconds, consistent with relatively stable cyclotron cooling in each accretion region.