scholarly journals Optical Observations of Recent Novae

1977 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 149-181
Author(s):  
B. Wolf

AbstractThe observations of two rather different classical novae, V 1500 Cyg (= Nova Cyg 1975) and NQ Vul (= Nova Vul 1976), are presented and compared. Nova Cyg 1975 is outstanding with respect to absolute magnitude (M = -10), range of brightening (Δm = 19), and speed of evolution (t3= 3.6 days). Its prenova object had to be fainter than about magnitude 9. The corresponding values for Nova Vul 1976 are rather conservative (M≈-7.5, Δm ≈ 12, t3=40 days, absolute magnitude of the prenova ≈4.5). The light curve of Nova Cyg 1975 is very smooth. Some superimposed photometric variations of a small and slightly variable amplitude of a period of 3.4 hours are most naturally ascribed to a binary nature of Nova Cyg 1975. Nova Vul 1976 has a completely different lighteurve with extremely strong rapid irregular variations of considerably amplitude. There is a remarkable second maximum about 14 days after discovery.

2020 ◽  
Vol 497 (1) ◽  
pp. 648-655
Author(s):  
M Chernyakova ◽  
D Malyshev ◽  
S Mc Keague ◽  
B van Soelen ◽  
J P Marais ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT PSR B1259-63 is a gamma-ray binary system hosting a radio pulsar orbiting around an O9.5Ve star, LS 2883, with a period of ∼3.4 yr. The interaction of the pulsar wind with the LS 2883 outflow leads to unpulsed broad-band emission in the radio, X-rays, GeV, and TeV domains. While the radio, X-ray, and TeV light curves show rather similar behaviour, the GeV light curve appears very different with a huge outburst about a month after a periastron. The energy release during this outburst seems to significantly exceed the spin-down luminosity of the pulsar and both the GeV light curve and the energy release vary from one orbit to the next. In this paper, we present for the first time the results of optical observations of the system in 2017, and also reanalyse the available X-ray and GeV data. We present a new model in which the GeV data are explained as a combination of the bremsstrahlung and inverse Compton emission from the unshocked and weakly shocked electrons of the pulsar wind. The X-ray and TeV emission is produced by synchrotron and inverse Compton emission of energetic electrons accelerated on a strong shock arising due to stellar/pulsar winds collision. The brightness of the GeV flare is explained in our model as a beaming effect of the energy released in a cone oriented, during the time of the flare, in the direction of the observer.


1984 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 387-392
Author(s):  
H. J. Schober

AbstractSince about ten years coordinated programs of photoelectric observations of asteroids are carried out to derive rotation rates and light curves. Quite a number of those asteroids exhibit features in their light curves, with similar characteristics as variable stars and especially eclipsing binaries. This would allow also an interpretation that there might be an evidence for the binary nature of some asteroids, based on observational hints. A few examples are given and a list of indications for the possible binary nature of asteroids, based on their light curve features, is presented.


2019 ◽  
Vol 486 (2) ◽  
pp. 2549-2556 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pasi Hakala ◽  
Gavin Ramsay ◽  
Stephen B Potter ◽  
Andrew Beardmore ◽  
David A H Buckley ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present the results of near continuous TESS optical observations of the asynchronous polar CD Ind (RX J2115−5840). The 27.9 d long light curve, with 2 min resolution, reveals remarkable changes in the magnetic accretion geometry of the system over the 7.3 d beat period. We have modelled the changes in the optical spin period pulse shape using a cyclotron emission mapping technique. The resulting cyclotron emission maps of the magnetic white dwarf reveal how the accretion geometry changes from single- to two-pole accretion and back over the beat cycle. Finally, we present the results from particle-based numerical magnetic accretion simulations, which agree with our interpretation of the changing accretion scenario.


1977 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 201-213
Author(s):  
S. Wyckoff ◽  
P.A. Wehinger

SIT Vidicon spectra (3500 - 5100 Å) with time resolutions of several minutes and spectral resolutions of 6 Å have been obtained of a sample of old novae at minimum light. For comparison, spectra of SCO X-1 (V818 Sco) are also presented. Velocity-resolved image-tube spectra of RR Pic 1925 indicate Doppler variations in the He II λ4686 emission line with a period ~ 3 hours, thus confirming the binary nature of RR Pic.


2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (2) ◽  
pp. 1761-1781 ◽  
Author(s):  
T M Reynolds ◽  
M Fraser ◽  
S Mattila ◽  
M Ergon ◽  
L Dessart ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT We present observations of the unusually luminous Type II supernova (SN) 2016gsd. With a peak absolute magnitude of V = −19.95 ± 0.08, this object is one of the brightest Type II SNe, and lies in the gap of magnitudes between the majority of Type II SNe and the superluminous SNe. Its light curve shows little evidence of the expected drop from the optically thick phase to the radioactively powered tail. The velocities derived from the absorption in H α are also unusually high with the blue edge tracing the fastest moving gas initially at 20 000 km s−1, and then declining approximately linearly to 15 000 km s−1 over ∼100 d. The dwarf host galaxy of the SN indicates a low-metallicity progenitor which may also contribute to the weakness of the metal lines in its spectra. We examine SN 2016gsd with reference to similarly luminous, linear Type II SNe such as SNe 1979C and 1998S, and discuss the interpretation of its observational characteristics. We compare the observations with a model produced by the jekyll code and find that a massive star with a depleted and inflated hydrogen envelope struggles to reproduce the high luminosity and extreme linearity of SN 2016gsd. Instead, we suggest that the influence of interaction between the SN ejecta and circumstellar material can explain the majority of the observed properties of the SN. The high velocities and strong H α absorption present throughout the evolution of the SN may imply a circumstellar medium configured in an asymmetric geometry.


2020 ◽  
Vol 637 ◽  
pp. A20 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. C. Williams ◽  
D. Jones ◽  
P. Pessev ◽  
S. Geier ◽  
R. L. M. Corradi ◽  
...  

Context. AT 2019abn was discovered in the nearby M51 galaxy by the Zwicky Transient Facility at more than two magnitudes and around three weeks prior to its optical peak. Aims. We aim to conduct a detailed photometric and spectroscopic follow-up campaign for AT 2019abn, with early discovery allowing for significant pre-maximum observations of an intermediate luminosity red transient (ILRT) for the first time. Methods. This work is based on the analysis of u′BVr′i′z′H photometry and low-resolution spectroscopy using the Liverpool Telescope, medium-resolution spectroscopy with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC), and near-infrared imaging with the GTC and the Nordic Optical Telescope. Results. We present the most detailed optical light curve of an ILRT to date, with multi-band photometry starting around three weeks before peak brightness. The transient peaked at an observed absolute magnitude of Mr′ = −13.1, although it is subject to significant reddening from dust in M51, implying an intrinsic Mr′ ∼ −15.2. The initial light curve showed a linear, achromatic rise in magnitude before becoming bluer at peak. After peak brightness, the transient gradually cooled. This is reflected in our spectra, which at later times show absorption from such species as Fe I, Ni I and Li I. A spectrum taken around peak brightness shows narrow, low-velocity absorption lines, which we interpret as likely to originate from pre-existing circumstellar material. Conclusions. We conclude that while there are some peculiarities, such as the radius evolution, AT 2019abn fits in well overall with the ILRT class of objects and is the most luminous member of the class seen to date.


1971 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 87-90
Author(s):  
Jerome Kristian

The optical properties of the Crab nebula pulsar are reviewed. The Crab nebula pulsar has a high degree of constancy at optical wavelengths. No time variations over short or long periods have been detected; the light curve is nearly the same in all colors. The intensity and color of the pulsar are V = 16.5, B − V = +0.5, U − B = −0.45 and V − R = −0.75. There is no precursor as found at radio wavelengths and the main pulse contains 65 per cent of the total energy. No lines have been detected.Searches for other pulsars have been unsuccessful.


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