ASASSN-18aan: An eclipsing SU UMa-type cataclysmic variable with a 3.6-hr orbital period and a late G-type secondary star

We report photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eclipsing SU UMa-type dwarf nova ASASSN-18aan. We observed the 2018 superoutburst with 2.3 mag brightening and found the orbital period (Porb) to be 0.149454(3) d, or 3.59 hr. This is longward of the period gap, establishing ASASSN-18aan as one of a small number of long-Porb SU UMa-type dwarf novae. The estimated mass ratio, [q = M2/M1 = 0.278(1)], is almost identical to the upper limit of tidal instability by the 3 : 1 resonance. From eclipses, we found that the accretion disk at the onset of the superoutburst may reach the 3 : 1 resonance radius, suggesting that the superoutburst of ASASSN-18aan results from the tidal instability. Considering the case of long-Porb WZ Sge-type dwarf novae, we suggest that the tidal dissipation at the tidal truncation radius is enough to induce SU UMa-like behavior in relatively high-q systems such as SU UMa-type dwarf novae, but that this is no longer effective in low-q systems such as WZ Sge-type dwarf novae. The unusual nature of the system extends to the secondary star, for which we find a spectral type of G9, much earlier than typical for the orbital period, and a secondary mass M2 of around 0.18 M⊙, smaller than expected for the orbital period and the secondary’s spectral type. We also see indications of enhanced sodium abundance in the secondary’s spectrum. Anomalously hot secondaries are seen in a modest number of other CVs and related objects. These systems evidently underwent significant nuclear evolution before the onset of mass transfer. In the case of ASASSN-18aan, this apparently resulted in a mass ratio lower than typically found at the system’s Porb, which may account for the occurrence of a superoutburst at this relatively long period.

Light-curve properties of SN 2017fgc and HV SNe Ia

ABSTRACT Photometric and spectroscopic observations of Type Ia supernova (SN) 2017fgc, which cover the period from −12 to + 137 d since the B-band maximum are presented. SN 2017fgc is a photometrically normal SN Ia with the luminosity decline rate, Δm15(B)true = 1.10 ± 0.10 mag. Spectroscopically, it belongs to the high-velocity (HV) SNe Ia group, with the Si ii λ6355 velocity near the B-band maximum estimated to be 15 200 ± 480 km s−1. At the epochs around the near-infrared secondary peak, the R and I bands show an excess of ∼0.2-mag level compared to the light curves of the normal velocity (NV) SNe Ia. Further inspection of the samples of HV and NV SNe Ia indicates that the excess is a generic feature among HV SNe Ia, different from NV SNe Ia. There is also a hint that the excess is seen in the V band, both in SN 2017fgc and other HV SNe Ia, which behaves like a less prominent shoulder in the light curve. The excess is not obvious in the B band (and unknown in the U band), and the colour is consistent with the fiducial SN colour. This might indicate that the excess is attributed to the bolometric luminosity, not in the colour. This excess is less likely caused by external effects, like an echo or change in reddening but could be due to an ionization effect, which reflects an intrinsic, either distinct or continuous, difference in the ejecta properties between HV and NV SNe Ia.

A study of the physical properties of an active asteroid (6478 Gault)

In 2019 January, the appearance of asteroid 6478 Gault immediately attracted attention because this object exhibited a long and thin tail that was quite different from the usual asteroids. This unexpected morphology placed asteroid 6478 Gault into the catalogue of active asteroids. We acquired photometric and spectroscopic observations on 37 nights from 2019 January to April using several telescopes, including LOT (1 m telescope) and SLT (40 cm telescope) at Lulin Observatory, and the 2.4 m telescope at Lijiang station of Yunnan Observatory. We did not find any reliable value for the rotational period of Gault during 2.5 hr and 5 hr observations on 2019 January 26 at Lijiang station and March 25 at Lulin Observatory, respectively. We classified 6478 Gault as a Q-type asteroid using visible spectrum and photometric measurements, including colors (B − Vavg = 0.764 ± 0.045, V − Ravg = 0.450 ± 0.023), and relative reflectance. By using Finson–Probstein analysis, the grain size for Gault’s tail 2 is larger than 20 μm.

Observations of the low-luminosity Type Iax supernova 2019gsc: a fainter clone of SN 2008ha?

ABSTRACT We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the faint-and-fast evolving Type Iax supernova (SN) 2019gsc, extending from the time of g-band maximum until about 50 d post-maximum, when the object faded to an apparent r-band magnitude mr = 22.48 ± 0.11 mag. SN 2019gsc reached a peak luminosity of only Mg = −13.58 ± 0.15 mag, and is characterized with a post-maximum decline rate Δm15(g) = 1.08 ± 0.14 mag. These light curve parameters are comparable to those measured for SN 2008ha of Mg = −13.89 ± 0.14 mag at peak and Δm15(g) =1.80 ± 0.03 mag. The spectral features of SN 2019gsc also resemble those of SN 2008ha at similar phases. This includes both the extremely low ejecta velocity at maximum, ∼3000 km s−1, and at late-time (phase +54 d) strong forbidden iron and cobalt lines as well as both forbidden and permitted calcium features. Furthermore, akin to SN 2008ha, the bolometric light curve of SN 2019gsc is consistent with the production of ≈0.003 ± 0.001 M⊙ of 56Ni. The explosion parameters, Mej ≈ 0.13 M⊙ and Ek ≈ 12 × 1048 erg, are also similar to those inferred for SN 2008ha. We estimate a subsolar oxygen abundance for the host galaxy of SN 2019gsc (12 + log10(O/H) =8.10 ± 0.18 dex), consistent with the equally metal-poor environment of SN 2008ha. Altogether, our data set for SN 2019gsc indicates that this is a member of a small but growing group of extreme SN Iax that includes SN 2008ha and SN 2010ae.

First detection of two superoutbursts during the rebrightening phase of a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova: TCP J21040470+4631129

We report on photometric and spectroscopic observations and analysis of the 2019 superoutburst of TCP J21040470+4631129. This object showed a 9 mag superoutburst with early superhumps and ordinary superhumps, which are the features of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae. Five rebrightenings were observed after the main superoutburst. The spectra during the post-superoutburst stage showed Balmer, He i, and possible sodium doublet features. The mass ratio is derived as 0.0880(9) from the period of the superhump. During the third and fifth rebrightenings, growing superhumps and superoutbursts were observed, which have never been detected during a rebrightening phase among WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with multiple rebrightenings. To induce a superoutburst during the brightening phase, the accretion disk needs to have expanded beyond the 3 : 1 resonance radius of the system again after the main superoutburst. These peculiar phenomena can be explained by the enhanced viscosity and large radius of the accretion disk suggested by the higher luminosity and the presence of late-stage superhumps during the post-superoutburst stage, plus by more mass supply from the cool mass reservoir and/or from the secondary because of the enhanced mass transfer than those of other WZ Sge-type dwarf novae.

The Cluster AgeS Experiment (CASE) – VIII. Age and distance of the Globular Cluster 47 Tuc from the analysis of two detached eclipsing binaries

ABSTRACT We use photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eclipsing binary E32 in the globular cluster 47 Tuc to derive the masses, radii, and luminosities of the component stars. The system has an orbital period of 40.9 d, a markedly eccentric orbit with e = 0.24, and is shown to be a member of or a recent escaper from the cluster. We obtain $M_{\rm p} = 0.862\pm 0.005 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, $R_{\rm p} = 1.183\pm 0.003 \, \mathrm{R}_\odot$, $L_{\rm p} = 1.65\pm 0.05 \, \mathrm{L}_\odot$ for the primary and $M_{\rm s} = 0.827\pm 0.005 \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$, $R_{\rm s} = 1.004\pm 0.004 \, \mathrm{R}_\odot$, $L_{\rm s} = 1.14\pm 0.04\, \mathrm{L}_\odot$ for the secondary. Based on these data and on an earlier analysis of the binary V69 in 47 Tuc, we measure the distance to the cluster from the distance moduli of the component stars, and, independently, from a colour – surface brightness calibration. We obtain 4.55 ± 0.03 and 4.50 ± 0.07 kpc, respectively – values compatible within 1$\, \sigma$ with recent estimates based on Gaia DR2 parallaxes. By comparing the M–R diagram of the two binaries and the colour–magnitude diagram of 47 Tuc to Dartmouth model isochrones we estimate the age of the cluster to be 12.0 ± 0.5 Gyr, and the helium abundance of the cluster to be Y ≈ 0.25.

Optical and X-ray studies of three polars: RX J0859.1+0537, RX J0749.1–0549, and RX J0649.8–0737

ABSTRACT We present optical photometric and spectroscopic observations, and an analysis of archival X-ray data of three polars: RX J0859.1+0537, RX J0749.1–0549, and RX J0649.8–0737. Optical light curves of these three polars reveal eclipse-like features that are deep, total, and variable in shape. The optical and X-ray modulations of RX J0859.1+0537, RX J0749.1–0549, and RX J0649.8–0737 are both found to occur at the orbital periods of 2.393 ± 0.003 h, 3.672 ± 0.001 h, and 4.347 ± 0.001 h, respectively. RX J0859.1+0537 is found to be a polar that lies in the region of the period gap, whereas RX J0749.1–0549 and RX J0649.8–0737 are found to be long-period polars above the period gap. The eclipse length is found to be 61 min for RX J0749.1–0549 in the Rband, which is the highest among the long-period eclipsing polars. The radius of the eclipsed light source is found to be more than the actual size of the white dwarf for these three systems, indicating that the eclipsed component is not only the white dwarf but also appears to include the presence of an extended accretion region. Optical spectra of these systems show the presence of high-ionization emission lines along with the strong Balmer emission lines with an inverted Balmer decrement. Cyclotron harmonics are also detected in the optical spectra from which we infer magnetic field strength of the surface of the white dwarf to be 49 ± 2 MG, 43.5 ± 1.4 MG, and 44 ± 1 MG for RX J0859.1+0537, RX J0749.1–0549, and RX J0649.8–0737, respectively.

The History Goes On: Century Long Study of Romano’s Star

GR 290 (M 33 V0532 = Romano’s Star) is a unique variable star in the M33 galaxy, which simultaneously displays variability typical for luminous blue variable (LBV) stars and physical parameters typical for nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars (WN). As of now, GR 290 is the first object which is confidently classified as a post-LBV star. In this paper, we outline the main results achieved from extensive photometric and spectroscopic observations of the star: the structure and chemical composition of its wind and its evolution over time, the systematic increase of the bolometric luminosity during the light maxima, the circumstellar environment. These results show that the current state of Romano’s Star constitutes a fundamental link in the evolutionary path of very massive stars.

The GALAH survey: unresolved triple Sun-like stars discovered by the Gaia mission

The latest Gaia data release enables us to accurately identify stars that are more luminous than would be expected on the basis of their spectral type and distance. During an investigation of the 329 best solar twin candidates uncovered among the spectra acquired by the GALAH survey, we identified 64 such overluminous stars. In order to investigate their exact composition, we developed a data-driven methodology that can generate a synthetic photometric signature and spectrum of a single star. By combining multiple such synthetic stars into an unresolved binary or triple system and comparing the results to the actual photometric and spectroscopic observations, we uncovered 6 definitive triple stellar system candidates and an additional 14 potential candidates whose combined spectrum mimics the solar spectrum. Considering the volume correction factor for a magnitude-limited survey, the fraction of probable unresolved triple stars with long orbital periods is ∼2 per cent. Possible orbital configurations of the candidates were investigated using the selection and observational limits. To validate the discovered multiplicity fraction, the same procedure was used to evaluate the multiplicity fraction of other stellar types.

New powerful outburst of the unusual young star V1318 Cygni S (LkHα 225)

Aims. Young double star V1318 Cyg, which is associated with a small isolated star-forming region around HAeBe star BD+40°4124, has very unusual photometric and spectral behavior. We present results of photometric and spectroscopic observations in the optical range. Methods. We carried out BVRI CCD photometric observations of V1318 Cyg from 2015 Sept. to 2017 July. For the same period we acquired medium- and low-resolution spectra. Observations were performed with the 2.6 m telescope of the Byurakan observatory. We also analyzed the images of this field in IPHAS and other surveys. Results. We analyze the historical light curve for V1318 Cyg and demonstrate that the southern component, V1318 Cyg S, after being rather bright in the 1970s (V ∼ 14 mag) started to lower its brightness and in 1990 became practically invisible in the optical. After its reappearance in the second half of the 1990s the star started to become very slowly brighter. Between 2006 and 2010 V1318 Cyg S started brightening more quickly, and in 2015 had become brighter by more than five magnitudes in visible light. Since this time V1318 Cyg S has remained at this maximum. Its spectrum shows little variability and consists of a mixture of emission and absorption lines, which has allowed for estimates of its spectral type as early Ae, with obvious evidence of matter outflow. We derive its current AV ≈ 7.2 and L = 750 L⊙ thus confirming that V1318 Cyg S should belong to the Herbig Ae stars, making it, along with BD+40°4124 and V1686 Cyg, the third luminous young star in the group. It is very probable that we observe V1318 Cyg S near the pole and that the inclination of its dense and slow (≈100 km s−1) outflow is low. Conclusions. The unusual variability and other features of V1318 Cyg S make it difficult to classify this star among known types of eruptive young stars. It could be an extreme, higher-mass example of an EXor, or an object of intermediate class between EXors and FUors, like V1647 Ori.