Related papers: SY Cancri, a case for unstable mass transfer?
It is widely believed that Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) originate in binary systems where a white dwarf accretes material from a companion star until its mass approaches the Chandrasekhar mass and carbon is ignited in the white dwarf's core.…
We present a long-term light curve of the precataclysmic variable (CV) V1082 Sgr obtained by the K2-mission over the course of 81 days. We analyze the entire complex light curve as well as explore several sections in detail with a sliding…
We report high-resolution optical spectroscopy of the low-mass X-ray binary V395 Car/2S 0921-630 obtained with the MIKE echelle spectrograph on the Magellan-Clay telescope. Our spectra are obtained near superior conjunction of the mass…
We present extensive spectroscopy and photometry of the dwarf nova V630 Cassiopeiae. A late-type (K4-5) absorption spectrum is easily detectable, from which we derive the orbital parameters. We find a spectroscopic period of P=2.56387 +/-…
We present high-speed, three-colour photometry of the eclipsing dwarf nova PHL 1445, which, with an orbital period of 76.3 min, lies just below the period minimum of ~82 min for cataclysmic variable stars. Averaging four eclipses reveals…
We present high resolution Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectroscopy of the dwarf nova EK TrA obtained in deep quiescence. The Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph data reveal the broad Ly-alpha absorption profile typical of a…
We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable CW 1045+525. Both the optical spectrum and the photometric lightcurve show a strong contribution of a K5V - M0V secondary. We derive an orbital period P_orb =…
Among the 28,000 targeted stars in K2 Field 10 is the white dwarf WD 1202-024 (EPIC 201283111), first noted in the SDSS survey (SDSS 120515.80-024222.7). We have found that this hot white dwarf (Teff = 22,640 K) is in a very close orbit (P…
The population of cataclysmic variables with orbital periods right above the period gap are dominated by systems with extremely high mass transfer rates, the so-called SW Sextantis stars. On the other hand, some old novae in this period…
We derive precise system parameters for the pre-cataclysmic binary, NN Ser. From light curve fitting we find an orbital inclination of i = 89.6 +/- 0.2 deg. From the HeII absorption line we find K_{WD}= 62.3 +/- 1.9 km/s. The…
Our photometric monitoring revealed that DW Cnc, which was originally classified as a dwarf nova (V=15--17.5), remained at a bright state of Rc=14.68+/-0.07 for 61 days. In conjunction with optical spectra lacking a strong He II emission…
From a large observing campaign, we found that nearly all non- or weakly magnetic cataclysmic variables (CVs) in the orbital period range between 2.8 and 4 hours are of SW Sex type and as such experience very high mass transfer rates. The…
EM Cygni is a Z Cam-subtype eclipsing dwarf nova. Its orbital period variations were reported in the past but the results were in conflict to each other while other studies allowed the possibility of no period variation. In this study we…
We have examined VTL/ISAAC 1-2.5 $\umu$m spectroscopy of a sample of short orbital period cataclysmic variables which are candidates for harboring substellar companions. We provide descriptions of the infrared spectrum of \hbox{EI Psc},…
We present VTL/ISAAC infrared spectroscopy of a sample of short orbital period cataclysmic variables which are candidates for harboring substellar companions. We have detected the KI and NaI absorption lines of the companion star in VY Aqr.…
We show that recent observations of the compact binary, AM CVn type system, ES Ceti are fully consistent with theoretical predictions of stable mass transfer moderated by angular momentum loss due to gravitational-wave radiation. One of the…
We report a photometric and spectroscopic study of the peculiar cataclysmic variable SDSS 1507+52. The star shows very deep eclipses on the 67 minute orbital period, and those eclipses are easily separable into white-dwarf and hot-spot…
We present the analysis of 200 high-resolution and 150 low-resolution spectra of the pulsating subdwarf close binary KPD 1930+2752 obtained with the Keck and the Calar Alto 2.2 m telescopes. Using metal-rich, line blanketed LTE model…
We present results from a short series of blue, moderate resolution spectra of the microquasar binary, SS 433. The observations were made at a time optimized to find the spectrum of the donor star, i.e., when the donor was in the foreground…
We present new photometry and spectroscopy of the 94m eclipsing binary LSQ1725-64 that provide insight into the fundamental parameters and evolutionary state of this system. We confirm that LSQ1725-64 is a magnetic cataclysmic variable…