Related papers: The SW Sex enigma
Time-resolved spectroscopy of the novalike variable UU Aquarii is analyzed with eclipse mapping techniques to produce spatially resolved spectra of its accretion disc and gas stream as a function of distance from disc centre in the range…
TWA 30 is a remarkable young (7+/-3 Myr), low-mass (0.12+/-0.04 Msun), late-type star (M5+/-1) residing 42+/-2 pc away from the sun in the TW Hydrae Association. It shows strong outflow spectral signatures such as [S II], [O I], [O II], [O…
The hydrogen \lya\ line and the white-light (WL) continuum are two key diagnostics of energy transport in the lower atmosphere during solar flares, yet their relationship remains poorly understood. Here we present a statistical analysis of…
The quiescent emission of the anomalous X-ray pulsar (AXP) 4U 0142+61 extends over a broad range of energy, from radio up to hard X-rays. In particular, this object is unique among soft gamma-ray repeaters (SGRs) and AXPs in presenting…
We report the discovery of two apparently isolated stellar remnants that exhibit rotationally modulated magnetic Balmer emission, adding to the emerging DAHe class of white dwarf stars. While the previously discovered members of this class…
One of the first massive stars detected in X-rays, Schulte 12 has remained a puzzle in several aspects. In particular, its extreme brightness both in the visible and X-ray ranges is intriguing. Thanks to Swift and XMM-Newton observations…
Type Ia supernovae (SN Ia) are the most important standard candles for measuring the expansion history of the universe. The thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf can explain their observed properties, but neither the progenitor systems…
We report on the discovery of J0644+3344, a bright deeply eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) binary. Spectral signatures of both binary components and an accretion disk can be seen at optical wavelengths. The optical spectrum shows broad H…
Type-Iax supernovae (SN Iax) are stellar explosions that are spectroscopically similar to some type-Ia supernovae (SN Ia) at maximum light, except with lower ejecta velocities. They are also distinguished by lower luminosities. At late…
In this paper we present high time-resolution observations of GW Librae and SDSS J161033.64-010223.3 -- two cataclysmic variables which have shown periodic variations attributed to non-radial pulsations of the white dwarf. We observed both…
The presence of ultra-high excitation (UHE) absorption lines (e.g., O VIII) in the optical spectra of several of the hottest white dwarfs poses a decades-long mystery and is something that has never been observed in any other astrophysical…
Type Ia supernovae are thought to be the outcome of the thermonuclear explosion of a carbon/oxygen white dwarf in a close binary system. Their optical light curve is powered by thermalized gamma-rays produced by the radioactive decay of…
Spectra of 76 known dwarf novae from the LAMOST survey were presented. Most of the objects were observed in quiescence, and about 16 systems have typical outburst spectra. 36 of these systems were observed by SDSS, and most of their spectra…
We present time-resolved spectroscopy and circular spectropolarimetry of the SW Sex star RX J1643.7+3402. We find significant polarisation levels exhibiting a variability at a period of 19.38 +- 0.39 min. In addition, emission-line flaring…
New time-resolved optical spectroscopic echelle observations of the nova-like cataclysmic variable RW Sextantis were obtained, with the aim to study the properties of emission features in the system. The profile of the H_alpha emission line…
We performed time-resolved spectroscopic studies of the double-eclipsing dwarf nova EX Dra (formerly HS 1804 + 6753) in order to locate line emitting sites in the system. Optical spectra recorded during the quiescent as well as during the…
There have been several surprising developments in our understanding of symbiotic binary stars and nova eruptions over the last decade or so based on multiwavelength data. For example, symbiotic stars without shell burning on their white…
We present phase-resolved optical spectroscopy and CCD photometry of the faint eclipsing polar EP Dra (H1907+690). A revised ephemeris is derived which connects all 32000 binary cycles since its discovery by Remillard et al. (1991). We…
We report on the spectroscopic confirmation of 68 new bright ($G=13.5-17.2$ mag) and blue (pre-)white dwarfs (WDs). This finding has allowed us to almost double the number of the hottest ($T_{\mathrm{eff}} \geq 60$kK) known WDs brighter…
Phase-resolved HST/STIS ultraviolet spectroscopy of the high-field polar AR UMa confirms that the WD photospheric Ly alpha Zeeman features are formed in a magnetic field of ~200 MG. In addition to the Ly alpha pi and sigma+ components, we…