We present photometry and spectroscopy of the suspected cataclysmic variable (CV) Lanning 386. We confirm that it is a CV, and observe deep eclipses, from which we determine the orbital period Porb to be 0.1640517 +- 0.0000001 d (= 3.94 h). Photometric monitoring over two observing seasons shows a very active system with frequent outbursts of variable amplitude, up to approx. 2 mag. The spectrum in quiescence is typical of dwarf novae, but in its high state the system shows strong HeII emission and a broad CIV Wolf-Rayet feature. This is unusual for dwarf novae in outburst and indicates a high excitation. In its high state the system shows some features reminiscent of an SW Sextantis-type CV, but lacks others. We discuss the classification of this puzzling object.
@article{arxiv.0801.3856,
title = {The Eclipsing Cataclysmic Variable Lanning 386: Dwarf Nova, SW Sextantis Star, or Both?},
author = {S. Brady and J. R. Thorstensen and M. D. Koppelman and J. L. Prieto and P. M. Garnavich and A. Hirschauer and M. Florack},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0801.3856},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
Tex with 10 postscript figures. Dedicated to the late Howard Lanning