Characterizing high and low accretion states in VY Scl CVs using ZTF and <i>TESS</i> data
ABSTRACT VY Scl binaries are a sub-class of cataclysmic variable (CV) which show extended low states, but do not show outbursts which are seen in other classes of CV. To better determine how often these systems spend in low states and to resolve the state transitions we have analysed Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) data on eight systems and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) data on six systems. Half of the sample spent most of the time in a high state; three show a broad range and one spends roughly half the time transitioning between high and low states. Using the ZTF data, we explore the colour variation as a function of brightness. In KR Aur, we identify a series of repeating outburst events whose brightness appears to increase over time. Using TESS data, we searched for periods other than the orbital. In LN UMa, we find evidence for a peak whose period varies between 3 and 6 d. We outline the current models which aim to explain the observed properties of VY Scl systems which includes disc irradiation and a white dwarf having a significant magnetic field.
Authors
- Danny T. H. Steeghs (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0771-4746)
- Kinwah Wu (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7568-8765)
- Pasi Hakala
- Gavin Ramsay (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8722-9710)
- M. A. Wood (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0372-9553)
- C Duffy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6662-0200)
- Paul Mason (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5897-3038)
Institutions
- New Mexico State University (US)
- University of Turku (FI)
- Turku Centre for Computer Science (FI)
- East Texas A&M University (US)
- Armagh Observatory & Planetarium (GB)
- Department of Space (IN)
- University of Warwick (GB)
- National Observatory (BR)
- University College London (GB)
- Lancaster University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Published
- 2024-11-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stae2554
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- X-ray Spectroscopy and Fluorescence Analysis
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.22
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Northwestern University
- University of Washington
- University of Maryland
- Minnesota Academy of Science
- Space Telescope Science Institute
- Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University
- University of Warwick
- Trinity College Dublin
- Stockholms Universitet
- Science Mission Directorate
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron