The Astronomical Journal (Jan 2023)

Optical Studies of Seven Bright Southern Cataclysmic Variable Stars

  • John R. Thorstensen,
  • Chase K. Alvarado-Anderson,
  • Abigail D. Burrows,
  • Rowan M. Goebel-Bain,
  • David C. Katz

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/ace7bf
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 166, no. 3
p. 131

Abstract

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We report spectroscopic observations of seven bright southern cataclysmic variable stars, collected on a single two-week observing run using the 1.9 m Radcliffe telescope at the South African Astronomical Observatory. We used a radial-velocity time series, in some cases in combination with other data, to determine or clarify orbital periods for five of them, namely ATO J061.1478−31.0634, BMAM-V547, MGAB-V202, NSV 4202, and V1147 Cen. For BMAM-V547, we use data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) to corroborate and sharpen the orbital period; the TESS data also show a photometric period near 3.93 days, likely indicating precession of the accretion disk. Also, we find a periodic modulation in the radial velocities of the SU UMa-type dwarf nova Var Ret2005, but are unable to specify a unique cycle count. Finally, we show a spectrum of ASASSN-V J061528.41−412007.3 that appears typical of a luminous novalike variable.

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