Discovery of a bright eclipsing cataclysmic variable
/ Authors
/ Abstract
Aims. We report on the discovery of J0644+3344, a bright, deeply-eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) binary. Methods. Optical photometric and spectroscopic observations were obtained to determine the nature and characteristics of this CV. Results. Spectral signatures of both binary components and an accretion disk can be seen at optical wavelengths. The optical spectrum shows broad H I, He I, and He II accretion disk emission lines with deep narrow absorption components from H I, He I, Mg II, and Ca II. The absorption lines are seen throughout the orbital period, disappearing only during primary eclipse. These absorption lines are either the result of an optically-thick inner accretion disk or from the photosphere of the primary star. Radial velocity measurements show that the H I, He I, and Mg II absorption lines phase with the primary star, while weak absorption features in the continuum, between Hα and Hβ, phase with the secondary star. Radial velocity solutions give a 150 ± 4k m s −1 semi-amplitude for the primary star and 192.8 ± 5. 6k m s −1 for the secondary, resulting in a primary to secondary mass ratio of q = 1.285. The individual stellar m
Journal: Astronomy and Astrophysics