Zhibin Dai

Detection of a planetary system orbiting the eclipsing polar HU Aqr

Using the precise times of mid-egress of the eclipsing polar HU Aqr, we discovered that this polar is orbited by two or more giant planets. The two planets detected so far have masses of at least 5.9 and 4.5M(Jup). Their respective distances from the polar are 3.6 and 5.4 au with periods of 6.54 and 11.96 yr, respectively. The observed rate of decrease of period derived from the downward parabolic change in the observed - calculated (O - C) curve is a factor of 15 larger than the value expected for gravitational radiation. This indicates that it may be only a part of a long-period cyclic variation, revealing the presence of one more planet. It is interesting to note that the two detected circumbinary planets follow the Titus-Bode law of solar planets with n = 5 and 6. We estimate that another 10 yr of observations will reveal the presence of the predicted third planet.

A New CCD Photometric Investigation of the Short-Period Close Binary AP Leonis

New CCD photometric light curves in the B, V, and R bands of the short-period close binary AP Leonis are presented. A photometric analysis with our symmetric light curves suggests that AP Leo is an overcontact binary with a degree of overcontact of 24.9%. Since the O - C values of photographic and visual times of light minimum showed a large scatter (up to 0.06 days), all of the period changes proposed for the eclipsing binary by previous investigators are not reliable. In this paper the orbital period changes of AP Leo are analyzed based on all published CCD and photoelectric eclipse times. A small-amplitude cyclic oscillation, with a period of 22.4 yr and an amplitude of 0.0049 days, is discovered to be superposed on a secular period decrease at a rate of dP/dt = - 1:08; 10(-7) days yr(-1). The continuous period decrease may be caused by angular momentum loss or a combination of the mass transfer from the primary to the secondary and angular momentum loss. The cyclic period change may indicate that AP Leo is a triple system containing a cool dwarf third component. If this is true, it is possible that this third component plays an important role in the origin and evolution of the overcontact system by removing angular momentum from the central system, and that it makes the eclipsing pair have a low angular momentum and a short initial orbital period ( e. g., P < 5 days). In that case, the initially detached system evolves into an overcontact configuration via magnetic torques from stellar winds. On the other hand, the rapid rotation of the solar-type components (spectral type G0) and the variations of the light curve indicate a high degree of magnetic activity from the spin-up of the components. Both the long-term period decrease and the oscillation can plausibly be interpreted by magnetic activity (i.e., enhanced magnetic stellar wind and activity cycles).

MAGNETIC BRAKING AND THE EVOLUTION OF THE HW VIR-LIKE BINARY STARS

HW Vir-like close binaries are thought to be the progenitors of cataclysmic variables. However, how this type of peculiar stars evolve into cataclysmic variables is an unsolved problem in astrophysics. Here we report the variations of the orbital period of HW Vir, the prototype of this group of systems. A long-term period decrease is discovered to be superimposed on the well-known cyclic change reported by previous investigators. It is suggested that the continuous decrease can be plausibly interpreted by angular momentum loss via magnetic braking of the completely convective star. This is driving the shrink of the orbit and will result in mass transfer between both components. We found that the binary will be undergoing mass transfer long before the sdB primary star evolves into a white dwarf. This conclusion suggests that HW Vir-like binaries do not directly evolve into cataclysmic variables through angular momentum loss as astronomers previously thought. On the other hand, if the observed period decrease is only part of a long-period cyclic variation, it may reveal the presence of another substellar companion in a wide orbit. This makes HW Vir an important system for future study of the formation and evolution of substellar objects.

Orbital period analyses for two cataclysmic variables: UZ Fornacis and V348 Puppis inside the period gap

Four new CCD eclipse timings of the white dwarf for polar UZ Fornacis and six updated CCD mid-eclipse times for SW-Sex-type nova-like V348 Puppis are obtained. Detailed O-C analyses are made for both cataclysmic variables (CVs) inside the period gap. Orbital period increases at a rate of 2.63(+/- 0.58) x 10-11 s s -1 for UZ For and 5.8(+/- 1.9) x 10-12 s s -1 for V348 Pup, respectively, are discovered in their new O-C diagrams. However, conservative mass transfer from the secondary to the massive white dwarf cannot explain the observed orbital period increases for both CVs, which are regarded as part of modulations at longer periods. Moreover, the O-C diagram of UZ For shows a possible cyclical change with a period of similar to 23.4(+/- 5.1) yr. To explain the observed cyclical period changes in UZ For, both mechanisms of magnetic activity cycles in late-type secondaries and the light travel-time effect are regarded as probable causes. Not only does the modulation period of 23.4 yr obey the empirical correlation between P-mod and , but also the estimated fractional period change delta P/P similar to 7.3 x 10-7 displays a behaviour similar to that of CVs below the period gap. On the other hand, a calculation for the light travel-time effect implies with a high confidence level that the tertiary component in UZ For may be a brown dwarf, when the orbital inclination of the third body is larger than 16 degrees.

EVIDENCE OF A BROWN DWARF IN THE ECLIPSING DWARF NOVA Z CHAMAELEONIS

We presented three new CCD observations of light minima of Z Chamaeleonis. All 187 available times of light minimum including 37 photographic data are compiled, and a new orbital period analysis is made by means of the standard O - C technique. The O - C diagram of Z Chamaeleonis presents a cyclical periodic change of similar to 32.57 yr with a high significance level. We attempted to apply two plausible mechanisms (i.e, Applegates mechanism and light travel-time effect) to explain the cyclical variations of orbital period shown in the O - C diagram. Although the previous works suggested that solar-type magnetic cycles in the red dwarf are the best explanation, the analysis of Applegates mechanism in this paper presents a negative result. Accordingly, a light travel-time effect is proposed, and a brown dwarf as a tertiary component orbiting around dwarf nova Z Chamaeleonis is derived with a significance level of greater than or similar to 81.6%, which may be a plausible explanation of the periodic variation in the systemic velocity of Z Chamaeleonis in superoutburst.

Orbital period changes of the nova-like cataclysmic variable AC Cancri: evidence of magnetic braking and an unseen companion

Aims. The source AC Cnc is a nova-like cataclysmic variable containing a white-dwarf primary with a mass of 0.76 M-circle dot and a K2-type secondary with a mass of 0.77 M-circle dot. We intend to study its period changes and search for evidence of magnetic braking and unseen third body. Methods. The period changes were investigated based on the analysis of the O-C curve, which is formed by one new eclipse time together with the others compiled from the literature. Results. A cyclic change with a period of 16.2 yr was found to be superimposed on a long-term period decrease at a rate of. P = -1.24(+/- 0.44) x 10(-8) days/year. Conclusions. It is shown that the mechanism of magnetic activity-driven changes in the quadrupole momentum of the secondary star (Applegates mechanism) does not explain it easily. This period oscillation was plausibly interpreted by a light-travel time effect caused by the presence of a cool M-type dwarf companion (M-3 > 0.097 M-circle dot) in a long orbit (16.2 yr) around the binary. Since the masses of both components are nearly the same, the mass transfer from the lobe-filling secondary to the primary is not efficient to cause the continuous period decrease. It may be strong evidence of an enhanced magnetic stellar wind from the K2-type component. If the Alfen radius of the cool secondary is the same as that of the Sun (i.e., R-A = 15 R-circle dot), the mass-loss rate should be. M-2 = -1.65 x 10(-10) M-circle dot/year. By using the enhanced mass loss proposed by Tout & Eggleton (1988), the mass-loss rate should be. M-2 = -1.18 x 10(-9) M-circle dot/year. In this case, the Alfen radius is determined to be R-A = 5.2 R-circle dot. However, the long-term decrease of the period may be only a part of a long-period (> 100 yr) oscillation caused by the presence of an additional body. To check the conclusions, new precise times of light minimum will be required.

Kepler K2 observations of the intermediate polar FO Aquarii

We present photometry of the intermediate polar FO Aquarii (FO Aqr) obtained as part of the K2 mission using the Kepler space telescope. The amplitude spectrum of the data confirms the orbital period of 4.8508(4) h, and the shape of the light curve is consistent with the outer edge of the accretion disc being eclipsed when folded on this period. The average flux of FO Aqr changed during the observations, suggesting a change in the mass accretion rate. There is no evidence in the amplitude spectrum of a longer period that would suggest disc precession. The amplitude spectrum also shows the white dwarf spin period of 1254.3401(4) s, the beat period of 1351.329(2) s, and 31 other spin and orbital harmonics. The detected period is longer than the last reported period of 1254.284(16) s, suggesting that FO Aqr is now spinning down, and has a positive P . There is no detectable variation in the spin period over the course of the K2 observations, but the phase of the spin cycle is correlated with the system brightness. We also find that the amplitude of the beat signal is correlated with the system brightness.

UPDATED PHOTOMETRY AND ORBITAL PERIOD ANALYSIS FOR THE POLAR AM HERCULIS ON THE UPPER EDGE OF THE PERIOD GAP

Twenty-one new optical light curves, including five curves obtained in 2009 and sixteen curves detected from the AAVSO International Database spanning from 1977 to 2011, demonstrate 16 new primary minimum light times in the high state. Furthermore, seven newly found low-state transient events from 2006 to 2009 were discovered, consisting of five Gaussian-shaped events and two events with an exponential form with decay timescales of > tau((R) over dot2), which is required by numerical calculations of the secular evolution of cataclysmic variables. In order to explain the prominent periodic modulation, three plausible mechanisms-spot motion, the light travel-time effect, and magnetic active cycles-are discussed in detail.

Plausible explanations for the variations of orbital period in the old nova DQ Herculis

Aims. Several mechanisms are presented to explain the observed small variation in the orbital period of the old nova DQ Herculis. Methods. We have combined two new CCD times of light minimum of DQ Herculis with all 226 available times of light minimum, including 79 visual observations, for the new orbital period analysis. Results. Based on this analysis, the best-fit of the O-C diagram for DQ Herculis is a quadratic-plus- sinusoidal fit. A secular orbital period increase with a rate of 9.5(+/- 0.1) x 10(-12) s s(-1) is confirmed, which corresponds to a lower limit of the mass transfer rate of 7.2(+/- 3.2) x 10(-9) M(circle dot) yr(-1). We investigate three plausible mechanisms (direct change of the red dwarfs radius, Applegates mechanism and the light travel-time effect) to explain the quasi-periodic variation shown in the O-C diagram. Although previous works have suggested that solar-type magnetic cycles in the red dwarf can explain the quasi-periodic variation in the orbital period, we were not able to reproduce this finding. Accordingly, a light trave-time effect is proposed, with a brown dwarf as a tertiary component with a significance level of greater than or similar to 77.8% orbiting around nova DQ Herculis. In order to interpret the small departure from the best-fit near 60 000 cycles, we assume an eccentric orbit of the third body with a small eccentricity. However, a satisfying result was obtained because the eccentricity e = 0.12 is close to zero. The parameters of this elliptical orbit are similar to that of a circular orbit.

CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES OBSERVED DURING K2 CAMPAIGNS 0 AND 1

There are 15 cataclysmic variables (CVs) observed in the first two campaigns of the K2 mission. In this paper, the eight CVs showing distinct features are analyzed in detail. Among these eight, modulations during quiescence are evident at the known orbital periods in the SU UMa stars QZ Vir and RZ Leo, and at our newly determined orbital periods of 1RXS J0632+2536 and WD 1144+011. The periodogram analysis for the quiescent light curve of QZ Vir reveals multi-period modulations and the coexistence of orbital and superhump periods. The phased orbital light curves for the other 3 CVs in quiescence display wide (about half cycle) and shallow (< 0.5 mag) eclipse features. Besides these modulations, their quiescent light curves reveal several transient events: a sudden decrease of system light in 1RXS J0632+2536, a low level flare-like event in QZ Vir, a short brightening event in RZ Leo and a temporary disappearance of the orbital modulation in WD 1144+011. The two known dwarf novae UV Gem and TW Vir and the CVs USNO-B1.01144-00115322 and CSS130516:111236.7+002807 show outbursts, including 1 complete and 3 incomplete normal outbursts and 2 complete superoutbursts. An incomplete but typical normal outburst confirms the dwarf nova identification of the USNO-B1.01144-00115322. The one complete normal outburst in UV Gem possibly provides the orbital period, since its modulations are shorter than the previously observed superhump period. The superoutbursts of TW Vir and CSS130516:111236.7+002807, along with their corresponding superhump periods, indicate that both objects are SU UMa stars. The derived superhump period of CSS130516:111236.7+002807 is 1.44 hr, implying that this new SU UMa star is close to the period minimum.