Search

SDSS-V is carrying out a dedicated survey for white dwarfs, single and in binaries, and we report the analysis of the spectroscopy of 504 cataclysmic variables (CVs) and CV candidates obtained during the first 34 months of observations of SDSS-V. We developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to aid with the identification of CV candidates among the over 2 million SDSS-V spectra obtained with the BOSS spectrograph. The CNN reduced the number of spectra that required visual inspection to |$\simeq 2$|  per cent of the total. We identified 776 CV spectra among the CNN-selected candidates, plus an additional 27 CV spectra that the CNN misclassified, but that were found serendipitously by human inspection of the data. Analysing the SDSS-V spectroscopy and ancillary data of the 504 CVs in our sample, we report 61 new CVs, spectroscopically confirm 248 and refute 13 published CV candidates, and we report 82 new or improved orbital periods. We discuss the completeness and possible selection biases of the machine learning methodology, as well as the effectiveness of targeting CV candidates within SDSS-V. Finally, we re-assess the space density of CVs, and find |$1.2\times 10^{-5}\, \mathrm{pc^{-3}}$|⁠. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an overwhelming evidence that white dwarfs host planetary systems; revealed by the presence, disruption, and accretion of planetary bodies. A lower limit on the frequency of white dwarfs that host planetary material has been estimated to be ≃ 25–50 per cent; inferred from the ongoing or recent accretion of metals on to both hydrogen-atmosphere and warm helium-atmosphere white dwarfs. Now with the unbiased sample of white dwarfs observed by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey in their Early Data Release (EDR), we have determined the frequency of metal enrichment around cool-helium atmosphere white dwarfs as 21 ± 3 per cent using a sample of 234 systems. This value is in good agreement with values determined from previous studies. With the current samples we cannot distinguish whether the frequency of planetary accretion varies with system age or host-star mass, but the DESI data release 1 will contain roughly an order of magnitude more white dwarfs than DESI EDR and will allow these parameters to be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combining archival photometric observations from multiple large-area surveys spanning the past 17 years, we detect long-term variability in the light curves of ZTF J032833.52−121945.27 (ZTF J0328−1219), ZTF J092311.41+423634.16 (ZTF J0923+4236), and WD 1145+017, all known to exhibit transits from planetary debris. ZTF J0328−1219 showed an overall fading in brightness from 2011 through to 2015, with a maximum dimming of ≃0.3 mag, and still remains ≃0.1 mag fainter compared to 2006. We complement the analysis of the long-term behaviour of these systems with high-speed photometry. In the case of ZTF J0923+4236 and WD 1145+017, the time-series photometry exhibits vast variations in the level of transit activity, both in terms of numbers of transits, as well as their shapes and depths, and these variations correlate with the overall brightness of the systems. Inspecting the current known sample of white dwarfs with transiting debris, we estimate that similar photometric signatures may be detectable in one in a few hundred of all white dwarfs. Accounting for the highly aligned geometry required to detect transits, our estimates imply that a substantial fraction of all white dwarfs exhibiting photospheric metal pollution from accreted debris host close-in planetesimals that are currently undergoing disintegration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White dwarf studies carry significant implications across multiple fields of astrophysics, including exoplanets, supernova explosions, and cosmological investigations. Thus, accurate determinations of their fundamental parameters (T eff and log  g) are of utmost importance. While optical surveys have provided measurements for many white dwarfs, there is a lack of studies utilizing ultraviolet (UV) data, particularly focusing on the warmer ones that predominantly emit in the UV range. Here, we present the medium-resolution far-UV spectroscopic survey of 311 DA white dwarfs obtained with Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) onboard Hubble Space Telescope confirming 49 photometric Gaia candidates. We used 3D extinction maps, parallaxes, and hydrogen atmosphere models to fit the spectra of the stars that lie in the range |$12\, 000 \lt \mbox{$T_{\mathrm{eff}}$}\lt 33\, 000$|  K, and |$7 \le \mbox{$\log g$}\lt 9.2$|⁠. To assess the impact of input physics, we employed two mass–radius relations in the fitting and compared the results with previous studies. The comparisons suggest the COS T eff are systematically lower by 3 per cent, on average, than Balmer line fits while they differ by only 1.5 per cent from optical photometric studies. The mass distributions indicate that the COS masses are smaller by ≈0.05  and 0.02 M⊙ than Balmer lines and photometric masses, respectively. Performing several tests, we find that the discrepancies are either arising due to issues with the COS calibration, broadening theories for hydrogen lines, or interstellar reddening which needs further examination. Based on comparative analysis, we identify 30 binary candidates drawing attention for follow-up studies to confirm their nature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SDSS-V is carrying out a dedicated survey for white dwarfs, single, and in binaries, and we report the analysis of the spectroscopy of 118 cataclysmic variables (CVs) and CV candidates obtained during the final plug plate observations of SDSS. We identify eight new CVs, spectroscopically confirm 53 and refute 11 published CV candidates, and we report 21 new or improved orbital periods. The orbital period distribution of the SDSS-V CVs does not clearly exhibit a period gap. In common with previous studies, the distribution shows that spectroscopically identified CVs have a larger proportion of short-period systems compared to samples identified from photometric variability. Remarkably, despite a systematic search, we find very few period bouncers. We estimate the space density of period bouncers to be |$\simeq 0.2\times 10^{-6}\, \mathrm{pc}^{-3}$|⁠ , i.e. they represent only a few per cent of the total CV population. This suggests that during their final phase of evolution, CVs either destroy the donor, e.g. via a merger, or that they become detached and cease mass transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a catalogue of 507 cataclysmic variables (CVs) observed in SDSS I to IV including 70 new classifications collated from multiple archival data sets. This represents the largest sample of CVs with high-quality and homogeneous optical spectroscopy. We have used this sample to derive unbiased space densities and period distributions for the major sub-types of CVs. We also report on some peculiar CVs, period bouncers and also CVs exhibiting large changes in accretion rates. We report 70 new CVs, 59 new periods, 178 unpublished spectra, and 262 new or updated classifications. From the SDSS spectroscopy, we also identified 18 systems incorrectly identified as CVs in the literature. We discuss the observed properties of 13 peculiar CVS, and we identify a small set of eight CVs that defy the standard classification scheme. We use this sample to investigate the distribution of different CV sub-types, and we estimate their individual space densities, as well as that of the entire CV population. The SDSS I to IV sample includes 14 period bounce CVs or candidates. We discuss the variability of CVs across the Hertzsprung–Russell diagram, highlighting selection biases of variability-based CV detection. Finally, we searched for, and found eight tertiary companions to the SDSS CVs. We anticipate that this catalogue and the extensive material included in the Supplementary Data will be useful for a range of observational population studies of CVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White dwarfs that accrete from non-degenerate companions show anomalous carbon and nitrogen abundances in the photospheres of their stellar components have been postulated to be descendants of supersoft X-ray binaries. Measuring the carbon-to-nitrogen abundance ratio may provide constraints on their past evolution. We fit far-ultraviolet spectroscopy of the cataclysmic variable HS 0218 + 3229 taken with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph using Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, and found the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio is about one tenth of the Solar value |$(\rm{\log \mathrm{[C/N]}}=-0.56\pm 0.15)$|⁠. We also provide estimates of the silicon and aluminium abundances, and upper limits for iron and oxygen. Using the parameters we derived for HS 0218 + 3229 we reconstruct its past. We calculated a grid of mesa models and implemented Gaussian process fits in order to determine its most likely initial binary configuration. We found that an initial mass of the donor of |$M_{\rm donor;i}=0.90-0.98,\rm{\mathrm{M}_{\odot }}$| and an initial orbital period of P orb; i = 2.88 d (P orb; i = 3.12–3.16 d) for an assumed initial white dwarf mass of |$\rm{M_{\mathrm{WD}}}_\mathrm{;i}=0.83\, \rm{\mathrm{M}_{\odot }}$| |$(\rm{M_{\mathrm{WD}}}_{\rm ;i}=0.60\, \rm{\mathrm{M}_{\odot }})$| can replicate the measured parameters. The low mass ratio, |$M_{\rm donor;i} / \rm{M_{\mathrm{WD}}}_{\rm ;i} =1.08-1.18\, (1.5-1.63)$|⁠ , suggests that the system did not go through a phase of hydrogen-burning on the white dwarf's surface. However, we can not exclude a phase of thermal time-scale mass transfer in the past. We predict that HS 0218 + 3229 will evolve below the ≃ 76.2 ± 1 min period minimum for normal cataclysmic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new class of white dwarfs, dubbed DAHe, that present Zeeman-split Balmer lines in emission has recently emerged. However, the physical origin of these emission lines remains unclear. We present here a sample of 21 newly identified DAHe systems and determine magnetic field strengths and (for a subset) periods that span the ranges of ≃6.5–147 MG and ≃0.4–36 h, respectively. All but four of these systems were identified from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument survey sample of more than 47 000 white dwarf candidates observed during its first year of observations. We present detailed analysis of the new DAHe WD J161634.36+541011.51 with a spin period of 95.3 min, which exhibits an anticorrelation between broad-band flux and Balmer line strength that is typically observed for this class of systems. All DAHe systems cluster closely on the Gaia Hertzsprung–Russell diagram where they represent ≃1 per cent of white dwarfs within that region. This grouping further solidifies their unexplained emergence at relatively late cooling times and we discuss this in context of current formation theories. Nine of the new DAHe systems are identifiable from Sloan Digital Sky Survey spectra of white dwarfs that had been previously classified as featureless DC-type systems. We suggest high-S/N (signal-to-noise ratios), unbiased observations of DCs as a possible route for discovering additional DAHe systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White dwarf photospheric parameters are usually obtained by means of spectroscopic or photometric analysis. These results are not always consistent with each other, with the published values often including just the statistical uncertainties. The differences are more dramatic for white dwarfs with helium-dominated photospheres, so to obtain realistic uncertainties we have analysed a sample of 13 of these white dwarfs, applying both techniques to up to three different spectroscopic and photometric data sets for each star. We found mean standard deviations of |$\left\langle \sigma {T_{\mathrm{eff}}}\right\rangle = 524$|  K, |$\left\langle \sigma {\log g}\right\rangle = 0.27$|  dex and |$\left\langle \sigma {\log (\mathrm{H/He})}\right\rangle = 0.31$|  dex for the effective temperature, surface gravity, and relative hydrogen abundance, respectively, when modelling diverse spectroscopic data. The photometric fits provided mean standard deviations up to |$\left\langle \sigma {T_{\mathrm{eff}}}\right\rangle = 1210$|  K and |$\left\langle \sigma {\log g}\right\rangle = 0.13$|  dex. We suggest these values to be adopted as realistic lower limits to the published uncertainties in parameters derived from spectroscopic and photometric fits for white dwarfs with similar characteristics. In addition, we investigate the effect of fitting the observational data adopting three different photospheric chemical compositions. In general, pure helium model spectra result in larger T eff compared to those derived from models with traces of hydrogen. The log  g shows opposite trends: smaller spectroscopic values and larger photometric ones when compared to models with hydrogen. The addition of metals to the models also affects the derived atmospheric parameters, but a clear trend is not found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Close white dwarf binaries play an important role across a range of astrophysics, including thermonuclear supernovae, the Galactic low-frequency gravitational wave signal, and the chemical evolution of the Galaxy. Progress in developing a detailed understanding of the complex, multithreaded evolutionary pathways of these systems is limited by the lack of statistically sound observational constraints on the relative fractions of various sub-populations and their physical properties. The available samples are small, heterogeneous, and subject to a multitude of observational biases. Our overarching goal is to establish a volume-limited sample of all types of white dwarf binaries that is representative of the underlying population as well as sufficiently large to serve as a benchmark for future binary population models. In this first paper, we provide an overview of the project, and assemble reference samples within a distance limit of 300 pc of known white dwarf binaries spanning the most common sub-classes: post-common envelope binaries containing a white dwarf plus a main-sequence star, cataclysmic variables, and double-degenerate binaries. We carefully vet the members of these "Gold" samples, which span most of the evolutionary parameter space of close white dwarf binary evolution. We also explore the differences between magnitude and volume limited close white dwarf binary samples, and discuss how these systems evolve in their observational properties across the Gaia Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the identification of SDSS J121929.45+471522.8 as the third apparently isolated magnetic (B ≃ 18.5 ± 1.0 MG) white dwarf exhibiting Zeeman-split Balmer emission lines. The star shows coherent variability at optical wavelengths with an amplitude of ≃0.03 mag and a period of 15.26 h, which we interpret as the spin period of the white dwarf. Modelling the spectral energy distribution and Gaia parallax, we derive a white dwarf temperature of 7500 ± 148 K, a mass of 0.649 ± 0.022 M⊙, and a cooling age of 1.5 ± 0.1 Gyr, as well as an upper limit on the temperature of a sub-stellar or giant planet companion of ≃250 K. The physical properties of this white dwarf match very closely those of the other two magnetic white dwarfs showing Balmer emission lines: GD356 and SDSS J125230.93−023417.7. We argue that, considering the growing evidence for planets and planetesimals on close orbits around white dwarfs, the unipolar inductor model provides a plausible scenario to explain the characteristics of this small class of stars. The tight clustering of the three stars in cooling age suggests a common mechanism switching the unipolar inductor on and off. Whereas Lorentz drift naturally limits the lifetime of the inductor phase, the relatively late onset of the line emission along the white dwarf cooling sequence remains unexplained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The white dwarf SDSS J124043.01+671034.68 (SDSS J1240+6710) was previously found to have an oxygen-dominated atmosphere with significant traces of neon, magnesium, and silicon. A possible origin via a violent late thermal pulse or binary interactions has been suggested to explain this very unusual photospheric composition. We report the additional detection of carbon, sodium, and aluminium in far-ultraviolet and optical follow-up spectroscopy. No iron-group elements are detected, with tight upper limits on titanium, iron, cobalt, and nickel, suggesting that the star underwent partial oxygen burning, but failed to ignite silicon burning. Modelling the spectral energy distribution and adopting the distance based on the Gaia parallax, we infer a low white dwarf mass, |$M_\mathrm{wd}=0.41\pm 0.05\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$|⁠. The large space velocity of SDSS J1240+6710, computed from the Gaia proper motion and its radial velocity, is compatible with a Galactic rest-frame velocity of ≃ 250 km s−1 in the opposite direction with respect to the Galactic rotation, strongly supporting a binary origin of this star. We discuss the properties of SDSS J1240+6710 in the context of the recently identified survivors of thermonuclear supernovae, the D6 and LP 40−365 stars, and conclude that it is unlikely related to either of those two groups. We tentatively suggest that SDSS J1240+6710 is the partially burned remnant of a low-mass white dwarf that underwent a thermonuclear event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 1–3 per cent of white dwarfs are orbited by planetary dusty debris detectable as infrared emission in excess above the white dwarf flux. In a rare subset of these systems, a gaseous disc component is also detected via emission lines of the Ca  ii 8600 Å triplet, broadened by the Keplerian velocity of the disc. We present the first statistical study of the fraction of debris discs containing detectable amounts of gas in emission at white dwarfs within a magnitude and signal-to-noise ratio limited sample. We select 7705 single white dwarfs spectroscopically observed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and Gaia with magnitudes g  ≤ 19. We identify five gaseous disc hosts, all of which have been previously discovered. We calculate the occurrence rate of a white dwarf hosting a debris disc detectable via Ca  ii emission lines as |$0.067\, \pm \, ^{0.042}_{0.025}$|  per cent. This corresponds to an occurrence rate for a dusty debris disc to have an observable gaseous component in emission as 4 ±  |$_{2}^{4}$|  per cent. Given that variability is a common feature of the emission profiles of gaseous debris discs, and the recent detection of a planetesimal orbiting within the disc of SDSS J122859.93+104032.9, we propose that gaseous components are tracers for the presence of planetesimals embedded in the discs and outline a qualitative model. We also present spectroscopy of the Ca  ii triplet 8600 Å region for 20 white dwarfs hosting dusty debris discs in an attempt to identify gaseous emission. We do not detect any gaseous components in these 20 systems, consistent with the occurrence rate that we calculated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the descendants of stars with masses less than 8 M ⊙ on the main sequence, white dwarfs provide a unique way to constrain planetary occurrence around intermediate-mass stars (spectral types BAF) that are otherwise difficult to measure with radial-velocity or transit surveys. We update the analysis of more than 250 ultraviolet spectra of hot (13,000 K < T eff < 30,000 K), young (less than 800 Myr) white dwarfs collected by the Hubble Space Telescope, which reveals that more than 40% of all white dwarfs show photospheric silicon and sometimes carbon, signposts for the presence of remnant planetary systems. However, the fraction of white dwarfs with metals significantly decreases for massive white dwarfs (M WD > 0.8 M ⊙), descendants of stars with masses greater than 3.5 M ⊙ on the main sequence, as just 11 − 4 + 6 % exhibit metal pollution. In contrast, 44% ± 6% of a subset of white dwarfs (M WD < 0.7 M ⊙) unbiased by the effects of radiative levitation are actively accreting planetary debris. While the population of massive white dwarfs is expected to be influenced by the outcome of binary evolution, we do not find merger remnants to broadly affect our sample. We connect our measured occurrence rates of metal pollution on massive white dwarfs to empirical constraints of planetary formation and survival around stars with masses greater than 3.5 M ⊙ on the main sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Early Data Release (EDR) of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) comprises spectroscopy obtained from 2020 December 14 to 2021 June 10. White dwarfs were targeted by DESI both as calibration sources and as science targets and were selected based on Gaia photometry and astrometry. Here, we present the DESI EDR white dwarf catalogue, which includes 2706 spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs of which approximately 60 per cent have been spectroscopically observed for the first time, as well as 66 white dwarf binary systems. We provide spectral classifications for all white dwarfs, and discuss their distribution within the Gaia Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. We provide atmospheric parameters derived from spectroscopic and photometric fits for white dwarfs with pure hydrogen or helium photospheres, a mixture of those two, and white dwarfs displaying carbon features in their spectra. We also discuss the less abundant systems in the sample, such as those with magnetic fields, and cataclysmic variables. The DESI EDR white dwarf sample is significantly less biased than the sample observed by the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, which is skewed to bluer and therefore hotter white dwarfs, making DESI more complete and suitable for performing statistical studies of white dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many white dwarf stars show signs of having accreted smaller bodies, implying that they may host planetary systems. A small number of these systems contain gaseous debris discs, visible through emission lines. We report a stable 123.4-minute periodic variation in the strength and shape of the Ca II emission line profiles originating from the debris disc around the white dwarf SDSS J122859.93+104032.9. We interpret this short-period signal as the signature of a solid-body planetesimal held together by its internal strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a correction to an article titled "A catalogue of cataclysmic variables from 20 yr of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with new classifications, periods, trends, and oddities" published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. The correction states that there were incorrect classifications of two cataclysmic variables (CVs) in Table 1 of the supplementary data. The CVs SDSSJ005217.22+315938.5 and SDSSJ162608.15+332827.7 were misclassified as a Polar and an AM CVn, respectively, when they should have been classified as an SU UMa and a Polar. The errors do not impact the analysis or conclusions of the article, and the supplementary material and machine-readable version are being updated to reflect the correction. [Extracted from the article]

We present new Hubble Space Telescope (HST) ultraviolet and ground-based optical observations of the hot, metal-rich white dwarf GD 394. Extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) observations in 1992–1996 revealed a 1.15 d periodicity with a 25 per cent amplitude, hypothesized to be due to metals in a surface accretion spot. We obtained phase resolved HST /Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph high resolution far-ultraviolet spectra of GD 394 that sample the entire period, along with a large body of supplementary data. We find no evidence for an accretion spot, with the flux, accretion rate, and radial velocity of GD 394 constant over the observed time-scales at ultraviolet and optical wavelengths. We speculate that the spot may have no longer been present when our observations were obtained, or that the EUV variability is being caused by an otherwise undetected evaporating planet. The atmospheric parameters obtained from separate fits to optical and ultraviolet spectra are inconsistent, as is found for multiple hot white dwarfs. We also detect non-photospheric, high ionisation absorption lines of multiple volatile elements, which could be evidence for a hot plasma cocoon surrounding the white dwarf. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traces of photospheric hydrogen are detected in at least half of all white dwarfs with helium-dominated atmospheres through the presence of H α in high-quality optical spectroscopy. Previous studies have noted significant discrepancies between the hydrogen abundances derived from H α and Ly α for a number of stars where ultraviolet spectroscopy is also available. We demonstrate that this discrepancy is caused by inadequate treatment of the broadening of Ly α by neutral helium. When fitting Hubble Space Telescope far-ultraviolet spectroscopy of 17 DB white dwarfs using our new line profile calculations, we find good agreement between log (N H/ N He) measured from Ly α and H α. Larger values of log (N H/ N He) based on Ly α are still found for three stars, which are among the most distant in our sample, and we show that a small amount of interstellar absorption from neutral hydrogen can account for this discrepancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A handful of white dwarfs with helium-dominated atmospheres contain exceptionally large masses of hydrogen in their convection zones, with the metal-polluted white dwarf GD 16 being one of the earliest recognized examples. We report the discovery of a similar star: the white dwarf coincidentally named GD 17. We obtained medium-resolution spectroscopy of both GD 16 and GD 17 and calculated abundances and accretion rates of photospheric H, Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni. The metal abundance ratios indicate that the two stars recently accreted debris, which is Mg-poor compared to the composition of bulk Earth. However, unlike the metal pollutants, H never diffuses out of the atmosphere of white dwarfs and we propose that the exceptionally high atmosphericHcontent ofGD16 andGD17 (2.2×1024 and 2.9×1024 g, respectively) could result from previous accretion of water bearing planetesimals. Comparing the detection of trace H and metal pollution among 729 helium atmosphere white dwarfs, we find that the presence of H is nearly twice as common in metal-polluted white dwarfs compared to their metal-free counterparts. This highly significant correlation indicates that, over the cooling age of the white dwarfs, at least some fraction of the H detected in many He atmospheres (including GD 16 and GD 17) is accreted alongside metal pollutants, where the most plausible source is water. In this scenario, water must be common in systems with rocky planetesimals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A handful of white dwarfs with helium-dominated atmospheres contain exceptionally large masses of hydrogen in their convection zones, with the metal-polluted white dwarf GD 16 being one of the earliest recognized examples. We report the discovery of a similar star: the white dwarf coincidentally named GD 17. We obtained medium-resolution spectroscopy of both GD 16 and GD 17 and calculated abundances and accretion rates of photospheric H, Mg, Ca, Ti, Fe and Ni. The metal abundance ratios indicate that the two stars recently accreted debris, which is Mg-poor compared to the composition of bulk Earth. However, unlike the metal pollutants, H never diffuses out of the atmosphere of white dwarfs and we propose that the exceptionally high atmosphericHcontent ofGD16 andGD17 (2.2×1024 and 2.9×1024 g, respectively) could result from previous accretion of water bearing planetesimals. Comparing the detection of trace H and metal pollution among 729 helium atmosphere white dwarfs, we find that the presence of H is nearly twice as common in metal-polluted white dwarfs compared to their metal-free counterparts. This highly significant correlation indicates that, over the cooling age of the white dwarfs, at least some fraction of the H detected in many He atmospheres (including GD 16 and GD 17) is accreted alongside metal pollutants, where the most plausible source is water. In this scenario, water must be common in systems with rocky planetesimals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report 9 yr of optical spectroscopy of the metal-polluted white dwarf SDSS J104341.53+085558.2, which presents morphological variations of the line profiles of the 8600 Å Ca II triplet emission from the gaseous component of its debris disc. Similar changes in the shape of the Ca II triplet have also been observed in two other systems that host a gaseous disc, and are likely related to the same mechanism. We report the Mg, Si, and Ca abundances of the debris detected in the photosphere of SDSS J1043+0855, place upper limits on O and Fe, and derive an accretion rate of (2.5-12)×108 g s-1, consistent with those found in other systems with detected debris discs. The Mg/Si ratio and the upper limit on the Fe/Si ratio of the accreted material broadly agree with those found for the crust of the Earth. We also review the range of variability observed among white dwarfs with planetary debris discs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Observations of small extrasolar planets with a wide range of densities imply a variety of planetary compositions and structures. Currently, the only technique to measure the bulk composition of extrasolar planetary systems is the analysis of planetary debris accreting on to white dwarfs, analogous to abundance studies of meteorites. We present measurements of the carbon and oxygen abundances in the debris of planetesimals at ten white dwarfs observed with the Hubble Space Telescope, along with C/O ratios of debris in six systems with previously reported abundances. We find no evidence for carbon-rich planetesimals, with C/O < 0.8 by number in all 16 systems. Our results place an upper limit on the occurrence of carbon-rich systems at <17 per cent with a 2σ confidence level. The range of C/O of the planetesimals is consistent with that found in the Solar system, and appears to follow a bimodal distribution: a group similar to the CI chondrites, with log (< C/O >) = -0.92, and oxygen-rich objects with C/O less than or equal to that of the bulk Earth. The latter group may have a higher mass fraction of water than the Earth, increasing their relative oxygen abundance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Debris discs which orbit white dwarfs are signatures of remnant planetary systems.We present 12 yr of optical spectroscopy of the metal-polluted white dwarf SDSS J1228+1040, which shows a steady variation in the morphology of the 8600Å Ca II triplet line profiles from the gaseous component of its debris disc.We identify additional emission lines of OI, MgI, MgII, Fe II and Ca II in the deep co-added spectra. These emission features (including Ca H & K) exhibit a wide range in strength and morphology with respect to each other and to the Ca II triplet, indicating different intensity distributions of these ionic species within the disc. Using Doppler tomography, we show that the evolution of the Ca II triplet profile can be interpreted as the precession of a fixed emission pattern with a period in the range 24-30 yr. The Ca II line profiles vary on time-scales that are broadly consistent with general relativistic precession of the debris disc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method which uses cuts in colour-colour and reduced proper motion-colour space to select white dwarfs without the recourse to spectroscopy while allowing an adjustable compromise between completeness and efficiency. Rather than just producing a list of white dwarf candidates, our method calculates a probability of being a white dwarf (PWD) for any object with available multiband photometry and proper motion. We applied this method to all objects in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 10 (DR10) photometric footprint and to a few selected sources in DR7 which did not have reliable photometry in DR9 or DR10. This application results in a sample of 61 969 DR10 and 3799 DR7 photometric sources with calculated PWD from which it is possible to select a sample of ~23 000 high-fidelity white dwarf candidates with Teff ≳ 7000 K and g ≤ 19. This sample contains over 14 000 high confidence white dwarfs candidates which have not yet received spectroscopic follow-up. These numbers show that, to date, the spectroscopic coverage of white dwarfs in the SDSS photometric footprint is, on average, only ~40 per cent complete. While we describe here in detail the application of our selection to the SDSS catalogue, the same method could easily be applied to other multicolour, large area surveys. We also publish a list of 8701 bright (g ≤ 19) white dwarfs with SDSS spectroscopy, of which 1781 are new identifications in DR9/DR10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two recently discovered white dwarfs, WD J041246.84 + 754942.26 and WD J165335.21 − 100116.33, exhibit Hα and Hβ Balmer line emission similar to stars in the emerging DAHe class, yet intriguingly have not been found to have detectable magnetic fields. These white dwarfs are assigned the spectral type DAe. We present detailed follow-up of the two known DAe stars using new time-domain spectroscopic observations and analysis of the latest photometric time-series data from TESS and ZTF. We measure the upper magnetic field strength limit of both stars as B < 0.05 MG. The DAe white dwarfs exhibit photometric and spectroscopic variability, where in the case of WD J041246.84 + 754942.26 the strength of the Hα and Hβ emission cores varies in antiphase with its photometric variability over the spin period, which is the same phase relationship seen in DAHe stars. The DAe white dwarfs closely cluster in one region of the Gaia Hertzsprung–Russell diagram together with the DAHe stars. We discuss current theories on non-magnetic and magnetic mechanisms which could explain the characteristics observed in DAe white dwarfs, but additional data are required to unambiguously determine the origin of these stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although 25-50 per cent of white dwarfs (WDs) display evidence for remnant planetary systems, their orbital architectures and overall sizes remain unknown. Vibrant close-in (...1 Rʘ) circumstellar activity is detected at WDs spanning many Gyr in age, suggestive of planets further away. Here we demonstrate how systems with 4 and 10 closely packed planets that remain stable and ordered on the main sequence can become unpacked when the star evolves into a WD and experience pervasive inward planetary incursions throughout WD cooling. Our full-lifetime simulations run for the age of the Universe and adopt main-sequence stellar masses of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 Mʘ, which correspond to the mass range occupied by the progenitors of typical present-day WDs. These results provide (i) a natural way to generate an ever-changing dynamical architecture in post-main-sequence planetary systems, (ii) an avenue for planets to achieve temporary close-in orbits that are potentially detectable by transit photometry and (iii) a dynamical explanation for how residual asteroids might pollute particularly old WDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By cross-matching blue objects from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey with Galaxy Evolution Explorer and the astrometric catalogues USNO-B1.0, GSC2.3 and CMC14, 64 new dwarf nova candidates with one or more observed outbursts have been identified. 14 of these systems are confirmed as cataclysmic variables through existing and follow-up spectroscopy. A study of the amplitude distribution and an estimate of the outburst frequency of these new dwarf novae and those discovered by the Catalina Real-time Transient Survey indicate that besides systems that are faint because they are farther away, there also exists a population of intrinsically faint dwarf novae with rare outbursts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present preliminary results on spectroscopic data of the candidate pre-cataclysmic variable LTT 560. A fit to the flux-calibrated spectrum reveals the temperature of the white-dwarf primary to be T eff=7000–7500 K, and confirms the result of previous studies on the detection of an M5V secondary star. The analysis of radial velocity data from spectral features attributed to the primary and the secondary star show evidence for low-level accretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate astrometric and photometric measurements from Gaia have led to the construction of 3D dust extinction maps which can now be used for estimating the integrated extinctions of Galactic sources located within 5 kpc. These maps based on optical observations may not be reliable for use in the ultraviolet (UV) which is more sensitive to reddening. Past studies have focussed on studying UV extinction using main-sequence stars but lack comparison with 3D dust maps. White dwarfs with well-modelled hydrogen-dominated (DA) atmospheres provide an advantage over main-sequence stars affected by magnetic activity. In this work, we study the variation of UV extinction with 3D dust maps utilizing Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX) observations of DA white dwarfs located within 300 pc. We used HST COS spectroscopic data of 76 sightlines to calculate the optical extinction from Si  ii column densities and validate our results with the kinematic model predictions of the local interstellar medium. Also, we combined GALEX and Gaia photometric observations of 1158 DA white dwarfs to study UV reddening by comparing observed and modelled colour–colour relations. We calculated GALEX non-linearity corrections and derived reddening coefficients [ |$R(NUV-G)=6.52\pm 1.53$| and |$R(FUV-G)=6.04\pm 2.41$| ] considering their variations with optical extinction (⁠|$\rm{A_{V}}\lt 0.1$|  mag), and found them to be in good agreement with known extinction laws. HST analysis suggests a positive bias of 0.01–0.02 mag in the optical extinction from 3D maps depending on the Galactic latitude. These results independently confirm the validity of 3D dust maps to de-redden the optical and UV observations of white dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extremely low-mass white dwarfs (ELM WDs) with non-degenerate companions are believed to originate from solar-type main-sequence binaries undergoing stable Roche lobe overflow mass transfer when the ELM WD progenitor is at (or just past) the termination of the main-sequence. This implies that the orbital period of the binary at the onset of the first mass transfer phase must have been |$\lesssim 3-5$|  d. This prediction in turn suggests that most of these binaries should have tertiary companions since |$\approx 90$|  per cent of solar-type main-sequence binaries in that period range are inner binaries of hierarchical triples. Until recently, only precursors of this type of binaries have been observed in the form of EL CVn binaries, which are also known for having tertiary companions. Here, we present high-angular-resolution images of TYC 6992-827-1, an ELM WD with a sub-giant (SG) companion, confirming the presence of a tertiary companion. Furthermore, we show that TYC 6992-827-1, along with its sibling TYC 8394-1331-1 (whose triple companion was detected via radial velocity variations), are in fact descendants of EL CVn binaries. Both TYC 6992-827-1 and TYC 8394-1331-1 will evolve through a common envelope phase, which depending on the ejection efficiency of the envelope, might lead to a single WD or a tight double WD binary, which would likely merge into a WD within a few Gyr due to gravitational wave emission. The former triple configuration will be reduced to a wide binary composed of a WD (the merger product) and the current tertiary companion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the frequency of transiting planetary systems around metal-polluted white dwarfs using high-cadence photometry from ULTRACAM and ULTRASPEC on the ground and space-based observations with TESS. Within a sample of 313 metal-polluted white dwarfs with available TESS light curves, two systems known to have irregular transits are blindly recovered by box-least-squares and Lomb–Scargle analyses, with no new detections, yielding a transit fraction of |$0.8_{-0.4}^{+0.6}$|  per cent. Planet detection sensitivities are determined using simulated transit injection and recovery for all light curves, producing upper limit occurrences over radii from dwarf to Kronian planets, with periods from 1 h to 27 d. The dearth of short-period, transiting planets orbiting polluted white dwarfs is consistent with engulfment during the giant phases of stellar evolution, and modestly constrains dynamical re-injection of planets to the shortest orbital periods. Based on simple predictions of transit probability, where |$(R_* + R_{\rm p})/a\simeq 0.01$|⁠ , the findings here are nominally consistent with a model where 100 per cent of polluted white dwarfs have circumstellar debris near the Roche limit; however, the small sample size precludes statistical confidence in this result. Single transits are also ruled out in all light curves using a search for correlated outliers, providing weak constraints on the role of Oort-like comet clouds in white dwarf pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate whether the recently suggested rotation and crystallization driven dynamo can explain the apparent increase of magnetism in old metal polluted white dwarfs. We find that the effective temperature distribution of polluted magnetic white dwarfs is in agreement with most/all of them having a crystallizing core, and increased rotational velocities are expected due to accretion of planetary material that is evidenced by the metal absorption lines. We conclude that a rotation and crystallization driven dynamo offers not only an explanation for the different occurrence rates of strongly magnetic white dwarfs in close binaries but also for the high incidence of weaker magnetic fields in old metal polluted white dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

White dwarfs with emission lines from gaseous debris discs are among the rarest examples of planetary remnant hosts, but at the same time they are key objects for studying the final evolutionary stage of planetary systems. Making use of the large number of white dwarfs identified in Gaia Data Release 2 (DR2), we are conducting a survey of planetary remnants and here we present the first results of our search: six white dwarfs with gaseous debris discs. This first publication focuses on the main observational properties of these objects and highlights their most unique features. Three systems in particular stand out: WD J084602.47+570328.64 displays an exceptionally strong infrared excess that defies the standard model of a geometrically thin, optically thick dusty debris disc; WD J213350.72+242805.93 is the hottest gaseous debris disc host known with |$\mbox{$T_{\mathrm{eff}}$}=29\,282$|  K; and WD J052914.32–340108.11 in which we identify a record number of 51 emission lines from five elements. These discoveries shed light on the underlying diversity in gaseous debris disc systems and bring the total number of these objects to 21. With these numbers we can now start looking at the properties of these systems as a class of objects rather than on a case-by-case basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the pulsation spectrum of a white dwarf through the heating and cooling involved in a dwarf nova outburst cycle provides a unique view of the changes to convective driving that take place on timescales of months versus millennia for nonaccreting white dwarfs. In 2019 January the dwarf nova V386 Ser (one of a small number containing an accreting, pulsating white dwarf) underwent a large-amplitude outburst. Hubble Space Telescope ultraviolet spectra were obtained 7 and 13 months after outburst along with optical ground-based photometry during this interval and high-speed photometry at 5.5 and 17 months after outburst. The resulting spectral and pulsational analysis shows a cooling of the white dwarf from 21,020 to 18,750 K (with a gravity) between the two UV observations, along with the presence of strong pulsations evident in both UV and optical at a much shorter period after outburst than at quiescence. The pulsation periods consistently lengthened during the year following outburst, in agreement with pulsation theory. However, it remains to be seen if the behavior at longer times past outburst will mimic the unusual nonmonotonic cooling and long periods evident in the similar system GW Lib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photospheric metal pollution of white dwarfs is now well established as the signature of the accretion of planetary debris. However, the origin of the trace hydrogen detected in many white dwarfs with helium atmospheres is still debated. Here, we report the analysis of GD 424: a metal-polluted, helium-atmosphere white dwarf with a large amount of trace hydrogen. We determined the atmospheric parameters using a hybrid analysis that combines the sensitivity of spectroscopy to the atmospheric composition, log(H/He), with that of photometry and astrometry to the effective temperature, T eff, and surface gravity, log  g. The resulting white dwarf mass, radius, and cooling age are |$\mbox{$M_{\mathrm{WD}}$}=0.77\pm 0.01\, \mbox{$\mathrm{M}_{\odot }$}$|⁠ , |$\mbox{$R_{\mathrm{WD}}$}=0.0109\pm 0.0001\, \mbox{$\mathrm{R}_{\odot }$}$|⁠ , and τcool = 215 ± 10 Myr, respectively. We identified and measured the abundances of 11 photospheric metals and argue that the accretion event is most likely either in the increasing or in steady state, and that the disrupted planetesimal resembles either CI chondrites or the bulk Earth in terms of its composition. We suggest that the observed 1.33 × 1022 g of trace hydrogen in GD 424 was at least partly acquired through accretion of water-rich planetary debris in an earlier accretion episode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WD J204713.76–125908.9 is a new addition to the small class of white dwarfs with helium-dominated photospheres that exhibit strong Balmer absorption lines and atmospheric metal pollution. The exceptional abundances of hydrogen observed in these stars may be the result of accretion of water-rich rocky bodies. We obtained far-ultraviolet and optical spectroscopy of WD J204713.76–125908.9 using the Cosmic Origin Spectrograph on-board the Hubble Space Telescope and X-shooter on the Very Large Telescope, and identify photospheric absorption lines of nine metals: C, O, Mg, Si, P, S, Ca, Fe, and Ni. The abundance ratios are consistent with the steady-state accretion of exo-planetesimal debris rich in the volatile elements carbon and oxygen, and the transitional element sulphur, by factors of 17, 2, and 4, respectively, compared to the bulk Earth. The parent body has a composition akin to Solar system carbonaceous chondrites, and the inferred minimum mass, 1.6 × 1020 g, is comparable to an asteroid 23 km in radius. We model the composition of the disrupted parent body, finding from our simulations a median water mass fraction of 8 per cent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WASP-98 is a planetary system containing a hot Jupiter transiting a late-G dwarf. A fainter star, 12 arcsec away, has previously been identified as a white dwarf, with a distance and proper motion consistent with a physical association with the planetary system. We present spectroscopy of the white dwarf, with the aim of determining its mass, radius, and temperature and hence the age of the system. However, the spectra show the featureless continuum and lack of spectral lines characteristic of the DC class of white dwarfs. We therefore fitted theoretical white dwarf spectra to the ugriz apparent magnitudes and Gaia DR2 parallax of this object in order to determine its physical properties and the age of the system. We find that the system is old, with a lower limit of 3.6 Gyr, but theoretical uncertainties preclude a precise determination of its age. Its kinematics are consistent with membership of the thick disc, but do not allow us to rule out the thin-disc alternative. The old age and low metallicity of the system suggest that it is subject to an age–metallicity relation, but analysis of the most metal-rich and metal-poor transiting planetary systems yields only insubstantial evidence of this. We conclude that the study of bound white dwarfs can yield independent ages to planetary systems, but such analysis may be better suited to DA and DB rather than DC white dwarfs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WEAVE, the new wide-field, massively multiplexed spectroscopic survey facility for the William Herschel Telescope, saw first light in late 2022. WEAVE comprises a new 2-deg field-of-view prime-focus corrector system, a nearly 1000-multiplex fibre positioner, 20 individually deployable 'mini' integral field units (IFUs), and a single large IFU. These fibre systems feed a dual-beam spectrograph covering the wavelength range 366–959 nm at R ∼ 5000, or two shorter ranges at |$R\sim 20\, 000$|⁠. After summarizing the design and implementation of WEAVE and its data systems, we present the organization, science drivers, and design of a five- to seven-year programme of eight individual surveys to: (i) study our Galaxy's origins by completing Gaia 's phase-space information, providing metallicities to its limiting magnitude for ∼3 million stars and detailed abundances for ∼1.5 million brighter field and open-cluster stars; (ii) survey ∼0.4 million Galactic-plane OBA stars, young stellar objects, and nearby gas to understand the evolution of young stars and their environments; (iii) perform an extensive spectral survey of white dwarfs; (iv) survey ∼400 neutral-hydrogen-selected galaxies with the IFUs; (v) study properties and kinematics of stellar populations and ionized gas in z < 0.5 cluster galaxies; (vi) survey stellar populations and kinematics in |${\sim} 25\, 000$| field galaxies at 0.3 ≲ z ≲ 0.7; (vii) study the cosmic evolution of accretion and star formation using >1 million spectra of LOFAR-selected radio sources; and (viii) trace structures using intergalactic/circumgalactic gas at z > 2. Finally, we describe the WEAVE Operational Rehearsals using the WEAVE Simulator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cataclysmic variables (CVs) that have evolved past the period minimum during their lifetimes are predicted to be systems with a brown dwarf donor. While population synthesis models predict that around 40–70 per cent of the Galactic CVs are post-period minimum systems referred to as 'period bouncers', only a few dozen confirmed systems are known. We report the study and characterization of a new eclipsing CV, SRGeJ041130.3+685350 (SRGeJ0411), discovered from a joint SRG/eROSITA and ZTF programme. The optical spectrum of SRGeJ0411 shows prominent hydrogen and helium emission lines, typical for CVs. We obtained optical high-speed photometry to confirm the eclipse of SRGeJ0411 and determine the orbital period to be P orb ≈ 97.530 min. The spectral energy distribution suggests that the donor has an effective temperature of ≲ 1800 K. We constrain the donor mass with the period–density relationship for Roche lobe-filling stars and find that M donor ≲ 0.04  M ⊙. The binary parameters are consistent with evolutionary models for post-period minimum CVs, suggesting that SRGeJ0411 is a new period bouncer. The optical emission lines of SRGeJ0411 are single-peaked despite the system being eclipsing, which is typically only seen due to stream-fed accretion in polars. X-ray spectroscopy hints that the white dwarf in SRGeJ0411 could be magnetic, but verifying the magnetic nature of SRGeJ0411 requires further investigation. The lack of optical outbursts has made SRGeJ0411 elusive in previous surveys, and joint X-ray and optical surveys highlight the potential for discovering similar systems in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AM CVn-type systems are ultracompact, helium-accreting binary systems that are evolutionarily linked to the progenitors of thermonuclear supernovae and are expected to be strong Galactic sources of gravitational waves detectable to upcoming space-based interferometers. AM CVn binaries with orbital periods ≲20–23 min exist in a constant high state with a permanently ionized accretion disc. We present the discovery of TIC 378898110, a bright (G  = 14.3 mag), nearby (309.3 ± 1.8 pc), high-state AM CVn binary discovered in TESS two-minute-cadence photometry. At optical wavelengths, this is the third-brightest AM CVn binary known. The photometry of the system shows a 23.07172(6) min periodicity, which is likely to be the 'superhump' period and implies an orbital period in the range 22–23 min. There is no detectable spectroscopic variability. The system underwent an unusual, year-long brightening event during which the dominant photometric period changed to a shorter period (constrained to 20.5 ± 2.0 min), which we suggest may be evidence for the onset of disc-edge eclipses. The estimated mass transfer rate, |$\log (\dot{M} / \mathrm{M_\odot } \, \mathrm{yr}^{-1}) = -6.8 \pm 1.0$|⁠ , is unusually high and may suggest a high-mass or thermally inflated donor. The binary is detected as an X-ray source, with a flux of |$9.2 ^{+4.2}_{-1.8} \times 10^{-13}$|  erg cm−2 s−1 in the 0.3–10 keV range. TIC 378898110 is the shortest-period binary system discovered with TESS , and its large predicted gravitational-wave amplitude makes it a compelling verification binary for future space-based gravitational wave detectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a catalogue of white dwarf candidates selected from the second data release of Gaia (DR2). We used a sample of spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) to map the entire space spanned by these objects in the Gaia Hertzsprung–Russell diagram. We then defined a set of cuts in absolute magnitude, colour, and a number of Gaia quality flags to remove the majority of contaminating objects. Finally, we adopt a method analogous to the one presented in our earlier SDSS photometric catalogues to calculate a probability of being a white dwarf (P WD) for all Gaia sources that passed the initial selection. The final catalogue is composed of |$486\, 641$| stars with calculated P WD from which it is possible to select a sample of |${\simeq } 260\, 000$| high-confidence white dwarf candidates in the magnitude range 8 < G < 21. By comparing this catalogue with a sample of SDSS white dwarf candidates, we estimate an upper limit in completeness of 85 per cent for white dwarfs with G ≤ 20 mag and T eff >7000 K, at high Galactic latitudes (| b | > 20°). However, the completeness drops at low Galactic latitudes, and the magnitude limit of the catalogue varies significantly across the sky as a function of Gaia 's scanning law. We also provide the list of objects within our sample with available SDSS spectroscopy. We use this spectroscopic sample to characterize the observed structure of the white dwarf distribution in the H–R diagram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous full-lifetime simulations of single-star multi-planet systems across all phases of stellar evolution have predominately assumed coplanar or nearly coplanar orbits. Here we assess the consequences of this assumption by removing it and exploring the effect of giant branch mass loss on the stability of two-planet systems with small to moderate non-Kozai (<40º) relative inclinations. We run nearly 104simulations over 14 Gyr for F-star, A-star and B-star planet hosts, incorporating main-sequence stellar masses of 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 and 5.0 solar masses, and initial planetary semimajor axis ratios that straddle their three-dimensional Hill stability limits. We find that the near-coplanar assumption can approximate well the stability frequencies and critical separations found for higher inclinations, except around strong mean-motion commensurabilities. Late instabilities – after the star has become a white dwarf – occur throughout the explored mutual inclination range. Consequently, non-Kozai mutual inclination should not be used as a predictive orbital proxy for determining which white dwarf multi-planet systems discovered by Gaia should represent high-priority follow-up targets for the detection of metal pollution and planetary debris discs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

WD 1145+017 is currently the only white dwarf known to exhibit periodic transits of planetary debris as well as absorption lines from circumstellar gas. We present the first simultaneous fast optical spectrophotometry and broad-band photometry of the system, obtained with the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) and the Liverpool Telescope, respectively. The observations spanned 5.5 h, somewhat longer than the 4.5-h orbital period of the debris. Dividing the GTC spectrophotometry into five wavelength bands reveals no significant colour differences, confirming grey transits in the optical. We argue that absorption by an optically thick structure is a plausible alternative explanation for the achromatic nature of the transits that can allow the presence of small-sized (∼µm) particles. The longest (87 min) and deepest (50 per cent attenuation) transit recorded in our data exhibits a complex structure around minimum light that can be well modelled by multiple overlapping dust clouds. The strongest circumstellar absorption line, Fe  ii λ5169, significantly weakens during this transit, with its equivalent width reducing from a mean out-of-transit value of 2 to 1 Å in-transit, supporting spatial correlation between the circumstellar gas and dust. Finally, we made use of the Gaia Data Release 2 and archival photometry to determine the white dwarf parameters. Adopting a helium-dominated atmosphere containing traces of hydrogen and metals, and a reddening E (B − V) = 0.01 we find |$T_\text{eff}=15\, 020 \pm 520$|  K, log  g = 8.07 ± 0.07, corresponding to |$M_\text{WD}=0.63\pm 0.05\, \text{M}_{\odot}$| and a cooling age of 224 ± 30 Myr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the first reliable determination of the orbital period of the recurrent nova V2487 Oph (Nova Oph 1998). We derived a value of 0.753 ± 0.016 d (18.1 ± 0.4 h) from the radial velocity curve of the intense He  ii  λ4686 emission line as detected in time-series X-shooter spectra. The orbital period is significantly shorter than earlier claims, but it makes V2487 Oph one of the longest period cataclysmic variables known. The spectrum of V2487 Oph is prolific in broad Balmer absorptions that resemble a white dwarf spectrum. However, we show that they come from the accretion disc viewed at low inclination. Although highly speculative, the analysis of the radial velocity curves provides a binary mass ratio q ≈ 0.16 and a donor star mass M 2 ≈ 0.21 M⊙, assuming the reported white dwarf mass M 1 = 1.35 M⊙. A subgiant M-type star is tentatively suggested as the donor star. We were lucky to inadvertently take some of the spectra when V2487 Oph was in a flare state. During the flare, we detected high-velocity emission in the Balmer and He  ii λ4686 lines exceeding −2000 km s−1 at close to orbital phase 0.4. Receding emission up to 1200 km s−1 at about phase 0.3 is also observed. The similarities with the magnetic cataclysmic variables may point to magnetic accretion on to the white dwarf during the repeating flares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G 29 − 38 (TIC 422526868) is one of the brightest (V  = 13.1) and closest (d  = 17.51 pc) pulsating white dwarfs with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere (DAV/ZZ Ceti class). It was observed by the TESS spacecraft in sectors 42 and 56. The atmosphere of G 29 − 38 is polluted by heavy elements that are expected to sink out of visible layers on short time-scales. The photometric TESS data set spans ∼51 d in total, and from this, we identified 56 significant pulsation frequencies, that include rotational frequency multiplets. In addition, we identified 30 combination frequencies in each sector. The oscillation frequencies that we found are associated with g -mode pulsations, with periods spanning from ∼ 260 to ∼ 1400 s. We identified rotational frequency triplets with a mean separation δνℓ = 1 of 4.67 μHz and a quintuplet with a mean separation δνℓ = 2 of 6.67 μHz, from which we estimated a rotation period of about 1.35 ± 0.1 d. We determined a constant period spacing of 41.20 s for ℓ = 1 modes and 22.58 s for ℓ = 2 modes. We performed period-to-period fit analyses and found an asteroseismological model with M ⋆/M⊙ = 0.632 ± 0.03, |$T_{\rm eff}=11\, 635\pm 178$| K, and log  g  = 8.048 ± 0.005 (with a hydrogen envelope mass of M H ∼ 5.6 × 10−5 M ⋆), in good agreement with the values derived from spectroscopy. We obtained an asteroseismic distance of 17.54 pc, which is in excellent agreement with that provided by Gaia (17.51 pc). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The observations from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) will significantly increase the numbers of known extremely metal-poor stars by a factor of ∼10, improving the sample statistics to study the early chemical evolution of the Milky Way and the nature of the first stars. In this paper we report follow-up observations with high signal-to-noise ratio of nine metal-poor stars identified during the DESI commissioning with the Optical System for Imaging and Low-Resolution Integrated Spectroscopy (OSIRIS) instrument on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias. The analysis of the data using a well-vetted methodology confirms the quality of the DESI spectra and the performance of the pipelines developed for the data reduction and analysis of DESI data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider the parallaxes of sixteen cataclysmic variables and related objects that are included in the TGAS catalogue, which is part of the Gaia first data release, and compared these with previous parallax measurements. The parallax of the dwarf nova SS Cyg is consistent with the parallax determination made using the VLBI, but with only one of the analyses of the HST Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) observations of this system. In contrast, the Gaia parallaxes of V603 Aql and RR Pic are broadly consistent, but less precise than the HST/FGS measurements. The Gaia parallaxes of IX Vel, V3885 Sgr, and AE Aqr are consistent with, but much more accurate than the Hipparcos measurements. We took the derived Gaia distances and find that absolute magnitudes of outbursting systems show a weak correlation with orbital period. For systems with measured X-ray fluxes we find that the X-ray luminosity is a clear indicator of whether the accretion disc is in the hot and ionised or cool and neutral state. We also find evidence for the X-ray emission of both low and high state discs correlating with orbital period, and hence the long-term average accretion rate. The inferred mass accretion rates for the nova-like variables and dwarf novae are compared with the critical mass accretion rate predicted by the Disc Instability Model. While we found agreement to be good for most systems there appears to be some uncertainty in the system parameters of SS Cyg. Our results illustrate how future Gaia data releases will be an extremely valuable resource in mapping the evolution of cataclysmic variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]