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A very long term variability (VLPP), with period of 875 days, was observed in the long-term light curve of FS Aurigae in 2011. This periodicity was calculated on 6 cycles. We re-examine the periodicity with new observations over of the past 5 yrs. A total of 18 yrs of observations confirm the hypothesis of a third body perturbing in a secular way the cataclysmic variable (CV). Improvements to the model such as eccentric and inclined orbits for the third body and a binary post-Newtonian correction are considered. We confirm the VLPP of FS Aur and find the new period of 857 $\pm$ 78 days. The secular perturbations are most efficient when the mass of the third body is M=29 MJ, much less than the 50 MJ reported in 2011. We estimate the effect of the third body on the mass transfer rate and the brightness of the system. We consider alternative scenarios for the VLPP. The new data and analysis supports the hypothesis that FS Aur is a CV in a triple system., 16 pages, 5 figures

We report on the masses ($M_\mathrm{WD}$), effective temperatures ($T_\mathrm{eff}$) and secular mean accretion rates ($\langle \dot{M} \rangle$) of 43 cataclysmic variable (CV) white dwarfs, 42 of which were obtained from the combined analysis of their $\mathit{Hubble~Space~Telescope}$ ultraviolet data with the parallaxes provided by the Early Third Data Release of the $\mathit{Gaia}$ space mission, and one from the white dwarf gravitational redshift. Our results double the number of CV white dwarfs with an accurate mass measurement, bringing the total census to 89 systems. From the study of the mass distribution, we derive $\langle M_\mathrm{WD} \rangle = 0.81^{+0.16}_{-0.20}\,\mathrm{M_\odot}$, in perfect agreement with previous results, and find no evidence of any evolution of the mass with orbital period. Moreover, we identify five systems with $M_\mathrm{WD} < 0.5\mathrm{M_\odot}$, which are most likely representative of helium-core white dwarfs, showing that these CVs are present in the overall population. We reveal the presence of an anti-correlation between the average accretion rates and the white dwarf masses for the systems below the $2-3\,$h period gap. Since $\langle \dot{M} \rangle$ reflects the rate of system angular momentum loss, this correlation suggests the presence of an additional mechanism of angular momentum loss that is more efficient at low white dwarf masses. This is the fundamental concept of the recently proposed empirical prescription of consequential angular momentum loss (eCAML) and our results provide observational support for it, although we also highlight how its current recipe needs to be refined to better reproduce the observed scatter in $T_\mathrm{eff}$ and $\langle \dot{M} \rangle$, and the presence of helium-core white dwarfs., Accepted for publication in MNRAS. 22 pages of main body (6 tables and 14 figures) and 54 pages of appendices. Appendix B includes the best-fitting parameters and models to the HST data

Accreting magnetic white dwarfs offer an opportunity to understand the interplay between spin-up and spin-down torques in binary systems. Monitoring of the white dwarf spin may reveal whether the white dwarf spin is currently in a state of near-equilibrium, or of uni-directional evolution towards longer or shorter periods, reflecting the recent history of the system and providing constraints for evolutionary models. This makes the monitoring of the spin history of magnetic white dwarfs of high interest. In this paper we report the results of a campaign of follow-up optical photometry to detect and track the 39 sec white dwarf spin pulses recently discovered in Hubble Space Telescope data of the cataclysmic variable V1460 Her. We find the spin pulsations to be present in g-band photometry at a typical amplitude of 0.4%. Under favourable observing conditions, the spin signal is detectable using 2-meter class telescopes. We measured pulse-arrival times for all our observations, which allowed us to derive a precise ephemeris for the white dwarf spin. We have also derived an orbital modulation correction that can be applied to the measurements. With our limited baseline of just over four years, we detect no evidence yet for spin-up or spin-down of the white dwarf, obtaining a lower limit of |P/Pdot|> 4e7 years, which is already 4 to 8 times longer than the timescales measured in two other cataclysmic variable systems containing rapidly rotating white dwarfs, AE Aqr and AR Sco., 8 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present the discovery of a magnetic field on the white dwarf component in the detached post common envelope binary (PCEB) CC Cet. Magnetic white dwarfs in detached PCEBs are extremely rare, in contrast to the high incidence of magnetism in single white dwarfs and cataclysmic variables. We find Zeeman-split absorption lines in both ultraviolet Hubble Space Telescope (HST) spectra and archival optical spectra of CC Cet. Model fits to the lines return a mean magnetic field strength of approximately 600-700 kG. Differences in the best-fit magnetic field strength between two separate HST observations and the high v sin i of the lines indicate that the white dwarf is rotating with a period ~0.5 hours, and that the magnetic field is not axisymmetric about the spin axis. The magnetic field strength and rotation period are consistent with those observed among the intermediate polar class of cataclysmic variable, and we compute stellar evolution models that predict CC Cet will evolve into an intermediate polar in 7-17 Gyr. Among the small number of known PCEBs containing a confirmed magnetic white dwarf, CC Cet is the hottest (and thus youngest), with the weakest field strength, and cannot have formed via the recently proposed crystallisation/spin-up scenario. In addition to the magnetic field measurements, we update the atmospheric parameters of the CC Cet white dwarf via model spectra fits to the HST data and provide a refined orbital period and ephemeris from TESS photometry., Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We present LAMOST J0140355+392651 (hereafter J0140), a close ($P_{\rm orb} = 3.81$ hours) binary containing a bloated, low-mass ($M \approx 0.15 M_{\odot}$) proto-white dwarf (WD) and a massive ($M\approx 0.95\,M_{\odot}$) WD companion. The system's optical light curve is dominated by large-amplitude ellipsoidal variability but also exhibits additional scatter, likely driven by pulsations. The proto-WD is cooler ($T_{\rm eff} = 6800\pm 100$ K) and more puffy ($\log\left[g/\left({\rm cm\,s^{-2}}\right)\right]=4.74\pm0.07$) than any known extremely low mass (ELM) WD, but hotter than any known cataclysmic variable (CV) donor. It either completely or very nearly fills its Roche lobe ($R/R_{{\rm Roche\,lobe}}=0.99\pm0.01$), suggesting ongoing or recently terminated mass transfer. No dwarf nova-like outbursts have been observed. The spectrum is dominated by the proto-WD but shows tentative hints of H$\alpha$ emission, perhaps due to accretion onto the massive WD. The properties of the system are well-matched by MESA binary evolution models of CVs with donors that underwent significant nuclear evolution before the onset of mass transfer. In these models, the bloated proto-WD is either still losing mass via stable Roche lobe overflow or was doing so until very recently. In either case, it is evolving toward higher temperatures at near-constant luminosity to become an ELM WD. If the system is detached, mass transfer likely ended when the donor became too hot for magnetic braking to remain efficient. Evolutionary models predict that the binary will shrink to $P_{\rm orb}\lesssim 10$ minutes within a few Gyr, when it will either merge or become an AM CVn binary. J0140 provides an observational link between the formation channels of CVs, ELM WDs, detached ultracompact WD binaries, and AM CVn systems., Comment: 19 pages, 14 figures. Accepted to MNRAS

We analysed a wealth of optical spectroscopic and photometric observations of the bright (V=11.9) cataclysmic variable BG Tri. TheGaiaDR2 parallax gives a distance d=334(8)pc to the source, making the object one of the intrinsically brightest nova-like variables seen under a low orbital inclination angle. Time-resolved spectroscopic observations revealed the orbital period of P(orb)=3.h8028(24). Its spectroscopic characteristics resemble RW Sex and similarnova-like variables. We disentangled the H alpha emission line into two components, and show that one component forms on the irradiated face of the secondary star. We suggest that the other one originates at a disc outflow area adjacent to the L3 point., Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 11 pages, 10 figures

Thorstensen (2020) recently argued that the cataclysmic variable (CV) LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 may be a twin to the unique magnetic propeller system AE Aqr. If this is the case, two predictions are that it should display a short period white dwarf spin modulation, and that it should be a bright radio source. We obtained follow-up optical and radio observations of this CV, in order to see if this holds true. Our optical high-speed photometry does not reveal a white dwarf spin signal, but lacks the sensitivity to detect a modulation similar to the 33-s spin signal seen in AE Aqr. We detect the source in the radio, and measure a radio luminosity similar to that of AE Aqr and close to the highest so far reported for a CV. We also find good evidence for radio variability on a time scale of tens of minutes. Optical polarimetric observations produce no detection of linear or circular polarization. While we are not able to provide compelling evidence, our observations are all consistent with this object being a propeller system., MNRAS, accepted

We present a complete dynamical study of the intermediate polar and dwarf nova cataclysmic variable GK Per (Nova Persei 1901) based on a multi-site optical spectroscopy and $R$-band photometry campaign. The radial velocity curve of the evolved donor star has a semi-amplitude $K_2=126.4 \pm 0.9 \, \mathrm{km}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ and an orbital period $P=1.996872 \pm 0.000009 \, \mathrm{d}$. We refine the projected rotational velocity of the donor star to $v_\mathrm{rot} \sin i = 52 \pm 2 \, \mathrm{km}\,\mathrm{s}^{-1}$ which, together with $K_2$, provides a donor star to white dwarf mass ratio $q=M_2/M_1=0.38 \pm 0.03$. We also determine the orbital inclination of the system by modelling the phase-folded ellipsoidal light curve and obtain $i=67^{\circ} \pm 5^{\circ}$. The resulting dynamical masses are $M_{1}=1.03^{+0.16}_{-0.11} \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$ and $M_2 = 0.39^{+0.07}_{-0.06} \, \mathrm{M}_{\odot}$ at $68$ per cent confidence level. The white dwarf dynamical mass is compared with estimates obtained by modelling the decline light curve of the $1901$ nova event and X-ray spectroscopy. The best matching mass estimates come from the nova light curve models and an X-ray data analysis that uses the ratio between the Alfv\'en radius in quiescence and during dwarf nova outburst., Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, 8 tables, accepted for publication in MNRAS

We use a combined binary evolution code including dynamical effects to study nova eruptions in a symbiotic system. Following the evolution, over $\sim10^5$ years, of multiple consecutive nova eruptions on the surface of a $1.25M_\odot$ white dwarf (WD) accretor, we present a comparison between simulations of two types of systems. The first is the common, well known, cataclysmic variable (CV) system in which a main sequence donor star transfers mass to its WD companion via Roche-lobe overflow. The second is a detached, widely separated, symbiotic system in which an asymptotic giant branch donor star transfers mass to its WD companion via strong winds. For the latter we use the Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton prescription along with orbital dynamics to calculate the accretion rate. We use the combined stellar evolution code to follow the nova eruptions of both simulations including changes in mass, accretion rate and orbital features. We find that while the average accretion rate for the CV remains fairly constant, the symbiotic system experiences distinct epochs of high and low accretion rates. The examination of epochs for which the accretion rates of both simulations are similar, shows that the evolutionary behaviors are identical. We obtain that for a given WD mass, the rate that mass is accreted ultimately determines the development, and that the stellar class of the donor is of no significance to the development of novae. We discuss several observed systems and find that our results are consistent with estimated parameters of novae in widely separated symbiotic systems., Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Using photometric ULTRACAM observations of three new short period cataclysmic variables, we model the primary eclipse lightcurves to extract the orbital separation, masses, and radii of their component stars. We find donor masses of 0.060 +/- 0.008 solar masses, 0.042 +/- 0.001 solar masses, and 0.042 +/- 0.004 solar masses, two being very low-mass sub-stellar donors, and one within 2 sigma of the hydrogen burning limit. All three of the new systems lie close to the modified, "optimal" model evolutionary sequence of Knigge et al. (2011). We briefly re-evaluate the long-standing discrepancy between observed donor mass and radius data, and theoretical CV evolutionary tracks. By looking at the difference in the observed period at each mass and the period predicted by the Knigge et al. (2011) evolutionary sequence, we qualitatively examine the form of excess angular momentum loss that is missing from the models below the period gap. We show indications that the excess angular momentum loss missing from CV models grows in importance relative to gravitational losses as the period decreases. Detailed CV evolutionary models are necessary to draw more quantitative conclusions in the future., 17 pages, 14 figures, 5 tables

Close binaries containing a white dwarf accreting from a disk that receives material from a late stellar companion show an interesting variety of behaviors that depend on their accretion rates and the changes in this rate. The highest accretion rates are evident during the bright states of novalikes, as well as the superoutbursts of the shortest period dwarf novae followed by normal outbursts and the Z Cam systems. While the normal outbursts and superoutbursts of dwarf novae can be understood from the standpoint of disk and tidal instabilities, the changes in rates in novalikes when they enter low brightness states and the cause of extremely high rates for the systems with orbital periods between 3-4 hrs remain elusive. This paper highlights some recent insights and continuing problems found from X-ray, UV and optical observations of these high and low states, as well as the prospects for increased understanding from the anticipated future ground and space missions.

We obtained photometric observations of the nova-like cataclysmic variable RW Tri and gathered all available AAVSO and other data from the literature. We determined the system parameters and found their uncertainties using the code developed by us to model the light curves of binary systems. New time-resolved optical spectroscopic observations of RW Tri were also obtained to study the properties of emission features produced by the system. The usual interpretation of the single-peaked emission lines in nova-like systems is related to the bi-conical wind from the accretion disc's inner part. However, we found that the Halpha emission profile is comprised of two components with different widths. We argue that the narrow component originates from the irradiated surface of the secondary, while the broader component's source is an extended, low-velocity region in the outskirts of the accretion disc, located opposite to the collision point of the accretion stream and the disc. It appears to be a common feature for long-period nova-like systems -- a point we discuss., Comment: 14 pages, 8 figures, Accepted to MNRAS

We present time-resolved photometry of the cataclysmic variable (CV) PTF1J2224+17 obtained during 4 nights in October 2018 and January 2019 from Inastars observatory. The object is variable on a period of 103.82 min. Archival Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey (CRTS), PTF, and ZTF-data show frequent changes between high and low states. Based on its photometric properties and the cyclotron humps in the identification spectrum the object is certainly classified as an AM Herculis star (or polar) with a likely magnetic field strength of B ~ 65 MG. Its accretion duty cycle was estimated from nine years of photometric monitoring to be about 35 %., Comment: AN, in press (7 pages, 6 figures)

The envelopes accreted by white dwarf stars from their hydrogen-rich companions1 experience thermonuclear-powered runaways2,3 observed as classical nova eruptions4,5 peaking at 105–106 solar luminosities6–9. Virtually all nova progenitors—‘nova-like variables’—exhibit high mass transfer rates to their white dwarfs before and after an eruption10. Surprisingly, 10–1,000 times lower mass transfer rate11 binaries, exhibiting accretion-powered ‘dwarf nova’ outbursts12, exist at identical orbital periods. Nova shells surrounding dwarf novae13–16 demonstrate that at least some novae metamorphize into dwarf novae17,18, though the mechanisms and timescales governing mass transfer rate variations are poorly understood. Here, we report simulations of the multi-Gyr evolution of novae modelling every eruption’s thermonuclear runaway, mass and angular momentum losses, feedback due to irradiation and variable mass transfer rate, and orbital size and period changes. These feedback-dominated simulations reproduce the observed range of mass transfer rates at a given orbital period, with large and cyclic kyr–Myr timescale changes. They also demonstrate Myr-long deep hibernation (complete stoppage of mass transfer), but only in short-period binaries; that initially different binaries converge to become nearly identical systems; low-mass-transfer-rate dwarf novae occasionally generate novae; and that the masses of white dwarfs decrease monotonically, but only slightly while their red dwarf companions are consumed. Cataclysmic variables—a binary pairing of a white dwarf and a hydrogen-rich donor star—experience mass transfer and other complex interactions. This numerical simulation by Hillman et al. models in particular the feedback between the stellar pair, and succeeds in reproducing many of the observed characteristics of cataclysmic variables.

We present phase-resolved optical spectroscopy of the eclipsing nova-like cataclysmic variable EC21178-5417 obtained between 2002 and 2013. The average spectrum of EC21178-5417 shows broad double-peaked emission lines from HeII 4686 \AA{} (strongest feature) and the Balmer series. The high-excitation feature, CIII/NIII at 4640-4650 \AA{}, is also present and appears broad in emission. A number of other lines, mostly HeI, are clearly present in absorption and/or emission. The average spectrum of EC21178-5417 taken at different months and years shows variability in spectral features, especially in the Balmer lines beyond H$\gamma$, from pure line emission, mixed line absorption and emission to pure absorption lines. Doppler maps of the HeII 4686 \AA{} emission reveal the presence of a highly-inclined asymmetric accretion disc and a two spiral arm-like structure, whereas that of the Balmer lines (H$\alpha$ and H$\beta$) reveal a more circular accretion disc. There is no evidence of a bright spot in the Doppler maps of EC21178-5417 and no emission from the secondary star is seen in the tomograms of the HeII 4686 \AA{} and Balmer lines. Generally, the emission in EC21178-5417 is dominated by emission from the accretion disc. We conclude that EC21178-5417 is a member of the RW Tri or UX UMa sub-type of nova-like variables based on these results and because it shows different spectral characteristics at different dates. This spectral behaviour suggests that EC21178-5417 undergoes distinct variations in mass transfer rate on the observed time scales of months and years., Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures

Optical surveys, such as the MACHO project, often uncover variable stars whose classification requires followup observations by other instruments. We performed X-ray spectroscopy and photometry of the unusual variable star MACHO 311.37557.169 with \XMM\ in April 2018, supplemented by archival X-ray and optical spectrographic data. The star has a bolometric X-ray luminosity of about $1\times 10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$ and a heavily absorbed two-temperature plasma spectrum. The shape of its light curve, its overall brightness, its X-ray spectrum, and the emission lines in its optical spectrum suggest that it is most likely a VY~Scl cataclysmic variable., Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures

I report on two new measures of the sudden change in the orbital period ($P$) across the nova eruption ($\Delta$P) and the steady period change in quiescence ($\dot{P}$) for classical novae (CNe) RR Pic and HR Del, bringing a total of six such measures for CNe, all in a final report of my large and long observing program. The fractional changes ($\Delta$P/P) in parts-per-million (ppm) are -290.71$\pm$0.28 (QZ Aur), -472.1$\pm$4.8 (HR Del), -4.46$\pm$0.03 (DQ Her), +39.6$\pm$0.5 (BT Mon), -2003.7$\pm$0.9 (RR Pic), and -273$\pm$61 (V1017 Sgr). These results are in stark opposition to the Hibernation Model for the evolution of cataclysmic variables (CVs), which requires $\Delta$P/P$>$+1000 ppm to get the required drop in the accretion rate to produce hibernation. The Hibernation Model cannot be salvaged in any way. My program has also measured the first long-term $\dot{P}$ for classical novae, with -2.84$\pm$0.22 (QZ Aur), +4.0$\pm$0.9 (HR Del), +0.00$\pm$0.02 (DQ Her), -2.3$\pm$0.1 (BT Mon), and +1.25$\pm$0.01 (RR Pic) in units of $10^{-11}$ days/cycle. These can be directly compared to the predictions of the Magnetic Braking Model, where the long-term average $\dot{P}$ is a single universal function of $P$. The measured values are +5.3, $-$94, 0.00, +6.9, and $-$190 times that predicted by the model, so the predictions are always greatly wrong. Further, the effects of the $\Delta$P averaged over the eruption cycle are usually much larger than the magnetic braking effects. To get a realistic model of CV evolution, we must add the physics of the $\Delta$P and $\dot{P}$ variations., Comment: MNRAS in press. Companion paper gives details of photometry, physics of period changes, and results for BT Mon and DQ Her

We present the first population synthesis of synchronous magnetic cataclysmic variables, called polars, taking into account the effect of the white dwarf (WD) magnetic field on angular momentum loss. We implemented the reduced magnetic braking (MB) model proposed by Li, Wu & Wickramasinghe into the Binary Stellar Evolution (BSE) code recently calibrated for cataclysmic variable (CV) evolution. We then compared separately our predictions for polars and non-magnetic CVs with a large and homogeneous sample of observed CVs from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We found that the predicted orbital period distributions and space densities agree with the observations if period bouncers are excluded. For polars, we also find agreement between predicted and observed mass transfer rates, while the mass transfer rates of non-magnetic CVs with periods ${\gtrsim3}$ hr drastically disagree with those derived from observations. Our results provide strong evidence that the reduced MB model for the evolution of highly magnetized accreting WDs can explain the observed properties of polars. The remaining main issues in our understanding of CV evolution are the origin of the large number of highly magnetic WDs, the large scatter of the observed mass transfer rates for non-magnetic systems with periods ${\gtrsim3}$ hr, and the absence of period bouncers in observed samples., 15 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS

I performed photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable candidate ZTF17aaaeefu and discovered very deep eclipses. The observations were obtained over 8 nights covering 7 months. The eclipse profile is similar to the eclipse profiles observed in other cataclysmic variables. During the observations, ZTF17aaaeefu showed brightness changes resembling dwarf nova outbursts and quiescent states. When ZTF17aaaeefu was bright (16.0-16.2 mag), the average eclipse depth was 2.50+/-0.18 mag. When ZTF17aaaeefu was faint (17.2-17.4 mag), the average eclipse depth was 1.45+/-0.06 mag. However, these differences in the eclipse depth may be mainly caused by the contaminating effect of three faint stars around ZTF17aaaeefu. In both cases, the average width of the prominent parts of the eclipses was the same and was about 30 min. Due to the large coverage of observations, I measured the orbital period with high precision, Porb=0.18821155+/-0.00000014 d. I derived the eclipse ephemeris, the validity time of which is 700 years in accordance with the precision of the orbital period. This ephemeris can be used for future studies of the orbital period changes. Because ZTF17aaaeefu has a long orbital period, this cataclysmic variable is of interest for determining the masses of its stellar components. In future radial velocity measurements, my precise eclipse ephemeris may be useful for determining the orbital phases., 14 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in Astrophysics and Space Science

The orbital period of Nova-like variable RW Tri is expected to experience a long-term evolution due to a stable mass transfer from the red dwarf to the white dwarf. By adding 297 new eclipse timings obtained from our own observations and a cross-identification of many databases, we fully reinvestigated the variations in orbital period of RW Tri, based on a total of 658 data points spanning over 80 years. The new O-C diagram demonstrates a more complicate pattern than a pure sinusoidal modulation shown in the previous O-C analyses. The best fit of the O-C variations is a quadratic-plus-sinusoidal curve with a period of 22.66 (2) years and a typical decrease rate of P˙ = −2d.32(4) × 10−9 yr−1. To explain secular orbital period decrease, the magnetic braking effect is required to cause the orbital angular moment loss in RW Tri with a mass ratio less than unity, while a conserved mass transfer is also enough for RW Tri with a mass ratio larger than unity. No matter what the mass ratio is, a slightly enhanced mass transfer rate, 2.4–5.3 × 10−9 M⊙ yr−1, derived from our O-C diagram, providing an evidence supporting the disk instability model and the standard/revised models of cataclysmic variable evolution, is almost the same as that obtained from the light-curve modeling. This further confirms our observed orbital period decrease and the controversial system parameter, mass transfer rate. Our updated O-C analysis further verifies the claimed cyclical changes of orbital period with a period range of 21–24 years, which is approximately one half of the results in the literature. In accordance with the light-travel time effect, this periodical variation shown in our new O-C diagram indicates a brown dwarf hidden in RW Tri at a coplanar orbit. Note that the large scatter in the data range of 0–3 × 104 cycles requires the high-precision photometry in the longer base line in the future.

Many of the new high energy sources discovered both by INTEGRAL/IBIS and Swift/BAT have been characterised thanks to extensive, multi-band follow-up campaigns, but there are still objects whose nature remains to be asserted. In this paper we investigate the true nature of three high energy sources, IGR J12134-6015, IGR J16058-7253 and Swift J2037.2+4151, employing multiwavelength data from the NIR to the X-rays. Through Gaia and ESO-VLT measurements and through Swift/XRT X-ray spectral analysis, we re-evaluate the classification for IGR J12134-6015, arguing that the source is a Galactic object and in particular a Cataclysmic Variable. We were able to confirm, thanks to NuSTAR observations, that the hard X-ray emission detected by INTEGRAL/IBIS and Swift/BAT from IGR J16058-7253 is coming from two Seyfert 2 galaxies which are both counterparts for this source. Through optical and X-ray spectral analysis of Swift J2037.2+4151 we find that this source is likely part of the rare and peculiar class of Symbiotic X-ray binaries and displays flux and spectral variability as well as interesting spectral features, such as a blending of several emission lines around the iron line complex., 11 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication on MNRAS

The discovery in 1998 of a pulsating white dwarf in the cataclysmic variable GW Lib opened up a new avenue of exploration in the asteroseismology of white dwarfs. Since dwarf novae undergo outbursts which heat the white dwarf and then subsequently cool, the temperature changes allow a study of the mode changes that occur as the white dwarf moves out of the instability zone and back. These changes occur on timescales of months-years, instead of the millennia for evolutionary cooling of single white dwarfs. At the current time, there are 18 known accreting white dwarf pulsators. This mini-review will summarize the results that have been achieved so far from coordinated space and ground observations, from sky surveys, and what is needed in the future to make further progress.

We present an analysis of mock X-ray spectra and light curves of magnetic cataclysmic variables using an upgraded version of the 3D CYCLOPS code. This 3D representation of the accretion flow allows us to properly model total and partial occultation of the post-shock region by the white dwarf as well as the modulation of the X-ray light curves due to the phase-dependent extinction of the pre-shock region. We carried out detailed post-shock region modeling in a four-dimensional parameter space by varying the white dwarf mass and magnetic field strength as well as the magnetosphere radius and the specific accretion rate. To calculate the post-shock region temperature and density profiles, we assumed equipartition between ions and electrons, took into account the white dwarf gravitational potential, the finite size of the magnetosphere and a dipole-like magnetic field geometry, and considered cooling by both bremsstrahlung and cyclotron radiative processes. By investigating the impact of the parameters on the resulting X-ray continuum spectra, we show that there is an inevitable degeneracy in the four-dimensional parameter space investigated here, which compromises X-ray continuum spectral fitting strategies and can lead to incorrect parameter estimates. However, the inclusion of X-ray light curves in different energy ranges can break this degeneracy, and it therefore remains, in principle, possible to use X-ray data to derive fundamental parameters of magnetic cataclysmic variables, which represents an essential step toward understanding their formation and evolution., 42 pages, accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series

Context. We present a new study of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable CzeV404 Her (Porb = 0.098 d) that is located in the period gap. Aims. This report determines the origin of the object and the system parameters and probes the accretion flow structure of the system. Methods. We conducted simultaneous time-resolved photometric and spectroscopic observations of CzeV404 Her. We applied our light-curve modelling techniques and the Doppler tomography method to determine the system parameters and analyse the structure of the accretion disk. Results. We found that the system has a massive white dwarf MWD = 1.00(2) M⊙, a mass ratio of q = 0.16, and a relatively hot secondary with an effective temperature T2 = 4100(50) K. The system inclination is i = 78.8°. The accretion disk spreads out to the tidal limitation radius and has an extended hot spot or line region. The hot spot or line is hotter than the remaining outer part of the disk in quiescence or in intermediate state, but does not stand out completely from the disk flux in (super)outbursts. Conclusions. We claim that this object represents a link between two distinct classes of SU UMa-type and SW Sex-type cataclysmic variables. The accretion flow structure in the disk corresponds to the SW Sex systems, but the physical conditions inside the disk fit the behaviour of SU UMa-type objects.

KIC 9406652, one of the recently identified IW And-type dwarf novae, is the best target for studying the tilted disk in cataclysmic variable stars. In a previous paper by Kimura, Osaki, and Kato (2020), we analyzed its Kepler light curves and found that its orbital light curves during the brightening stage were dominated by the reflection effect of the secondary star and varied with the orientation of the tilted disk; the amplitude was maximized at the minimum of the super-orbital signal and the phase of the light maximum shifted to an earlier one with the advance of the super-orbital phase. We argued there that this was the direct evidence of the retrogradely precessing tilted disk as the secondary star acts like a reflecting object. In order to confirm this interpretation, we have performed numerical modeling of orbital light curves in this paper. We have succeeded in reproducing the main characteristics of the observed orbital light curves by a simple model in which the secondary star is irradiated by the tilted disk. We have also constrained the inclination angle, $i$, of the binary system and the tilt angle, $\theta$, of the disk purely from photometric considerations. The best-fitting parameter set is found to be $i \sim$45~deg and $\theta \sim$2.0~deg, respectively. The orbital inclination thus estimated is consistent with that obtained from the spectroscopic considerations within the uncertainty limit. On the other hand, the tilt angle of the disk could be underestimated by using only the semi-amplitude of super-orbital signals., Comment: Accepted for publication in PASJ. 14 pages, 10 figures, and 2 tables

AM CVn systems are a rare type of accreting binary that consists of a white dwarf and a helium-rich, degenerate donor star. Using the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), we searched for new AM CVn systems by focusing on blue, outbursting stars. We first selected outbursting stars using the ZTF alerts. We cross-matched the candidates with $Gaia$ and Pan-STARRS catalogs. The initial selection of candidates based on the $Gaia$ $BP$-$RP$ contains 1751 unknown objects. We used the Pan-STARRS $g$-$r$ and $r$-$i$ color in combination with the $Gaia$ color to identify 59 high-priority candidates. We obtained identification spectra of 35 sources, of which 18 are high priority candidates, and discovered 9 new AM CVn systems and one magnetic CV which shows only He-II lines. Using the outburst recurrence time, we estimate the orbital periods which are in the range of 29 to 50 minutes. We conclude that targeted followup of blue, outbursting sources is an efficient method to find new AM CVn systems, and we plan to followup all candidates we identified to systematically study the population of outbursting AM CVn systems., Submitted, comments and feedback welcome

We present a simple but informative online tool to visualize the multiwavelength properties of about 2,700 X-ray sources from Chandra Source Catalog version 2.0 with literature verified classifications. Here we describe the catalogs that we used to collect the classifications and extract the MW properties of these sources, and the properties themselves. We also describe the design and functionality of the tool., 4 pages, 1 figure

A nova eruption irradiates and heats the donor star in a cataclysmic variable to high temperatures $T_{\rm irr}$, causing its outer layers to expand and overflow the Roche lobe. We calculate the donor's heating and expansion both analytically and numerically, under the assumption of spherical symmetry, and find that irradiation drives enhanced mass transfer from the donor at a rate $\dot{m}\propto T_{\rm irr}^{5/3}$, which reaches $\dot{m}\sim 10^{-6}\textrm{ M}_\odot\textrm{ yr}^{-1}$ at the peak of the eruption - about a thousand times faster than during quiescence. As the nova subsides and the white dwarf cools down, $\dot{m}$ drops to lower values. We find that under certain circumstances, the decline halts and the mass transfer persists at a self-sustaining rate of $\dot{m}\sim 10^{-7}\textrm{ M}_\odot\textrm{ yr}^{-1}$ for up to $\sim 10^3$ yr after the eruption. At this rate, irradiation by the white dwarf's accretion luminosity is sufficient to drive the mass transfer on its own. The self-sustaining rate is close to the white dwarf's stable burning limit, such that this bootstrapping mechanism can simultaneously explain two classes of puzzling binary systems: recurrent novae with orbital periods $\approx 2$ h (T Pyxidis and IM Normae) and long-lived supersoft X-ray sources with periods $\approx 4$ h (RX J0537.7-7034 and 1E 0035.4-7230). Whether or not a system reaches the self-sustaining state is sensitive to the donor's chromosphere structure, as well as to the orbital period change during nova eruptions., Matches published version: added order-unity coefficients, a more detailed comparison with previous calculations, and some discussion

MQ Dra is a strongly magnetic Cataclysmic Variable whose white dwarf accretes material from its secondary star through a stellar wind at a low rate. TESS observations were made of MQ Dra in four sectors in Cycle 2 and show a short duration, high energy flare (~10^35 erg) which has a profile characteristic of a flare from the M5V secondary star. This is one of the few occasions where an energetic flare has been seen from a Polar. We find no evidence that the flare caused a change in the light curve following the event and consider whether a coronal mass ejection was associated with the flare. We compare the frequency of energetic flares from the secondary star in MQ Dra with M dwarf stars and discuss the overall flare rate of stars with rotation periods shorter than 0.2 d and how such fast rotators can generate magnetic fields with low differential rotation rates., Accepted by MNRAS

The hard X-ray source 2PBC J0658.0-1746 was proposed as an eclipsing magnetic cataclysmic variable of the polar type, based on optical follow-ups. We present the first spectral and timing analysis at X-ray energies with XMM-Newton, complemented with archival X-ray, optical, IR photometry and spectroscopy. The X-ray emission shows bright and faint phases and total eclipses recurring every 2.38 h, consistent with optical properties. This firmly identifies 2PBC J0658.0-1746 as an eclipsing polar, the second hard X-ray selected in the orbital period gap. The X-ray orbital modulation changes from cycle-to-cycle and the X-ray flux is strongly variable over the years, implying a non-stationary mass accretion rate both on short and long timescales. The X-ray eclipses allow to refine the orbital ephemeris with period 0.09913398(4) d, and to constrain the binary inclination $79^{\rm\,o}\lesssim i \lesssim 90^{\rm\,o}$ and the mass ratio 0.18$\rm, Comment: Accepted for publication on MNRAS, 11 Pages, 8 Figures, 4 tables

The results of a long-term photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable EX Dra acquired between 2014 and 2016 at the Crimean Station of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute (24 nights, more than 10 500 measurements) are presented. The observations were performed using CCD photometers mounted on 50-cm and 60-cm telescopes in the visible and red, during both quiescence and the active state. For completeness, photometric observations obtained at the Ondrejov Observatory in 2010 in the V and R Johnson filters are also used in the analysis. The new observations of EX Dra are used to derive the orbital period of the system, which agrees well with earlier determinations. A combined model that takes into account the radiation fluxes from the gaseous stream and a hot spot on the lateral surface of the accretion disk is used to determine the parameters of the system components (white dwarf, red dwarf, accretion disk and hot spot, and gaseous stream). Variations of the parameters when the system changes from one activity state to the other are considered. Six light curves displaying unsatisfactory agreement between the observed and theoretical light curves can be successfully fitted using a version of the combined model that includes hot spots on the secondary’s surface. This model is able to qualitatively reproduce a secondary minima in the light curves that exhibits shifts of this minimum from phase 0.5. The parameters of dark spots on the red-dwarf surface were determined. The data obtained indicate that the outbursts in the EX Dra system are related to instability of the matter outflow from the secondary.

AM CVn binaries are a class of ultracompact, hydrogen-deficient binaries, each consisting of a white dwarf accreting helium-dominated material from a degenerate or semi-degenerate donor star. Of the 56 known systems, only Gaia14aae undergoes complete eclipses of its central white dwarf, allowing the parameters of its stellar components to be tightly constrained. Here, we present phase-resolved optical spectroscopy of Gaia14aae. We use the spectra to test the assumption that the narrow emission feature known as the `central spike' traces the motion of the central white dwarf. We measure a central spike velocity amplitude of $13.8 \pm 3.2$ km/s, which agrees at the 1 $\sigma$ level with the predicted value of $17.6 \pm 1.0$ km/s based on eclipse-derived system parameters. The orbital phase offset of the central spike from its expected position is $4 \pm 15$ $^\circ$, consistent with 0 $^\circ$. Doppler maps of the He I lines in Gaia14aae show two accretion disc bright spots, as seen in many AM CVn systems. The formation mechanism for the second spot remains unclear. We detect no hydrogen in the system, but we estimate a 3 $\sigma$ limit on H$\alpha$ emission with an equivalent width of -1.14 \AA. Our detection of nitrogen and oxygen with no corresponding detection of carbon, in conjunction with evidence from recent studies, mildly favours a formation channel in which Gaia14aae is descended from a cataclysmic variable with a significantly evolved donor., Comment: 16 pages, accepted by MNRAS

We report a $30~\mathrm{ks}$ $Chandra$ ACIS-S survey of the globular cluster M3. Sixteen X-ray sources were detected within the half-light radius ($2.3'$) with $L_X \gtrsim 2.3 \times 10^{31}~\mathrm{erg~s^{-1}}$. We used $Hubble~Space~Telescope$ WFC3/UVIS and ACS/WFC images to find 10 plausible optical/UV counterparts. We fit the spectral energy distribution of the known cataclysmic variable 1E1339.8+2837 with a blue ($T_\mathrm{eff} = 2.10^{+1.96}_{-0.58}\times 10^4~\mathrm{K}$, 90% conf.) spectral component from an accretion disc, plus a red component ($T_\mathrm{eff} = 3.75_{-0.15}^{+1.05}\times 10^3~\mathrm{K}$) potentially from a subgiant donor. The second brightest source (CX2) has a soft blackbody-like spectrum suggesting a quiescent low-mass X-ray binary (qLMXB) containing a neutron star. Six new counterparts have obvious UV and/or blue excesses, suggesting a cataclysmic variable (CV) or background active galactic nucleus (AGN) nature. Two (CX6 and CX8) have proper motions indicating cluster membership, suggesting a CV nature. CX6 is blue in UV filters but red in V-I, which is difficult to interpret. Two CV candidates, CX7 and CX13, show blue excesses in B-V colour but were not detected in the UV. The other two CV candidates were only detected in the two UV bands ($\mathrm{UV_{275}}$ and $\mathrm{NUV_{336}}$), so do not have proper motion measurements, and may well be AGNs. One $Chandra$ source can be confidently identified with a red straggler (a star redward of the giant branch). The observed X-ray source population of M3 appears consistent with its predicted stellar interaction rate., Comment: 19 pages, 13 figures

We present high-time-resolution photometry and phase-resolved spectroscopy of the short-period ($P_\mathrm{orb} = 80.52\,\mathrm{min}$) cataclysmic variable SDSS J123813.73-033933.0, observed with the $\mathit{Hubble}$ $\mathit{Space}$ $\mathit{Telescope}$ $\mathit{(HST)}$, the $\mathit{Kepler/K2}$ mission and the Very Large Telescope (VLT). We also report observations of the first detected super-outburst. SDSS J1238-0339 shows two types of variability: quasi-regular brightenings recurring every $\simeq 8.5$ h during which the system increases in brightness by $\simeq 0.5$mag, and a double hump quasi-sinusoidal modulation at the orbital period. The detailed $\mathit{K2}$ light curve reveals that the amplitude of the double-humps increases during the brightenings and that their phase undergoes a $\simeq 90^{\circ}$ phase shift with respect to the quiescent intervals. The $\mathit{HST}$ data unambiguously demonstrate that these phenomena both arise from the heating and cooling of two relatively large regions on the white dwarf. We suggest that the double-hump modulation is related to spiral shocks in the accretion disc resulting in an enhanced accretion rate heating two localised regions on the white dwarf, with the structure of the shocks fixed in the binary frame explaining the period of the double humps. The physical origin of the 8.5 h brightenings is less clear. However, the correlation between the observed variations of the amplitude and phase of the double-humps with the occurrence of the brightenings is supportive of an origin in thermal instabilities in the accretion disc., Comment: 26 pages, 22 figures. MNRAS, in press

Effects due to the interaction of the steam from the inner Lagrangian point with the accretion disk in a cataclysmic variable star are considered. The results of three-dimensional gas-dynamical numerical simulations confirm that the disk thickness in the vicinity of the interaction with the stream is minimum when the component-mass ratio is 0.6. As a consequence, some of the matter from the stream does not collide with the outer edge of the accretion disk, and continues its motion unperturbed toward the accretor. This part of the stream subsequent interacts (collides) with a thickening of the accretion disk due to the presence of a precessional wave in the disk, leading to the appearance of an additional zone of heating at the disk surface. This additional zone of enhanced luminosity (hot spot) is a direct observational manifestation of the precessional wave in the accretion disk.

For decades, AE Aquarii (AE Aqr) has been the only cataclysmic variable star known to contain a magnetic propeller: a persistent outflow whose expulsion from the binary is powered by the spin-down of the rapidly rotating, magnetized white dwarf. In 2020, LAMOST-J024048.51+195226.9 (J0240) was identified as a candidate eclipsing AE Aqr object, and we present three epochs of time-series spectroscopy that strongly support this hypothesis. We show that during the photometric flares noted by Thorstensen (2020) (arXiv:2007.09285), the half-width-at-zero-intensity of the Balmer and HeI lines routinely reaches a maximum of ~3000 km/s, well in excess of what is observed in normal cataclysmic variables. This is, however, consistent with the high-velocity emission seen in flares from AE Aqr. Additionally, we confirm beyond doubt that J0240 is a deeply eclipsing system. The flaring continuum, HeI and much of the Balmer emission likely originate close to the WD because they disappear during the eclipse that is centered on inferior conjunction of the secondary star. The fraction of the Balmer emission remaining visible during eclipse has a steep decrement and it is likely produced in the extended outflow. Most enticingly of all, this outflow produces a narrow P-Cyg absorption component for nearly half of the orbit, and we demonstrate that this scenario closely matches the outflow kinematics predicted by Wynn, King, & Horne (1997). While an important piece of evidence for the magnetic-propeller hypothesis -- a rapid WD spin period -- remains elusive, our spectra provide compelling support for the existence of a propeller-driven outflow viewed nearly edge-on, enabling a new means of rigorously testing theories of the propeller phenomenon., 14 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

We present optical photometry of the cataclysmic variable LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 taken with the high-speed, five-band CCD camera HiPERCAM on the 10.4 m Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC). We detect pulsations originating from the spin of its white dwarf, finding a spin period of 24.9328(38)s. The pulse amplitude is of the order of 0.2% in the g-band, below the detection limits of previous searches. This detection establishes LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 as only the second white dwarf magnetic propeller system, a twin of its long-known predecessor, AE Aquarii. At 24.93s, the white dwarf in LAMOST J024048.51+195226.9 has the shortest known spin period of any cataclysmic variable star. The white dwarf must have a mass of at least 0.7MSun to sustain so short a period. The observed faintest u-band magnitude sets an upper limit on the white dwarf's temperature of ~25000K. The pulsation amplitudes measured in the five HiPERCAM filters are consistent with an accretion spot of ~30000K covering ~2% of the white dwarf's visible area, although much hotter and smaller spots cannot be ruled out.

Using the first long-term photometry from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, we have carried out a detailed time-resolved timing analysis of an intermediate polar TX Col. The power spectra of almost 52 days continuous time-series data reveal the orbital period of $5.691 \pm 0.006$ hr, spin period of $1909.5 \pm 0.2$ s, and beat period of $2105.76 \pm 0.25$ s, which is consistent with the earlier results. We have also found the presence of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) for a few days with a period of 5850-5950 s, which appears to be due to the beating of the Keplerian period with the spin period of the white dwarf. The continuous data allowed us to look thoroughly at the day-wise evolution of the system's accretion geometry. We report here that the TX Col changes its accretion mechanism even on a time-scale of one day, confirming its variable disk-overflow accretion nature. For the majority of the time, it was found to be disk-overflow system with stream-fed dominance, however, pure disk-fed and pure stream-fed accretions cannot be ruled out during the observations., Comment: 13 pages, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in ApJ

Intermediate polars are members of the cataclysmic variable binary stars. They are characterized by a moderately magnetized white dwarf accreting matter from a cool main-sequence companion star. In many cases, this accretion gives rise to a detectable $X$-ray emission. VZ Sex is an interesting $X$-ray source whose nature needs a robust confirmation. Here, we used archive $XMM$-Newton observation to assign the source to the intermediate polar class. We applied the Lomb-Scargle periodogram method to detect any relevant periodic feature in the $0.1$--$10$ keV light curve and performed a spectral fitting of the $X$-ray spectrum in order to get information on the on-going accretion mechanism. By inspecting the periodogram, we detected a clear periodic feature at $\simeq 20.3$ minutes that we interpret as the spin period of the white dwarf. We additionally found the typical side bands expected as the consequence of the beat between the spin and the orbital period of $\simeq 3.581$ hours. The source is characterized by a unabsorbed flux of $\simeq 2.98\times 10^{-12}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ corresponding to an intrinsic luminosity {of $\simeq 7 \times 10^{31}$ erg s$^{-1}$ } {for a distance of $\simeq 433$ pc}. The existence of such features allow us to classify VZ Sex as a clear member of the intermediate polar class. Furthermore, with the estimated WD spin, the ratio $P_{spin}/P_{orb}$ is $\simeq 0.09$, i.e. consistent with that expected for a typical IP system above the period gap. In addition, the estimated intrinsic luminosity opens the possibility that a bridge linking the normally bright IPs to the faint population of sources does exist., Comment: Accepted for publication on The Astrophysical Journal. 10 pages, 5 figures

AIMS: A few well studied cataclysmic variables (CVs) have shown discrete characteristic frequencies of fast variability; the most prominent ones are around log(f/Hz) $\simeq$ -3. Because we still have only small number statistics, we obtained a new observation to test whether this is a general characteristic of CVs, especially if mass transfer occurs at a high rate typical for dwarf nova in outbursts, in the so called "high state". METHODS: We analyzed optical Kepler data of the quiescent nova and intermediate polar V4743 Sgr. This system hosts a white dwarf accreting through a disk in the high state. We calculated the power density spectra, and searched for break or characteristic frequencies. Our goal is to assess whether the mHz frequency of the flickering is a general characteristic. RESULTS: V4743 Sgr has a clear break frequency at log(f/Hz) $\simeq$ -3. This detection increases the probability that the mHz characteristic frequency is a general feature of CVs in the high state, from 69% to 91%. Furthermore, we propose the possibility that the variability is generated by similar mechanism as in the nova-like system MV Lyr, which would make V4743 Sgr unique., Comment: accepted for publication to A&A

We report the discovery of a bright (V ~ 15), eclipsing, two-pole accreting magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV), a polar, as counterpart of the eROSITA and Gaia transients eRASSt 192932.9-560346 and Gaia21bxo. Frequent large amplitude changes of its brightness at X-ray and optical wavelengths by more than 4 magnitudes was indicative of a CV nature of the source. Identification spectra obtained with the 10m SALT telescope revealed the typical features of a magnetic CV, strong, broad HeI, HeII and hydrogen Balmer emission lines superposed on a blue continuum. Time-resolved photoelectric polarimetry revealed circular polarization to vary from -20% to +20%, and linear polarization from 0% to 10% confirming the system to be magnetic CV of the polar subclass. High cadence photometry revealed deep, structured eclipses, indicating that the system is a two pole accretor. The orbital period determined from the eclipse times is 92.5094 +- 0.0002 min. The X-ray spectrum is thermal only and the implied luminosity is L_X=2.2 x 10^(31) erg/s at the Gaia-determined distance of 376 pc., Comment: Submitted to A&A for the Special Issue: The Early Data Release of eROSITA and Mikhail Pavlinsky ART-XC on the SRG Mission. 5 pages, 7 figures

Kepler high cadence data are used to measure the orbital periods and to determine the orbital waveforms of five dwarf novae. A significant improvement of the period of V1504 Cyg is achieved, while for the other systems periods are derived which are compatible with previous determinations. The orbital waveforms of the short period systems V1504 Cyg, V344 Lyr and V516 Lyr are very nearly sinusoidal, while the longer period dwarf nova V447 Lyr appears almost to be a twin of U Gem. The unusual system KIC 9202990 exhibits distinct variations of its waveform as a function of brightness during its outburst cycle.

The nova rate in the Milky Way remains largely uncertain, despite its vital importance in constraining models of Galactic chemical evolution as well as understanding progenitor channels for Type Ia supernovae. The rate has been previously estimated in the range of $\approx10-300$ yr$^{-1}$, either based on extrapolations from a handful of very bright optical novae or the nova rates in nearby galaxies; both methods are subject to debatable assumptions. The total discovery rate of optical novae remains much smaller ($\approx5-10$ yr$^{-1}$) than these estimates, even with the advent of all-sky optical time domain surveys. Here, we present a systematic sample of 12 spectroscopically confirmed Galactic novae detected in the first 17 months of Palomar Gattini-IR (PGIR), a wide-field near-infrared time domain survey. Operating in $J$-band ($\approx1.2$ $��$m) that is relatively immune to dust extinction, the extinction distribution of the PGIR sample is highly skewed to large extinction values ($> 50$% of events obscured by $A_V\gtrsim5$ mag). Using recent estimates for the distribution of mass and dust in the Galaxy, we show that the observed extinction distribution of the PGIR sample is commensurate with that expected from dust models. The PGIR extinction distribution is inconsistent with that reported in previous optical searches (null hypothesis probability $< 0.01$%), suggesting that a large population of highly obscured novae have been systematically missed in previous optical searches. We perform the first quantitative simulation of a $3��$ time domain survey to estimate the Galactic nova rate using PGIR, and derive a rate of $\approx 46.0^{+12.5}_{-12.4}$ yr$^{-1}$. Our results suggest that all-sky near-infrared time-domain surveys are well poised to uncover the Galactic nova population., 25 pages, 12 figures. Submitted to ApJ

One of the fundamental properties of an intermediate polar is the dynamical nature of the accretion flow as it encounters the white dwarf's magnetosphere. Many works have presumed a dichotomy between disk-fed accretion, in which the WD accretes from a Keplerian disk, and stream-fed accretion, in which the matter stream from the donor star directly impacts the WD's magnetosphere without forming a disk. However, there is also a third, poorly understood regime in which the accretion flow consists of a torus of diamagnetic blobs that encircles the WD. This mode of accretion is expected to exist at mass-transfer rates below those observed during disk-fed accretion, but above those observed during pure stream-fed accretion. We invoke the diamagnetic-blob regime to explain the exceptional TESS light curve of the intermediate polar TX Col, which transitioned into and out of states of enhanced accretion during Cycles 1 and 3. Power-spectral analysis reveals that the accretion was principally stream-fed. However, when the mass-transfer rate spiked, large-amplitude quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) abruptly appeared and dominated the light curve for weeks. The QPOs have two striking properties: they appear in a stream-fed geometry at elevated accretion rates, and they occur preferentially within a well-defined range of frequencies (~10-25 cycles per day). We propose that during episodes of enhanced accretion, a torus of diamagnetic blobs forms near the binary's circularization radius and that the QPOs are beats between the white dwarf's spin frequency and unstable blob orbits within the WD's magnetosphere. We discuss how such a torus could be a critical step in producing an accretion disk in a formerly diskless system., Comment: Accepted for publication in AJ

SW Sextantis systems are nova-like cataclysmic variables that have unusual spectroscopic properties, which are thought to be caused by an accretion geometry having part of the mass flux trajectory out of the orbital plane. Accretion onto a magnetic white dwarf is one of the proposed scenarios for these systems. To verify this possibility, we analysed photometric and polarimetric time-series data for a sample of six SW Sex stars. We report possible modulated circular polarization in BO Cet, SW Sex, and UU Aqr with periods of 11.1, 41.2 and 25.7 min, respectively, and less significant periodicities for V380 Oph at 22 min and V442 Oph at 19.4 min. We confirm previous results that LS Peg shows variable circular polarization. However, we determine a period of 18.8 min, which is different from the earlier reported value. We interpret these periods as the spin periods of the white dwarfs. Our polarimetric results indicate that 15% of the SW Sex systems have direct evidence of magnetic accretion. We also discuss SW Sex objects within the perspective of being magnetic systems, considering the latest findings about cataclysmic variables demography, formation and evolution., Comment: 29 pages, 17 figures

A substantial fraction of Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) reveals non-solar abundances. A comprehensive list of CVs which includes those that have been examined for these abundances is given. Three possible sources of these non-solar abundances on the secondary are accretion during the red giant common envelope phase, an Evolved Main Sequence secondary and nova-processed material. Use of the secondary's cross-section just on the escaping nova material to change the abundances of its convective region has been the killing objection for considering nova-processed material. The key element, ignored in other studies, is that a thermonuclear runaway on a white dwarf causes a strong propagating shock wave which not only ejects material, but also produces a large amount of non-ejected material which forms a common envelope. This nova-produced common envelope contains a large amount of non-solar material. We demonstrate that the secondary has the capacity and time to re-accrete enough of this material to acquire a significant non-solar convective region. This same envelope interacting with the binary will produce a Frictional Angular Momentum Loss which can be the Consequential Angular Momentum Loss needed for the average CV white dwarf mass, WD mass accretion rates, the period minimum, the orbital period distribution, and the space density of CVs problems. This interaction will decrease the orbital period which can cause the recently observed sudden period decreases across nova eruptions. A simple, rapid evolutionary model of the secondary that includes the swept-up nova-produced material and the increasing convective region is developed and applied to individual CVs., Comment: Accepted for Publication in The Astrophysical Journal (in press)