Showing 1–50 of 328 results for author: Buckley, D

Plasma Dynamics of Radiative Cooling Accretion Flow in AM Herculis with XRISM

Authors: Yukikatsu Terada, Kaya Mori, Takayuki Hayashi, Gabriel L. Bridges, Manabu Ishida, Axel D. Schwope, Mariko Kimura, Masayoshi Nobukawa, David A. H. Buckley, Solen Balman, Taichi Ichikawa, Atsuto Matsumura, Mai Takeo, Charles J. Hailey, Gavin Ramsay, Antonio Rodriguez, Samantha Walker

Abstract: We present XRISM/Resolve high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of the prototypical magnetic cataclysmic variable AM Herculis. All satellite lines of highly ionized Fe are fully resolved. Lighter element lines (Si, S, Ca) show 2 - 3 eV widths consistent with purely thermal broadening, while the broader 6 - 7 eV Fe lines require additional bulk Doppler broadening. Spin-phase-resolved modulations are cl… ▽ More We present XRISM/Resolve high-resolution X-ray spectroscopy of the prototypical magnetic cataclysmic variable AM Herculis. All satellite lines of highly ionized Fe are fully resolved. Lighter element lines (Si, S, Ca) show 2 - 3 eV widths consistent with purely thermal broadening, while the broader 6 - 7 eV Fe lines require additional bulk Doppler broadening. Spin-phase-resolved modulations are clearly detected in the Fe XXV and Fe XXVI lines, with semi-amplitudes of $81.8\pm6$ km s$^{-1}$ and $132.5\pm9$ km s$^{-1}$, and mean velocities of $143.6\pm6$ km s$^{-1}$ and $225.6\pm8$ km s$^{-1}$, respectively. After removing these bulk Doppler shifts, we obtain intrinsic Doppler widths of $5.23_{-0.15}^{+0.16}$ eV for Fe XXV and $6.23_{-0.18}^{+0.19}$ eV for Fe XXVI, directly revealing gradients of bulk velocity and temperature in the cooling-flow plasma. We additionally examined the resonance anisotropy predicted by Terada et al. (1999, 2001): the equivalent widths of the Fe XXV and Fe XXVI resonance lines increase at the pole-on phase by factors of 1.30 - 1.35, in positive correlation with their oscillator strengths. Combining XRISM with simultaneous NuSTAR data and PSAC/MCVSPEC plasma models, we derive a self-consistent shock temperature of $24.0\pm0.1$ keV and shock velocity of $1,116\pm2$ km s$^{-1}$. Radiative transfer simulations of the resonance lines further constrain the shock density to about $(5 - 6)\times10^{15}$ cm$^{-3}$, providing a new density diagnostic for accretion columns. The resulting accretion column geometry has a height of 200 - 300 km and a radius of 200 - 400 km. △ Less

Submitted 7 April, 2026; originally announced April 2026.

Comments: 18 pages in double column, 11 figures, 4 table, Accepted for publication in ApJ

Anomaly detection in Fink. I. Discovery, follow-up, and classification of unusual sources

Authors: M. V. Pruzhinskaya, M. V. Kornilov, A. V. Dodin, A. Baluta, T. A. Pshenichniy, A. M. Zubareva, E. E. O. Ishida, J. Peloton, I. Beschastnov, I. Ippolitov, A. A. Belinski, P. Golysheva, N. P. Ikonnikova, V. A. Kiryukhina, V. V. Krushinsky, A. M. Tatarnikov, S. G. Zheltoukhov, D. A. Buckley, A. Kniazev, S. V. Karpov, A. Möller, Y. Tampo

Abstract: Modern wide-field time-domain surveys produce alert streams whose scientific potential is often concentrated in rare and unusual events. Efficient discovery therefore requires automated pipelines to be combined with rapid expert validation and follow-up. We present the first-year performance of the anomaly-detection (AD) pipeline operating within the Fink broker on the Zwicky Transient Facility al… ▽ More Modern wide-field time-domain surveys produce alert streams whose scientific potential is often concentrated in rare and unusual events. Efficient discovery therefore requires automated pipelines to be combined with rapid expert validation and follow-up. We present the first-year performance of the anomaly-detection (AD) pipeline operating within the Fink broker on the Zwicky Transient Facility alert stream, and assess its ability to identify scientifically valid outliers and enable discovery of rare phenomena. The pipeline transforms ZTF light curves into a compact set of features and ranks alerts using an Isolation Forest model trained on archival ZTF data. Each night, the 10 most anomalous candidates are distributed to experts via Slack/Telegram and exposed through an API. We also implement an expert-feedback loop using a public Telegram bot and retrain the model using the Active Anomaly Discovery algorithm. During the first year of operations (starting from 25 January 2023), the AD pipeline identified multiple high-interest sources and triggered dedicated photometric and spectroscopic follow-up. We report the discovery and multi-instrument (11-m SALT telescope, 2.5-m CMO telescope, 0.6-m ASA RC600, 0.25-m FRAM-ORM) follow-up of the rare AM CVn system Fink J062452.88+020818.3 of the WZ Sge type, UX Ori-type star Fink J222324.32+744222.0 and the unusual transient with precursor SN 2023mtp. In addition, the module triggered 33 supernovae, including 30 previously unreported ones, with candidates for superluminous and hostless events. Furthermore, nine new dwarf novae were discovered. These results show that broker-level anomaly detection, coupled with rapid dissemination, expert assessment, and follow-up observations, provide an effective bridge between large-scale survey streams and domain expertise, turning anomaly scores into astrophysical insights and concrete discoveries. △ Less

Submitted 31 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 32 pages, 18 figures, 4 tables

KMTNet Synoptic Survey of Southern Sky III: The First Data Release

Authors: Seo-Won Chang, Myungshin Im, Mankeun Jeong, Joonho Kim, Bomi Park, Jaewon Lee, David A. H. Buckley, Jeff Cooke, Sungho Jung, Dong-Jin Kim, Ji Hoon Kim, Yongjung Kim, Chung-Uk Lee, Seong-Kook Lee, Gregory S. H. Paek, Jiseop Shin

Abstract: We present the first public data release (DR1) of the KMTNet Synoptic Survey of Southern Sky (KS4). This deep, wide-field imaging survey covers a southern footprint of -85$^{\circ}$ < Decl. < -28.8$^{\circ}$ in the $B$, $V$, $R$, and $I$ bands using a network of three 1.6-m telescopes. Although primarily designed to secure reference imaging for gravitational wave counterpart identification, DR1 de… ▽ More We present the first public data release (DR1) of the KMTNet Synoptic Survey of Southern Sky (KS4). This deep, wide-field imaging survey covers a southern footprint of -85$^{\circ}$ < Decl. < -28.8$^{\circ}$ in the $B$, $V$, $R$, and $I$ bands using a network of three 1.6-m telescopes. Although primarily designed to secure reference imaging for gravitational wave counterpart identification, DR1 delivers science-ready data for $\sim$4,000 deg$^{2}$ to enable a broad range of astrophysical research. The release includes deep co-added images reaching median 5$σ$ depths of 22.0-23.5 AB mag. It is accompanied by two source catalogs containing over 200 million sources with SNR $>5$: an $I$-band-selected forced-photometry catalog optimized for consistent colors, and a band-merged catalog offering enhanced completeness. Validation demonstrates robust data quality, characterized by mean astrometric offsets of $+0.054 \pm 0.129$ arcsec in RA and $-0.015 \pm 0.120$ arcsec in Dec relative to Gaia DR3. {\refbf Photometric uniformity for point sources is maintained within $\pm 0.03$ mag relative to Gaia XP for 97.5--99.8\% of the footprint across all four bands.} A key advantage of KS4 is its uniform and contiguous spatial coverage. It extends to fainter magnitudes than other uniform surveys while filling irregular gaps in existing deep datasets. All data products are publicly available via the CDS and NOIRLab's Astro Data Lab. △ Less

Submitted 30 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 20 pages, 14 figures, Accepted for publication in JKAS; data available at https://datalab.noirlab.edu/data/ks4

Photometric and late-time spectropolarimetric observations of GRB 250129A afterglow

Authors: A. Ghosh, S. Razzaque, J. Barnard, J. C. Joshi, R. Gupta, D. A. H. Buckley, B. van Soelen, N. Dukiya, A. Gupta, A. S. Moskvitin, J. Cooper, S. Chandra, K. M. Jayasurya, K. Misra, N. Rawat, L. Resmi, O. I. Spiridonova, R. I. Uklein

Abstract: Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglows arise from the interaction of relativistic ejecta with the circumburst medium and are observed across the electromagnetic spectrum. Afterglow polarisation is expected at early and late phases depending on the presence of reverse shocks (RS) and the observer's viewing geometry relative to the jet. Polarimetric observations of GRB afterglows provide a unique diagnost… ▽ More Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) afterglows arise from the interaction of relativistic ejecta with the circumburst medium and are observed across the electromagnetic spectrum. Afterglow polarisation is expected at early and late phases depending on the presence of reverse shocks (RS) and the observer's viewing geometry relative to the jet. Polarimetric observations of GRB afterglows provide a unique diagnostic tool to probe the geometry and structure of magnetic fields in the emitting region, which cannot be inferred from photometric or spectroscopic data alone. We report late-time (~19 hours post-burst) spectropolarimetric observations of GRB 250129A using the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT). The data reveal a hint of linear polarisation, with no evidence for rotation in the polarisation angle across wavelengths. Polarisation is typically expected during the early afterglow (<100 s) when the RS dominates. However, multi-wavelength modelling shows no indication of RS contribution at late times. Modelling incorporating both forward shock (FS) and RS components confirms that the RS fades rapidly after ~100 s. The afterglow emission is best explained by an off-axis viewing geometry of a jet with a Gaussian core and wings evolving in a uniform density environment. GRB 250129A thus provides rare observational evidence linking late-time polarisation to jet geometry and structure. △ Less

Submitted 24 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 14 pages, 10 figures

Optical outburst evolution of the transient black hole X-ray binary Swift J1727.8-1613: Disc response to jet ejections and late-outburst emergence of powerful disc winds

Authors: N. Castro Segura, K. Solomons, J. M. Corral-Santana, C. Knigge, P. A. Charles, M. Brigitte, S. Fijma, M. Diaz-Trigo, A. Gúrpide, D. A. H. Buckley, F. Carotenuto, A. J. Castro-Tirado, D. L. Coppejans, M. Georganti, A. Hughes, K. S. Long, J. Matthews, I. Monageng, I. Pelisoli, T. D. Russell, D. Steeghs, J. Svoboda, A. J. Tetarenko, F. M. Vincentelli, A. G. W. Wallis

Abstract: Swift J1727.8$-$1613 is a newly discovered transient low-mass X-ray binary harbouring a stellar-mass ($\sim 10M_\odot$) black hole. We present state-resolved VLT/X-Shooter optical spectroscopy of its 2023 outburst, sampling the luminous hard-to-soft and late soft-to-hard transitions. During the onset of the brightest radio flare, He\,\textsc{ii} flux rises relative to adjacent epochs, with reduced… ▽ More Swift J1727.8$-$1613 is a newly discovered transient low-mass X-ray binary harbouring a stellar-mass ($\sim 10M_\odot$) black hole. We present state-resolved VLT/X-Shooter optical spectroscopy of its 2023 outburst, sampling the luminous hard-to-soft and late soft-to-hard transitions. During the onset of the brightest radio flare, He\,\textsc{ii} flux rises relative to adjacent epochs, with reduced peak-to-peak separation and full-width-half-maximum, consistent with enhanced irradiation shifting line emissivity to larger radii. We detect no contemporaneous change in the line base tracing the inner disc. The most dramatic change occurs at the onset of the dim-hard state, when strong, broad (higher-order) Balmer lines appear in absorption, and He\,\textsc{ii} remains in emission, but becomes highly asymmetric. While the hardening of the X-ray spectrum likely promotes the reappearance of an underlying disc photosphere, the kinematic alignment between the Balmer absorption ($v_w\sim-750\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$) and the suppressed blue peak of He\,\textsc{ii} suggests a unified origin in a massive, cool ($T\lesssim10^{4}\,\mathrm{K}$) accretion disc wind. Radiative transfer simulations demonstrate that such asymmetric He\,\textsc{ii} profiles are naturally produced in a rotating and accelerating outflow. Using the Sobolev approximation, we estimate the wind mass-loss rate to be $\dot{M}_w\gtrsim10^{-9}\,M_\odot\,\mathrm{yr^{-1}}$, comparable to the instantaneous accretion rate and a significant fraction of the secular mass-transfer rate from the donor. If persistent at quiescent-level X-ray luminosities, this outflow could strongly impact the system's secular evolution. △ Less

Submitted 17 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 15 pages, 7 figures, submitted to MNRAS

A probable inside-out dwarf nova outburst from the period bouncer candidate ASASSN-25dc

Authors: Yusuke Tampo, Naoto Kojiguchi, Mariko Kimura, Keisuke Isogai, David. A. H. Buckley, Nikita Rawat, Stephen B. Potter, Anke van Dyk, Patrick Woudt, Paul J. Groot, Franz-Josef Hambsch, Berto Monard, Peter Starr, William Goltz, Daisaku Nogami, Taichi Kato

Abstract: We report optical time-resolved photometric observations of a newly-discovered outbursting system, ASASSN-25dc. Its 8-mag amplitude, 40-day duration, 1-mag dip in the outburst plateau, and positive superhumps are characteristic of a dwarf nova superoutburst in a non-magnetic cataclysmic variable. We establish its stage-A and stage-B superhump periods as 0.059387(5) d and 0.058864(3) d, respectivel… ▽ More We report optical time-resolved photometric observations of a newly-discovered outbursting system, ASASSN-25dc. Its 8-mag amplitude, 40-day duration, 1-mag dip in the outburst plateau, and positive superhumps are characteristic of a dwarf nova superoutburst in a non-magnetic cataclysmic variable. We establish its stage-A and stage-B superhump periods as 0.059387(5) d and 0.058864(3) d, respectively. The negative superhump period derivative ($-$1.4(2)$\times10^{-5}$ cycle$^{-1}$) during the stage-B superhumps and the empirical relation indicate the mass ratio is 0.054(7), below the period bounce range. The long outburst decline timescale (35.2(1) d mag$^{-1}$) and small superhump amplitude ($\simeq$0.08 mag) observed in ASASSN-25dc are also seen in some period bouncer systems, but not seen in systems well before the period bounce. Despite its short superhump period and indicated small mass ratio, we find no evidence of the excitement of the 2:1 tidal resonance. Moreover, its outburst rise timescale (1.62(9) d mag$^{-1}$) is significantly longer than those measured at less than 0.4 d mag$^{-1}$ in other dwarf nova outbursts around the period minimum. Overall, an inside-out dwarf nova outburst from a massive disc in a system with a mass ratio around or even below the period minimum, but lacking the 2:1 tidal resonance, may explain all these observations. However, this challenges the existing models of dwarf nova superoutbursts, which do not predict these outburst properties in low-mass-ratio systems. △ Less

Submitted 9 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: 10 pages, 5 figures, 5 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

A Catalogue of Orbital Periods of Cataclysmic Variables and Candidates from TESS Observations

Authors: Meryem K. Dağ, Simone Scaringi, Kieran O'Brien, Martina Veresvarska, Nikita Rawat, Yusuke Tampo, Santiago Hernández-Díaz, Colin Littlefield, Krystian Iłkiewicz, Domitilla de Martino, D. A. H. Buckley, Zackery A. Irving, Liliana E. Rivera Sandoval, Wendy Mendoza, Ryan J. Oelkers, Peter Garnavich, Gavin Ramsay, Yuri Cavecchi, Manuel Pichardo Marcano, J. Kára, Elmé Breedt, Axel D. Schwope, Christian Knigge, N. Castro Segura

Abstract: We present a systematic analysis of 2544 cataclysmic variable systems and related candidates observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), with the aim of compiling a comprehensive catalogue of orbital periods. Using 2-minute photometric time-series data, we applied an automated algorithm to generate Lomb-Scargle periodograms and identify the most significant coherent periodic sign… ▽ More We present a systematic analysis of 2544 cataclysmic variable systems and related candidates observed by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), with the aim of compiling a comprehensive catalogue of orbital periods. Using 2-minute photometric time-series data, we applied an automated algorithm to generate Lomb-Scargle periodograms and identify the most significant coherent periodic signals, which were subsequently verified through visual inspection. This process yielded a confident sample of 910 sources exhibiting at least one periodic signal, hereafter referred to as the Cataclysmic Variable Confident Catalogue (CCC). For each object, we report the most likely orbital period together with additional periodic features such as spin modulations and/or superhump signals when present. To assess consistency with previously published measurements, we cross-matched the CCC with the Ritter \& Kolb catalogue, identifying 300 overlapping systems, of which 215 showed full agreement with the R\&K orbital periods, while 39 displayed discrepancies for which the R\&K values were revised based on our TESS measurements and supporting evidence from the literature. Overall, the CCC provides a means to validate known orbital periods, propose corrections where necessary, and offer new determinations for systems with previously unknown periods, thereby supporting a more complete and reliable characterisation of the cataclysmic variable population. △ Less

Submitted 13 March, 2026; v1 submitted 3 March, 2026; originally announced March 2026.

Comments: The catalogue will appear on Vizier, and can be downloaded from https://www.astro.dur.ac.uk/~simo/Dag2026_TESS_CV_CATALOGUE.fits. 28 pages (including appendix), 7 figures, 3 tables. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Gaia24ccy: An outburst followed the footsteps of its predecessor

Authors: Koshvendra Singh, Joe P. Ninan, Zhen Guo, Valentin D. Ivanov, David A. H. Buckley, Devendra K. Ojha, Andrew Monson, Tarak Chand, Saurabh Sharma, Ram Kesh Yadav, Devendra K. Sahu, Pramod Kumar, Vardan Elbakyan, Sergei Nayakshin, Vitor Fermiano, Min Fang, Jura Borissova, Wen Ping Chen, Franz-Josef Hambsch, Radostin Kurtev, Calum Morris, Javier Osses, Vania Rodriguez, Tanvi Sharma, Bandari Srikanth , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Accretion-driven outbursts in young stellar objects remain poorly understood, largely limited by a statistically small sample of closely followed-up events. This underscores the importance of a thorough exploration of each outbursting object. We studied a peculiar outbursting system, Gaia24ccy, which exhibited two $Δg \sim$ 3.8 mag outbursts in 2019 and 2024. The system consists of two unresolved,… ▽ More Accretion-driven outbursts in young stellar objects remain poorly understood, largely limited by a statistically small sample of closely followed-up events. This underscores the importance of a thorough exploration of each outbursting object. We studied a peculiar outbursting system, Gaia24ccy, which exhibited two $Δg \sim$ 3.8 mag outbursts in 2019 and 2024. The system consists of two unresolved, nearly identical, and rapidly rotating young stars: Gaia24ccy A (1.1419 days) and Gaia24ccy B (1.7898 days). Periodogram analyses just before the onset of the outbursts suggest Gaia24ccy B to be the outbursting component. Unlike any previously known EXor sources, the two outburst profiles show a very similar evolution: both rose at the same rate for the first 15 days, followed by many 'sub-bursts' on the timescale of 10-20 days. The 2019 outburst lasted 145-255 days, while the 2024 outburst persisted for 367 days. We infer the unstable region to lie at $r_{\rm trigger} \simeq 0.019-0.047$ au ($\sim5-12.3 R_\star$). The accreted mass per event $M_{\rm acc}\sim10^{-5} M_\odot$ can be provided by a compact inner-disk reservoir. The photometric rise/decay timescales and the mid-infrared color evolution favor a thermal-viscous trigger in a hot inner disk, while the appearance of rich emission-line spectra indicates concurrent magnetospheric compression - together best described by a hybrid picture. Finally, we explain the reddening of the mid-infrared color observed during the outburst as a consequence of the competing emission from the viscous disk and the photosphere. △ Less

Submitted 18 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

V515 And: An Intermediate Polar in the Period Gap Exhibiting Outbursts

Authors: Srinivas M Rao, Jeewan C Pandey, Nikita Rawat, Simone Scaringi, Arti Joshi, David A. H. Buckley, Ajay Kumar Singh

Abstract: Using long-term observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) along with spectroscopic observations from the 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), we present a comprehensive time-series and spectral analysis of the intermediate polar V515 And. Our analysis reveals that V515 And resides within the period gap, with the detection of its orbital period of 2.73116 h. Additionall… ▽ More Using long-term observations from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) along with spectroscopic observations from the 3.6 m Devasthal Optical Telescope (DOT), we present a comprehensive time-series and spectral analysis of the intermediate polar V515 And. Our analysis reveals that V515 And resides within the period gap, with the detection of its orbital period of 2.73116 h. Additionally, we confirm the earlier findings of the spin and beat periods to be 465.4721 s and 488.6067 s, respectively. The time-resolved timing analysis reveals that V515 And undergoes changes in its accretion geometry, not only between different TESS sectors but also within individual sector observations. The system exhibits a transition in the dominant accretion mode, switching between disc-fed and stream-fed accretion. In the TESS light curve, we identify two successive outburst-like episodes, each persisting for roughly a day and reaching peak luminosities of $2.7\times10^{33}$ and $1.9\times10^{33}$ erg s$^{-1}$. Our analysis suggests that these bursts belong to the recently proposed class of micronovae. The optical spectrum of V515 And is characterised by strong Balmer and He II emission lines and shows an inverse Balmer decrement indicating the magnetic nature of the source. △ Less

Submitted 13 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 9 pages, 7 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

A comprehensive catalogue of high-mass X-ray binaries in the Large Magellanic Cloud detected during the first eROSITA all-sky survey

Authors: D. Kaltenbrunner, C. Maitra, F. Haberl, J. Bodensteiner, D. Bogensberger, D. A. H. Buckley, M. R. L. Cioni, J. Greiner, I. Monageng, A. Udalski, G. Vasilopoulos, R. Willer

Abstract: The Magellanic Clouds, the closest star-forming galaxies to the Milky Way, offer an excellent environment to study high-mass X-ray binaries. While the Small Magellanic Cloud has been thoroughly investigated with over 120 systems identified, the Large Magellanic Cloud has lacked a complete survey due to its large angular size. Most prior studies targeted central or high-star-formation regions. The… ▽ More The Magellanic Clouds, the closest star-forming galaxies to the Milky Way, offer an excellent environment to study high-mass X-ray binaries. While the Small Magellanic Cloud has been thoroughly investigated with over 120 systems identified, the Large Magellanic Cloud has lacked a complete survey due to its large angular size. Most prior studies targeted central or high-star-formation regions. The SRG/eROSITA all-sky surveys now enable a comprehensive coverage of the LMC, particularly due to its close vicinity to the south ecliptic pole. This work aims to improve our understanding of the HMXB population in the LMC by building a flux-limited catalogue. This allows us to compare sample properties with those of HMXB populations in other nearby galaxies. Using detections during the first eROSITA all-sky survey, we cross-matched X-ray positions with optical and infrared catalogues to identify candidate HMXBs. We assigned flags based on multi-wavelength follow-up observations and archival data, using properties of known LMC HMXBs. These flags defined confidence classes for our candidates. We detect sources down to X-ray luminosities of a few $10^{34}$ erg s$^{-1}$, resulting in a catalogue of 53 objects, including 28 confirmed HMXBs and 21 new eROSITA detections. We identify several likely supergiant systems, including a candidate supergiant fast X-ray transient with phase-dependent flares. We find three Be stars with likely white dwarf companions. Two of the Be/WD candidates show steady luminosities across four eROSITA scans, unlike the post-nova states seen in the majority of previous Be/WD reports. Our catalogue is the first to cover the entire LMC since the ROSAT era, providing a basis for statistical population studies. Using the HMXB population, we estimate the LMC star-formation rate to be $(0.22^{+0.06}_{-0.07})$ M$_{\odot}$yr$^{-1}$, which is in agreement with other tracers. △ Less

Submitted 8 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 61 pages, 33 figures, accepted for publication in A&A

SXP 31.0 -- the 2025 near-Eddington double X-ray outburst after 26 years of quiescence

Authors: Malcolm J. Coe, Thomas M. Gaudin, Itumeleng M. Monageng, Jamie A. Kennea, David A. H. Buckley, Andrzej Udalski, Phil A. Evans, Sabyasachi Chattopadhyay

Abstract: SXP 31.0 is an X-ray source in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) that was first identified as a Be X-ray Binary (BeXRB) system when it went into X-ray outbusrst in 1998. It is now known to consist of an OBe main sequence star and a neutron star with a spin period of 31s. In 2025 a new X-ray outburst phase began with the source exhibiting a luminosities approaching the Eddington limit of 10^38 erg/s… ▽ More SXP 31.0 is an X-ray source in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) that was first identified as a Be X-ray Binary (BeXRB) system when it went into X-ray outbusrst in 1998. It is now known to consist of an OBe main sequence star and a neutron star with a spin period of 31s. In 2025 a new X-ray outburst phase began with the source exhibiting a luminosities approaching the Eddington limit of 10^38 erg/s. Unusually, H-alpha images show it has a surrounding halo whose nature has not been clear. In this paper, we report new observations of this halo, including the first multi-fibre Integrated Flux Unit (IFU) observations, which identify this emission as probably a coincidental HII region. The X-ray, UV & optical data cover a period of ~200d and reveal that the source underwent two bright, back-to-back, Type II outbursts in 2025 - a rare occurrence for any BeXRB system. △ Less

Submitted 7 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

X-ray counterparts to stellar MeerKAT Galactic-plane compact radio sources

Authors: O. D. Egbo, P. J. Groot, D. A. H. Buckley, J. Robrade, A. D. Schwope, S. Freund, P. C. Schneider, B. Stelzer

Abstract: Radio emission from magnetically active stars arises mainly from non-thermal processes and complements high-energy X-ray emission. Sensitive, wide-field radio and X-ray surveys now allow identification of larger samples of active stars across the Galaxy. We aim to identify and characterise radio and X-ray-emitting stars in the Galactic plane by combining MeerKAT radio data with soft X-ray observat… ▽ More Radio emission from magnetically active stars arises mainly from non-thermal processes and complements high-energy X-ray emission. Sensitive, wide-field radio and X-ray surveys now allow identification of larger samples of active stars across the Galaxy. We aim to identify and characterise radio and X-ray-emitting stars in the Galactic plane by combining MeerKAT radio data with soft X-ray observations and assess their consistency with the canonical Güdel-Benz relation, which links thermal coronal X-rays to non-thermal gyrosynchrotron radio emission. We cross-matched compact sources from the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey with counterparts from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey and the first release of SRG/eROSITA (eRASS1). We computed radio-brightness temperatures and radio-X-ray luminosities to test the relation. We identify 137 stars with both radio and X-ray detections. Their $T_B$ ranges from $10^7$ to $10^{12}$ K, except two outliers: AXJ1600.9-5142 ($4.8 \pm 1.5 \times 10^{12}$ K) and HD~124831 ($8 \pm 1 \times 10^{6}$ K). The remainder are consistent with incoherent gyrosynchrotron emission. The sample lies below the canonical Güdel-Benz relation, driven by enhanced 1.3 GHz radio luminosities relative to the 5 GHz relation. This suggests the classical relation represents an upper envelope rather than a tight correlation. Additionally, eROSITA detections show early-type stars lie below the typical $\log (L_{\rm X}/L_{\rm bol}) \sim -3$ relation. △ Less

Submitted 2 February, 2026; originally announced February 2026.

Comments: 11 pages, 10 figures, paper accepted in A&A

The optical photometric and spectroscopic periodicities of the cataclysmic variable SRGt 062340.2-265751

Authors: J. Brink, D. A. H. Buckley, M. Veresvarska, A. D. Schwope, P. J. Groot, J. R. Thorstensen, V. A. Cúneo, S. B. Potter, N. Titus, D. Egbo, R. Lees, O. Mogawana, A. van Dyk

Abstract: We report on optical spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations of the eROSITA discovered transient SRGt 062340.2-265751 and show that it displays the characteristics of a nova-like cataclysmic variable (CV), with possible indications of being a magnetic system. We try to put better constraints on the classification of SRGt 062340.2-265751 using optical time-resolved spectroscopic and ph… ▽ More We report on optical spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations of the eROSITA discovered transient SRGt 062340.2-265751 and show that it displays the characteristics of a nova-like cataclysmic variable (CV), with possible indications of being a magnetic system. We try to put better constraints on the classification of SRGt 062340.2-265751 using optical time-resolved spectroscopic and photometric observations to find any periodicities in the system. From these periodicities we can classify the CV sub-type that it belongs to. Spectroscopic observations revealed a very low amplitude, K $\sim$ 14 km s$^{-1}$, in the radial velocity of the H$β$ and H$γ$ emission lines, suggesting that the system is likely observed at a low inclination angle. High-speed photometric observations revealed highly stochastic variability, characteristic of many magnetic cataclysmic variable systems. A probable 3.645 $\pm$ 0.006 hour orbital period was found by applying Lomb-Scargle period analysis to the H$β$ and H$γ$ emission line radial velocities. A 24.905 $\pm$ 0.065 min period was found from photometric observations, which we associate with the white dwarf spin. However, it was also found that the photometry revealed multiple periodicities from night to night. TESS observations in three sectors did not reveal any of the periodicities found from ground-based observations, but did show a prominent period in only one sector, which might be attributed to a positive superhump period. These multiple periodicities as well as the HeII $λ$4686 and Bowen blend emission lines seen in the spectra indicate that SRGt 062340.2-265751 is likely a nova-like CV, and might belong to the VY Scl sub-type. △ Less

Submitted 24 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

[HP99] 159 -- Properties of the first Supersoft X-ray Source with a Helium star donor

Authors: Hélène Szegedi, Philip A. Charles, David A. H. Buckley, Pieter J. Meintjes, Przemek Mróz, Andrzej Udalski

Abstract: [HP99] 159 is remarkable as the first supersoft X-ray source (SSS) identified with an evolved helium star donor. With a likely orbital period of 1.164 d or 2.327 d, the origin of the SSS component is controversial, with the two current models being either steady He-burning on the white dwarf surface, or that it is a helium nova in the decaying phase. To help resolve this issue we present extensive… ▽ More [HP99] 159 is remarkable as the first supersoft X-ray source (SSS) identified with an evolved helium star donor. With a likely orbital period of 1.164 d or 2.327 d, the origin of the SSS component is controversial, with the two current models being either steady He-burning on the white dwarf surface, or that it is a helium nova in the decaying phase. To help resolve this issue we present extensive new long-term spectroscopy (with SALT) and photometry (at SAAO and with OGLE) of [HP99] 159 which (a) supports 2.327 d as the orbital period, and (b) finds only a small He II radial velocity modulation. The latter is surprising as it implies a very low inclination system, whereas our light curve modelling suggests $i{\sim}50^\circ$, and hence that the He II must be produced in outflowing material further above, or beyond, the disc. We find that the decaying nova model cannot fit our OGLE light curve and the observed SSS flux level. [HP99] 159 has been essentially constant as an SSS over several decades, implying a sustained high level of mass-transfer from its He star donor, making it the only confirmed single-degenerate scenario SN Ia progenitor. We have updated the known SSS binary parameters and find a clear $\sim$1.5 mag difference in their $M_{\rm V}$ when compared to the $M_{\rm V} - Σ$ properties of LMXBs, likely due to the larger irradiated areas and more luminous donors. △ Less

Submitted 23 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 8 pages, 8 figures, Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Journal ref: Mon Not R Astron Soc (2026)

Gaia20fnr: A binary-lens microlensing event with full orbital motion revealed by four space telescopes

Authors: M. Wicker, Ł. Wyrzykowski, M. Hundertmark, K. A. Rybicki, P. Zieliński, E. Stonkutė, N. Ihanec, M. Maskoliūnas, E. Bachelet, K. Kruszyńska, M. Dominik, D. A. H. Buckley, I. Gezer, M. Gromadzki, P. Mikołajczyk, K. Kotysz, J. Majumdar, E. Pakštienė, J. Zdanavičius, V. Čepas, U. Jonauskaitė, V. Bozza, A. Cassan, R. Figuera Jaimes, M. Rabus , et al. (27 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: The microlensing event Gaia20fnr is a long-duration, non-caustic-crossing binary-lens event at high Galactic latitude. Triggered by a photometric rise detected by the Gaia space mission, the event was followed up with observations from multiple ground-based facilities and four space telescopes: Gaia, NEOWISE, Swift, and TESS. We characterize the Gaia20fnr microlensing system by determining the phy… ▽ More The microlensing event Gaia20fnr is a long-duration, non-caustic-crossing binary-lens event at high Galactic latitude. Triggered by a photometric rise detected by the Gaia space mission, the event was followed up with observations from multiple ground-based facilities and four space telescopes: Gaia, NEOWISE, Swift, and TESS. We characterize the Gaia20fnr microlensing system by determining the physical and orbital properties of the binary lens, the nature of the luminous source, and the kinematics of both the source and the lens. We employed a binary-lens microlensing model including full Keplerian orbital motion and annual microlens parallax to fit the photometric data. The event is best explained by a K2 giant source at $D_{\rm S} = 3.10 \pm 0.10\,\mathrm{kpc}$ lensed by a stellar binary composed of $M_{\rm L,1} = 0.46 \pm 0.06\,M_\odot$ and $M_{\rm L,2} = 0.52 \pm 0.06\,M_\odot$ at a distance of $D_{\rm L} = 0.54 \pm 0.05\,\mathrm{kpc}$. The light curve exhibits strong signatures of orbital motion and requires a full Keplerian model with a period of $P = 0.67 \pm 0.04\,\mathrm{yr}$ and a radial-velocity semi-amplitude of $K_1 = 16.9 \pm 0.9\,\mathrm{km\,s^{-1}}$. Gaia20fnr is one of the few microlensing events for which a complete Keplerian binary-lens solution has been derived. The model can be tested with follow-up radial-velocity and high-resolution imaging observations as well as forthcoming Gaia DR4 and DR5 astrometric time-series data. Its long duration, multi-peak structure, and extensive coverage make it a benchmark for studying faint nearby low-mass binaries through microlensing. △ Less

Submitted 26 January, 2026; v1 submitted 22 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 22 pages, 11 figures, submitted to A&A on 22.01.2026

A multi-wavelength study of the 2025 low state of the intermediate polar BG CMi

Authors: A. W. Shaw, K. Mukai, C. O. Heinke, C. G. Nixon, D. A. H. Buckley, P. A. Dubovský, F. -J. Hambsch, J. Hilburn, K. Petrík, R. M. Plotkin, S. B. Potter, N. Rawat, T. Shahbaz, S. Dufoer, S. Dvorak, D. Messier, G. Myers, P. Nelson, R. Sabo, J. Ulowetz, T. Vanmunster

Abstract: We present multi-wavelength observations of the first recorded low state of the intermediate polar BG CMi. Optical monitoring of the source by members of the American Association of Variable Star Observers reveals a decrease of ~0.5 mag that lasted ~50 d in early 2025. During the low state the optical timing properties imply that BG CMi underwent a change in the accretion mode, as power at the spi… ▽ More We present multi-wavelength observations of the first recorded low state of the intermediate polar BG CMi. Optical monitoring of the source by members of the American Association of Variable Star Observers reveals a decrease of ~0.5 mag that lasted ~50 d in early 2025. During the low state the optical timing properties imply that BG CMi underwent a change in the accretion mode, as power at the spin frequency $ω$ dramatically dropped. An XMM-Newton observation revealed a substantial decrease in intrinsic absorption and a slight increase in intrinsic X-ray luminosity, compared to archival Suzaku data. Timing analysis of the X-ray light curves shows that power shifted from the orbital frequency $Ω$ (prominent in Suzaku data) to $2Ω$ in the low state XMM-Newton data, along with the strengthening of certain orbital sidebands. We suggest that BG CMi transitioned to disk-overflow accretion, where the white dwarf accreted matter via both a disk and a stream, the latter becoming more dominant during the low state due to a decrease in the mass and size of the disk. △ Less

Submitted 3 February, 2026; v1 submitted 20 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 20 pages, 10 figures, 1 table. Accepted for publication in ApJ. v2 fixes some footnotes and adds a note in the Acknowledgements section. v3 corrects a misspelled co-author's name

A persistent bow shock in a diskless magnetised accreting white dwarf

Authors: Krystian Ilkiewicz, Simone Scaringi, Domitilla de Martino, Christian Knigge, Sara E. Motta, Nanda Rea, David Buckley, Noel Castro Segura, Paul J. Groot, Anna F. McLeod, Luke T. Parker, Martina Veresvarska

Abstract: Stellar bow shocks are formed when an outflow interacts with the interstellar medium. In white dwarfs accreting from a binary companion, outflows are associated with either strong winds from the donor star, the accretion disk, or a thermonuclear runaway explosion on the white dwarf surface. To date, only six accreting white dwarfs are known to harbour disk-wind driven bow shocks that are not assoc… ▽ More Stellar bow shocks are formed when an outflow interacts with the interstellar medium. In white dwarfs accreting from a binary companion, outflows are associated with either strong winds from the donor star, the accretion disk, or a thermonuclear runaway explosion on the white dwarf surface. To date, only six accreting white dwarfs are known to harbour disk-wind driven bow shocks that are not associated to thermonuclear explosions. Here, we report the discovery of a bow shock associated with a high-proper-motion disk-less accreting white dwarf, 1RXS J052832.5+283824. We show that the white dwarf has a strong magnetic field in the range B~42-45 MG, making RXJ0528+2838 the a bonafide known polar-type cataclysmic variable harbouring a bow shock. The resolved bow shock is shown to be inconsistent with a past thermonuclear explosion, or being inflated by a donor wind, ruling out all accepted scenarios for inflating a bow shock around this system. Modelling of the energetics reveals that the observed bow shock requires a persistent power source with a luminosity significantly exceeding the system accretion energy output. This implies the presence of a powerful, previously unrecognized energy loss mechanism - potentially tied to magnetic activity - that may operate over sufficiently long timescales to influence the course of binary evolution. △ Less

Submitted 29 January, 2026; v1 submitted 12 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: Submitted on 28 May 2025. Accepted for publication in Nature Astronomy on 20 November 2025

A comprehensive search for high-velocity X-ray sources: New compact object binary candidates in the Gaia era

Authors: Yue Zhao, Poshak Gandhi, Christian Knigge, Phil Charles, Daniel Stern, Peter Boorman, Pornisara Nuchvanichakul, Cordelia Dashwood Brown, David A. H. Buckley

Abstract: We perform a comprehensive search for high-velocity X-ray sources with large X-ray/optical flux ratios ($F_\mathrm{X}/F_\mathrm{G}$), identifying candidates for interacting black hole or neutron star binaries potentially accelerated by supernova natal kicks. We cross-match X-ray points sources from a variety of catalogues (Chandra, XMM-Newton, Swift and eROSITA) with Gaia DR3. Using Gaia coordinat… ▽ More We perform a comprehensive search for high-velocity X-ray sources with large X-ray/optical flux ratios ($F_\mathrm{X}/F_\mathrm{G}$), identifying candidates for interacting black hole or neutron star binaries potentially accelerated by supernova natal kicks. We cross-match X-ray points sources from a variety of catalogues (Chandra, XMM-Newton, Swift and eROSITA) with Gaia DR3. Using Gaia coordinates, parallaxes, and proper motions, we compute peculiar velocities ($\upsilon_\mathrm{pec}$) relative to Galactic disc rotation. Remaining agnostic about radial velocities (RVs), we vary RVs to find the minimum possible $\upsilon_\mathrm{pec}$ values ($\upsilon_\mathrm{pec, min}$). Uncertainties on $\upsilon_\mathrm{pec, min}$ are estimated via Monte Carlo resampling, and we select X-ray sources that have $1\,σ$ lower limits on $\upsilon_\mathrm{pec, min}\geq 200\,\mathrm{km~s^{-1}}$ and high $F_\mathrm{X}/F_\mathrm{G}$ values. We show that this velocity threshold excludes most contaminants (e.g., cataclysmic variables and active binaries) while retaining a sensible fraction of compact object binaries, demonstrating that $\upsilon_\mathrm{pec}$ could serve as an effective indicator for the presence of a neutron star or black hole companion. Our selection yields a sample of 2372 sources, from which we construct a gold sample of 7 sources that have relatively well-constrained astrometry and confident optical counterparts. Follow-up is necessary to confirm and characterise their high-energy emission, as well as a Galactic disc vs. halo origin. △ Less

Submitted 5 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Journal ref: Mon Not R Astron Soc (2026)

Disc Winds From Accreting Systems in the 2040s

Authors: Noel Castro Segura, Virginia Cúneo, Francesco Tombesi, Stefanie Fijma, Jesús Corral-Santana, Alexandra Veledina, Alessandra Ambrifi, David Buckley, Piergiorgio Casella, Deanne L. Coppejans, Domitilla de Martino, Simone Scaringi

Abstract: What does the temporal evolution of disc winds tell us about accreting systems and the accretion process? Studies of accretion-disc outflows across all mass scales, including accreting white dwarfs, X-ray binaries, and active galactic nuclei, have shown that winds play a key role in regulating both the accretion flow and the surrounding environment. Disc winds therefore provide a common thread lin… ▽ More What does the temporal evolution of disc winds tell us about accreting systems and the accretion process? Studies of accretion-disc outflows across all mass scales, including accreting white dwarfs, X-ray binaries, and active galactic nuclei, have shown that winds play a key role in regulating both the accretion flow and the surrounding environment. Disc winds therefore provide a common thread linking a broad range of scientific topics, from the microphysics of accretion to galaxy-scale feedback and evolution, as well as binary evolution and the predicted rates of energetic (multi-messenger) transient phenomena. Yet we still lack a comprehensive picture of the accretion-feedback process. Optical spectroscopy has revealed striking similarities across mass scales, hinting at common production mechanisms, and has shown that winds can evolve on timescales of only minutes. Progress, however, has been limited by their transient nature, sparse time coverage, and the lack of simultaneous, high-resolution spectroscopy. Time-domain facilities with high temporal and spectral resolution will allow us to track these events in high accretion-rate systems, constrain their launching mechanisms, and measure the mass, energy, and angular momentum they carry. This will provide crucial input for binary evolution models, wind feedback, and a unified view of accreting systems across mass scales. △ Less

Submitted 21 January, 2026; v1 submitted 5 January, 2026; originally announced January 2026.

Comments: Submitted to the ESO Expanding Horizons Call for White Papers: Transforming Astronomy in the 2040s

The final stages of binary evolution using multi-messenger studies

Authors: Thomas Kupfer, Simone Scaringi, Paul Groot, Boris Gänsicke, Ingrid Pelisoli, Anna F. Pala, Jan van Roestel, Silvia Toonen, Domitilla de Martino, Noel Castro Segura, David Buckley, Valerie Van Grootel, Kieran O'Brien, Samaya Nissanke

Abstract: Ultracompact Galactic binaries with orbital periods below an hour are among the strongest persistent gravitational-wave (GW) sources in the mHz band and will constitute the dominant population detected by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Tens of thousands are predicted to be individually resolved, with a substantial fraction bright enough for electromagnetic (EM) follow-up. This open… ▽ More Ultracompact Galactic binaries with orbital periods below an hour are among the strongest persistent gravitational-wave (GW) sources in the mHz band and will constitute the dominant population detected by the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). Tens of thousands are predicted to be individually resolved, with a substantial fraction bright enough for electromagnetic (EM) follow-up. This opens an unprecedented multi-messenger window on compact binary evolution, tidal interactions, mass transfer, and the progenitors of Type Ia supernovae. We highlight key science enabled by joint GW + EM constraints and emphasize the critical need for rapid, high-cadence spectroscopic capabilities in the 2040s. In particular, the most compact (<10 min) binaries detected by LISA will require read-noise-free, zero-dead-time spectroscopic facilities, potentially realized through coordinated arrays of telescopes with time-staggered exposures, to measure radial velocities, tidal heating signatures, and orbital evolution with the precision needed for transformative multi-messenger studies. △ Less

Submitted 18 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 4 pages, 1 figure. White paper submitted to ESO Expanding Horizons call

Accretion and Ejection Physics at High Time Resolution

Authors: F. M. Vincentelli, P. Casella, A. Veledina, A. Ambrifi, M. C. Baglio, D. Buckley, N. Castro Segura, Y. Cavecchi, D. de Martino, M. del Santo, P. Gandhi, G. Iliano, R. La Paca, C. Malacaria, A. Marino, K. O'Brien, N. Rea, A. Sanna, S. Scaringi, T. Shahbaz, L. Zampieri

Abstract: Accretion onto compact objects is one of the most fundamental phenomena in the astrophysics, powering some of the most luminous objects in the sky. Along with this, accretion has also a key impact on the evolution of the Universe, through the launch of powerful outflows that affect the surrounding medium. In the last years sub-second optical-infrared observations of accreting X-ray binaries have o… ▽ More Accretion onto compact objects is one of the most fundamental phenomena in the astrophysics, powering some of the most luminous objects in the sky. Along with this, accretion has also a key impact on the evolution of the Universe, through the launch of powerful outflows that affect the surrounding medium. In the last years sub-second optical-infrared observations of accreting X-ray binaries have opened a new window in the study of inflow-outflow connection, discovering a wide range of previously unkown phenomena. Here we review the key open questions in accretion and ejection physics and discuss how a dedicated facility, equipped with photon-counting detectors and high spectral resolution from the UV to the mid-infrared, can enable transformative advances in our understanding of accretion processes. △ Less

Submitted 17 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: Submitted for ESO's call for white papers: "Expanding Horizons: Transforming Astronomy in the 2040s"

White Dwarf Binaries: Probes of Future Astrophysics

Authors: Anna F. Pala, Roberto Raddi, Alberto Rebassa-Mansergas, Boris T. Gänsicke, Richard I. Anderson, Diogo Belloni, Avraham Binnenfeld, Elmé Breedt, David Buckley, Tim Cunningham, Alessandro Ederoclite, Ana Escorza, Valeriya Korol, Thomas Kupfer, Domitilla de Martino, Jaroslav Merc, Joaquin Meza, Steven Parsons, Ingrid Pelisoli, Nicole Reindl, Pablo Rodríguez-Gil, Alejandro Santos-García, Simone Scaringi, Paula Szkody, Odette Toloza , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: White dwarf binaries are fundamental astrophysical probes. They represent ideal laboratories to test the models of binary evolution, which also apply to the sources of gravitational waves, whose detection led to the award of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics. Moreover, their final fate is intimately linked to Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia), i.e. the thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf following th… ▽ More White dwarf binaries are fundamental astrophysical probes. They represent ideal laboratories to test the models of binary evolution, which also apply to the sources of gravitational waves, whose detection led to the award of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics. Moreover, their final fate is intimately linked to Type Ia Supernovae (SNe Ia), i.e. the thermonuclear explosion of a white dwarf following the interaction with a companion star, which have become the fundamental yardsticks on cosmological distance scales and led to the discovery of dark energy and the award of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics. Finally, white dwarf binaries play a crucial role in influencing star formation and chemical evolution of the Galaxy by injecting energy into, and enriching, the interstellar medium with material ejected during nova eruptions and SN Ia explosions. In the next decade, the advent of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) at the Vera Rubin Observatory will lead to the discovery of hundreds of thousands of white dwarf binaries. Nonetheless, the intrinsic faintness of the majority of these systems will prevent their spectroscopic characterisation with the instruments available in the 2030s. Hence ESO's Expanding Horizons call is timely for planning a future transformative facility, capable of delivering phase-resolved spectroscopic observations of faint white dwarf binaries, which are key to advancing our understanding of stellar and Galactic evolution and cosmology. △ Less

Submitted 16 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: White paper submitted to the ESO call for the Expanding Horizons initiative: "Transforming Astronomy in the 2040s"

How Mass Flows Through Accretion Discs: A Spectral-Timing Vision for the 2040s

Authors: Simone Scaringi, Domitilla de Martino, Anna F. Pala, Andrea Sanna, Paul Groot, Kieran O'Brien, Alessandro Ederoclite, Noel Castro Segura, Deanne L. Coppejans, Krystian Ilkiewicz, Piergiorgio Casella, David Buckley, Thomas Kupfer, Nanda Rea, Meryem Kubra DAG, Yusuke Tampo, Siqi Zhang, Sian Ford, Martina Veresvarska, Graham Wynn

Abstract: Understanding how mass and angular momentum flow through accretion discs remains a fundamental unsolved problem in astrophysics. Accreting white dwarfs offer an ideal laboratory for addressing this question: their variability occurs on accessible timescales of seconds to minutes, and their optical spectra contain continuum and emission-line components that trace distinct disc regions. Broad-band t… ▽ More Understanding how mass and angular momentum flow through accretion discs remains a fundamental unsolved problem in astrophysics. Accreting white dwarfs offer an ideal laboratory for addressing this question: their variability occurs on accessible timescales of seconds to minutes, and their optical spectra contain continuum and emission-line components that trace distinct disc regions. Broad-band timing studies have revealed time-lags similar to those observed in X-ray binaries and active galactic nuclei, suggesting propagating fluctuations and possible coupling to an inner hot flow. However, the blending of line and continuum light in broad filters prevents a physical interpretation of these signals. The 2040s will bring an unprecedented number of disc-accreting systems discovered by Rubin-LSST, space-based gravitational-wave observatories, and third-generation ground and space-based detectors. To extract disc physics from these sources, high-cadence optical spectral-timing, simultaneously resolving continuum and individual lines, is essential. Such measurements would directly map how variability propagates through discs, determine how the outer disc responds to changes in the inner flow, and test whether accretion physics is scale-invariant from white dwarfs to supermassive black holes. This white paper outlines the scientific motivation and observational capabilities required to realise this vision. It highlights the opportunity for ESO to enable a transformative new window on accretion physics in the coming decade. △ Less

Submitted 15 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: White paper in response to ESO's "Expanding Horizons" call

Flashing fast: characterising the 2025 outburst of MAXI J1957+032

Authors: A. Sanna, G. Illiano, M. C. Baglio, D. M. Russell, A. Borghese, A. Miraval Zanon, A. Marino, A. Riggio, A. Papitto, K. Alabarta, T. Di Salvo, A. Anitra, L. Burderi, F. Lewis, R. Iaria, D. A. H. Buckley

Abstract: MAXI J1957+032 is an accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar that shows brief, recurrent outbursts in an ultra-compact ~1 h orbit. We characterise the 2025 outburst using X-ray timing and spectroscopy from XMM-Newton and Swift (and a late-time NuSTAR observation), together with contemporaneous optical photometry from LCO, and compare the spin frequency with the 2022 outburst. Timing searches detect coh… ▽ More MAXI J1957+032 is an accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar that shows brief, recurrent outbursts in an ultra-compact ~1 h orbit. We characterise the 2025 outburst using X-ray timing and spectroscopy from XMM-Newton and Swift (and a late-time NuSTAR observation), together with contemporaneous optical photometry from LCO, and compare the spin frequency with the 2022 outburst. Timing searches detect coherent pulsations at ~313.6 Hz with no measurable frequency derivative during the XMM-Newton exposure. Relative to its 2022 outburst, we measure a long-term spin-down of ~-2x10^-14 Hz s^-1, consistent with magnetic-dipole braking in quiescence. The pulse profile is nearly sinusoidal, with significant power at the fundamental, second, and fifth harmonics; the fractional amplitude decreases with increasing flux and shows soft lags up to a few keV. The 0.5-10 keV spectrum is well described by absorbed thermal Comptonisation (photon index ~2.4) plus a cool blackbody (kT ~0.23 keV) consistent with emission from a surface hotspot; no reflection or Fe-line features are detected. Requiring R_m \leq R_co implies B_s ~(0.5-3)x10^8 G for d=(5 \pm 2) kpc and ξ=0.3-0.5, below the upper limit from the secular spin-down (B_p \leq 10^9 G), possibly indicating a mildly leaky propeller. The optical emission lies on the neutron-star branch of the L_OIR-L_X relation, consistent with reprocessing in a compact disc. The optical SEDs are broadly flat, while an early red excess suggests a transient jet contribution during the initial hard X-ray phase; an optical peak delayed relative to the X-rays may trace an outward-propagating heating front and rapid disc evolution in these short-lived outbursts. △ Less

Submitted 15 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 14 pages, 9 figure, 4 tables. Accepted for publication in A&A

Multiple outflows and delayed ejections revealed by early imaging of novae

Authors: Elias Aydi, John D. Monnier, Antoine Mérand, Gail H. Schaefer, Laura Chomiuk, Magdalena Otulakowska-Hypka, Jhih-Ling Fan, Kwan Lok Li, Kirill V. Sokolovsky, Ricardo Salinas, Michael Tucker, Benjamin Shappee, Richard Rudy, Kim L. Page, N. Paul M. Kuin, David A. H. Buckley, Peter Craig, Luca Izzo, Justin Linford, Brian D. Metzger, Koji Mukai, Marina Orio, Ken J. Shen, Jay Strader, Jennifer L. Sokoloski , et al. (17 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Novae are thermonuclear eruptions on accreting white dwarfs in interacting binaries. Although most of the accreted envelope is expelled, the mechanism -- impulsive ejection, multiple outflows or prolonged winds, or a common-envelope interaction -- remains uncertain. GeV $γ$-ray detections from $>20$ Galactic novae establish these eruptions as nearby laboratories for shock physics and particle acce… ▽ More Novae are thermonuclear eruptions on accreting white dwarfs in interacting binaries. Although most of the accreted envelope is expelled, the mechanism -- impulsive ejection, multiple outflows or prolonged winds, or a common-envelope interaction -- remains uncertain. GeV $γ$-ray detections from $>20$ Galactic novae establish these eruptions as nearby laboratories for shock physics and particle acceleration, underscoring the need to determine how novae eject their envelopes. Here we report on near-infrared interferometry, supported with multiwavelength observations, of two $γ$-ray detected novae. The images of the very fast 2021 nova V1674~Her, taken just 2--3 days after discovery, reveal the presence of two perpendicular outflows. The interaction between these outflows likely drives the observed $γ$-ray emission. Conversely, the images of the very slow 2021 nova V1405~Cas suggest a delay in the ejection of the bulk of the accreted envelope of more than 50 days after the start of eruption, as the nova slowly rises to visible peak and during which the envelope engulfed the system in a common envelope phase. These unprecedented images offer direct observational evidence that the mechanisms driving mass ejection from the surfaces of accreting white dwarfs are not as simple as previously thought, revealing multiple outflows and delayed ejections. △ Less

Submitted 4 December, 2025; originally announced December 2025.

Comments: 62 pages, 29 Figures, 6 Tables, Published in Nature Astronomy

Broadband X-ray observations of the periodic optical source ZTF J185139.81+171430.3 and its identification as a massive intermediate polar

Authors: Ren Deng, Kaya Mori, Eric Miao, Gabriel Bridges, Charles J. Hailey, David A. H. Buckley, Gavin Ramsay, Dan Jarvis

Abstract: We present X-ray observations of the periodic optical source ZTF J185139.81+171430.3 (hereafter ZTF J1851) by the XMM, NICER and NuSTAR telescopes. The source was initially speculated to be a white dwarf (WD) pulsar system due to its short period ($P\sim12$ min) and highly-modulated optical lightcurves. Our observations revealed a variable X-ray counterpart extending up to 40 keV with an X-ray lum… ▽ More We present X-ray observations of the periodic optical source ZTF J185139.81+171430.3 (hereafter ZTF J1851) by the XMM, NICER and NuSTAR telescopes. The source was initially speculated to be a white dwarf (WD) pulsar system due to its short period ($P\sim12$ min) and highly-modulated optical lightcurves. Our observations revealed a variable X-ray counterpart extending up to 40 keV with an X-ray luminosity of $L_X \sim 3\times10^{33}$ erg s$^{-1}$ (0.3--40 keV). Utilizing timing data from XMM and NICER, we detected a periodic signal at $P_{\rm spin}=12.2640(7)\pm0.0583$ min with $>6σ$ significance. The pulsed profile displays $\sim 25\%$ and $\sim10\%$ modulation in the 0.3--2 and 2--10 keV bands, respectively. Broadband X-ray spectra are best characterized by an absorbed optically-thin thermal plasma model with $kT \approx 25$ keV and a Fe K-$α$ fluorescent line at 6.4 keV. The bright and hard X-ray emission rules out the possibility of a WD pulsar or ultra-compact X-ray binary. The high plasma temperature and Fe emission lines suggest that ZTF J1851 is an intermediate polar spinning at 12.264 min. We employed an X-ray spectral model composed of the accretion column emission and X-ray reflection to fit the broadband X-ray spectra. Assuming spin equilibrium between the WD and the inner accretion disk, we derived a WD mass range of $M_{\rm WD}=(1.07\rm{-}1.32)M_{\odot}$ exceeding the mean WD mass of IPs ($\langle M_{\rm WD} \rangle = 0.8 M_\odot)$. Our findings illustrate that follow-up broadband X-ray observations could provide unique diagnostics to elucidate the nature of periodic optical sources anticipated to be detected in the upcoming Rubin all-sky optical surveys. △ Less

Submitted 21 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 13 pages, 9 figures, submitted to ApJ

Confirmation of SRGt 062340.2-265751 as a nova-like cataclysmic variable with a possible magnetic nature

Authors: V. A. Cúneo, A. D. Schwope, J. Kurpas, A. Avakyan, J. Brink, D. A. H. Buckley, C. Maitra, M. Veresvarska

Abstract: SRGt 062340.2-265751, a cataclysmic variable identified by SRG/eROSITA thanks to its significant X-ray variability, remains poorly characterised despite the multi-wavelength follow-up. We present spectral and timing analyses from the first dedicated X-ray and ultraviolet observations with XMM-Newton, complemented by SRG/eROSITA data from four all-sky surveys (eRASS1-4) and ASAS-SN optical photomet… ▽ More SRGt 062340.2-265751, a cataclysmic variable identified by SRG/eROSITA thanks to its significant X-ray variability, remains poorly characterised despite the multi-wavelength follow-up. We present spectral and timing analyses from the first dedicated X-ray and ultraviolet observations with XMM-Newton, complemented by SRG/eROSITA data from four all-sky surveys (eRASS1-4) and ASAS-SN optical photometry. Our timing analysis reveals a >8$σ$ significant modulation at 3.6 $\pm$ 0.5 hours, likely representing the orbital period. Long-term ASAS-SN monitoring confirms the source as a VY Sculptoris-type nova-like system, while short-timescale X-ray and ultraviolet variability, down to a few minutes, suggests a possible underlying magnetic white dwarf. Two additional significant X-ray modulations at 43 $\pm$ 1 min and 36.0 $\pm$ 0.7 min tentatively point to the spin period of an intermediate polar. The best-fit XMM-Newton energy spectra reveal a multi-temperature thermal plasma ($kT$ = 0.23, 0.94, and 5.2 keV), while the SRG/eROSITA spectra are consistent with a single-temperature thermal plasma of a few keV. We estimate unabsorbed X-ray luminosities of $\gtrsim$$10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ (0.2-12 keV). Broadband spectral energy distribution modelling, from near-ultraviolet to infrared, indicates a disc-dominated system consistent with a nova-like classification. We discuss these results in the context of the source's confirmed nova-like classification and its possible magnetic nature, a scenario increasingly supported by discoveries of intermediate polars exhibiting VY Sculptoris-type nova-like features. △ Less

Submitted 27 November, 2025; v1 submitted 6 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A

TESS and ground-based observations of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae in outburst

Authors: Y. Tampo, N. Kojiguchi, K. Isogai, D. Nogami, H. Itoh, F. -J. Hambsch, K. Matsumoto, R. Matsumura, D. Fujii, T. Tordai, Y. Sano, B. Monard, P. A. Dubovsky, T. Medulka, D. A. H. Buckley, N. Rawat, S. B. Potter, A. van Dyk, P. J. Groot, P. Woudt, S. Kiyota, G. Bolt, T. Vanmunster, J. Pietz, P. Starr , et al. (8 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Dwarf nova (DN) superoutbursts are accompanied by superhumps, which change their periods and profiles over a superoutburst. We present the TESS and ground-based observations of nine WZ Sge-type DNe and candidates in superoutburst. In TCP J23580961$+$5502508, ASASSN-23ba, PNV J19030433$-$3102187, V748 Hya, and ASASSN-25ci, we confirmed double-peaked oscillations called early superhumps, which are r… ▽ More Dwarf nova (DN) superoutbursts are accompanied by superhumps, which change their periods and profiles over a superoutburst. We present the TESS and ground-based observations of nine WZ Sge-type DNe and candidates in superoutburst. In TCP J23580961$+$5502508, ASASSN-23ba, PNV J19030433$-$3102187, V748 Hya, and ASASSN-25ci, we confirmed double-peaked oscillations called early superhumps, which are regarded as the unambiguous feature of WZ Sge-type DNe. On the other hand, the superhump and outburst properties of MO Psc and V1676 Her suggest that they may not be a member of WZ Sge-type DNe. The 2022 superoutburst of a confirmed WZ Sge-type DN TCP J05515391$+$6504346, however, lacked an early superhump phase. We find superhumps in a WZ Sge-type DN ASASSN-20mq during its rebrightening outburst. Thanks to the continuous coverage of TESS, we find the broken-powerlaw rise of the outburst light curve in V748 Hya and PNV J19030433$-$3102187, previously found in only one WZ Sge-type DN observed by Kepler. Early superhumps appeared when the system reached $\simeq40$% of the outburst peak flux. No orbital modulation from a hot spot is detected before and after this. This non-detection of orbital humps on the early rise of V748 Hya constrains that the corresponding mass transfer rate should be below $\simeq1\times10^{16}$ g s$^{-1}$, disfavouring an enhancement of a mass transfer rate by an order of magnitude or larger, even if it occurs. The contentious TESS observations also confirm the coexistence of early and ordinary superhumps during their transition and $\leq$2-cycle duration of stage A--B superhump transition in V748 Hya. △ Less

Submitted 6 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

Comments: 18 pages, 13 figures, 3 tables, accepted for a publication in MNRAS

Private Map-Secure Reduce: Infrastructure for Efficient AI Data Markets

Authors: Sameer Wagh, Kenneth Stibler, Shubham Gupta, Lacey Strahm, Irina Bejan, Jiahao Chen, Dave Buckley, Ruchi Bhatia, Jack Bandy, Aayush Agarwal, Andrew Trask

Abstract: The modern AI data economy centralizes power, limits innovation, and misallocates value by extracting data without control, privacy, or fair compensation. We introduce Private Map-Secure Reduce (PMSR), a network-native paradigm that transforms data economics from extractive to participatory through cryptographically enforced markets. Extending MapReduce to decentralized settings, PMSR enables comp… ▽ More The modern AI data economy centralizes power, limits innovation, and misallocates value by extracting data without control, privacy, or fair compensation. We introduce Private Map-Secure Reduce (PMSR), a network-native paradigm that transforms data economics from extractive to participatory through cryptographically enforced markets. Extending MapReduce to decentralized settings, PMSR enables computation to move to the data, ensuring verifiable privacy, efficient price discovery, and incentive alignment. Demonstrations include large-scale recommender audits, privacy-preserving LLM ensembling (87.5\% MMLU accuracy across six models), and distributed analytics over hundreds of nodes. PMSR establishes a scalable, equitable, and privacy-guaranteed foundation for the next generation of AI data markets. △ Less

Submitted 3 November, 2025; originally announced November 2025.

An extremely fast fading population II dwarf nova candidate: caught spectroscopically on the rise

Authors: Natasha Van Bemmel, Jielai Zhang, Jeff Cooke, Anais Möller, Igor Andreoni, Katie Auchettl, David Buckley, Jonathan Carney, Dougal Dobie, James Freeburn, Bruce Gendre, Vanshika Kansal, Itumeleng Monageng, Arne Rau, Nikita Rawat, Mark Suhr, Edward N. Taylor

Abstract: We present AT2022kak, a rapidly evolving optical transient discovered by the KiloNova and Transients Program (KNTraP). This interesting burst exhibited extremely fast evolution, with a large amplitude blue outburst of m > 3.3 in a single night, and a rapid fade back to quiescence in the following two nights. We deployed a multi-wavelength follow-up campaign, monitoring the object for the next two… ▽ More We present AT2022kak, a rapidly evolving optical transient discovered by the KiloNova and Transients Program (KNTraP). This interesting burst exhibited extremely fast evolution, with a large amplitude blue outburst of m > 3.3 in a single night, and a rapid fade back to quiescence in the following two nights. We deployed a multi-wavelength follow-up campaign, monitoring the object for the next two months, but saw no recurrent burst. Three years later, while observing to get spectroscopy of the object in quiescence, there was a new outburst, enabling the collection of time-resolved spectra of the rise and fade of the outburst. The light curve properties of the first burst and spectra of the second burst are consistent with a dwarf nova. Its fast evolving behaviour makes it one of the fastest and faintest dwarf novae observed. The estimated distance of AT2022kak from the Galactic centre is ~6.6 kpc, with a scale height of ~2 kpc. This scale height places it in the Galactic thick disk, where only very few dwarf novae have been found, and is therefore a potential Population II dwarf novae system. △ Less

Submitted 18 November, 2025; v1 submitted 30 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: 10 pages, 9 figures, 3 tables, submitted to MNRAS

Journal ref: Mon Not R Astron Soc (2026)

Detection of spin-modulated circular polarisation and radial velocity variations in the long period Intermediate Polar 1RXS J080114.6-462324

Authors: V. Moloi, S. B. Potter, Z. N. Khangale, D. A. H. Buckley, L. Booi, P. A. Woudt

Abstract: We present a comprehensive photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric study of the intermediate polar (IP) 1RXS J080114.6-462324, using observations from the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) 1.0-m and 1.9-m telescopes and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), complemented by archival TESS photometry. Photometric and photo-polarimetric data reveal a coherent modulation at the… ▽ More We present a comprehensive photometric, spectroscopic, and polarimetric study of the intermediate polar (IP) 1RXS J080114.6-462324, using observations from the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) 1.0-m and 1.9-m telescopes and the Southern African Large Telescope (SALT), complemented by archival TESS photometry. Photometric and photo-polarimetric data reveal a coherent modulation at the white dwarf (WD) spin period. TESS confirms periodicities of 1307.517 s (spin) and 11.803 h (orbital). Photopolarimetric and circular spectropolarimetric measurements show circular polarisation reaching ~+5%, modulated with the WD spin period, consistent with cyclotron emission from an accreting magnetic pole. Time-resolved optical spectra display prominent Balmer (H$γ$, H$β$, and H$α$) and He\textsc{ii} $λ$4686 emission features and additional He\textsc{i} emissions, all exhibiting minimal radial-velocity variations. We detect red-shifted absorption dips adjacent to the He\textsc{ii} and H$β$ lines, modulated at the WD spin period; periodogram analysis of the emission lines also yields spin modulation. These observations indicate that the system is a disc-fed, low-inclination IP. The combination of circular polarisation and spin-modulated absorption by infalling accretion curtain material supports this classification. Its comparatively long orbital period among IPs and the detection of polarised emission render 1RXS J080114.6-462324 an appealing candidate for evolutionary studies, potentially offering insight into how magnetic accretion systems evolve toward synchronism at longer orbital periods. △ Less

Submitted 16 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: This article has been accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Royal Astronomical Society

Phase-resolved spectroscopic observations of the magnetic cataclysmic binary EF Eridani: Revealing complex magnetic accretion during a high state

Authors: Zwidofhela N. Khangale, Stephen B. Potter, David A. H. Buckley, Paul E. Barrett

Abstract: We present high-resolution, phase-resolved spectroscopic observations of the polar EF Eri, obtained with SALT and the SAAO 1.9-m telescope during its recent emergence from a three-decade-long low state. The average spectrum shows strong emission from the Balmer lines (H$α$ and H$β$) and He~\textsc{ii} 4686 Å, along with weaker emission from the He~\textsc{i} lines and the Bowen fluorescence (C~\te… ▽ More We present high-resolution, phase-resolved spectroscopic observations of the polar EF Eri, obtained with SALT and the SAAO 1.9-m telescope during its recent emergence from a three-decade-long low state. The average spectrum shows strong emission from the Balmer lines (H$α$ and H$β$) and He~\textsc{ii} 4686 Å, along with weaker emission from the He~\textsc{i} lines and the Bowen fluorescence (C~\textsc{iii}/N~\textsc{iii}) blend at 4650 Å. The emission lines redward of 5500 Å transition to pure absorption at orbital phases $\sim$0.75--0.95, which we attribute to obscuration of the line-emitting region by the accretion stream. Trailed spectra of the emission lines reveal multicomponent structures consistent with other polars. In this first Doppler study of EF Eri, tomograms of the strongest lines (He~\textsc{ii} 4686 Å and the Balmer lines), using both the standard and inside-out projections, identify three key emission regions: the irradiated face of the secondary star, the ballistic and threading regions of the accretion stream, and the magnetically confined flow. Our Doppler maps show not only the ballistic stream but also two unambiguous magnetic accretion flows, which is consistent with the presence of multiple magnetic accretion regions. △ Less

Submitted 9 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: Accepted by MNRAS, 12 pages, 7 figures

Infrared Synchrotron Emission in the Soft State of GX 339-4 and the Mid-Infrared/X-ray Luminosity Plane of Black Hole X-ray Binaries

Authors: P. Gandhi, D. M. Russell, M. C. Baglio, Y. Bhargava, R. Duncan, A. Gúrpide, C. O. Heinke, C. Knigge, K. S. Long, T. J. Maccarone, G. Mastroserio, T. D. Russell, A. W. Shaw, A. J. Tetarenko, F. M. Vincentelli, E. S. Borowski, D. A. H. Buckley, P. Casella, C. Dashwood Brown, G. C. Dewangan, R. I. Hynes, S. Markoff, J. A. Tomsick, K. Alabarta, F. Carotenuto , et al. (11 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Progress in understanding the growth of accreting black holes remains hampered by a lack of sensitive coordinated multiwavelength observations. In particular, the mid-infrared (MIR) regime remains ill-explored except for jet-dominant states. Here, we present comprehensive follow-up of the black hole X-ray binary GX 339-4 during a disc-dominated state in its 2023/24 outburst as part of a multi-wave… ▽ More Progress in understanding the growth of accreting black holes remains hampered by a lack of sensitive coordinated multiwavelength observations. In particular, the mid-infrared (MIR) regime remains ill-explored except for jet-dominant states. Here, we present comprehensive follow-up of the black hole X-ray binary GX 339-4 during a disc-dominated state in its 2023/24 outburst as part of a multi-wavelength campaign coordinated around JWST/MIRI. The X-ray properties are fairly typical of soft accretion states, with a high-energy Comptonised tail. The source is significantly detected between 5-10$μ$m, albeit at a faint flux level requiring MIR compact jet emission to be quenched by a factor of $\sim$300 or more relative to previous hard-state detections. The MIRI spectrum can be described as a simple power-law with slope $α$ = +0.39$\pm$0.07 ($F_ν$ $\propto$ $ν^α$), but surprisingly matches neither the radio/sub-mm nor the optical broadband slopes. Significant MIR stochastic variability is detected. Synchrotron radiation from the same medium responsible for high-energy Comptonisation can self-consistently account for the observed MIRI spectral-timing behaviour, offering new constraints on the physical conditions in the soft-state accretion disc atmosphere/corona. Alternative explanations, including a circumbinary disc or emission from a warm wind, fail to cleanly explain either the spectral properties or the variability. Multiwavelength timing cross-correlations show a puzzlingly long MIR lag relative to the optical, though at limited significance. We compile archival MIR and X-ray luminosities of transient black hole systems, including previously unreported detections of GX 339-4. These trace the evolution of the MIR-to-X-ray flux ratio with accretion state, and also reveal high MIR luminosities for GX 339-4 across all states. (abridged) △ Less

Submitted 1 October, 2025; originally announced October 2025.

Comments: Submitted on 2025 Sep 26

Discovering Cataclysmic Variables from the Rubin Observatory LSST

Authors: D. A. H. Buckley, Y. Tampo, P. Szkody, M. Motsoaledi, S. Scaringi, M. Lochner, N. Rawat, J. P. Marais, B. van Soelen, S. Macfarlane, A. van Dyk

Abstract: The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will provide a windfall of new transients and variable sources. Here we have performed mock observation simulations to understand LSST's expected detection rates for cataclysmic variables (CVs) with known large amplitude variations. Under the thin-disk approximation for the distribution of CVs in our Galaxy, we found that only… ▽ More The Vera C. Rubin Observatory's Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) will provide a windfall of new transients and variable sources. Here we have performed mock observation simulations to understand LSST's expected detection rates for cataclysmic variables (CVs) with known large amplitude variations. Under the thin-disk approximation for the distribution of CVs in our Galaxy, we found that only 20% of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae systems, representing the most energetic disk-driven outbursts in CVs, will be detected during outbursts by the LSST. Given their large amplitude (7-9 mag), {only those} brighter than $17.5$ mag at outburst maximum are expected to have an r-band quiescence counterpart in individual scans. Thanks to the planned cadence of the LSST towards the Galactic center, ~70% of the simulated outbursts will be detected twice or more on the discovery night, and two-thirds will be observed in different bands. CVs of the Polar class, which display luminosity changes up to 4 mag, can be unbiasedly recovered to 22.5 mag with more than 100 detections over 10 years of the LSST operation. Finally, we attempt to characterize the detection rate of micronovae bursts, and find that about 2.6%} of the simulated sample will be observed as a >= 0.4 mag-amplitude and <= 1-d duration spike in the long-term light curve. Overall, our results consolidate LSST's capability to studying time-domain phenomena in CVs, and inform on how to plan and organize follow-up observation strategies on transients discovered by LSST. △ Less

Submitted 8 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: 15 pages, 10 figures, accepted for Astrophysical Journal Supplements, 8 Sep 2025

Counterpart identification and classification for eRASS1 and characterisation of the AGN content

Authors: M. Salvato, J. Wolf, T. Dwelly, H. Starck, J. Buchner, R. Shirley, A. Merloni, A. Georgakakis, F. Balzer, M. Brusa, A. Rau, S. Freund, D. Lang, T. Liu, G. Lamer, A. Schwope, W. Roster, S. Waddell, M. Scialpi, Z. Igo, M. Kluge, F. Mannucci, S. Tiwari, D. Homan, M. Krumpe , et al. (22 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: [abridged] Accurately accounting for the AGN phase in galaxy evolution requires a large, clean AGN sample. This is now possible with SRG/eROSITA. The public Data Release 1 (DR1, Jan 31, 2024) includes 930,203 sources from the Western Galactic Hemisphere. The data enable the selection of a large AGN sample and the discovery of rare sources. However, scientific return depends on accurate characteris… ▽ More [abridged] Accurately accounting for the AGN phase in galaxy evolution requires a large, clean AGN sample. This is now possible with SRG/eROSITA. The public Data Release 1 (DR1, Jan 31, 2024) includes 930,203 sources from the Western Galactic Hemisphere. The data enable the selection of a large AGN sample and the discovery of rare sources. However, scientific return depends on accurate characterisation of the X-ray emitters, requiring high-quality multiwavelength data. This paper presents the identification and classification of optical and infrared counterparts to eRASS1 sources using Gaia DR3, CatWISE2020, and Legacy Survey DR10 (LS10) with the Bayesian NWAY algorithm and trained priors. Sources were classified as Galactic or extragalactic via a Machine Learning model combining optical/IR and X-ray properties, trained on a reference sample. For extragalactic LS10 sources, photometric redshifts were computed using Circlez. Within the LS10 footprint, all 656,614 eROSITA/DR1 sources have at least one possible optical counterpart; about 570,000 are extragalactic and likely AGN. Half are new detections compared to AllWISE, Gaia, and Quaia AGN catalogues. Gaia and CatWISE2020 counterparts are less reliable, due to the surveys shallowness and the limited amount of features available to assess the probability of being an X-ray emitter. In the Galactic Plane, where the overdensity of stellar sources also increases the chance of associations, using conservative reliability cuts, we identify approximately 18,000 Gaia and 55,000 CatWISE2020 extragalactic sources. We release three high-quality counterpart catalogues, plus the training and validation sets, as a benchmark for the field. These datasets have many applications, but in particular empower researchers to build AGN samples tailored for completeness and purity, accelerating the hunt for the Universes most energetic engines. △ Less

Submitted 21 October, 2025; v1 submitted 2 September, 2025; originally announced September 2025.

Comments: A&A, Paper accepted. The catalogues of LS10, CW2020 Gaia DR3 counterparts and the training samples from 4XMM and Chandra are available via eROSITA web page (https://erosita.mpe.mpg.de/dr1/AllSkySurveyData_dr1/Catalogues_dr1/ ,files 4-12), Zenodo (https://zenodo.org/records/17404798) and Vizier. In Zenodo, the Jupiter notebook for creating samples of AGN is also available

Journal ref: A&A 704, A344 (2025)

What determines the $γ$-ray luminosities of classical novae?

Authors: Peter Craig, Elias Aydi, Laura Chomiuk, Ashley Stone, Jay Strader, Atticus Chong, Kwan-Lok Li, Jhih-Ling Fan, Arash Bahramian, David A. H. Buckley, Luca Izzo, Adam Kawash, Brian D. Metzger, Koji Mukai, Justin D. Linford, Marina Orio, J. L. Sokoloski, Kirill V. Sokolovsky, Evangelia Tremou, Frederick M. Walter, Joan Guarro Fló, Christophe Boussin, Stéphane Charbonne, Olivier Garde, Konstantin Belyakov , et al. (3 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Classical novae in the Milky Way have now been well-established as high-energy GeV $γ$-ray sources. In novae with main-sequence companions, this emission is believed to result from shocks internal to the nova ejecta, as a later fast wind collides with an earlier slow outflow. To test this model and constrain the $γ$-ray production mechanism, we present a systematic study of a sample of recent Gala… ▽ More Classical novae in the Milky Way have now been well-established as high-energy GeV $γ$-ray sources. In novae with main-sequence companions, this emission is believed to result from shocks internal to the nova ejecta, as a later fast wind collides with an earlier slow outflow. To test this model and constrain the $γ$-ray production mechanism, we present a systematic study of a sample of recent Galactic novae, comparing their $γ$-ray properties ($γ$-ray luminosity and duration) with their outflow velocities, peak $V$-band magnitudes, and the decline times of their optical light curves ($t_2$). We uniformly estimate distances in a luminosity-independent manner, using spectroscopic reddening estimates combined with three-dimensional Galactic dust maps. Across our sample, $γ$-ray luminosities ($>$100 MeV) vary by three orders of magnitude, spanning $10^{34}-10^{37}$ erg s$^{-1}$. Novae with larger velocity of the fast outflow (or larger differential between the fast and slow outflow) have larger $γ$-ray luminosities, but are detectable for a shorter duration. The optical and $γ$-ray fluxes are correlated, consistent with substantial thermal emission in the optical from shock-heated gas. Across six novae with $γ$-ray and infrared light curves, evidence for dust formation appears soon after the end of the detected $γ$-ray emission. Dusty and non-dusty novae appear to have similar $γ$-ray luminosities, though novae that have more material processed by the shocks may be more likely to form dust. We find that the properties of the $γ$-ray emission in novae depend heavily on the ejecta properties, and are consistent with expectations for internal shocks. △ Less

Submitted 9 January, 2026; v1 submitted 21 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 58 pages, 76 figures, Accepted by MNRAS

Journal ref: Mon Not R Astron Soc (2025)

The Prime Focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment (PRIME): First Results

Authors: Takahiro Sumi, David A. H. Buckley, Alexander S. Kutyrev, Motohide Tamura, David P. Bennett, Ian A. Bond, Giuseppe Cataldo, Joseph M. Durbak, S. Bradley Cenko, Dale Fixsen, Orion Guiffreda, Ryusei Hamada, Yuki Hirao, Asahi Idei, Dan Kelly, Markus Loose, Gennadiy N. Lotkin, Eric I. Lyness, Stephen Maher, Shuma Makida, Noriyuki Matsunaga, Shota Miyazaki, Gregory Mosby, Samuel H. Moseley, Tutumi Nagai , et al. (15 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: We present the description of the instruments and the first results of the PRime-focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment (PRIME). PRIME is the first dedicated near-infrared (NIR) microlensing survey telescope located at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland, South Africa. Among its class, it offers one of the widest fields of view in the NIR regime. PRIME's main goals are… ▽ More We present the description of the instruments and the first results of the PRime-focus Infrared Microlensing Experiment (PRIME). PRIME is the first dedicated near-infrared (NIR) microlensing survey telescope located at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in Sutherland, South Africa. Among its class, it offers one of the widest fields of view in the NIR regime. PRIME's main goals are (1) To study planetary formation by measuring the frequency and mass function of planets. In particular, we compare results from the central Galactic bulge (GB), accessible only in the NIR by PRIME, with those from the outer GB by optical surveys. (2) To conduct concurrent observations with NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space telescope. Due to the different lines of sight between the ground and space, we detect slight variations in light curves, known as ``Space-based parallax." This effect allows us to measure the mass of lens systems and their distance from the Earth. It is the only method to measure the mass of the free-floating planets down to Earth-mass. We began the GB survey in February 2024 and analyzed images through June 1, 2025, identifying 486 microlensing candidates and over a thousand variable stars, including Mira variables, which are useful to study the Galactic structure. We issue real-time alerts for follow-up observations, supporting exoplanet searches, and the chemical evolution studies in the GB. During the off-bulge season, we conduct an all-sky grid survey and Target of Opportunity (ToO) observations of transients, including gravitational wave events, gamma-ray bursts, and other science. △ Less

Submitted 26 November, 2025; v1 submitted 20 August, 2025; originally announced August 2025.

Comments: 16 pages, 15 figures, published in the Astronomical Journal

Journal ref: Sumi et al 2025 AJ 170 338

ASKAP J144834-685644: a newly discovered long period radio transient detected from radio to X-rays

Authors: Akash Anumarlapudi, David L. Kaplan, Nanda Rea, Nicolas Erasmus, Daniel Kelson, Stella Koch Ocker, Emil Lenc, Dougal Dobie, Natasha Hurley-Walker, Gregory Sivakoff, David A. H. Buckley, Tara Murphy, Joshua Pritchard, Laura Driessen, Kovi Rose, Andrew Zic

Abstract: Long-period radio transients (LPTs) are an emerging group of radio transients that show periodic polarized radio bursts with periods varying from a few minutes to a few hours. Fewer than a dozen LPTs have been detected so far, and their origin (source and emission mechanism) remains unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a 1.5 h LPT, ASKAP J144834-685644, adding to the current sample of sources… ▽ More Long-period radio transients (LPTs) are an emerging group of radio transients that show periodic polarized radio bursts with periods varying from a few minutes to a few hours. Fewer than a dozen LPTs have been detected so far, and their origin (source and emission mechanism) remains unclear. Here, we report the discovery of a 1.5 h LPT, ASKAP J144834-685644, adding to the current sample of sources. ASKAP J144834-685644 is one of the very few LPTs that has been detected from X-rays to radio. It shows a steep radio spectrum and polarized radio bursts, which resemble the radio emission in known LPTs. In addition, it also shows highly structured and periodic narrow-band radio emission. Multiwavelength properties suggest that the spectral energy distribution (SED) peaks at near ultraviolet wavelengths, indicating the presence of a hot magnetic source. Combining multiwavelength information, we infer that ASKAP J144834-685644 may be a near edge-on magnetic white dwarf binary (MWD), although we cannot fully rule out ASKAP J144834-685644 being an isolated white dwarf pulsar or even a transitional millisecond pulsar (despite the lack of radio pulsations). If ASKAP J144834-685644 is a MWD binary, the observed broad-band SED can be explained by emission from an accretion disc. This hints that some fraction of optically bright LPTs may be accreting binaries with the radio period being the orbital period. It might further suggest a connection between optically bright synchronized WD binaries, such as polars, and non-accreting asynchronous WD pulsars, such as AR Sco and J1912-4410. △ Less

Submitted 17 September, 2025; v1 submitted 17 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; minor change (additions to Acknowledgements) in v2

A low mass, binary-stripped envelope for the Type IIb SN 2024abfo

Authors: S. de Wet, G. Leloudas, D. Buckley, N. Erasmus, P. J. Groot, E. Zimmerman

Abstract: Type IIb supernovae (SNe) are a transitional subclass of stripped-envelope SNe showing hydrogen lines in their spectra that gradually weaken and give way to helium lines reminiscent of SNe Ib, which is indicative of stripping through stellar winds or binary interaction. SN 2024abfo is the seventh SN IIb with a direct progenitor detection. We find that the position of the supernova in our ERIS adap… ▽ More Type IIb supernovae (SNe) are a transitional subclass of stripped-envelope SNe showing hydrogen lines in their spectra that gradually weaken and give way to helium lines reminiscent of SNe Ib, which is indicative of stripping through stellar winds or binary interaction. SN 2024abfo is the seventh SN IIb with a direct progenitor detection. We find that the position of the supernova in our ERIS adaptive optics imaging agrees with the progenitor position in archival HST imaging to within 19 mas. The progenitor SED is consistent with an A5 giant. Single star models predict an initial mass in the range 11 to 15 solar masses, while the most probable binary model is a 12+1.2 solar mass system with an initial period of 1.73 years. We also find significant evidence for variability of the progenitor candidate in the years prior to core-collapse. SN 2024abfo is the least luminous SN IIb with a direct progenitor detections. At late times the r-band light curve decays more slowly than the comparison SNe, which may be due to increased gamma-ray trapping. Similar to SN 2008ax, SN 2024abfo does not show a prominent double-peaked light curve. Our semi-analytic light curve modelling shows that this may be due to a very low mass of hydrogen in the outer envelope. Spectrally, SN 2024abfo is most similar to SN 2008ax at early times while at later times (80 days) it appears to show persistent Halpha absorption compared to the comparison sample. We prefer a binary system to explain the supernova and its progenitor, although we are unable to rule out single-star models. We recommend late-time observations to search for a binary companion and signatures of CSM-interaction. The absence of these features would support the hypothesis that SN 2024abfo resulted from a system which underwent a period of binary mass transfer well before (1000 yr) the explosion, resulting in a low-mass hydrogen-rich envelope. △ Less

Submitted 15 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: Submitted to A&A

Journal ref: A&A 704, A89 (2025)

XMM-Newton follow-up of two eROSITA X-ray binary candidates

Authors: A. Avakyan, A. Zainab, V. Doroshenko, J. Wilms, A. Schwope, V. Suleimanov, D. Buckley, J. Brink, A. Santangelo

Abstract: We report on the follow-up observations with XMM-Newton of two X-ray binary candidates identified in the first eROSITA all-sky survey data (eRASS1), 1eRASS J061330.8+160440 and 1eRASS J161201.9-464622. Based on the obtained results, in particular, the observed X-ray spectra and lack of pulsations, as well as properties of the identified optical counterparts, we conclude that both candidates are un… ▽ More We report on the follow-up observations with XMM-Newton of two X-ray binary candidates identified in the first eROSITA all-sky survey data (eRASS1), 1eRASS J061330.8+160440 and 1eRASS J161201.9-464622. Based on the obtained results, in particular, the observed X-ray spectra and lack of pulsations, as well as properties of the identified optical counterparts, we conclude that both candidates are unlikely to be XRBs. Based on LAMOST optical spectroscopy and SED fit results for 1eRASS J061330.8+160440 we classify it as an M0 chromospherically active subgiant star. ZTF and TESS photometry reveal highly significant period for this object of 7.189 days, which likely attributed to starspot(s). On the other hand, SALT follow-up spectroscopy of 1eRASS J161201.9-464622 solidly classifies this source as a bright novalike cataclysmic variable (CV), the second discovered with eROSITA. A persistent 4.802 h signal is found across all three available TESS observations, and is tentatively identified as the orbital period of the binary. Follow-up high-speed photometry and time-resolved spectroscopy are required to confirm the derived orbital modulation. △ Less

Submitted 11 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: 25 pages (without references), 11 figures, published by Experimental Astronomy

Journal ref: Experimental Astronomy, 60, 6 (2025)

Einstein Probe discovery of the short period intermediate polar EP J115415.8-501810

Authors: Y. Xiao, M. Ge, N. Rea, F. Lu, H. Feng, L. Tao, D. de Martino, F. Coti Zelati, A. Marino, E. Kuulkers, W. Yuan, C. Jin, H. Sun, J. Wu, N. Hurley-Walker, S. J. McSweeney, D. A. H. Buckley, B. Zhang, S. Zhang, S. Scaringi, K. Mori, Z. Yu, X. Hou, Y. Xu

Abstract: The X-ray transient source EP240309a/EP\,J115415.8$-$501810 was first detected by the Wide-Field X-ray Telescope (WXT) on board Einstein Probe (EP) during the commissioning phase. Subsequent optical observations confirmed it as a Cataclysmic Variable of the intermediate polar type with a 238.2\,s spinning white dwarf in a $\sim$3.76\,hr orbit. We report on the source discovery and follow-up studie… ▽ More The X-ray transient source EP240309a/EP\,J115415.8$-$501810 was first detected by the Wide-Field X-ray Telescope (WXT) on board Einstein Probe (EP) during the commissioning phase. Subsequent optical observations confirmed it as a Cataclysmic Variable of the intermediate polar type with a 238.2\,s spinning white dwarf in a $\sim$3.76\,hr orbit. We report on the source discovery and follow-up studies made with the Follow-up X-ray Telescope (FXT) of EP. A periodic variation of 231\,s is detected in the 0.3$-$2\,keV band, while no obvious pulsation appears in the 2$-$10\,keV band. The spectral analysis shows that the X-ray emission could be described by an absorbed bremsstrahlung model with $kT$\textgreater\,11\,keV. The partial covering absorption, with an hydrogen column density $N_H$ = 2.0$\times 10^{22}\,\rm cm^{-2}$ and covering fraction around 0.9, is much larger than the interstellar absorption along the line of sight. According to the distance $d = 309.5$\,pc obtained from Gaia parallax, we estimate that the luminosity of this source in the 0.3$-$10\,keV range is $\sim 2\times10^{32}$\,erg\,s$^{-1}$. In addition, phase-resolved spectral analysis reveals that the detected periodic variation is mainly caused by the change in the absorption column density. In this scenario the spin modulation arises due to absorption from the pre-shock accretion flow of the X-ray emitting pole, while the optical radiation is modulated at the orbital side band ($ω_{\rm spin} - Ω_{\rm orbit}$) due to reprocessing in regions within the binary system. Due to its unusual transient behaviour for an intermediate polar, we have also searched for radio signals similar to those observed in the new class of long period transients. We derived upper limits with ASKAP (200--300\,$μ$Jy\,beam$^{-1}$ between 800--1500 MHz) and MWA (40--90\,mJy\,beam$^{-1}$ between 80--300 MHz). △ Less

Submitted 13 July, 2025; v1 submitted 11 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Journal ref: A&A 701, A19 (2025)

A new Bowen Fluorescence Flare and Extreme Coronal Line Emitter discovered by SRG/eROSITA

Authors: Pietro Baldini, Arne Rau, Riccardo Arcodia, Taeho Ryu, Zhu Liu, Paula Sánchez-Sáez, Iuliia Grotova, Andrea Merloni, Stefano Ciroi, Adelle J. Goodwin, Mariusz Gromadzki, Adela Kawka, Megan Masterson, Dusán Tubín-Arenas, David A. H. Buckley, Francesco Di Mille, Gemma E. Anderson, Sabina Bahic, David Homan, Mirko Krumpe, James C. A. Miller-Jones, Kirpal Nandra

Abstract: The nuclear transient eRASSt J012026.5-292727 (J012026 hereafter) was discovered in the second SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey (eRASS2). The source appeared more than one order of magnitude brighter than the eRASS1 upper limits (peak eRASS2 0.2-2.3 keV flux of 1.14 x 10^-12 erg cm^-2 s^-1), and with a soft X-ray spectrum (photon index Gamma = 4.3). Over the following months, the X-ray flux started deca… ▽ More The nuclear transient eRASSt J012026.5-292727 (J012026 hereafter) was discovered in the second SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey (eRASS2). The source appeared more than one order of magnitude brighter than the eRASS1 upper limits (peak eRASS2 0.2-2.3 keV flux of 1.14 x 10^-12 erg cm^-2 s^-1), and with a soft X-ray spectrum (photon index Gamma = 4.3). Over the following months, the X-ray flux started decaying, with significant flaring activity on both hour- and year-timescales. By inspecting the multiwavelength light curves of time-domain wide-field facilities, we detected a strong mid-infrared flare, evolving over 2 years, and a weaker optical counterpart. Follow-up optical spectroscopy revealed transient features, including redshifted Balmer lines (FWHM ~1500 km/s), strong Fe II emission, He II and Bowen lines, and high-ionization iron coronal lines. One spectrum showed a triple-peaked H-beta line, consistent with emission from a face-on elliptical disk. The spectroscopic features and the slow evolution of the event place J012026 within the classifications of Bowen fluorescence flares (BFFs) and extreme coronal line emitters (ECLEs). BFFs have been associated with rejuvenated accreting SMBHs, although the mechanism triggering the onset of the new accretion flow is still unclear, while ECLEs have been linked to the disruption of stars in gas-rich environments. The association of J012026 to both classes, combined with the multi-wavelength information, suggests that BFFs could be, at least in some cases, due to tidal disruption events (TDEs). The observed X-ray variability, uncommon in standard TDEs, adds complexity to these families of nuclear transients. These results highlight the diverse phenomenology of nuclear accretion events and demonstrate the value of systematic X-ray surveys, such as eROSITA and Einstein Probe, for uncovering such transients and characterizing their physical origin. △ Less

Submitted 7 July, 2025; originally announced July 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in A&A

A Sibling of AR Scorpii: SDSS J230641.47$+$244055.8 and the Observational Blueprint of White Dwarf Pulsars

Authors: N. Castro Segura, I. Pelisoli, B. T. Gänsicke, D. L. Coppejans, D. Steeghs, A. Aungwerojwit, K. Inight, A. Romero, A. Sahu, V. S. Dhillon, J. Munday, S. G. Parsons, M. R. Kennedy, M. J. Green, A. J. Brown, M. J. Dyer, E. Pike, J. A. Garbutt, D. Jarvis, P. Kerry, S. P. Littlefair, J. McCormac, D. I. Sahman, D. A. H. Buckley

Abstract: Radio pulsating white dwarf (WD) systems, known as WD pulsars, are non-accreting binary systems where the rapidly spinning WD interacts with a low-mass companion producing pulsed non-thermal emission that can be observed across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Only two such systems are known: AR Sco and eRASSU J191213.9$-$441044. Here we present the discovery of a third WD pulsar, SDSS J230641… ▽ More Radio pulsating white dwarf (WD) systems, known as WD pulsars, are non-accreting binary systems where the rapidly spinning WD interacts with a low-mass companion producing pulsed non-thermal emission that can be observed across the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Only two such systems are known: AR Sco and eRASSU J191213.9$-$441044. Here we present the discovery of a third WD pulsar, SDSS J230641.47$+$244055.8. The optical spectrum is dominated by molecular bands from an M-dwarf companion, with additional narrow emission lines from the Balmer series and He I. The long-term optical light-curve folded on its orbital period ($P_\mathrm{orb} = 3.49$ h) exhibits large scatter (roughly 10 per cent). High-cadence photometry reveals a short period signal, which we interpret to be the spin period of the WD primary ($P_\mathrm{spin} \simeq 92$ s). The WD spin period is slightly shorter than that of AR Sco ($\rm \sim 117$ s), the WD pulsar prototype. Time-resolved spectroscopy reveals emission from the irradiated companion and Na I absorption lines approximately tracing its centre of mass, which yields a binary mass function of $f(M) \simeq 0.2 {\rm M_\odot}$. The H$α$ emission includes a low-amplitude broad component, resembling the energetic emission line flashes seen in AR Sco. Using spectral templates, we classify the companion to be most likely a $\rm M4.0\pm 0.5$ star with $T_\mathrm{\rm eff} \approx 3300$ K. Modelling the stellar contribution constrains the secondary mass ($0.19\,{\rm M_\odot}\lesssim M_2\lesssim 0.28\,{\rm M_\odot}$), system distance ($\simeq1.25\,{\rm kpc}$), and inclination ($i \simeq 45-50^\circ$). We discuss the proposed evolutionary scenarios and summarize the observational properties of all three known WD pulsars, establishing a benchmark for identifying and classifying future members of this emerging class. △ Less

Submitted 25 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: Submitted to MNRAS

SRG/eROSITA No. 5: Discovery of quasi-periodic eruptions every ~3.7 days from a galaxy at z>0.1

Authors: R. Arcodia, P. Baldini, A. Merloni, A. Rau, K. Nandra, J. Chakraborty, A. J. Goodwin, M. J. Page, J. Buchner, M. Masterson, I. Monageng, Z. Arzoumanian, D. Buckley, E. Kara, G. Ponti, M. E. Ramos-Ceja, M. Salvato, K. Gendreau, I. Grotova, M. Krumpe

Abstract: Quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are repeating soft X-ray bursts from the nuclei of galaxies, tantalizingly proposed to be extreme mass ratio inspirals. Here, we report the discovery of a new galaxy showing X-ray QPEs, the fifth found through a dedicated blind search in the \emph{SRG}/eROSITA all-sky survey data, hereafter named eRO-QPE5. Its QPE duration ($t_{\rm dur}\sim0.6$\,d), recurrence time… ▽ More Quasi-periodic eruptions (QPEs) are repeating soft X-ray bursts from the nuclei of galaxies, tantalizingly proposed to be extreme mass ratio inspirals. Here, we report the discovery of a new galaxy showing X-ray QPEs, the fifth found through a dedicated blind search in the \emph{SRG}/eROSITA all-sky survey data, hereafter named eRO-QPE5. Its QPE duration ($t_{\rm dur}\sim0.6$\,d), recurrence time ($t_{\rm recur}\sim3.7\,$d), integrated energy per eruption ($\sim3.4 \times 10^{47}\,$erg), and black hole mass ($M_{\rm BH}=2.9^{+5.4}_{-2.2}\times10^7\,M_{\astrosun}$) sit at the high end of the known population. Like other eROSITA or X-ray-discovered QPEs, no previous or concurrent optical-IR transient is found in archival photometric datasets, and the optical spectrum looks almost featureless. With a spectroscopic redshift of $0.1155$, eRO-QPE5 is the most distant QPE source discovered to date. Given the number of recent discoveries, we test for possible correlations and confirm a connection between $t_{\rm dur}$ and $t_{\rm recur}$, while we do not find any significant correlation involving either $M_{\rm BH}$ or the QPE temperature. The slope of the $t_{\rm dur}-t_{\rm recur}$ relation ($1.14\pm0.16$) is roughly consistent with predictions from star-disk collision models, with a preference for those that suggest that QPEs are powered by stellar debris streams around the orbiter. Considering this and previous discoveries, eROSITA has proved extremely successful in finding many QPE candidates given its grasp, namely its sensitivity and large field of view, and scanning capabilities over the full sky. We advocate the need of sensitive wide-area and time-domain oriented surveys from future-generation soft X-ray missions. △ Less

Submitted 8 July, 2025; v1 submitted 20 June, 2025; originally announced June 2025.

Comments: Accepted in ApJ

The stellar population in the SARAO MeerKAT Galactic Plane Survey

Authors: Okwudili D. Egbo, David A. H. Buckley, Paul J. Groot, Francesco Cavallaro, Patrick A. Woudt, Mark A. Thompson, Mubela Mutale, Michael Bietenholz

Abstract: We report on optically selected stellar candidates of SARAO MeerKAT 1.3 GHz radio continuum survey sources of the Galactic plane. Stellar counterparts to radio sources are selected by cross-matching the MeerKAT source positions with \textit{Gaia} DR3, using two approaches. The first approach evaluated the probability of chance alignments between the radio survey and \textit{Gaia} sources and used… ▽ More We report on optically selected stellar candidates of SARAO MeerKAT 1.3 GHz radio continuum survey sources of the Galactic plane. Stellar counterparts to radio sources are selected by cross-matching the MeerKAT source positions with \textit{Gaia} DR3, using two approaches. The first approach evaluated the probability of chance alignments between the radio survey and \textit{Gaia} sources and used AllWISE infrared colour-colour information to select potential stellar candidates. The second approach utilized a Monte Carlo method to evaluate the cross-matching reliability probability, based on populations of known radio-emitting stars. From the combined approaches, we found 629 potential stellar counterparts, of which 169 have existing SIMBAD classifications, making it the largest Galactic plane radio-optical crossmatch sample to date. A colour-magnitude analysis of the sample revealed a diverse population of stellar objects, ranging from massive OB stars, main-sequence stars, giants, young stellar objects, emission line stars, red dwarfs and white dwarfs. Some of the proposed optical counterparts include chromospherically/coronally active stars, for example RS CVn binaries, BY Dra systems, YSOs and flare stars, which typically exhibit radio emission. Based on Gaia's low-resolution spectroscopy, some of the stars show strong H$α$ emission, indicating they are magnetically active, consistent with them being radio emitters. While MeerKAT's sensitivity and survey speed make it ideal for detecting faint radio sources, its angular resolution limits accurate counterpart identification for crowded fields such as the Galactic Plane. Higher frequency, and, thereby, better spatial resolution, radio observations plus circular polarization would be required to strengthen the associations. △ Less

Submitted 28 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 18 pages, 14 figures, 7 tables

MeerKAT discovery of a hyperactive repeating fast radio burst source

Authors: J. Tian, I. Pastor-Marazuela, K. M. Rajwade, B. W. Stappers, K. Shaji, K. Y. Hanmer, M. Caleb, M. C. Bezuidenhout, F. Jankowski, R. Breton, E. D. Barr, M. Kramer, P. J. Groot, S. Bloemen, P. Vreeswijk, D. Pieterse, P. A. Woudt, R. P. Fender, R. A. D. Wijnands, D. A. H. Buckley

Abstract: We present the discovery and localisation of a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source from the MeerTRAP project, a commensal fast radio transient search programme using the MeerKAT telescope. FRB 20240619D was first discovered on 2024 June 19 with three bursts being detected within two minutes in the MeerKAT L-band (856 - 1712MHz). We conducted follow-up observations of FRB 20240619D with MeerKAT… ▽ More We present the discovery and localisation of a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) source from the MeerTRAP project, a commensal fast radio transient search programme using the MeerKAT telescope. FRB 20240619D was first discovered on 2024 June 19 with three bursts being detected within two minutes in the MeerKAT L-band (856 - 1712MHz). We conducted follow-up observations of FRB 20240619D with MeerKAT using the Ultra-High Frequency (UHF; 544 - 1088MHz), L-band and S-band (1968 - 2843MHz) receivers one week after its discovery, and recorded a total of 249 bursts. The MeerKAT-detected bursts exhibit band-limited emission with an average fractional bandwidth of 0.31, 0.34 and 0.48 in the UHF, L-band and S-band, respectively. We find our observations are complete down to a fluence limit of ~1Jy ms, above which the cumulative burst rate follows a power law $R (>F)\propto (F/1\,\text{Jy}\,\text{ms})^γ$ with $γ=-1.6\pm0.1$ and $-1.7\pm0.1$ in the UHF and L-band, respectively. The near-simultaneous L-band, UHF and S-band observations reveal a frequency dependent burst rate with $3\times$ more bursts being detected in the L-band than in the UHF and S-band, suggesting a spectral turnover in the burst energy distribution of FRB 20240619D. Our polarimetric analysis demonstrates that most of the bursts have $\sim100\%$ linear polarisation fractions and $\sim10\%\text{--}20\%$ circular polarisation fractions. We find no optical counterpart of FRB 20240619D in the MeerLICHT optical observations simultaneous to the radio observations and set a fluence upper limit in MeerLICHT's q-band of 0.76Jy ms and an optical-to-radio fluence ratio limit of 0.034 for a 15s exposure. △ Less

Submitted 13 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: Accepted for publication in MNRAS

A targeted search for binary white dwarf pulsars using Gaia and WISE

Authors: Ingrid Pelisoli, T. R. Marsh, G. Tovmassian, L. A. Amaral, Amornrat Aungwerojwit, M. J. Green, R. P. Ashley, David A. H. Buckley, B. T. Gaensicke, F. -J. Hambsch, K. Inight, S. B. Potter, A. J. Brown, N. Castro Segura, V. S. Dhillon, M. J. Dyer, J. A. Garbutt, D. Jarvis, M. R. Kennedy, S. O. Kepler, P. Kerry, S. P. Littlefair, J. McCormac, J. Munday, S. G. Parsons , et al. (2 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: After its discovery in 2016, the white dwarf binary AR Scorpii (AR Sco) remained for several years the only white dwarf system to show pulsed radio emission associated with a fast-spinning white dwarf. The evolutionary origin and the emission mechanism for AR Sco are not completely understood, with different models proposed. Testing and improving these models requires observational input. Here we… ▽ More After its discovery in 2016, the white dwarf binary AR Scorpii (AR Sco) remained for several years the only white dwarf system to show pulsed radio emission associated with a fast-spinning white dwarf. The evolutionary origin and the emission mechanism for AR Sco are not completely understood, with different models proposed. Testing and improving these models requires observational input. Here we report the results of a targeted search for other binary white dwarf pulsars like AR Sco. Using data from Gaia and WISE, we identified 56 candidate systems with similar properties to AR Sco, of which 26 were previously uncharacterised. These were subject to spectroscopic and photometric follow-up observations. Aside from one new binary white dwarf pulsar found, J191213.72-441045.1, which was reported in a separate work, we find no other systems whose characteristics are akin to AR Sco. The newly characterised systems are primarily young stellar objects (with 10 found) or cataclysmic variables (7 identifications), with the remaining being either blended or non-variable on short timescales. △ Less

Submitted 7 May, 2025; originally announced May 2025.

Comments: 17 pages, 21 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

21 years of Astronomy at Warwick: celebrating the legacy of Prof. Tom Marsh

Authors: Ingrid Pelisoli, Boris Gänsicke, Keith Horne, Danny Steeghs, Gijs Nelemans, Kevin Burdge, David Buckley, Vik Dhillon, Stuart Littlefair, Daniel Bayliss

Abstract: Between the 4th and 6th of September 2024, the Astronomy & Astrophysics group at the University of Warwick held a meeting to celebrate 21 years of astronomy at Warwick and the scientific legacy of the late Prof. Tom Marsh, the group founder. More than a hundred people attended the meeting, with about half of the attendees being external delegates and coming from as far afield as the USA and South… ▽ More Between the 4th and 6th of September 2024, the Astronomy & Astrophysics group at the University of Warwick held a meeting to celebrate 21 years of astronomy at Warwick and the scientific legacy of the late Prof. Tom Marsh, the group founder. More than a hundred people attended the meeting, with about half of the attendees being external delegates and coming from as far afield as the USA and South Africa. Tom Marsh moved to the University of Warwick from Southampton in 2003, after the Department of Physics decided to expand the scope of its research. From its humble beginnings with only two staff members, Tom himself and Boris Gänsicke, one postdoc and a couple of PhD students, the group has now grown to more than 95 members, including 25 staff. Tom pioneered the development of Doppler tomography, led key discoveries in the field of double-degenerate binary systems and made extensive contributions to instrumentation, primarily to developing the high-speed imaging photometers ULTRACAM, ULTRASPEC and HiPERCAM. This article provides a summary of Tom's legacy and Warwick's history as presented in the 21 years of Astronomy at Warwick meeting. △ Less

Submitted 29 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: This is the authors' version of an article featured in Astronomy & Geophysics, Published by Oxford University Press

ASASSN-24hd; a dwarf nova bridging WZ Sge-type and SU UMa-type superoutbursts

Authors: Yusuke Tampo, Naoto Kojiguchi, Taichi Kato, Mariko Kimura, David. A. H. Buckley, Berto Monard, Franz-Josef Hambsch, Katsuki Muraoka, Daisaku Nogami, Stephen B. Potter, Anke Van Dyk, Patrick Woudt

Abstract: WZ Sge-type dwarf novae (DNe) form a subclass in cataclysmic variables, characterized by short-period variations called superhumps during an outburst. Here we present optical ground-based and TESS observations of ASASSN-24hd in its 2024-2025 outburst. ASASSN-24hd is the first reported WZ Sge-type DN outburst fully covered by TESS, providing a great opportunity to study the evolution of superhumps.… ▽ More WZ Sge-type dwarf novae (DNe) form a subclass in cataclysmic variables, characterized by short-period variations called superhumps during an outburst. Here we present optical ground-based and TESS observations of ASASSN-24hd in its 2024-2025 outburst. ASASSN-24hd is the first reported WZ Sge-type DN outburst fully covered by TESS, providing a great opportunity to study the evolution of superhumps. Our observations establish its early and stage-A ordinary superhumps as 0.05711(4) and 0.05919(5) d, respectively, resulting in its mass ratio of 0.098(4). The TESS observations confirm that the evolution of its superhump period, amplitude, and profile after the appearance of ordinary superhumps is generally consistent with those of SU UMa-type DNe observed with Kepler and TESS. Furthermore, we find that ASASSN-24hd in outburst shares a great similarity to the 2010 superoutburst of an SU UMa-type DN V585 Lyr, observed by Kepler, particularly including the superhump evolution and the long waiting time ($\gtrsimeq$ 5 d) before the stage A--B transition of ordinary superhumps. The shorter superoutburst cycles and smaller outburst amplitude in V585 Lyr than those of ASASSN-24hd disfavor the interpretation that V585 Lyr is, in fact, a face-on WZ Sge-type DN where early superhumps are undetectable. Instead, one possibility of their critical differences is either low quiescence viscosity or inner disk truncation, which has been invoked to explain the extreme nature of WZ Sge-type DNe, but future observations in quiescence are vital to conclude. These findings emphasize the borderline between SU UMa-type and WZ Sge-type DNe. △ Less

Submitted 29 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 12 pages, 9 figures, 1 table. Accepted by PASJ

An extremely soft and weak fast X-ray transient associated with a luminous supernova

Authors: W. -X. Li, Z. -P. Zhu, X. -Z. Zou, J. -J. Geng, L. -D. Liu, Y. -H. Wang, R. -Z. Li, D. Xu, H. Sun, X. -F. Wang, Y. -W. Yu, B. Zhang, X. -F. Wu, Y. Yang, A. V. Filippenko, X. -W. Liu, W. -M. Yuan, D. Aguado, J. An, T. An, D. A. H. Buckley, A. J. Castro-Tirado, S. -Y. Fu, J. P. U. Fynbo, D. A. Howell , et al. (80 additional authors not shown)

Abstract: Long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), including their subclasses of low-luminosity GRBs (LL-GRBs) and X-ray flashes (XRFs) characterized by low spectral peak energies, are known to be associated with broad-lined Type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic-BL), which result from the core collapse of massive stars that lose their outer hydrogen and helium envelopes. However, the soft and weak end of the GRB/XRF population… ▽ More Long gamma-ray bursts (LGRBs), including their subclasses of low-luminosity GRBs (LL-GRBs) and X-ray flashes (XRFs) characterized by low spectral peak energies, are known to be associated with broad-lined Type Ic supernovae (SNe Ic-BL), which result from the core collapse of massive stars that lose their outer hydrogen and helium envelopes. However, the soft and weak end of the GRB/XRF population remains largely unexplored, due to the limited sensitivity to soft X-ray emission. Here we report the discovery of a fast X-ray transient, EP250108a, detected by the Einstein Probe (EP) in the soft X-ray band at redshift $z = 0.176$, which was followed up by extensive multiband observations. EP250108a shares similar X-ray luminosity as XRF\,060218, the prototype of XRFs, but it extends GRBs/XRFs down to the unprecedentedly soft and weak regimes, with its $E_{\rm peak} \lesssim 1.8\,\mathrm{keV}$ and $E_{\rm iso} \lesssim 10^{49}\, \mathrm{erg}$, respectively. Meanwhile, EP250108a is found to be associated with SN\,2025kg, one of the most luminous and possibly magnetar-powered SNe Ic-BL detected so far. Modeling of the well-sampled optical light curves favors a mildly relativistic outflow as the origin of this event. This discovery demonstrates that EP, with its unique capability, is opening a new observational window into the diverse outcomes of death of massive stars. △ Less

Submitted 23 April, 2025; originally announced April 2025.

Comments: 54 pages, 10 figures, submitted