Optical spectroscopic and photometric classification of the X-ray transient EP240309a (EP J115415.8−501810) as an intermediate polar

We report on optical follow-up observations of an X-ray source initially detected by the Einstein Probe mission. Our investigations categorize the source as an intermediate polar, a class of magnetic cataclysmic variables, exhibiting an orbital period of 3.7614(4) h and a white dwarf spin period of...

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Published in:Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. Letters 2024-07, Vol.532 (1), p.L21-L26
Main Authors: Potter, Stephen B, Buckley, David A H, Scaringi, S, Monageng, I M, Egbo, Okwudili D, Charles, Philip A, Erasmus, N, van Gend, Carel, Loubser, Egan, Titus, Keegan, Rosie, Kathryn, Gajjar, Hitesh, Worters, H L, Chandra, Sunil, Julie, R P M, Hlakola, Moloko
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:We report on optical follow-up observations of an X-ray source initially detected by the Einstein Probe mission. Our investigations categorize the source as an intermediate polar, a class of magnetic cataclysmic variables, exhibiting an orbital period of 3.7614(4) h and a white dwarf spin period of 3.97 min. The orbital period was identified through TESS observations, while our high-speed photometric data, obtained using the 1.9m and Lesedi 1.0m telescopes at the South African Astronomical Observatory, revealed both the spin and beat periods. Additionally, we present orbitally phase-resolved spectroscopic observations using the 1.9m telescope, specifically centred on the H β emission line, which reveal two emission components that exhibit Doppler variations throughout the orbital cycle.
ISSN:1745-3925
1745-3933
DOI:10.1093/mnrasl/slae038