Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables and AM CVn Systems Discovered using the X-ray Main Sequence Applied to SRG/eROSITA Data
Year: 2024
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Magnetic cataclysmic variables (CVs) are important probes of binary star evolution and accretion in magnetic environments. They consist of a magnetic ($B\approx 1-250$ MG) white dwarf (WD) accreting from a Roche lobe-filling late-type star. AM CVns are the ultracompact cousins of CVs, consisting of a white accreting from a Roche lobe-filling helium-rich donor, with orbital periods between 5--65 min. The shortest period AM CVns are strong gravitational wave sources, but only 60--70 systems have been discovered to date. Both Magnetic CVs and AM CVns are luminous X-ray sources, but have been difficult to find in purely optical surveys due to their lack of outburst behavior. Here, I describe the discovery of new systems using a combination optical and X-ray data in a diagram recently dubbed ``The X-ray Main Sequence". I present two new magnetic CVs and one new AM CVn discovered in data from the eROSITA telescope aboard the SRG mission, which has carried out the deepest all-sky X-ray survey to date. The diversity of CVs found in this early data suggests that there are many exotic systems to be discovered in the near future.
DOI: 10.22323/1.460.0013
Authors: Antonio Rodriguez, Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) Variable Star Group
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
OpenAlex ID: W4404534119