Two more candidate AM canum venaticorum (AM CVn) BINARIES from the sloan digital sky survey

Scott F. Anderson, Andrew C. Becker, Daryl Haggard, Jose Luis Prieto, Gillian R. Knapp, Masao Sako, Kelly E. Halford, Saurabh Jha, Blake Martin, Jon Holtzman, Joshua A. Frieman, Peter M. Garnavich, Suzanne Hayward, Željko Ivezić, Anjum S. Mukadam, Branimir Sesar, Paula Szkody, Viktor Malanushenko, Michael W. Richmond, Donald P. SchneiderDonald G. York

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

AM CVn systems are a select group of ultracompact binaries with the shortest orbital periods of any known binary subclass; mass transfer is likely from a low-mass (partially-)degenerate secondary onto a white dwarf primary, driven by gravitational radiation. In the past few years, the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has provided five new AM CVns. Here we report on two further candidates selected from more recent SDSS data. SDSS J1208+3550 is similar to the earlier SDSS discoveries, recognized as an AM CVn via its distinctive spectrum which is dominated by helium emission. From the expanded SDSS Data Release 6 (DR6) spectroscopic area, we provide an updated surface density estimate for such AM CVns of order 10-3.1-10-2.5 deg -2 for 15 < g < 20.5. In addition, we present another new candidate AM CVn, SDSS J2047+0008, which was discovered in the course of follow-up of SDSS-II supernova candidates. It shows nova-like outbursts in multi-epoch imaging data; in contrast to the other SDSS AM CVn discoveries, its (outburst) spectrum is dominated by helium absorption lines, reminiscent of KL Dra, and 2003aw. The variability selection of SDSS J2047+0008 from the 300 deg2 of SDSS Stripe 82 presages further AM CVn discoveries in future deep, multicolor, and time-domain surveys such as the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST). The new additions bring the total SDSS yield to seven AM CVns thus far, a substantial contribution to this rare subclass, versus the dozen previously known.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)2108-2113
Number of pages6
JournalAstronomical Journal
Volume135
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2008
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Binaries: close
  • Novae, cataclysmic variables
  • Stars: individual (SDSS J120841.96+355025.2, SDSS J204739.40+000840.3)
  • White dwarfs

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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