Multiband study of RX J0838-2827 and XMM J083850.4-282759: a new asynchronous magnetic cataclysmic variable and a candidate transitional millisecond pulsar

作者：Rea N^*; Zelati F Coti; Esposito P; D'Avanzo P; de Martino D; Israel G L; Torres D F; Campana S; Belloni T M; Papitto A; Masetti N; Carrasco L; Possenti A; Wieringa M; Wilhelmi E De Ona; Li J; Bozzo E; Ferrigno C; Linares M; Tauris T M; Hernanz M; Ribas I; Monelli M; Borghese A; Baglio M C; Casares J

来源：Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 2017, 471(3): 2902-2916.

DOI：10.1093/mnras/stx1560

• accretion
• accretion discs
• novae
• cataclysmic variables
• pulsars: general
• white dwarfs
• X-rays: individual: RX J0838-2827
• X-rays: individual: XMM J083850.4-282759

In a search for the counterpart to the Fermi-LAT source 3FGL J0838.8-2829, we performed a multiwavelength campaign: in the X-ray band with Swift and XMM-Newton; in the infrared and optical with OAGH, ESO-NTT and IAC80; and in the radio with ATCA observations. We also used archival hard X-ray data obtained by INTEGRAL. We report on three X-ray sources consistent with the position of the Fermi-LAT source. We confirm the identification of the brightest object, RX J0838-2827, as a magnetic cataclysmic variable that we recognize as an asynchronous system (not associated with the Fermi-LAT source). RX J0838-2827 is extremely variable in the X-ray and optical bands, and timing analysis reveals the presence of several periodicities modulating its X-ray and optical emission. The most evident modulations are interpreted as being caused by the binary system orbital period of similar to 1.64 h and the white dwarf spin period of similar to 1.47 h. A strong flux modulation at similar to 15 h is observed at all energy bands, consistent with the beat frequency between spin and orbital periods. Optical spectra show prominent H beta, He I and He II emission lines that are Doppler-modulated at the orbital period and at the beat period. Therefore, RX J0838-2827 accretes through a disc-less configuration and could be either a strongly asynchronous polar or a rare example of a pre-polar system on its way to reaching synchronism. Regarding the other two X-ray sources, XMM J083850.4-282759 showed a variable X-ray emission, with a powerful flare lasting for similar to 600 s, similar to what is observed in transitional millisecond pulsars during the subluminous disc state: this observation possibly means that this source can be associated with the Fermi-LAT source.

• 出版日期2017-11
• 单位CSIRO