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MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables

I have conducted a systematic survey of eleven nearby novalike cataclysmic variables in the radio band, using the MeerKAT radio interferometer. Radio emission is detected from four out of the eleven systems: IM Eri, RW Sex, V3885 Sgr and V603 Aql. While RW Sex, V3885 Sgr and V603 Aql had been previo...

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Main Author: Hewitt, Danté Michael
Other Authors: Pretorius, M L
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Department of Astronomy 2021
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access_status_str Open Access
author Hewitt, Danté Michael
author2 Pretorius, M L
author_browse Hewitt, Danté Michael
Pretorius, M L
author_facet Pretorius, M L
Hewitt, Danté Michael
author_sort Hewitt, Danté Michael
collection Thesis
description I have conducted a systematic survey of eleven nearby novalike cataclysmic variables in the radio band, using the MeerKAT radio interferometer. Radio emission is detected from four out of the eleven systems: IM Eri, RW Sex, V3885 Sgr and V603 Aql. While RW Sex, V3885 Sgr and V603 Aql had been previously detected, this is the first reported radio detection of IM Eri. These observations have doubled the sample of non-magnetic cataclysmic varaibles with sensitive radio data. I observe that at these radio detection limits, a specific optical luminosity & 2.2 × 1018 erg s−1 Hz−1 (corresponding to MV . 6.0) is required to produce a radio detection. I also find that the X-ray and radio luminosities of the detected novalikes are on an extension of the LX ∝ L ∼0.7 R power law originally proposed for non-pulsating neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries. No other correlations are found between the radio emission and emission in other wavebands or any other system parameters for the existing sample of radio-detected novalikes. In-band (0.9–1.7 GHz) radio spectral indices are measured, and are found to be consistent with reports from earlier work. I construct broad spectral energy distributions for this sample from published multi-wavelength data, and use them to place constraints on the mass transfer rates of these eleven systems. Finally, I also present the results of time-resolved optical spectroscopy of two little-studied systems in the sample: V5662 Sgr and LSIV -08 3. I obtain orbital periods for these two systems that are consistent with previous measurements in the literature.
format Thesis
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language eng
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:34:17.944Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2021
publishDateRange 2021
publishDateSort 2021
publisher Department of Astronomy
publisherStr Department of Astronomy
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source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/32726 MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables Hewitt, Danté Michael Pretorius, M L Woudt, Patrick Astronomy I have conducted a systematic survey of eleven nearby novalike cataclysmic variables in the radio band, using the MeerKAT radio interferometer. Radio emission is detected from four out of the eleven systems: IM Eri, RW Sex, V3885 Sgr and V603 Aql. While RW Sex, V3885 Sgr and V603 Aql had been previously detected, this is the first reported radio detection of IM Eri. These observations have doubled the sample of non-magnetic cataclysmic varaibles with sensitive radio data. I observe that at these radio detection limits, a specific optical luminosity & 2.2 × 1018 erg s−1 Hz−1 (corresponding to MV . 6.0) is required to produce a radio detection. I also find that the X-ray and radio luminosities of the detected novalikes are on an extension of the LX ∝ L ∼0.7 R power law originally proposed for non-pulsating neutron star low-mass X-ray binaries. No other correlations are found between the radio emission and emission in other wavebands or any other system parameters for the existing sample of radio-detected novalikes. In-band (0.9–1.7 GHz) radio spectral indices are measured, and are found to be consistent with reports from earlier work. I construct broad spectral energy distributions for this sample from published multi-wavelength data, and use them to place constraints on the mass transfer rates of these eleven systems. Finally, I also present the results of time-resolved optical spectroscopy of two little-studied systems in the sample: V5662 Sgr and LSIV -08 3. I obtain orbital periods for these two systems that are consistent with previous measurements in the literature. 2021-01-28T12:17:52Z 2021-01-28T12:17:52Z 2020 2021-01-28T10:36:17Z Master Thesis Masters MSc http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32726 eng application/pdf Department of Astronomy Faculty of Science
spellingShingle Astronomy
Hewitt, Danté Michael
MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
thesis_degree_str Master's
title MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
title_full MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
title_fullStr MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
title_full_unstemmed MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
title_short MeerKAT observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
title_sort meerkat observations of novalike cataclysmic variables
topic Astronomy
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/32726
work_keys_str_mv AT hewittdantemichael meerkatobservationsofnovalikecataclysmicvariables