We observed ASASSN-19ax during the long outburst in 2021 September-October. The object has been confirmed to be an SU UMa-type dwarf nova with a superhump period of 0.1000-0.1001 d. This object showed two post-superoutburst rebrightenings both in the 2019 and 2021 superoutbursts. These observations have established that ASASSN-19ax belongs to a group of long-period SU UMa-type dwarf novae which show multiple rebrightenings. This phenomenon probably arises from premature quenching of the superoutburst due to the weak 3:1 resonance near the stability border of the resonance, resulting in a considerable amount of disk mass after the superoutburst. We noted that ASASSN-19ax is very similar to QZ Ser, an SU UMa-type dwarf nova with an orbital period of 0.08316 d and an anomalously hot, bright secondary star, in that both objects showed multiple post-superoutburst rebrightenings at least once and that they are bright in quiescence. We expect that the core of the secondary in ASASSN-19ax may be evolved as in QZ Ser.

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of 17 dwarf-nova superoutbursts obtained by KOOLS-IFU mounted on the 3.8 m telescope Seimei at Okayama Observatory of Kyoto University and through VSNET collaboration. Our spectroscopic observations for six outbursts were performed within 1 d from their optical peak. 11 objects (TCP J00590972+3438357. ASASSN-19ado, TCP J06073081-0101501, ZTF20aavnpug, ASASSN-19ady, MASTER OT J061642.05+435617.9, TCP J20034647+1335125, ASASSN-20kv, ASASSN-20kw, MASTER OT J213908.79+161240.2, and ASASSN-20mf) were previously unknown systems, and our observations enabled quick classification of their transient type. These results illustrate that Seimei telescope has the capability to conduct quick follow-up observations of unknown transients. Our photometric observations yielded that 11 objects are WZ Sge-type dwarf novae and their candidates, and the other six objects are SU UMa-type dwarf novae and their candidates. The He II 4686Å emission line was clearly detected among ASASSN-19ado, TCP J06073081-0101501 and MASTER OT J213908.79+161240.2, whose association with a spiral arm structure in an accretion disk has been suggested in the previous studies. Our result suggests that a higher-inclination system shows a stronger emission line of He II 4686Å, as well as larger-amplitude early superhumps.

Studying rotational variability of young stars is enabling us to investigate a multitude of properties of young star-disc systems. We utilize high cadence, multiwavelength optical time series data from the Hunting Outbursting Young Stars citizen science project to identify periodic variables in the Pelican Nebula (IC 5070). A double blind study using nine different period-finding algorithms was conducted and a sample of 59 periodic variables was identified. We find that a combination of four period finding algorithms can achieve a completeness of 85 per cent and a contamination of 30 per cent in identifying periods in inhomogeneous data sets. The best performing methods are periodograms that rely on fitting a sine curve. Utilizing Gaia EDR3 data, we have identified an unbiased sample of 40 periodic young stellar objects (YSOs), without using any colour or magnitude selections. With a 98.9 per cent probability, we can exclude a homogeneous YSO period distribution. Instead, we find a bi-modal distribution with peaks at 3 and 8 d. The sample has a disc fraction of 50 per cent, and its statistical properties are in agreement with other similarly aged YSOs populations. In particular, we confirm that the presence of the disc is linked to predominantly slow rotation and find a probability of 4.8 × 10−3 that the observed relation between period and presence of a disc has occurred by chance. In our sample of periodic variables, we also find pulsating giants, an eclipsing binary, and potential YSOs in the foreground of IC 5070.

How a black hole accretes matter and how this process is regulated are fundamental but unsolved questions in astrophysics. In transient black-hole binaries, a lot of mass stored in an accretion disk is suddenly drained to the central black hole because of thermal-viscous instability. This phenomenon is called an outburst and is observable at various wavelengths (Frank et al., 2002). During the outburst, the accretion structure in the vicinity of a black hole shows dramatical transitions from a geometrically-thick hot accretion flow to a geometrically-thin disk, and the transition is observed at X-ray wavelengths (Remillard, McClintock, 2006; Done et al., 2007). However, how that X-ray transition occurs remains a major unsolved problem (Dunn et al., 2008). Here we report extensive optical photometry during the 2018 outburst of ASASSN-18ey (MAXI J1820$+$070), a black-hole binary at a distance of 3.06 kpc (Tucker et al., 2018; Torres et al., 2019) containing a black hole and a donor star of less than one solar mass. We found optical large-amplitude periodic variations similar to superhumps which are well observed in a subclass of white-dwarf binaries (Kato et al., 2009). In addition, the start of the stage transition of the optical variations was observed 5 days earlier than the X-ray transition. This is naturally explained on the basis of our knowledge regarding white dwarf binaries as follows: propagation of the eccentricity inward in the disk makes an increase of the accretion rate in the outer disk, resulting in huge mass accretion to the black hole. Moreover, we provide the dynamical estimate of the binary mass ratio by using the optical periodic variations for the first time in transient black-hole binaries. This paper opens a new window to measure black-hole masses accurately by systematic optical time-series observations which can be performed even by amateur observers.

The first time-series observations of the poorly observed X-ray transient 1RXS J012750.5+380830 are reported from the 2020 October outburst. The outburst was short, 3-4 days, and had an amplitude of 4(m).7.The system shows extreme flickering consistent with a magnetic CV, and on one night periodic variations were also found at P-wd = 454.2 + 0.5 s or f = 190.2 + 0.2 c/d, and this could be interpreted as the white-dwarf-spin period. Periodic variations were also found near the orbital period, which could be interpreted as superhumps or orbital modulation.

The intermediate polar FO Aquarii (FO Aqr) experienced its first reported low-accretion states in 2016, 2017, and 2018, and, using newly available photographic plates, we identify prediscovery low states in 1965, 1966, and 1974. The primary focus of our analysis, however, is an extensive set of time-series photometry obtained between 2002 and 2018, with particularly intensive coverage of the 2016–2018 low states. After computing an updated spin ephemeris for the white dwarf (WD), we show that its spin period began to increase in 2014 after having spent 27 yr decreasing; no other intermediate polar has experienced a sign change of its period derivative, but FO Aqr has now done so twice. Our central finding is that the recent low states all occurred shortly after the WD began to spin down, even though no low states were reported in the preceding quarter-century, when it was spinning up. Additionally, the system’s mode of accretion is extremely sensitive to the mass-transfer rate, with accretion being almost exclusively disk-fed when FO Aqr is brighter than V ∼ 14 and substantially stream-fed when it is not. Even in the low states, a grazing eclipse remains detectable, confirming the presence of a disklike structure (but not necessarily a Keplerian accretion disk). We relate these various observations to theoretical predictions that during the low state, the system’s accretion disk dissipates into a non-Keplerian ring of diamagnetic blobs. Finally, a new XMM-Newton observation from a high state in 2017 reveals an anomalously soft X-ray spectrum and diminished X-ray luminosity compared to pre-2016 observations.

ABSTRACT The HOYS citizen science project conducts long-term, multifilter, high-cadence monitoring of large YSO samples with a wide variety of professional and amateur telescopes. We present the analysis of the light curve of V1490 Cyg in the Pelican Nebula. We show that colour terms in the diverse photometric data can be calibrated out to achieve a median photometric accuracy of 0.02 mag in broad-band filters, allowing detailed investigations into a variety of variability amplitudes over time-scales from hours to several years. Using Gaia DR2, we estimate the distance to the Pelican Nebula to be 870 $^{+70}_{-55}$ pc. V1490 Cyg is a quasi-periodic dipper with a period of 31.447 ± 0.011 d. The obscuring dust has homogeneous properties, and grains larger than those typical in the ISM. Larger variability on short time-scales is observed in U and Rc−H α, with U amplitudes reaching 3 mag on time-scales of hours, indicating that the source is accreting. The H α equivalent width and NIR/MIR colours place V1490 Cyg between CTTS/WTTS and transition disc objects. The material responsible for the dipping is located in a warped inner disc, about 0.15 au from the star. This mass reservoir can be filled and emptied on time-scales shorter than the period at a rate of up to 10−10 M⊙ yr−1, consistent with low levels of accretion in other T Tauri stars. Most likely, the warp at this separation from the star is induced by a protoplanet in the inner accretion disc. However, we cannot fully rule out the possibility of an AA Tau-like warp, or occultations by the Hill sphere around a forming planet.

Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395), we collected times of superhump maxima for 102 SU UMa-type dwarf novae observed mainly during the 2017 season, and characterized these objects. WZ Sge-type stars identified in this study are PT And, ASASSN-17ei, ASASSN-17el, ASASSN-17es, ASASSN-17fn, ASASSN-17fz, ASASSN-17hw, ASASSN-17kd, ASASSN-17la, PNV J20205397+2508145, and TCP J00332502-3518565. We obtained new mass ratios for seven objects using growing superhumps (stage A). ASASSN-17gf is an El Psc-type object below the period minimum. CRTS J080941.3+171528 and DDE 51 are objects in the period gap, and both showed a long-lasting phase of stage A superhumps. We also summarize the recent advances in understanding of SU UMa-type and WZ Sge-type dwarf novae.

We report photometric and spectroscopic observations and analysis of the 2019 superoutburst of TCP J21040470+4631129. This object showed a 9-mag superoutburst with early superhumps and ordinary superhumps, which are the features of WZ Sge-type dwarf novae. Five rebrightenings were observed after the main superoutburst. The spectra during the post-superoutburst stage showed the Balmer, He I and possible sodium doublet features. The mass ratio is derived as 0.0880(9) from the period of the superhump. During the third and fifth rebrightenings, growing superhumps and superoutbursts were observed, which have never been detected during a rebrightening phase among WZ Sge-type dwarf novae with multiple rebrightenings. To induce a superoutburst during the brightening phase, the accretion disk was needed to expand beyond the 3:1 resonance radius of the system again after the main superoutburst. These peculiar phenomena can be explained by the enhanced viscosity and large radius of the disk suggested by the higher luminosity and the presence of late-stage superhumps during the post-superoutburst stage, plus by more mass supply from the cool mass reservoir and/or from the secondary because of the enhanced mass transfer than those of other WZ Sge-type dwarf novae.

We found that the SU UMa-type dwarf nova NY Ser in the period gap [orbital period 0.097558(6) d] showed standstills twice in 2018. This is the first clear demonstration of a standstill occurring between superoutbursts of an SU UMa-type dwarf nova. There was no sign of superhumps during the standstill, and at least one superoutburst directly started from the standstill. This provides strong evidence that the 3:1 resonance was excited during standstills. This phenomenon indicates that the disk radius can grow during standstills. We also deduce that the condition close to the limit of the tidal instability caused early quenching of superoutbursts, which resulted in a substantial amount of matter left in the disk after the superoutburst. We think that substantial matter in the disk in a condition close to the limit of the tidal instability is responsible for standstills (as in the high-mass-transfer system NY Ser) or multiple rebrightenings (as in the low-mass-transfer system V1006 Cyg).

There are several peculiar long-period dwarf-nova like objects, which show rare, low-amplitude outbursts with highly ionized emission lines. 1SWASP J162117$+$441254, BD Pav, and V364 Lib belong to this kind of objects. Some researchers even doubt whether 1SWASP J1621 and V364 Lib have the same nature as normal dwarf novae. We studied the peculiar outbursts in these three objects via our optical photometry and spectroscopy, and performed numerical modeling of their orbital variations to investigate their properties. We found that their outbursts lasted for a long interval (a few tens of days), and that slow rises in brightness were commonly observed during the early stage of their outbursts. Our analyses and numerical modeling suggest that 1SWASP J1621 has a very high inclination, close to 90 deg, plus a faint hot spot. Although BD Pav seems to have a slightly lower inclination ($\sim$75 deg), the other properties are similar to those in 1SWASP J1621. On the other hand, V364 Lib appears to have a massive white dwarf, a hot companion star, and a low inclination ($\sim$35 deg). In addition, these three objects possibly have low transfer rate and/or large disks originating from the long orbital periods. We find that these properties of the three objects can explain their infrequent and low-amplitude outbursts within the context of the disk instability model in normal dwarf novae without strong magnetic field. In addition, we suggest that the highly-ionized emission lines in outburst are observed due to a high inclination and/or a massive white dwarf. More instances of this class of object may be unrecognized, since their unremarkable outbursts can be easily overlooked.

We report on our photometric observations of the 2016 superoutburst of ASASSN-16eg. This object showed a WZ Sge-type superoutburst with prominent early superhumps with a period of 0.075478(8) d and a post-superoutburst rebrightening. During the superoutburst plateau, it showed ordinary superhumps with a period of 0.077880(3) d and a period derivative of 10.6(1.1) $\times$ 10$^{-5}$ in stage B. The orbital period ($P_{\rm orb}$), which is almost identical with the period of early superhumps, is exceptionally long for a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova. The mass ratio ($q$ = $M_2/M_1$) estimated from the period of developing (stage A) superhumps is 0.166(2), which is also very large for a WZ Sge-type dwarf nova. This suggests that the 2:1 resonance can be reached in such high-$q$ systems, contrary to our expectation. Such conditions are considered to be achieved if the mass-transfer rate is much lower than those in typical SU UMa-type dwarf novae that have comparable orbital periods to ASASSN-16eg and a resultant accumulation of a large amount of matter on the disk is realized at the onset of an outburst. We examined other candidates of long-period WZ Sge-type dwarf novae for their supercycles, which are considered to reflect the mass-transfer rate, and found that V1251 Cyg and RZ Leo have longer supercycles than those of other WZ Sge-type dwarf novae. This result indicates that these long-period objects including ASASSN-16eg have a low mass-transfer rate in comparison to other WZ Sge-type dwarf novae.

Continuing the project described by Kato et al. (2009, PASJ, 61, S395), we collected times of superhump maxima for 127 SU UMa-type dwarf novae observed mainly during the 2016-2017 season and characterized these objects. We provide updated statistics of the relation between the orbital period and the variation of superhumps, the relation between period variations and the rebrightening type in WZ Sge-type objects. We obtained the period minimum of 0.05290(2) d and confirmed the presence of the period gap above the orbital period similar to 0.09 d. We note that four objects (NY Her, 1RXS J161659.5+ 620014, CRTS J033349.8-282244, and SDSS J153015.04+ 094946.3) have supercycles shorter than 100 d but show infrequent normal outbursts. We consider that these objects are similar to V503 Cyg, whose normal outbursts are likely suppressed by a disk tilt. These four objects are excellent candidates to search for negative superhumps. DDE 48 appears to be a member of ER UMa-type dwarf novae. We identified a new eclipsing SU UMa-type object, MASTER OT J220559.40-341434.9. We observed 21 WZ Sge-type dwarf novae during this interval and report 18 of them in this paper. Among them, ASASSN-16js is a good candidate for a period bouncer. ASASSN-16ia showed a precursor outburst for the first time in aWZ Sge-type superoutburst. ASASSN-16kg, CRTS J000130.5+ 050624, and SDSS J113551.09+ 532246.2 are located in the period gap. We have newly obtained 15 orbital periods, including periods from early superhumps.

We report on time-resolved photometry of the 2015 February-March superoutburst of QZ Virginis. The superoutburst consisted of a separated precursor, main superoutburst, and rebrightening. We detected superhumps with a period of 0.061181(42) d between the precursor and main superoutburst. Based on analyses of period changes and amplitudes of superhumps, the observed superhumps were identified as growing superhumps (stage A superhumps). The duration of stage A superhumps was about 5 d, unusually long for SU UMa-type dwarf novae. Using the obtained stage A superhump period, we estimated the mass ratio of QZ Vir to be 0.108(3). This value suggests that QZ Vir is an SU UMa-type dwarf nova evolving toward the period minimum. Based on the present and the previous observations regarding long-lasting stage A superhumps, a time scale of stage A superhumps is likely to be determined by the mass ratio of the system and the temperature of the accretion disk.

We present optical multi-colour photometry of V404 Cyg during the outburst from December, 2015 to January, 2016 together with the simultaneous X-ray data. This outburst occurred less than 6 months after the previous outburst in June-July, 2015. These two outbursts in 2015 were of a slow rise and rapid decay-type and showed large-amplitude ($\sim$2 mag) and short-term ($\sim$10 min-3 hours) optical variations even at low luminosity (0.01-0.1$L_{\rm Edd}$). We found correlated optical and X-ray variations in two $\sim$1 hour time intervals and performed Bayesian time delay estimations between them. In the previous version, the observation times of X-ray light curves were measured at the satellite and their system of times was Terrestrial Time (TT), while those of optical light curves were measured at the Earth and their system of times was Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). In this version, we have corrected the observation times and obtained a Bayesian estimate of an optical delay against the X-ray emission, which is $\sim$30 s, during those two intervals. In addition, the relationship between the optical and X-ray luminosity was $L_{\rm opt} \propto L_{\rm X}^{0.25-0.29}$ at that time. These features can be naturally explained by disc reprocessing.

We observed the 2016 outburst of OT J002656.6+284933 (CSS101212:002657+284933) and found that it has the longest recorded [0.13225(1) d on average] superhumps among SUUMa-type dwarf novae. The object is the third known SUUMa-type dwarf nova above the period gap. The outburst, however, was unlike ordinary long-period SUUMa-type dwarf novae in that it showed two post-outburst rebrightenings. It showed superhump evolution similar to short-period SUUMa-type dwarf novae. We could constrain themass ratio to less than 0.15 (most likely between 0.10 and 0.15) by using superhump periods in the early and post-superoutburst stages. These results suggest the possibility that OT J002656.6+284933 has an anomalously undermassive secondary and it should have followed a different evolutionary track from the standard one.