The observed characteristics of the spectral and photometric variability of SS 433 are discussed based on the data for 2018–2021 and compared with earlier results. The change in the orbital period that we discovered earlier according to $$V$$ -photometry is confirmed by the data in the $$B$$ -filter, although with less accuracy. In the observation interval from 1978 to 2021, secular changes are not observed either in the stationary or moving H $$\alpha $$ lines. However, there are breaks in the precession phase up to $$ \pm 11$$ days, which appear at time scales less than 1 year and disappear in 2–3 years.

Blazars are active galactic nuclei (AGN) with relativistic jets whose non-thermal radiation is extremely variable on various timescales1-3. This variability seems mostly random, although some quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs), implying systematic processes, have been reported in blazars and other AGN. QPOs with timescales of days or hours are especially rare4 in AGN and their nature is highly debated, explained by emitting plasma moving helically inside the jet5, plasma instabilities6,7 or orbital motion in an accretion disc7,8. Here we report results of intense optical and γ-ray flux monitoring of BL Lacertae (BL Lac) during a dramatic outburst in 2020 (ref. 9). BL Lac, the prototype of a subclass of blazars10, is powered by a 1.7 × 108 MSun (ref. 11) black hole in an elliptical galaxy (distance = 313 megaparsecs (ref. 12)). Our observations show QPOs of optical flux and linear polarization, and γ-ray flux, with cycles as short as approximately 13 h during the highest state of the outburst. The QPO properties match the expectations of current-driven kink instabilities6 near a recollimation shock about 5 parsecs (pc) from the black hole in the wake of an apparent superluminal feature moving down the jet. Such a kink is apparent in a microwave Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) image.

The X-ray binary Her X-1 consists of an accreting neutron star and the optical component HZ Her. The 35-day X-ray superorbital variability of this system is known since its discovery in 1972 by the Uhuru satellite and is believed to be caused by forced precession of a warped accretion disk tilted to the orbital plane. We argue that the observed features of the 35-day optical variability of HZ Her can be explained by free precession of the neutron star with a period close to that of the forced disk. The model parameters include a) the X-ray luminosity of the neutron star; b) the optical flux from the accretion disk; c) the tilt of the inner and outer edges of the accretion disk. A possible synchronization mechanism based on the coupling between the neutron star free precession and the dynamical action of non-stationary gas streams is discussed.

We describe here the formulation of our search for additional bodies in fifteen short period eclipsing binary stars and some results obtained by now. We intended to use two methods: transits across the surface of one or both stars (in order to detect planets) in the binary and a timing of eclipses of central binary stars (that can indicate the presence of a stellar mass body in the system). Observations were carried out using ground based photometry with 50-60 cm telescopes in 2013-2017. Until now no transits had been detected in our data. But at the same time we found several candidates for additional bodies in four systems. Further data processing will be performed.

In three seasons of 2015-2018 we carried out a series of visible and near infrared (NIR) photometry of SU Aur. In course of this photometric monitoring we detected an event of a deep fading of the star in spring of 2018. In this paper we present preliminary analysis of our photometry.

Accretion onto magnetized neutron stars is considered using as a case study long-term X-ray and optical observations of HZ Her/Her X-1, an X-ray binary system with a 1.7-day orbital period where disc accretion occurs from the optical donor star (HZ Her) onto a neutron star (Her X-1). On top of orbital variability and pulsating X-ray emission from the neutron star rotating with a period of about one second, a 35-day X-ray modulation of emission is observed. The 35-day variability is due to a tilted precessing accretion disc that periodically screens X-ray emission from the neutron star. The disc precession that occurs in the direction opposite to the orbital motion is determined by the joint action of the tidal torque from the donor and dynamical torque from the gas streams. Several dozen thousand broadband UBV photometric observations of HZ Her have been obtained since 1972. The shape of the orbital light curves of HZ Her also changes with the 35-day cycle phase. The orbital variability can be reproduced in a model that includes a precessing tilted and warped accretion disc around a freely precessing neutron star. The disc is warped near its inner edge due to interaction with the rotating neutron star magnetosphere. The magnetic torque depends on the precessional phase of the neutron star. The X-ray emission flux from the neutron star also depends on the free precession phase that modulates the heating of the optical-star atmosphere and the intensity of gas streams. We show that this model reproduces well both optical observations of HZ Her and the behavior of the 35-day X-ray cycle.

Classical T Tauri stars with ages of less than 10 Myr possess accretion discs. Magnetohydrodynamic processes at the boundary between the disc and the stellar magnetosphere control the accretion and ejections gas flows. We carried out a long series of simultaneous spectroscopic and photometric observations of the classical T Tauri stars, RY Tauri and SU Aurigae, with the aim to quantify the accretion and outflow dynamics at time-scales from days to years. It is shown that dust in the disc wind is the main source of photometric variability of these stars. In RY Tau, we observed a new effect: during events of enhanced outflow, the circumstellar extinction becomes lower. The characteristic time of changes in outflow velocity and stellar brightness indicates that the obscuring dust is near the star. The outflow activity in both stars is changing on a time-scale of years. Periods of quiescence in the variability of the Hα profile were observed during the 2015–2016 period in RY Tau and during the 2016–2017 period in SU Aur. We interpret these findings in the framework of the magnetospheric accretion model, and we discuss how the global stellar magnetic field can influence the long-term variations of the outflow activity.

This paper presents the results that confirm the sublimation activity at the perihelion of the primitive main-belt asteroids 779 Nina, 704 Interamnia, and 145 Adeona; this activity was first discovered in September 2012 (Busarev et al., 2015; Busarev et al., 2016). The new spectrophotometric and/or UBVRI photometric observations of Nina, Interamnia, and Adeona were carried out in 2016–2018 during a regular perihelion passage of these asteroids. Additionally, probable spectral signs of weak sublimation activity were discovered on another two primitive main-belt asteroids, 51 Nemausa and 65 Cybele. In this study, we discuss the conditions for the occurrence of a periodic and/or continuous sublimation process on main-belt asteroids with low-temperature mineralogy; in particular, the conditions that are associated with their formation close to the “snow line” or beyond. We also consider general evolution processes that are able sustain a sufficiently high concentration of water ice close to the surface of the bodies in question and, therefore, their continuous sublimation activity, or lead to the recurrence of extinct activity.

This study aims timing the eclipses of the short period low mass binary star AB And. The times of minima are taken from the literature and from our observations in October 2013 (22 times of minima) and in August 2014 (23 times of minima). We find and discuss an inaccuracy in the determination of the types of minima in the previous investigation by Li et al. (2014). We study the secular evolution of the central binary’s orbital period and the possibility of the existence of third and fourth companions in the system.

Abstract . We analyzed a 40-year set of multicolor photometry and a 15-year set of synoptic monitoring of SS 433 along with fragmentary spectral and radio data. This system contains a neutron star and an A3–A7 I giant. The system is found to be either close, in contact, or it has a common envelope from time to time. The A-type giant is now in transition to the dynamical mass transfer.

This study aims timing the eclipses of the short period low mass binary star AB And. The times of minima are taken from the literature and from our observations in October 2013 (22 times of minima) and in August 2014 (23 times of minima). We find and discuss an inaccuracy in the determination of the types of minima in the previous investigation by Li et al. (2014). We study the secular evolution of the central binary's orbital period and the possibility of the existence of third and fourth companions in the system. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

AR CrB is a short-period low-mass eclipsing binary.We conducted photometric observations of the system in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and obtained times of its light curves minima.The timing of eclipses (our times of minima combined with data from the literature) shows that the orbital period of AR CrB could possess periodical variations that can be explained by the gravitational influence of a third companion in a highly eccentric orbit around the central binary.

A short period eclipsing binary star CV Boo is tested for the possible existence of additional bodies in the system with a help of the light equation method. We use data on the moments of minima from the literature as well as from our observations during 2014 May–July. A variation of the CV Boo’s orbital period is found with a period of \({\approx}75~\mbox{d}\). This variation can be explained by the influence of a third star with a mass of \({\approx}0.4~\mbox{M}_{\odot}\) in an eccentric orbit with \(e\approx0.9\). A possibility that the orbital period changes on long time scales is discussed. The suggested tertiary companion is near the chaotic zone around the central binary, so CV Boo represents an interesting example to test its dynamical evolution. A list of 14 minima moments of the binary obtained from our observations is presented.

We analyze a set of moments of minima of eclipsing variable V0873 Per. V0873 Per is a short-period low-mass binary star. Data about moments of minima of V0873 Per were taken from the literature and our observations during 2013–2014. Our aim is to test the system on existence of new bodies using timing of minima of eclipses. We found a periodic variation of orbital period of V0873 Per. This variation can be explained by the gravitational influence of a third companion on the central binary star. The mass of the third body candidate is \(\approx 0.2~M_{\odot}\), and its orbital period is \(\approx300~\mbox{days}\). The paper also includes a table with moments of minima calculated from our observations, which can be used in future investigations of V0873 Per.