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We report on XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, and NICER X-ray observations of CTCV J2056-3014, a cataclysmic variable (CV) with one of the fastest-spinning white dwarfs (WDs) at P = 29.6 s. While previously classified as an intermediate polar (IP), CJ2056 also exhibits the properties of WZ-Sge-type CVs, such as dwarf novae and superoutbursts. With XMM-Newton and NICER, we detected the spin period up to approximately 2 keV with 7-$\sigma$ significance. We constrained its derivative to |$\dot{P}$| < 1.8e-12 s/s after correcting for binary orbital motion. The pulsed profile is characterized by a single broad peak with approximately 25% modulation. NuSTAR detected a four-fold increase in unabsorbed X-ray flux coincident with an optical flare in November 2022. The XMM-Newton and NICER X-ray spectra in 0.3-10 keV are best characterized by an absorbed optically-thin three-temperature thermal plasma model (kT = 0.3, 1.0, and 4.9 keV), while the NuSTAR spectra in 3-30 keV are best fit by a single-temperature thermal plasma model (kT = 8.4 keV), both with Fe abundance $Z_{Fe}/Z_\odot$ = 0.3. CJ2056 exhibits similarities to other fast-spinning CVs, such as low plasma temperatures, and no significant X-ray absorption at low energies. As the WD's magnetic field strength is unknown, we applied both non-magnetic and magnetic CV spectral models (MKCFLOW and MCVSPEC) to determine the WD mass. The derived WD mass range (M = 0.7-1.0 $M_\odot$) is above the centrifugal break-up mass limit of 0.56 $M_\odot$ and consistent with the mean WD mass of local CVs (M $\approx$ 0.8-0.9 $M_\odot$)., Comment: 22 pages, 12 figures, accepted to ApJ

We present volume-limited samples of cataclysmic variables (CVs) and AM CVn binaries jointly selected from SRG/eROSITA eRASS1 and \textit{Gaia} DR3 using an X-ray + optical color-color diagram (the ``X-ray Main Sequence"). This tool identifies all CV subtypes, including magnetic and low-accretion rate systems, in contrast to most previous surveys. We find 23 CVs, 3 of which are AM CVns, out to 150 pc in the Western Galactic Hemisphere. Our 150 pc sample is spectroscopically verified and complete down to $L_X = 1.3\times 10^{29} \;\textrm{erg s}^{-1}$ in the 0.2--2.3 keV band, and we also present CV candidates out to 300 pc and 1000 pc. We discovered two previously unknown systems in our 150 pc sample: the third nearest AM CVn and a magnetic period bouncer. We find the mean $L_X$ of CVs to be $\langle L_X \rangle \approx 4.6\times 10^{30} \;\textrm{erg s}^{-1}$, in contrast to previous surveys which yielded $\langle L_X \rangle \sim 10^{31}-10^{32} \;\textrm{erg s}^{-1}$. We construct X-ray luminosity functions that, for the first time, flatten out at $L_X\sim 10^{30} \; \textrm{erg s}^{-1}$. We find average number, mass, and luminosity densities of $\rho_\textrm{N, CV} = (3.7 \pm 0.7) \times 10^{-6} \textrm{pc}^{-3}$, $\rho_M = (5.0 \pm 1.0) \times 10^{-5} M_\odot^{-1}$, and $\rho_{L_X} = (2.3 \pm 0.4) \times 10^{26} \textrm{erg s}^{-1}M_\odot^{-1}$, respectively, in the solar neighborhood. Our uniform selection method also allows us to place meaningful estimates on the space density of AM CVns, $\rho_\textrm{N, AM CVn} = (5.5 \pm 3.7) \times 10^{-7} \textrm{pc}^{-3}$. Magnetic CVs and period bouncers make up $35\%$ and $25\%$ of our sample, respectively. This work, through a novel discovery technique, shows that the observed number densities of CVs and AM CVns, as well as the fraction of period bouncers, are still in tension with population synthesis estimates., Comment: Submitted to PASP, comments welcome

The Southern Photometric Local Universe Survey (S-PLUS) is a project to map $\sim9300$ sq deg of the sky using twelve bands (seven narrow and five broadbands). Observations are performed with the T80-South telescope, a robotic telescope located at the Cerro Tololo Observatory in Chile. The survey footprint consists of several large contiguous areas, including fields at high and low galactic latitudes, and towards the Magellanic Clouds. S-PLUS uses fixed exposure times to reach point source depths of about $21$ mag in the $griz$ and $20$ mag in the $u$ and the narrow filters. This paper describes the S-PLUS Data Release 4 (DR4), which includes calibrated images and derived catalogues for over 3000 sq deg, covering the aforementioned area. The catalogues provide multi-band photometry performed with the tools \texttt{DoPHOT} and \texttt{SExtractor} -- point spread function (\PSF) and aperture photometry, respectively. In addition to the characterization, we also present the scientific potential of the data. We use statistical tools to present and compare the photometry obtained through different methods. Overall we find good agreement between the different methods, with a slight systematic offset of 0.05\,mag between our \PSF and aperture photometry. We show that the astrometry accuracy is equivalent to that obtained in previous S-PLUS data releases, even in very crowded fields where photometric extraction is challenging. The depths of main survey (MS) photometry for a minimum signal-to-noise ratio $S/N = 3$ reach from $\sim19.5$ for the bluer bands to $\sim21.5$ mag on the red. The range of magnitudes over which accurate \PSF photometry is obtained is shallower, reaching $\sim19$ to $\sim20.5$ mag depending on the filter. Based on these photometric data, we provide star-galaxy-quasar classification and photometric redshift for millions of objects., Comment: 26 pages, 17 figures, 14 tables, accepted for A&A

We present a broadband X-ray study ($\sim$\,0.3-50 keV) of the dwarf nova SS Cyg highlighting the changes in the accretion during two phases, the quiescence and the outburst states. The investigation was based on simultaneous observations carried out with the XMM-Newton and NuSTAR telescopes in two epochs, involving medium and high-resolution spectroscopy. Spectra were harder during quiescence ($kT_{\rm high}\sim22.8$ keV) than outburst ($kT_{\rm high}\sim8.4$ keV), while the mass accretion rate increased by $\sim35$ times in outburst ($1.7\times10^{16} \rm g\;s^{-1}$) than quiescence. The bolometric luminosity (0.01-100.0 keV) during the outburst was dominated by a blackbody emission ($kT_{\rm BB}\sim28$ eV) from the optically thick boundary layer, and the inner edge of the accretion disk resides very close to the WD surface. X-rays from the accretion disk boundary layer are consistent with the white dwarf having mass $1.18_{-0.01}^{+0.02} \rm M_{\odot}$. Our study conclusively confirms the presence of the reflection hump in the 10-30 keV range for both phases, which arises when X-ray photons hit colder material and undergo Compton scattering. We estimated a similarly strong reflection amplitude during quiescence ($\sim1.25$) and outburst ($\sim1.31$), indicating both the WD surface and disk are contributing to reflection. The neutral Fe K$_{\alpha}$ line, which is correlated with Compton reflection, also showed similar strength ($\sim80$ eV) in both phases. Finally, X-rays also revealed the presence of a partial intrinsic absorber during the outburst, possibly due to an outflowing accretion disk wind., Comment: 14 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal (ApJ)

We report the discovery of 1RXH J082623.6-505741, a 10.4 hr orbital period compact binary. Modeling extensive optical photometry and spectroscopy reveals a $\sim 0.4 M_{\odot}$ K-type secondary transferring mass through a low-state accretion disk to a non-magnetic $\sim 0.8 M_{\odot}$ white dwarf. The secondary is overluminous for its mass and dominates the optical spectra at all epochs, and must be evolved to fill its Roche Lobe at this orbital period. The X-ray luminosity $L_X \sim 1$-$2 \times 10^{32}$ erg s$^{-1}$ derived from both new XMM-Newton and archival observations, although high compared to most CVs, still only requires a modest accretion rate onto the white dwarf of $\dot{M} \sim 3 \times 10^{-11}$ to $3 \times 10^{-10} M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, lower than expected for a cataclysmic variable with an evolved secondary. No dwarf nova outbursts have yet been observed from the system, consistent with the low derived mass transfer rate. Several other cataclysmic variables with similar orbital periods also show unexpectedly low mass transfer rates, even though selection effects disfavor the discovery of binaries with these properties. This suggests the abundance and evolutionary state of long-period, low mass transfer rate cataclysmic variables is worthy of additional attention., Comment: 21 pages, 8 figures, 1 table, accepted to ApJ

gamma Cas is known for its hard and intense X-ray emission that could trace accretion by a compact companion, wind interaction with a hot sub-dwarf companion, or magnetic interaction between the star and its Be decretion disc. These scenarios should lead to diverse dependences of the hard X-ray emission on disc density. We collected X-ray observations of gamma Cas during an episode of enhanced disc activity around January 2021. We investigate the variations in the disc properties using time series of dedicated optical spectroscopy and existing broadband photometry. Epoch-dependent Doppler maps of the H-alpha, H-beta, and He I 5876 emission lines are built to characterise the emission regions in velocity space. We analyse 4 XMM-Newton observations taken at key phases of the enhanced disc activity episode. Archival data are used to study the long-term correlation between optical and X-ray emission. Optical spectroscopy unveils an increase in the radial extent of the emission regions during the episode of enhanced disc activity, whilst no increase in the V-band flux is recorded. Doppler maps do not reveal any stable feature in the disc resulting from the putative action of the companion on the outer parts of the Be disc. No increase in the hard emission is observed in relation to the enhanced disc activity. However, at two occasions, the soft X-ray emission of gamma Cas is strongly attenuated, suggesting more efficient obscuration by a large flaring Be disc. There is a strong correlation between the long-term variations in the X-ray flux and in the V-band photometry. The observed behaviour of gamma Cas suggests no direct link between the properties of the outer regions of the Be disc and the hard X-ray emission, but favours a link between the level of X-ray emission and the properties of the inner part of the Be disc. These results thus disfavour an accretion or colliding wind scenario., Comment: Accepted for publication in A&A

Peaking at 3.7 mag on 2020 July 11, YZ Ret was the second-brightest nova of the decade. The nova's moderate proximity (2.7 kpc from Gaia) provided an opportunity to explore its multi-wavelength properties in great detail. Here we report on YZ Ret as part of a long-term project to identify the physical mechanisms responsible for high-energy emission in classical novae. We use simultaneous Fermi/LAT and NuSTAR observations complemented by XMM-Newton X-ray grating spectroscopy to probe the physical parameters of the shocked ejecta and the nova-hosting white dwarf. The XMM-Newton observations revealed a super-soft X-ray emission which is dominated by emission lines of CV, CVI, NVI, NVII, and OVIII rather than a blackbody-like continuum, suggesting CO-composition of the white dwarf in a high-inclination binary system. Fermi/LAT detected YZ Ret for 15 days with the gamma-ray spectrum best described by a power law with an exponential cut-off at 1.9 +/-0.6 GeV. In stark contrast with theoretical predictions and in keeping with previous NuSTAR observations of Fermi-detected classical novae (V5855 Sgr and V906 Car), the 3.5-78 keV X-ray emission is found to be two orders of magnitude fainter than the GeV emission. The X-ray emission observed by NuSTAR is consistent with a single-temperature thermal plasma. We detect no non-thermal tail of the GeV emission expected to extend down to the NuSTAR band. NuSTAR observations continue to challenge theories of high-energy emission from shocks in novae., Comment: 22 pages, 5 figures, 4 tables; accepted to MNRAS

X-ray observations of shocked gas in novae can provide a useful probe of the dynamics of the ejecta. Here we report on X-ray observations of the nova V959 Mon, which was also detected in GeV gamma-rays with the Fermi satellite. We find that the X-ray spectra are consistent with a two-temperature plasma model with non-solar abundances. We interpret the X-rays as due to shock interaction between the slow equatorial torus and the fast polar outflow that were inferred from radio observations of V959 Mon. We further propose that the hotter component, responsible for most of the flux, is from the reverse shock driven into the fast outflow. We find a systematic drop in the column density of the absorber between Days 60 and 140, consistent with the expectations for such a picture. We present intriguing evidence for a delay of around 40 days in the expulsion of the ejecta from the central binary. Moreover, we infer a relatively small (a few times 10$^{-6}$ Msun) ejecta mass ahead of the shock, considerably lower than the mass of 10$^4$ K gas inferred from radio observations. Finally, we infer that the dominant X-ray shock was likely not radiative at the time of our observations, and that the shock power was considerably higher than the observed X-ray luminosity. It is unclear why high X-ray luminosity, closer to the inferred shock power, is never seen in novae at early times, when the shock is expected to have high enough density to be radiative., Comment: 15 pages, 7 figures; accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

We report on XMM-Newton X-ray observations that reveal CTCV J2056-3014 to be an unusual accretion-powered, intermediate polar (IP) system. It is a member of the class of X-ray-faint IPs whose space density remains unconstrained but potentially very high, with L$_{x,0.3-12 keV}$ of 1.8$\times$10$^{31}$ erg s$^{-1}$. We discovered a coherent 29.6s pulsation in X-rays that was also revealed in our reanalysis of published optical data, showing that the system harbors the fastest-spinning, securely known white dwarf (WD) so far. There is no substantial X-ray absorption in the system. Accretion occurs at a modest rate ($\sim$ 6$\times$10$^{-12}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$) in a tall shock above the WD, while the star seems to be spinning in equilibrium and to have low magnetic fields. Further studies of CTCV J2056-3014 potentially have broad implications on the origin of magnetic fields in WDs, on the population and evolution of magnetic cataclysmic variables, and also on the physics of matter around rapidly rotating magnetic WDs., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL, 5 pages, 2 figures

Shocks in gamma-ray emitting classical novae are expected to produce bright thermal and non-thermal X-rays. We test this prediction with simultaneous NuSTAR and Fermi/LAT observations of nova V906 Car, which exhibited the brightest GeV gamma-ray emission to date. The nova is detected in hard X-rays while it is still gamma-ray bright, but contrary to simple theoretical expectations, the detected 3.5-78 keV emission of V906 Car is much weaker than the simultaneously observed >100 MeV emission. No non-thermal X-ray emission is detected, and our deep limits imply that the gamma-rays are likely hadronic. After correcting for substantial absorption (N_H ~ 2 x 10^23 cm^-2), the thermal X-ray luminosity (from a 9 keV optically-thin plasma) is just ~2% of the gamma-ray luminosity. We consider possible explanations for the low thermal X-ray luminosity, including the X-rays being suppressed by corrugated, radiative shock fronts or the X-rays from the gamma-ray producing shock are hidden behind an even larger absorbing column (N_H >10^25 cm^-2). Adding XMM-Newton and Swift/XRT observations to our analysis, we find that the evolution of the intrinsic X-ray absorption requires the nova shell to be expelled 24 days after the outburst onset. The X-ray spectra show that the ejecta are enhanced in nitrogen and oxygen, and the nova occurred on the surface of a CO-type white dwarf. We see no indication of a distinct super-soft phase in the X-ray lightcurve, which, after considering the absorption effects, may point to a low mass of the white dwarf hosting the nova., Comment: 19 pages, 6 figures, 7 tables; accepted to MNRAS

Classical novae are thermonuclear explosions that occur on the surfaces of white dwarf stars in interacting binary systems (Bode & Evans 2008). It has long been thought that the luminosity of classical novae is powered by continued nuclear burning on the surface of the white dwarf after the initial runaway (Gallaher & Starrfield 1978). However, recent observations of GeV $\gamma$-rays from classical novae have hinted that shocks internal to the nova ejecta may dominate the nova emission. Shocks have also been suggested to power the luminosity of events as diverse as stellar mergers (Metzger & Pejcha 2017), supernovae (Moriya et al. 2018), and tidal disruption events (Roth et al. 2016), but observational confirmation has been lacking. Here we report simultaneous space-based optical and $\gamma$-ray observations of the 2018 nova V906 Carinae (ASASSN-18fv), revealing a remarkable series of distinct correlated flares in both bands. The optical and $\gamma$-ray flares occur simultaneously, implying a common origin in shocks. During the flares, the nova luminosity doubles, implying that the bulk of the luminosity is shock-powered. Furthermore, we detect concurrent but weak X-ray emission from deeply embedded shocks, confirming that the shock power does not appear in the X-ray band and supporting its emergence at longer wavelengths. Our data, spanning the spectrum from radio to $\gamma$-ray, provide direct evidence that shocks can power substantial luminosity in classical novae and other optical transients., Comment: 49 pages including supplementary information. Accepted and published in Nature Astronomy

In the last years, a peculiarity of some Be stars - their association with unusually hard and intense X-ray emission - was shown to extend beyond a mere few cases. In this paper, we continue our search for new cases by performing a limited survey of 18 Be stars using XMM-Newton. The targets were selected either on the basis of a previous X-ray detection (Exosat, ROSAT, XMM-slew survey) without spectral information available, or because of the presence of a peculiar spectral variability. Only two targets remain undetected in the new observations and three other stars only display faint and soft X-rays. Short-term and/or long-term variations were found in one third of the sample. The spectral characterization of the X-ray brightest 13 stars of the sample led to the discovery of three new gamma Cas (HD44458, HD45995, V558Lyr), bringing the total to 25 known cases, and another gamma Cas candidate (HD120678), bringing the total to 2., Comment: accepted for publication in MNRAS

We have examined soft (<2keV) "dips" in six archival XMM-Newton observations of gamma Cas (B0.5IV e) for "soft dips" (< 2keV) in X-ray light curves. We find that such events are sometimes accompanied by minor, near-simultaneous dips in the hard X-ray band. We investigate how these occurrences can be understood in the "magnetic star-disk interaction" X-ray generation hypothesis. The soft X-ray dips are interpreted as transits by dense X-ray-absorbing blobs moving across sightlines to the Be star. These blobs have similar properties as the "cloudlets" responsible for migrating subfeatures in UV and optical spectral lines and therefore may be part of a common distribution of co-rotating occulters. The frequencies, amplitudes, and longevities of these dips vary widely. A spectrum from 2014 July suggest that "warm" (kT = 0.6-4keV) plasma sources are much more widely spread over the Be star's surface than the hot plasma sites that dominate the flux at all X-ray energies. We call attention to a sudden drop in all X-ray energies of the 2014 light curve of gamma Cas and a similar sudden drop in a light curve of the analog HD110432. We speculate that these could be related to strong soft X-ray dips several hours earlier., Comment: Accepted by MNRAS; 10 pages, 6 figures

X-rays in intermediate polars (IPs) originate in a compact region near the surface of a magnetic white dwarf (WD) and interact with the complex environment surrounding the emission region. Here we report a case study of two IPs, TV Col and V2731 Oph with selected archival X-ray observations (NuSTAR, Swift, Suzaku, and XMM-Newton). For TV Col, we were successful in simultaneously accounting for the primary X-rays, the secondary X-rays due to Compton scattering and fluorescence, and the effects of local absorbers. In this case, we were able to demonstrate that the shock height is small, based on the high reflection amplitude, and hence the maximum temperature of the post-shock region can be used to derive the WD mass of 0.735+/-0.015 Msun. Despite the high specific accretion rate required to explain the small shock height, we do not detect any spin modulation in our NuSTAR data, consistent with the modest amount of complex absorption seen spectroscopically. We argue that our results are robust because they are based on the joint temporal-spectral analysis of broadband X-ray data. The spectrum of V2731 Oph is more highly absorbed. Through our analysis of the Suzaku data, we present a spectral model with nitrogen overabundance without the previously claimed soft blackbody that should be further explored. We have been unable to constrain reflection amplitude for V2731 Oph; this and the detection of spin modulation above 10 keV suggest that it may have a tall shock, hence we only derive a lower limit to the mass of its WD (> 0.9 Msun)., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ (June 18, 2019)

Symbiotic stars in which the symbiotic phenomenon is powered solely by accretion, often at an average rate that is higher than in cataclysmic variable stars, provide an important opportunity to diagnose boundary layers around disk-accreting white dwarfs. Here we investigate SU Lyncis, a recently discovered example of a purely accretion-powered symbiotic star, using the first reliable X-ray spectroscopy, obtained with NuSTAR, and UV photometry obtained with Swift. SU Lyn has hard, thermal, X-ray emission that is strongly affected by a variable local absorber - that has little impact on the UV emission. Its X-ray spectrum is described well using a plasma cooling from $k$T $\approx$ 21 keV, with a 3 to 30 keV luminosity of approximately 4.9$\times$10$^{32}$ ergs s$^{-1}$. The spectrum is also consistent with the presence of reflection with an amplitude of 1.0, although in that case, the best-fit plasma temperature is 20-25% lower. The UV to X-ray luminosity ratio of SU Lyn changed significantly between 2015 and 2016. We interpret this as a consequence of a drop by almost 90% in the accretion rate. Whereas the UV luminosity of the disk responded linearly, the luminosity of the optically thin (hard X-ray) emission from the boundary layer remained roughly constant because the boundary layer changed from partially optically thick to almost completely optically thin. Under this interpretation, we place a lower limit on the white dwarf mass of 0.7 M$_{\odot}$ (0.8 M$_{\odot}$ if we neglect reflection)., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ

Massive B and Be stars produce X-rays from shocks in high velocity winds with temperatures of a few million degrees and maximum X-ray luminosities of $\approx$ 10$^{31}$ erg/s. Surprisingly, a sub-group of early Be stars exhibits > 20 times hotter X-ray temperatures and > 10 times higher X-ray luminosities than normal. This group of Be stars, dubbed Gamma-Cas analogs, contains about 10 known objects. The origin of this bizarre behavior has been extensively debated in the past decades. Two mechanisms have been put forward, accretion of circumstellar disk matter onto an orbiting white dwarf, or magnetic field interaction between the star and the circumstellar disk (Smith & Robinson 1999). We show here that the X-ray and optical emissions of the prototype of the class, Gamma-Cas, are very well correlated on year time scales with no significant time delay. Since the expected migration time from internal disk regions that emit most of the optical flux to the orbit of the companion star is of several years, the simultaneity of the high energy and optical fluxes variations indicates that X-ray emission arises from close to the star. The systematic lack of magnetic field detection reported in recent spectro-polarimetric surveys of Be stars is consistent with the absence of strong magnetic wind braking in these fast spinning stars but put strong constraints on the possible origin of the magnetic field. We propose that in Gamma-Cas the magnetic field emerges from equatorially condensed subsurface convecting layers the thickness of which steeply increases with rotation rate and that Gamma-Cas and its analogs are the most massive and closest to critical rotation Be stars, Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ

HD 110432 (BZ Cru; B1Ve) is the brightest member of a small group of "gamma Cas analogs" that emit copious hard X-ray flux, punctuated by ubiquitous "flares." To characterize the X-ray time history of this star, we made a series of six RXTE multi-visit observations in 2010 and an extended observation with the XMM-Newton in 2007. We analyzed these new light curves along with three older XMM-Newton observations from 2002--2003. Distributed over five months, the RXTE observations were designed to search for long X-ray modulations over a few months. These observations indeed suggest the presence of a long cycle with P = 226 days and an amplitude of a factor of two. We also used X-ray light curves constructed from XMM-Newton observations to characterize the lifetimes, strengths, and interflare intervals of 1615 flare-like events in the light curves. After accounting for false positive events, we infer the presence of 955 (2002-2003) and 386 (2007) events we identified as flares. Similarly, as a control we measured the same attributes for an additional group of 541 events in XMM-Newton light curves of gamma Cas, which after a similar correction yielded 517 flares. We found that the flare properties of HD 110432 are mostly similar to our control group. In both cases the distribution of flare strengths are best fit with log-linear relations. Both the slopes of these distributions and the flaring frequencies themselves exhibit modest fluctuations. We discovered that some flares in the hard X-ray band of HD 110432 were weak or unobserved in the soft band and vice versa. The light curves also occasionally show rapid curve drop offs that are sustained for hours. We discuss the existence of the long cycle and these flare properties in the backdrop of two rival scenarios to produce hard X-rays, a magnetic star-disk interaction and the accretion of blobs onto a secondary white dwarf., Comment: 11 pages, 10 figures; accepted by the Astrophysical Journal

We report the discovery of 12 new fossil groups of galaxies, systems dominated by a single giant elliptical galaxy and cluster-scale gravitational potential, but lacking the population of bright galaxies typically seen in galaxy clusters. These fossil groups (FGs), selected from the maxBCG optical cluster catalog, were detected in snapshot observations with the Chandra X-ray Observatory. We detail the highly successful selection method, with an 80% success rate in identifying 12 FGs from our target sample of 15 candidates. For 11 of the systems, we determine the X-ray luminosity, temperature, and hydrostatic mass, which do not deviate significantly from expectations for normal systems, spanning a range typical of rich groups and poor clusters of galaxies. A small number of detected FGs are morphologically irregular, possibly due to past mergers, interaction of the intra-group medium (IGM) with a central AGN, or superposition of multiple massive halos. Two-thirds of the X-ray-detected FGs exhibit X-ray emission associated with the central BCG, although we are unable to distinguish between AGN and extended thermal galaxy emission using the current data. This sample, a large increase in the number of known FGs, will be invaluable for future planned observations to determine FG temperature, gas density, metal abundance, and mass distributions, and to compare to normal (non-fossil) systems. Finally, the presence of a population of galaxy-poor systems may bias mass function determinations that measure richness from galaxy counts. When used to constrain power spectrum normalization and {\Omega}_m, these biased mass functions may in turn bias these results., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures; changes reflect the version accepted to ApJ

Defined as X-ray bright galaxy groups with large differences between the luminosities of their brightest and second brightest galaxies, "fossil groups" are believed to be some of the oldest galaxy systems in the universe. They have therefore been the subject of much recent research. In this work we present a study of 10 fossil group candidates with an average of 33 spectroscopically confirmed members per group, making this the deepest study of its type to-date. We also use this data to perform an analysis of the luminosity function of our sample of fossil groups. We confirm the high masses previously reported for many of fossil systems, finding values more similar to those of clusters than of groups. We also confirm the high dynamical mass-to-light ratios reported in many previous studies. While our results are consistent with previous studies in many ways, our interpretation is not. This is because we show that, while the luminosities of the BCGs in these systems are consistent with their high dynamical masses, their richnesses (total number of galaxies above some canonical value) are extremely low. This leads us to suggest a new interpretation of fossil systems in which the large differences between the luminosities of their brightest and second brightest galaxies are simply the result the high BCG luminosities and low richnesses, while the high masses and low richnesses also explain the high mass-to-light ratios. Our results therefore suggest that fossil systems can be characterised as cluster-like in their masses and BCG luminosities, but possessing the richnesses and optical luminosities of relatively poor groups. These findings are not predicted by any of the current models for the formation of fossil groups. Therefore, if this picture is confirmed, current ideas about the formation and evolution of fossil systems will need to be reformulated., Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

We report the discovery of a hard-thermal (T ~ 130 MK) and variable X-ray emission from the Be star HD 157832, a new member of the puzzling class of gamma-Cas-like Be/X-ray systems. Recent optical spectroscopy reveals the presence of a large/dense circumstellar disc seen at intermediate/high inclination. With a B1.5V spectral type, HD 157832 is the coolest gamma-Cas analog known. In addition, its non detection in the ROSAT all-sky survey shows that its average soft X-ray luminosity varied by a factor larger than ~ 3 over a time interval of 14 yr. These two remarkable features, ``low'' effective temperature and likely high X-ray variability turn HD 157832 into a promising object for understanding the origin of the unusually high temperature X-ray emission in these systems., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJL; 10 pages, 3 figures, 1 table

We present a new insight on NGC 6034 and UGC 842, two groups of galaxies previously reported in the literature as being fossil groups. The study is based on optical photometry and spectroscopy obtained with the CTIO Blanco telescope and Sloan Digital Sky Survey archival data. We find that NGC 6034 is embedded in a large structure, dominated by three rich clusters and other small groups. Its first and next four ranked galaxies have magnitude differences in the r band and projected distances which violate the optical criteria to classify it as a fossil group. We confirm that the UGC 842 group is a fossil group, but with about half the velocity dispersion that is reported in previous works. The velocity distribution of its galaxies reveals the existence of two structures in its line of sight, one with sigmaV ~ 223 km/s and another with sigmaV ~ 235 km/s, with a difference in velocity of ~820 km/s. The main structure is dominated by passive galaxies, while these represent ~60% of the second structure. The X-ray temperature for the intragroup medium of a group with such a velocity dispersion is expected to be kT ~0.5-1 keV, against the observed value of kT ~1.9 keV reported in the literature. This result makes UGC 842 a special case among fossil groups because (1) it represents more likely the interaction between two small groups, which warms the intragroup medium and/or (2) it could constitute evidence that member galaxies lost energy in the process of spiraling toward the group center, and decreased the velocity dispersion of the system. As far as we know, UGC 842 is the first low-mass fossil group studied in detail., Comment: 18 pages, 8 figures, published in AJ

We have started a study of luminosity functions of Fossil Group candidates in order to characterize the faint-end of their galaxy distribution. Here we report on results of nine of them from SDSS photometry., Comment: 1 page, to be published in the proceedings of the conference "Galaxies in Isolation: Exploring Nature vs. Nurture" (12-15 May 2009; Granada, Spain) - (minor typo corrected)

gamma Cassiopeiae (gCas) is a B0.5e star with peculiar X-ray emission properties and yet the prototype of its own small class. In this paper we examine the X-ray spectra for a 2004 XMM-Newton observation and a previously published 2001 Chandra observation. In both cases the spectra can be modeled with 3 or 4 thermal components, which appear be discrete in temperature and spatially distinct. The dominant component, having kT ~ 12 keV contributes most (~80-90%) of the flux. The secondary components have temperatures in the range of 2-3 keV to 0.1 keV; these values can shift in time. Importantly, we find that the strong absorption of soft X-rays in 2001 is absent in 2004, meaning that an absorbing column in front of the source has moved off the star or has been removed. Other differences include a reduced Fe abundance from the ionized lines of the FeKalpha complex (even more subsolar than the 2001 observation), a decrease of the Fe K and possibly of the Si K fluorescence features, and from the NVII and NeX H-alpha lines, a possible overabundance of N and Ne. Also, we note common characteristics in both spectra that seem to set gCas apart from HD110342, another member of this subclass studied in detail. In this sense these stars have different "personalities." For example, for gCas rapid X-ray flaring and slower changes in the light curve are only seldomly accompanied by variations in hardness, and the hot X-ray component remains nearly constant in temperature. Moreover, the light curve shows recurrent "lulls" in flux, suggesting that a relaxation cycle is operates as part of the (unknown) X-ray generation process., Comment: 15 pages, 8 figures. Accepted for publication in A&A

(ABRIDGED) - HD 110432 is the first proposed, and best studied, member of a growing group of Be stars with X-ray properties similar to gamma Cas. These stars exhibit hard-thermal X-ray emissions (kT ~> 7 keV) that are variable on all measurable timescales. In this work we present X-ray spectral and timing properties of HD 110432 from three XMM-Newton observations in addition to new optical spectroscopic observations. Its X-ray spectrum, complex and timing dependent, is well described in each observation by three thermal plasmas with temperatures ranging between 0.4-0.7, 3-6, and 21-37 keV. Thus, HD 110432 has the hottest thermal plasma of any known Be star. A sub-solar iron abundance (~ 0.3-0.5 x ZFe_sun) is derived for the hottest plasma. The star has a moderate 0.2-12 keV luminosity of ~ 5 x 10^32 erg/s. Recurrent flare-like events on time scales as short as ~ 10 seconds are superimposed over a slowly ~ 5-10 x 10^3 seconds varying basal flux, followed by similarly rapid hardness variabilities. There is no evidence for coherent oscillations, and an upper limit of ~ 2.5% is derived on the pulsed fraction for short pulsations from 0.005 to 2.5 Hz. In the optical region the strong and quasi-symmetrical profile of the Halpha line (EW \~ -60 Angs.) as well as the detection of several metallic lines in emission strongly suggest a dense and/or large circumstellar disk. HD 110432 has several properties reminiscence of the cataclysmic variables such as a very hot X-ray temperature and its detailed spectral features. This suggests that it might be a Be star harbouring an accreting white dwarf. On the other hand, accumulating evidence of magnetic activities in the literature supports the surface-disk of the star as being the X-ray site., Comment: 17 pages, 10 figures, A&A in press

A growing number of early Be stars exhibit unusually hard X-ray spectra and luminosities intermediate between those typical of early type stars and those emitted by most Be/X-ray binaries in quiescence. We report on XMM-Newton and optical observations of two such Be stars, SAO 49725 and HD 161103. The nature of the hard-thermal X-ray emission is discussed in the light of the models proposed for Gamma Cas, magnetic disc-star interaction or accretion onto a compact companion object - neutron star or white dwarf. These two new objects added to similar cases discovered in XMM-Newton surveys point at the emergence of a new class of Gamma Cas analogs., Comment: 14 pages, 9 figs, accepted for publication in A&A

A growing number of early Be stars discovered in X-ray surveys exhibit X-ray luminosities intermediate between those of normal stars and those of most Be/X-ray binaries in quiescence. Their X-ray spectra are also much harder than those of shocked wind OB stars and can be best fitted by a thin thermal plasma with T ~ 10^8 K, added to a cooler and much fainter thermal component. An iron line complex including a fluorescence component is detected in many cases. There is no evidence for coherent pulsations in any of these systems but strong variability on time scales as short as 100 s is usually observed. Large oscillations with quasi-periods of the order of one hour or more are detected in the X-ray light curves of several sources, but have so far failed to prove to be strictly periodic. The optical and X-ray properties of these new objects strikingly resemble those of the so far unique and enigmatic Be star Gamma-Cas and define a new class of X-ray emitters. We discuss the possible origin of the X-ray emission in the light of the models proposed for Gamma-Cas, magnetic disc-star interaction or accretion onto a compact companion object -- neutron star or white dwarf., Comment: 7 pages, to appear in "Active OB Stars: Laboratories for Stellar & Circumstellar Physics", eds. S. Stefl, S. P. Owocki & A. Okazaki. ASP Conf. Ser. 2006, in press (uses asp style)