XMM-Newton observation of MACHO 104.20906.960: a dwarf nova candidate with a 2 h period

TL;DR

This study reports XMM-Newton observations of a candidate dwarf nova, MACHO 104.20906.960, revealing a 2-hour orbital period, spectral characteristics, and estimated luminosity, supporting its classification as an interacting binary system.

Contribution

First X-ray detection and period analysis of MACHO 104.20906.960, confirming its nature as a dwarf nova candidate with a 2-hour orbital period.

Findings

Detected a 2.03-hour period with >99% confidence

Spectrum fits two thermal plasma components

Estimated X-ray luminosity around 2×10^31 erg/s

Abstract

The binaries known as cataclysmic variables are particular binary systems in which the primary star (a white dwarf) accretes material from a secondary via Roche-lobe mechanism. Usually, these objects have orbital period of a few hours so that a detailed temporal analysis can be performed. Here, we present Chandra ${\it XMM}$-Newton observations of a dwarf nova candidate identified in the past by optical observations towards the galactic Bulge and labeled as MACHO 104.20906.960. After a spectral analysis, we used the Lomb-Scargle technique for the period search and evaluated the confidence level using Monte-Carlo simulations. In this case, we found that the $X$-ray source shows a period of $2.03_{-0.07}^{+0.09} $ hours (3$\sigma$ error) so that it is most likely a system of interacting objects. The modulation of the signal was found with a confidence level of $>$99%. The spectrum can be described by a two thermal plasma components with X-ray flux in the 0.3--10 keV energy band of $1.77_{-0.19}^{+0.16}\times10^{-13}$ erg s$^{-1}$ cm$^{-2}$. We find that the distance of the source is approximately 1 kpc thus corresponding to a luminosity $L_{X}\simeq 2\times 10^{31}$ erg s$^{-1}$.