The orbital and superhump periods of the deeply eclipsing dwarf nova SDSS J150240.98+333423.9

TL;DR

This study reports the first detailed photometric analysis of the eclipsing dwarf nova SDSS J150240.98+333423.9 during its superoutburst, measuring its orbital and superhump periods, and analyzing eclipse characteristics.

Contribution

It provides the first measurement of the superhump and orbital periods, and characterizes eclipse evolution during a superoutburst in this specific dwarf nova.

Findings

Superhump period during outburst: 0.06028 days.

Orbital period measured as 0.05890946 days.

Eclipse duration and depth changed during outburst.

Abstract

During July 2009 we observed the first confirmed superoutburst of the eclipsing dwarf nova SDSS J150240.98+333423.9 using CCD photometry. The outburst amplitude was at least 3.9 magnitudes and it lasted at least 16 days. Superhumps having up to 0.35 peak-to-peak amplitude were present during the outburst, thereby establishing it to be a member of the SU UMa family. The mean superhump period during the first 4 days of the outburst was Psh = 0.06028(19) d, although it increased during the outburst with dPsh/dt = + 2.8(1.0) x 10-4. The orbital period was measured as Porb = 0.05890946(5) d from times of eclipses measured during outburst and quiescence. Based on the mean superhump period, the superhump period excess was 0.023(3). The FWHM eclipse duration declined from a maximum of 10.5 min at the peak of the outburst to 3.5 min later in the outburst. The eclipse depth increased from ~0.9 mag to 2.1 mag over the same period. Eclipses in quiescence were 2.7 min in duration and 2.8 mag deep.