Photometry of some neglected bright cataclysmic variables and candidates

TL;DR

This study presents new photometric observations of five bright cataclysmic variables, analyzing their light curves to identify variability patterns, potential orbital modulations, and possible magnetic accretion features, thereby enhancing understanding of these less-studied systems.

Contribution

First time time-resolved photometry for these five CVs, providing data to improve classification and understanding of their variability and magnetic properties.

Findings

No variability in Lib 3, not confirmed as CV

Detected flickering in all other targets

Possible orbital modulations in BO Cet and V380 Oph

Abstract

As part of an effort to better characterize bright cataclysmic variables (CVs) which have received little attention in the past light curves of four confirmed systems (CZ Aql, BO Cet, V380 Oph and EF Tuc) and one candidate (Lib 3) are analyzed. For none of these stars time resolved photometry has been published previously. While no variability was found in the case of Lib 3, which thus cannot be confirmed as a CV, the light curves of all other targets are dominated by strong flickering. Modulations on hourly time scales superimposed on the flickering can probably be related to orbital variations in BO Cet and V380 Oph, but not in CZ Aql and EF Tuc. Variations on the time scale of 10 minutes in CZ Aql, while not yet constituting convincing evidence, together with previous suspicions of a magnetically channeled accretion flow may point at an intermediate polar nature of this star. Some properties of the flickering are quantified in an effort to enlarge the data base for future comparative flickering studies in CVs and to refine the classification of the target stars.