Extensive Photometry of V1838 Aql during the 2013 Superoutburst

TL;DR

This study provides detailed photometric observations of V1838 Aql's 2013 superoutburst, determining its orbital period, superhump development, and suggesting it is nearing the orbital period minimum with a low-mass donor star.

Contribution

It offers the first detailed photometric analysis of V1838 Aql's superoutburst, including orbital period measurement and insights into its evolutionary status.

Findings

Orbital period Porb = 0.05698 days.

Period excess ε = 0.024.

V1838 Aql is approaching the orbital period minimum.

Abstract

We present an in-depth photometric study of the 2013 superoutburst of the recently discovered cataclysmic variable V1838 Aql and subsequent photometry near its quiescent state. A careful examination of the development of the superhumps is presented. Our best determination of the orbital period is Porb = 0.05698(9) days, based on the periodicity of early superhumps. Comparing the superhump periods at stages A and B with the early superhump value we derive a period excess of {\epsilon} = 0.024(2) and a mass ratio of q = 0.10(1). We suggest that V1838 Aql is approaching the orbital period minimum and thus has a low-mass star as a donor instead of a sub-stellar object.