Discovery of deep eclipses in the cataclysmic variable IPHAS J013031.89+622132.3

TL;DR

This study reports the discovery of very deep, symmetrical eclipses in the cataclysmic variable IPHAS J013031.89+622132.3, enabling precise orbital period determination and suggesting it is a nova-like variable.

Contribution

The paper provides the first detailed photometric analysis of IPHAS J013031.89+622132.3, including the discovery of deep eclipses and a highly precise orbital period estimate.

Findings

Deep eclipses with an average depth of 1.88 mag

Orbital period determined as 0.14935014 days with high precision

Likely classified as a nova-like variable due to absence of outbursts

Abstract

I performed photometric observations of the poorly studied cataclysmic variable IPHAS J013031.89+622132.3 and discovered very deep eclipses. I obtained observations over 14 nights for a total time of 50 hours during a time span of 6 months. Thanks to the long observation interval, I determined the orbital period with high precision, Porb=0.14935014+/-0.00000020 d. I derived the eclipse ephemeris, which, thanks to the precision of the orbital period, has a formal validity of 300 years. The average eclipse depth was 1.88+/-0.07 mag. The prominent parts of the eclipses were smooth and symmetrical. The average eclipse width, including extended asymmetric eclipse wings, was 0.18+/-0.01 phases or 40+/-2 min. The average orbital light curve did not show a prominent orbital hump. Because no dwarf nova outburst occurred during the 6 months of monitoring, this cataclysmic variable is likely to be a nova-like variable.