Searching for outbursts from Symbiotic Binaries in GOTO and ATLAS data

TL;DR

This study searches for outbursts in Symbiotic Binaries using GOTO and ATLAS data, identifying new and known outbursts, including the first Z And-type outburst in the LMC, enhancing understanding of these phenomena.

Contribution

The paper introduces a method combining GOTO and ATLAS photometry to identify and characterize outbursts in Symbiotic Binaries, including new discoveries and the first Z And-type outburst in the LMC.

Findings

Identified ten candidate outbursting systems from GOTO data.

Confirmed five systems with outbursts using ATLAS photometry.

Reported the first Z And-type outburst in the LMC.

Abstract

Symbiotic Binaries contain a white dwarf accreting material from a red giant star through a wind. We present the results of a search for outbursts from Symbiotic Binaries using photometric data obtained using the GOTO all-sky survey taken from 2023 onwards. After identifying ten candidate outbursting systems, we used ATLAS photometry to characterise their photometric behaviour before 2023, leaving five systems which showed photometric behaviour consistent with an outburst. The ATLAS data showed how important the photometric history of an object is in determining whether a photometric feature is a likely outburst event. The outburst from LMC N67 is the first reported Z And-type outburst from a Symbiotic binary in the LMC. OGLE SMC-LPV-4044 and HK Sco show previously unreported outbursts. QW Sge and V4141 Sgr show outbursts starting in 2024, which have already been reported and are ongoing. By better identifying and characterising Z And-type outbursts from many systems, it will be possible to better understand the physics of these events, which are still not fully understood.