Activity on the M star of QS Vir

Abstract

We report analysis of VRIJH photometry, and phase-resolved optical spectroscopy of the eclipsing DA white dwarf plus dMe dwarf binary QS Vir. Modeling of the photometric data yields an inclination of $i=74.9\pm 0.6$ and a mass ratio of $q=M_2/M_1=0.50\pm 0.05$. Our Doppler maps indicate the presence of material in the Roche lobe of the white dwarf, at a location near the M star, likely due to accretion from the stellar wind of the M star (as opposed to Roche-lobe overflow accretion). We also constructed images of the brightness distribution of the M star at different epochs which reveal the location of two stable active regions. Doppler tomography shows that the majority of the Hydrogen and Ca II H&K emission originates on the active M dwarf, likely distributed in two preferred activity longitudes, similar to active regions on BY Dra and FK Comae systems.

29 pages, 8 figures, accepted to Astronomical Journal

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• Parallax and Distance Estimates for Twelve Cataclysmic Variable Stars
• First measurement of the magnetic field on FK Com and its relation to the contemporaneous starspot locations
• A multicolor near-infrared study of the dwarf nova IP Peg
• Optical polarimetry and infrared photometry of two AM Her binaries: 1RXS J161008.0+035222 and 1RXS J231603.9-052713
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• Spectroscopic Detection of a 2.9-hour Orbit in a Long Period Radio Transient
• A dynamo mechanism as the potential origin of the long cycle in Double Periodic Variables
• Detection of accretion X-rays from QS Vir: cataclysmic or a lot of hot air?
• The Applegate mechanism in Post-Common-Envelope Binaries: Investigating the role of rotation
• Accretion and activity on the post-common-envelope binary RR~Cae
• A magnetic accretion switch in pre-cataclysmic binaries?
• Long-term Spot Stability in the Post-common-envelope Binary QS Vir