We carry out timing and spectral studies of the Be/X-ray binary pulsar GX 304-1 using NuStar and XMM-Newton observations. We construct the long-term spin period evolution of the pulsar which changes from a long-term spin-up (∼ 1.3 × 10−13 Hz s−1) to a long-term spin-down (∼ −3.4 × 10−14 Hz s−1) trend during a low luminosity state (∼ 1034–35 erg s−1). A prolonged low luminosity regime (LX ∼ 1034–35 erg s−1) was detected during 2005-2010 and spanning nearly five years since 2018 December. The XMM-Newton and NuStar spectra can be described with a power law plus blackbody model having an estimated luminosity of ∼ 2.5 × 1033 erg s−1 and ∼ 3.6 × 1033 erg s−1 respectively. The inferred radius of the blackbody emission is about 100-110 m which suggests a polar-cap origin of this component. From long-term ultraviolet observations of the companion star, an increase in the ultraviolet signatures is detected preceding the X-ray outbursts. The spectral energy distribution of the companion star is constructed which provides a clue of possible UV excess when X-ray outbursts were detected from the neutron star compared to the quiescent phase. We explore plausible mechanisms to explain the long-term spin-down and extended low luminosity manifestation in this pulsar. We find that sustained accretion from a cold disc may explain the prolonged low luminosity state of the pulsar since December 2018 but the pulsar was undergoing normal accretion during the low luminosity period spanning 2005-2010.

The observations and simulations have revealed that large-scale magnetic field and outflows can exist in the inner regions of an advection-dominated accretion disc where the resistive diffusion may also be important. In the present paper, the roles of large-scale magnetic field and outflows in the structure of resistive advection-dominated accretion discs are explored by assuming that the accretion flow is radially self-similar. In the non-ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) approximation, the results show that the angular velocity is always sub-Keplerian when both the outflow and the large-scale magnetic field are taken into account. A stronger toroidal field component leads to faster rotation, while the disc rotates with faster rate if the vertical field component is weaker. The increase of magnetic diffusivity causes the infall velocity to be close to Keplerian velocity. Although the previous studies in the ideal MHD approximation have shown that the disc temperature decreases due to the vertical field component, we find that the effect of vertical field component on the temperature of a resistive disc depends on the magnetic diffusivity. When the magnetic diffusivity is high, the more efficient mechanism for decreasing the disc temperature can be the outflows, and not the large-scale magnetic field. In such a limit of the magnetic diffusivity, the components of the large-scale magnetic field enhance the gas temperature. The increase of temperature can lead to heating and acceleration of the electrons and help us to explain the origin of phenomena such as the flares in Sgr A*. On the other hand, the infall velocity in such a limit rises as the temperature increases, and therefore the surface density falls to too low values. Any change in the density profile can alter the structure and the emitted spectrum of disc.

Accretion discs appear in many astrophysical systems. In most cases, these discs are probably not completely axisymmetric. Discs in binary systems are often found to be misaligned with respect to the binary orbit. In this case, the gravitational torque from a companion induces nodal precession in misaligned rings of gas. We first calculate whether this precession is strong enough to overcome the internal disc torques communicating angular momentum. For typical parameters, precession torque wins. To check this result, we perform numerical simulations using the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics code, PHANTOM, and confirm that sufficiently thin and sufficiently inclined discs can break into distinct planes that precess effectively independently. Disc tearing is widespread and severely changes the disc structure. It enhances dissipation and promotes stronger accretion onto the central object. We also perform a stability analysis on isolated warped discs to understand the physics of disc breaking and tearing observed in numerical simulations. The instability appears in the form of viscous anti-diffusion of the warp amplitude and the surface density. The discovery of disc breaking and tearing has revealed new physical processes that dramatically change the evolution of accretion discs, with obvious implications for observed systems.

It has been controversial for years that the accretion mode is different for bright active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and low-luminosity AGNs (LLAGNs). In this work, we compile from literature a sample of 32 LLAGNs, consisting 18 LINERs and 14 low Eddington ratio (λ) Seyfert galaxies. A strong negative correlation between the radio loudness RUV and the optical to X-ray spectral index αox is reported for the first time. We further demonstrate that this negative correlation can be understood consistently and comprehensively under the truncated accretion — jet model, a model that has been applied successfully to LLAGNs. We argue that the scatter in the observations is mainly due to the spread in the viscosity parameter α of a hot accretion flow, a parameter that can potentially serve as a diagnosis of the strength and/or configuration of magnetic fields in accretion flows.

The merger of two supermassive black holes (SMBHs) imparts a gravitational-wave (GW) recoil kick to the remnant SMBH, which can even eject the SMBH from its host galaxy. An actively-accreting, recoiling SMBH may be observable as an offset quasar. Prior to the advent of a space-based GW observatory, detections of these offset quasars may offer the best chance for identifying recent SMBH mergers. Indeed, observational searches for recoiling quasars have already identified several promising candidates. However, systematic searches for recoils are currently hampered by large uncertainties regarding how often offset quasars should be observable and where they are most likely to be found. Motivated by this, we have developed a model for recoiling quasars in a cosmological framework, utilizing information about the progenitor galaxies from the Illustris cosmological hydrodynamic simulations. For the first time, we model the effects of BH spin alignment and recoil dynamics based on the gas-richness of host galaxies. We predict that if BH spins are not highly aligned, seeing-limited observations could resolve offset AGN, making them promising targets for all-sky surveys. The rarity of large broad-line offsets among SDSS quasars is likely due in part to selection effects but suggests that spin alignment plays a role in suppressing recoils. Nonetheless, in our most physically motivated model where alignment occurs only in gas-rich mergers, hundreds of offset AGN should be found in all-sky surveys. Our findings strongly motivate a dedicated search for recoiling AGN.

We present the results of 26 nights of CCD photometry of the nova V2540 Oph (2002) from 2003 to 2004. We find a period of 0.284781 ± 0.000006 d (6.8347 ± 0.0001 h) in the data. Since this period was present in the light curves taken in both years, with no apparent change in its value or amplitude, we interpret it as the orbital period of the nova binary system. The mass–period relation for cataclysmic variables yields a secondary mass of about 0.75 ± 0.04 M⊙. From maximum magnitude–rate of decline relation, we estimate a maximum absolute visual magnitude of MV = −6.2 ± 0.4 mag. This value leads to an uncorrected distance modulus of (m – M) = 14.7 ± 0.7. By using the interstellar reddening for the location of V2540 Oph, we find a rough estimate for the distance of 5.2 ± 0.8 kpc. We propose that V2540 Oph is either (1) a high-inclination cataclysmic variable showing a reflection effect of the secondary star, or having a spiral structure in the accretion disc, (2) a high-inclination intermediate polar system, or less likely (3) a polar.

We present the results obtained from unfiltered photometric CCD observations of the newly discovered cataclysmic variable SDSS J040714.78–064425.1 made during seven nights in 2003 November. We establish the dwarf nova nature of the object as it was in outburst during our observations. We also confirm the presence of deep eclipses with a period of 0.17017 ± 0.00003 d in the optical light curve of the star. In addition, we found periods of 0.166 ± 0.001 d and possibly also 5.3 ± 0.7 d in the data. The 0.17017 d periodicity is consistent within the errors with the proposed orbital period of 0.165 and 0.1700 d. Using the known relation between the orbital and superhump periods, we interpret the 0.166 and 5.3 d periods as the negative superhump and the nodal precession period respectively. SDSS J040714.78–064425.1 is then classified as a negative superhump system with one of the largest orbital periods.