We present HST spectroscopy for 45 cataclysmic variables (CVs), observed with HST/COS and HST/STIS. For 36 CVs, the white dwarf is recognisable through its broad Ly a absorption profile and we measure the white dwarf effective temperatures (T-eff) by fitting the HST data assuming log g = 8.35, which corresponds to the average mass for CV white dwarfs (similar or equal to 0.8M(circle dot)). Our results nearly double the number of CV white dwarfs with an accurate temperature measurement. We find that CVs above the period gap have, on average, higher temperatures (< T-eff > similar or equal to 23 000 K) and exhibit much more scatter compared to those below the gap (< T-eff >similar or equal to 15 000 K). While this behaviour broadly agrees with theoretical predictions, some discrepancies are present: ( i) all our new measurements above the gap are characterized by lower temperatures (T-eff similar or equal to 16 000-26 000 K) than predicted by the present-day CV population models (T-eff similar or equal to 38 000-43 000 K); (ii) our results below the gap are not clustered in the predicted narrow track and exhibit in particular a relatively large spread near the period minimum, which may point to some shortcomings in the CV evolutionary models. Finally, in the standard model of CV evolution, reaching the minimum period, CVs are expected to evolve back towards longer periods with mean accretion rates. M less than or similar to 2 x 10(-11)M(circle dot)yr(-1), corresponding to T-eff less than or similar to 11 500 K. We do not unambiguously identify any such system in our survey, suggesting that this major component of the predicted CV population still remains elusive to observations.

Extensive photometric and spectroscopic observations have been obtained for the binary HS1136+6646, a newly formed post-common envelope binary system containing a hot ~DAO.5 primary and a highly irradiated secondary. H1136+6646 is the most extreme example yet of a class of short period systems containing a hot H-rich white dwarf with a K-M companion. An orbital period of 0.83607(3) days has been determined through the phasing of radial velocities, emission line equivalent widths, and photometric measurements spanning a range of 24 months. Radial velocity measurements yield an amplitude of K_WD = 69(2) km s^-1 for the white dwarf and K_K7V = 115 +/- 1 km s^-1 for the secondary star. Photometric measurements revealed a low amplitude modulation with a period of 234 minutes, associated with the rotation of the white dwarf. The white dwarf is estimated to have an effective temperature and gravity of ~100,000 K and log g~8.29 respectively, indicating the binary system is the second earliest post-CE objects known, having an age around 6.4x10^5 years. Indications are that the secondary star is overly luminous for its mass.I also present FUSE observations of the magnetic cataclysmic variable V405 Aurigae. Together with four other DQ Her type binaries, V405 Aur forms a small subclass of intermediate polars which are likely to evolve into low magnetic field strength polars. The FUSE spectrum exhibits broad O VI and C III emission-lines as well as a narrow O VI emission-line component which likely forms near the white dwarf surface in an optically thin gas. Radial velocity measurements restrict any orbital modulation to a very low amplitude (K_WD = 2.5(0.5) km s^-1) indicating that the binary system is at low inclination.Recent photometric and spectroscopic observations have revealed J0644+3344 to be a bright, deeply eclipsing cataclysmic variable binary with a 6.46488(24) hour period. Although the nature of the hot component is not presently clear, J0644+3344 is one of the brightest eclipsing nova-like cataclysmic variable system yet. As such, the possibility exists for an unambiguous determination of the masses and temperatures of both components in future studies.

We present a spectral analysis of the spectrum from the Hubble Space Telescope Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (HST/COS) of the southern VY Scl nova-like variable BB Doradus, obtained as part of a Cycle 20 HST/COS survey of accreting white dwarfs (WDs) in cataclysmic variables. BB Dor was observed with COS during an intermediate state with a low mass accretion rate, thereby allowing an estimate of the WD temperature. The results of our spectral analysis show that the WD is a significant far-ultraviolet (FUV) component of the spectrum with a temperature of about 35,000-50,000 K, assuming a WD mass of 0.80 M-circle dot (log(g) = 8.4). The disk, with a mass accretion rate of approximate to 10(-10) M-circle dot yr(-1), contributes about 1/5 to 1/2 of the FUV flux.

WASP-18 hosts a massive, very close-in Jupiter-like planet. Despite its young age (< 1 Gyr), the star presents an anomalously low stellar activity level: the measured log R'(HK) activity parameter lies slightly below the basal level; there is no significant time-variability in the log R'(HK) value; there is no detection of the star in the X-rays. We present results of far-UV observations of WASP-18 obtained with COS on board of Hubble Space Telescope aimed at explaining this anomaly. From the star's spectral energy distribution, we infer the extinction (E(B-V) approximate to 0.01 mag) and then the interstellar medium (ISM) column density for a number of ions, concluding that ISM absorption is not the origin of the anomaly. We measure the flux of the four stellar emission features detected in the COS spectrum (C II, C III, C IV, Si IV). Comparing the C II/C IV flux ratio measured for WASP-18 with that derived from spectra of nearby stars with known age, we see that the far-UV spectrum of WASP-18 resembles that of old (> 5 Gyr), inactive stars, in stark contrast with its young age. We conclude that WASP-18 has an intrinsically low activity level, possibly caused by star-planet tidal interaction, as suggested by previous studies. Re-scaling the solar irradiance reference spectrum to match the flux of the Si IV line, yields an XUV integrated flux at the planet orbit of 10.2 erg s(-1) cm(-2). We employ the rescaled XUV solar fluxes to models of the planetary upper atmosphere, deriving an extremely low thermal mass-loss rate of 10(-20) M-J Gyr(-1). For such high-mass planets, thermal escape is not energy limited, but driven by Jeans escape.

We present a. survey of high dispersion UV and optical spectra of Herbig Ae/Be (HAeBe) and related stars. We find accreting, circumstellar gas over the velocity range +100 to +400 km s-1, and absorption profiles similar to those seen toward β Pic, in 36% of the 33 HAeBe stars with IUE data as well as in 3 non-emission B stars. We also find evidence of accretion in 7 HAeBe stars with optical data only. Line profile variability appears ubiquitous. As a group, the stars with accreting gas signatures have higher ν sin i than the stars with outflowing material, and tend to exhibit large amplitude (≥ 1m) optical light variations. All of the program stars with polarimetric variations that are anti-correlated with the optical light, previously interpreted as the signature of a dust disk viewed close to equator-on, also show spectral signatures of accreting gas. These data imply that accretion activity in HAeBe stars is preferentially observed when the line of sight transits the circumstellar dust disk. Our data imply that the spectroscopic signatures of accreting circumstellar material seen in β Pic are not unique to that object, but instead are consistent with interpretation of β Pic as a comparatively young A star with its associated circumstellar disk.

Ultraviolet spectra obtained with Hubble Space Telescope (HST) of two Mira-type variable stars, R Leo and R Hya, are presented, along with analysis providing information on their outer atmospheres. These high-dispersion spectra were taken with the Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph (HRS) in two spectral regions: 2320-2368 Å to record the C II] (UV0.01) multiplet and 2785-2835 Å to obtain the Mg II h and k lines. The R Hya spectrum was obtained at visual light phase 0.26 and shows a Mg II spectrum that is very clean, showing clear evidence for the overlying circumstellar absorption from Fe I (UV3) and Mn I (UV1) over the k line. The fluoresced Fe I (UV44) feature at 2824 Å is plainly visible in this spectrum, whereas past International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations of Mira variables at high dispersion were unable to record this feature. Remarkably, the newly identified fluoresced Fe I (UV45) feature near 2807 Å is seen in this spectrum. Until now, this line has been seen only in cool carbon stars with HST/HRS. This line is pumped by the thin C II] (UV0.01) emission line at 2325.5 Å. Two of the strongest C II] (UV0.01) lines near 2325 Å are plainly seen in this spectrum. This region of the spectrum, however, is dominated by the Si II] (UV0.01) line near 2335 Å, in contrast to that observed in the carbon stars and the non-Mira oxygen-rich red giant stars. Very weak Mg II lines are seen in the R Leo spectrum at phase 0.12. At this phase, these lines are typically absent in IUE spectra. Velocity shifts of emission features in the UV spectra of Mira variables are consistent with previously published hydrodynamic models of these stars. These velocities indicate, however, that the C II] (UV0.01) emission lines are not formed in the same atmospheric layers as the Mg II emission. The electron density deduced from the C II] (UV0.01) multiplet is ∼109 cm-3. Finally, the temperature-density structure of the semi-regular variable carbon stars is similar to the oxygen-rich Mira variables-both are hydrodynamic in nature; however, the carbon stars macroscopic velocity fields are not identical to the Mira stars in the atmosphere layers between the Mg II emission region and the circumstellar shell.

The B0.2 V magnetic star τ Sco stands out from the larger population of massive magnetic OB stars due to its remarkable, superionized wind, apparently related to its peculiar magnetic field - a field which is far more complex than the mostly-dipolar fields usually observed in magnetic OB stars. τ Sco is therefore a puzzling outlier in the larger picture of stellar magnetism - a star that still defies interpretation in terms of a physically coherent model. Recently, two early B-type stars were discovered as τ Sco analogues, identified by the striking similarity of their UV spectra to that of τ Sco, which was - until now - unique among OB stars. We present the recent detection of their magnetic fields by the MiMeS collaboration, reinforcing the connection between the presence of a magnetic field and a superionized wind. We will also present ongoing observational efforts undertaken to establish the precise magnetic topology, in order to provide additional constrains for existing models attempting to reproduce the unique wind structure of τ Sco-like stars.

We present new, contemporaneous Hubble Space Telescope STIS and XMM-Newton observations of the O7 III(n)((f)) star ξ Per. We supplement the new data with archival IUE spectra, to analyze the variability of the wind lines and X-ray flux of ξ Per. The variable wind of this star is known to have a 2.086-day periodicity. We use a simple, heuristic spot model that fits the low-velocity (near-surface) IUE wind line variability very well, to demonstrate that the low-velocity absorption in the new STIS spectra of N iv λ1718 and Si iv λ1402 vary with the same 2.086-day period. It is remarkable that the period and amplitude of the STIS data agree with those of the IUE spectra obtained 22 yr earlier. We also show that the time variability of the new XMM-Newton fluxes is also consistent with the 2.086-day period. Thus, our new, multiwavelength coordinated observations demonstrate that the mechanism that causes the UV wind line variability is also responsible for a significant fraction of the X-rays in single O stars. The sequence of events for the multiwavelength light-curve minima is Si iv λ1402, N iv λ1718, and X-ray flux, each separated by a phase of about 0.06 relative to the 2.086-day period. Analysis of the X-ray fluxes shows that they become softer as they weaken. This is contrary to expectations if the variability is caused by periodic excess absorption. Furthermore, the high-resolution X-ray spectra suggest that the individual emission lines at maximum are more strongly blueshifted. If we interpret the low-velocity wind line light curves in terms of our model, it implies that there are two bright regions, i.e., regions with less absorption, separated by 180°, on the surface of the star. We note that the presence and persistence of two spots separated by 180° suggest that a weak dipole magnetic field is responsible for the variability of the UV wind line absorption and X-ray flux in ξ Per.

Stellar flares are a frequent occurrence on young low-mass stars around which many detected exoplanets orbit. Flares are energetic, impulsive events, and their impact on exoplanetary atmospheres needs to be taken into account when interpreting transit observations. We have developed a model to describe the upper atmosphere of extrasolar giant planets (EGPs) orbiting flaring stars. The model simulates thermal escape from the upper atmospheres of close-in EGPs. Ionisation by solar radiation and electron impact is included and photo-chemical and diffusive transport processes are simulated. This model is used to study the effect of stellar flares from the solar-like G star HD 209458 and the young K star HD 189733 on their respective planets, HD 209458b and HD 189733b. The Sun is used as a proxy for HD 209458, and is an element of Eridani, as a proxy for HD 189733. A hypothetical HD 209458b-like planet orbiting the very active M star AU Microscopii is also simulated. We find that the neutral upper atmosphere of EGPs is not significantly affected by typical flares on HD 209458 and HD 189733. Therefore, stellar flares alone would not cause large enough changes in planetary mass loss to explain the variations in HD 189733b transit depth seen in previous studies, although we show that it may be possible that an extreme stellar proton event could result in the required mass loss. Our simulations do however reveal an enhancement in electron number density in the ionosphere of these planets, the peak of which is located in the layer where stellar X-rays are absorbed. Electron densities are found to reach 2.2 to 3.5 times pre-flare levels and enhanced electron densities last from about 3 to 10 h after the onset of the flare, depending on the composition of the ionospheric layer. The strength of the flare and the width of its spectral energy distribution affect the range of altitudes in the ionosphere that see enhancements in ionisation. A large broadband continuum component in the XUV portion of the flaring spectrum in very young flare stars, such as AU Mic, results in a broad range of altitudes a ff ected in planets orbiting this star. Indeed, as well as the X-ray absorption layer, the layer in which EUV photons are absorbed is also strongly enhanced.

Over the past decade, the Secret Lives of Cepheids (SLiC) program has been carried out at Villanova University to study aspects and behaviors of classical Cepheids that are still not well understood. In this, the first of several planned papers on program Cepheids, we report the current results for δ Cep, the Cepheid prototype. Ongoing photometry has been obtained to search for changes in the pulsation period, light-curve morphology, and amplitude. Combining our photometry with the times of maximum light compilation by Berdnikov et al. returns a small period change of dP/dt -0.1006 ± 0.0002 s yr-1. There is also evidence for a gradual light amplitude increase of 0.011 mag (V band) and 0.012 mag (B band) per decade over the last 50 years. In addition, Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) UV spectrophotometry and XMM-Newton X-ray data were carried out to investigate the high-temperature plasmas present above the Cepheid photospheres. In total, from the five visits (eight exposures) with XMM-Newton, δ Cep is found to be a soft X-ray source (L X(0.3-2 keV) 4.5-13 × 1028erg s-1) with peak flux at kT = 0.6-0.9 keV. The X-ray activity is found to vary, possibly in phase with the stellar pulsations. From 2010-2013, nine observations of δ Cep were carried out with HST-COS. The UV emissions are also variable and well phased with the stellar pulsations. Maximum UV line emissions occur near, or slightly before, maximum optical light, varying by as much as 20 times. This variability shows that pulsation-induced shock heating plays a significant role in Cepheid atmospheres, possibly in addition to a quiescent, magnetic heating. The results of this study show Cepheid atmospheres to be rather complex and dynamic.