Publications of the Astronomical Society of Japan, vol. 77, no. 2, pp. 219–236

Authors:

  • Makoto Uemura
  • Yuzuki Koga
  • Ryosuke Sazaki
  • Tomoya Yukino
  • Tatsuya Nakaoka
  • Ryo Imazawa
  • Taichi Kato
  • Daisaku Nogami
  • Keisuke Isogai
  • Naoto Kojiguchi
  • Kenta Taguchi
  • Yusuke Tampo
  • Hiroyuki Maehara
  • Shiro Ikeda

Keywords:

  • accretion disks
  • observational
  • dwarf novae
  • cataclysmic variables

URL:

Abstract:

Studying the early stages of transient events provides crucial information about the fundamental physical processes in cataclysmic variables (CVs). However, determining an appropriate observation mode immediately after the discovery of a new transient presents challenges due to significant uncertainties regarding its nature. We developed a framework designed for autonomous decision making in prompt follow-up observations of CVs using the Kanata 1.5 m telescope. The system, named Smart Kanata, first estimates the class probabilities of variable star types using a generative model. It then selects the optimal observation mode from three possible options based on the mutual information calculated from the class probabilities. We have operated the system for $\sim 300$ days and obtained 21 samples, among which automated observations were successfully performed for a nova and a microlensing event. In the time-series spectra of the nova V4370 Oph, we detected a rapid deepening of the absorption component of the $H_\alpha$ line. These initial results demonstrate the capability of Smart Kanata in facilitating rapid observations and improving our understanding of outbursts and eruptions of CVs and other galactic transients.