Association between Star 2 optical variability and X-ray changes

Determine whether the deep, quasi-periodic optical variability of the Herbig Be star CXOU J052304.2+332846 is associated with changes in its X-ray emission or absorption.

Background

CXOU J052304.2+332846 (Star 2) displays irregular optical dimming events and quasi-periodic variability attributed to variable circumstellar obscuration and accretion-related structures. Its Chandra emission is not significantly variable, but the available data do not determine whether the optical events affect the X-ray source through intrinsic changes or changing line-of-sight absorption.

The authors specifically identify simultaneous long-term optical and X-ray monitoring as necessary to resolve the relationship between the optical and X-ray behavior.

References

Similarly, the absence of significant X-ray variability does not allow us to establish whether the optical variability observed in the ZTF light curves (Figure,\ref{fig:ZTFDR24_LC}) is associated with changes in the X-ray emission or absorption.

— A comprehensive multi-wavelength study of two X-ray emitting Be stars  (2609.28719 - Anilkumar et al., 23 Sep 2026) in Section 5.3, subsection “Possibility of Unresolved Companion-induced X-ray Emission”; Conclusion