RX J0537.7-7034: The shortest-period supersoft X-ray source

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We present new photometric and spectroscopic observations of the transient supersoft X-ray source RX J0537.7-7034 and find a periodicity of approximately 3.5 hrs. This establishes RX J0537.7-7034 as the supersoft X-ray source with the shortest orbital period. We furthermore derive an inclination of the binary system of 45<i<70 deg, and the masses of the two binary components: Mₐccretor = 0.6+-0.2 Msun, Mdonor = 0.35+-0.02 Msun. This implies that the standard scenario of supersoft X-ray sources, in which the donor is thought to be more massive than the accreting white dwarf to ensure high mass transfer rates on a thermal timescale (van den Heuvel et al 1992), is not applicable for this system. We discuss alternative interpretations of this source as a former nova in which the thermonuclear flashes have become mild and most accreted mass is retained by the white dwarf (SMC 13 type systems), or as a self-sustained wind-driven system.