1,843 research outputs found
The Nova-like Variables
We review optical observations and theoretical models of the non-magnetic
nova-like variables (UX UMa, VY Scl and SW Sex stars). A brief discussion of
the classification scheme is followed by a statistical overview of the observed
properties. The most important features of each of the sub-classes are then
reviewed, concluding with a summary of the theoretical models invoked to
understand these systems.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures; published in Cataclysmic Variables and Related
Objects, Proceedings of the 158th colloquium of the IAU held at Keele, edited
by A. Evans and Janet H. Wood, p.3 (1996
A Self-Occulting Accretion Disk in the SW Sex Star DW UMa
We present the ultraviolet spectrum of the SW Sex star and nova-like variable
DW UMa in an optical low state, as observed with the Space Telescope Imaging
Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The data are well
described by a synthetic white dwarf (WD) spectrum with T_eff = 46,000 +/- 1000
K, log g = 7.60 +/- 0.15, v*sin(i) = 370 +/- 100 km/s and Z/Z_solar = 0.47 +/-
0.15. For this combination of T_eff and log g, WD models predict M_WD = 0.48
+/- 0.06 M_solar and R_WD = (1.27 +/- 0.18) * 10^9 cm. Combining the radius
estimate with the normalization of the spectral fit, we obtain a distance
estimate of d = 830 +/-150 pc.
During our observations, DW UMa was approximately 3 magnitudes fainter in V
than in the high state. A comparison of our low-state HST spectrum to a
high-state spectrum obtained with the International Ultraviolet Explorer shows
that the former is much bluer and has a higher continuum level shortward of
1450 A. Since DW UMa is an eclipsing system, this suggests that an optically
thick accretion disk rim blocks our view of the WD primary in the high state.
If self-occulting accretion disks are common among the SW Sex stars, we can
account for (i) the preference for high-inclination systems within the class
and (ii) their V-shaped continuum eclipses. Moreover, even though the emission
lines produced by a self-obscured disk are generally still double-peaked, they
are weaker and narrower than those produced by an unobscured disk. This may
allow a secondary line emission mechanism to dominate and produce the
single-peaked, optical lines that are a distinguishing characteristic of the SW
Sex stars.Comment: 9 pages, including 2 figures; accepted for publication in
Astrophysical Journal Letters; New version matches version in press (footnote
added to discussion section; figures now use color
Roche tomography of the secondary stars in CVs
The secondary stars in cataclysmic variables (CVs) are key to our
understanding of the origin, evolution and behaviour of this class of
interacting binary. In seeking a fuller understanding of these objects, the
challenge for observers is to obtain images of the secondary star. This goal
can be achieved through Roche tomography, an indirect imaging technique that
can be used to map the Roche-lobe-filling secondary. The review begins with a
description of the basic principles that underpin Roche tomography, including
methods for determining the system parameters. Finally, we conclude with a look
at the main scientific highlights to date, including the first unambiguous
detection of starspots on AE Aqr B, and consider the future prospects of this
technique.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in A
The Secondary Star in Cataclysmic Variables and Low Mass X-ray Binaries
We critically re-examine the available data on the spectral types, masses and
radii of the secondary stars in cataclysmic variables (CVs) and low-mass X-ray
binaries (LMXBs), using the new catalogue of Ritter & Kolb (1998) as a starting
point. We find there are 55 reliable spectral type determinations and only 14
reliable mass determinations of CV secondary stars (10 and 5, respectively, in
the case of LMXBs). We derive new spectral type-period, mass-radius,
mass-period and radius-period relations, and compare them with theoretical
predictions. We find that CV secondary stars with orbital periods shorter than
7-8 hours are, as a group, indistinguishable from main sequence stars in
detached binaries. We find it is not valid, however, to estimate the mass from
the spectral type of the secondary star in CVs or LMXBs. We find that LMXB
secondary stars show some evidence for evolution, with secondary stars which
are slightly too large for their mass. We show how the masses and radii of the
secondary stars in CVs can be used to test the validity of the disrupted
magnetic braking model of CV evolution, but we find that the currently
available data are not sufficiently accurate or numerous to allow such an
analysis. As well as considering secondary star masses, we also discuss the
masses of the white dwarfs in CVs, and find mean values of M_1 = 0.69+/-0.13
M_sun below the period gap, and M_1 = 0.80+/-0.22 M_sun above the period gap.Comment: 18 pages, 5 figure
On the evidence for brown-dwarf secondary stars in cataclysmic variables
We present the K-band spectrum of the cataclysmic variable LL And, obtained
using NIRSPEC on Keck-II. The spectrum shows no evidence for the absorption
features observed by Howell & Ciardi (2001), which these authors used to claim
a detection of a brown-dwarf secondary star in LL And. In light of our new
data, we review the evidence for brown-dwarf secondary stars in this and other
cataclysmic variables.Comment: 6 pages, to appear in Monthly Notices, accepte
A new magnetic white dwarf : PG2329+267
We have discovered that the white dwarf PG 2329+267 is magnetic, and assuming
a centered dipole structure, has a dipole magnetic field strength of
approximately 2.3MG. This makes it one of only approximately 4% of isolated
white dwarfs with a detectable magnetic field. Linear Zeeman splitting as well
as quadratic Zeeman shifts are evident in the hydrogen Balmer sequence and
circular spectropolarimetry reveals 10% circular polarisation in the two
displaced sigma components of Halpha. We suggest from comparison with spectra
of white dwarfs of known mass that PG 2329+267 is more massive than typical
isolated white dwarfs, in agreement with the hypothesis that magnetic white
dwarfs evolve from magnetic chemically peculiar Ap and Bp type main sequence
stars.Comment: 5 pages, with 2 encapsulated postscipts figures include
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