Eclipses of cataclysmic variables. I. HT Cassiopeiae

Journal Article · Sun Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164288· OSTI ID:5266730

Zhang, E H; Robinson, E L; Nather, R E

BVR and white-light photometric observations of the eclipsing dwarf nova HT Cas, obtained using a high-speed photometer and photomultiplier tube on the 2.1-m telescope at McDonald Observatory on 15 nights from 1982 through 1984 (a period without eruptions of HT Cas) and on two nights during the eruption of January 1985, are reported and analyzed. The data are presented in extensive tables and graphs, and computer-synthesized cataclysmic-variable light curves are employed in the analysis. At minimum light the HT Cas accretion disk is found to be optically thick, with a temperature distribution like that predicted by steady-state theoretical models and mass flow of about 4 x 10 to the -10th solar mass/yr. From the relatively rapid onset of the January 1985 superoutburst (2 mo after the last steady-state-disk observation) it is inferred that an instability other than that of the accretion disk is involved. 64 references.

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Austin
• OSTI ID: 5266730
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 305; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
BINARY STARS
BLACKBODY RADIATION
DWARF STARS
ECLIPSE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
MASS TRANSFER
MORPHOLOGY
NOVAE
RADIATIONS
SPECTROPHOTOMETRY
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
VARIABLE STARS