Observed properties and long-term structure and evolution of white dwarfs in cataclysmic variables

Journal Article · Tue Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/163548· OSTI ID:5486349

Sion, E M

An attempt is made to explain the observed surface temperatures and luminosities of cataclysmic variable white dwarfs based on the cooling physics and time-averaged structure of the white dwarf in response to accretion. The evolutionary changes in core temperature and core luminosity as an accreting white dwarf evolves quasi-statically are compared with the cooling evolution of a nonaccreting, one solar mass, pure C-12 core. Then, the evolutionary behavior of the white dwarf envelope in mass and temperature, in response to long-term accretion, is used to predict temperatures and luminosities of white dwarfs during quiescent intervals between nova outbursts. It is shown that the observed luminosities and effective temperatures of the bare white dwarfs detected in some cataclysmic variables are the expected intrinsic values associated with classical nova thermonuclear outburst cycles. Two alternate interpretations of their observed surface temperatures and luminosities are assessed. 22 references.

• Research Organization: Arizona State Univ., Tempe; Villanova Univ., PA
• OSTI ID: 5486349
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 297; 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
DWARF STARS
ERUPTIVE VARIABLE STARS
LUMINOSITY
MASS
MORPHOLOGY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
VARIABLE STARS
WHITE DWARF STARS