Prime CV specimens-
U Gem
This
variable is the typical star of its class and was the first to be
discovered. J.R. Hind, an English astronomer in charge of a private
observatory in Regents Park, found a previously unlisted star in the
constellation Gemini to be nearly 9th magnitude on December 15, 1855.
SS Cyg
Since its discovery in 1896 by Louisa D. Wells of the Harvard College Observatory, SS Cygni
has undoubtedly been one of the most observed variable stars in the night sky.
SU UMa
Discovered in 1908 by L. Ceraski of Moscow, the variable SU Ursae Majoris is the prototype for
variables belonging to this subtype of dwarf novae.
Z Cam
Z Camelopardalis is the prototype star of a subclass of dwarf nova-type cataclysmic variables
especially known for their random standstills.
WZ Sge
WZ
Sge - the prototype of the WZ Sge subclass of dwarf nova cataclysmic
variables - went into a rare outburst on July 23, 2001, captivating the
attention of amateur and professional astronomers around the globe.
AM Her
The
exotic star AM Herculis is the namesake of the “AM Her stars” or
“polars”, a unique class of cataclysmic variables in which the magnetic
field of the primary star (white dwarf) completely dominates the
accretion flow of the system.
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Some other interesting beasts-
RX And
Since
its discovery in 1905, RX And has undergone nearly every type of
behavior seen in the dwarf novae, creating one of the more interesting
light curves among the CVs.
IP Peg
IP Pegasi is an eclipsing binary system with a long orbital
period (3.80 hours) that shows evidence of spiral arms in its accretion disc.
RS Oph
Over
a century of observations shows that this recurrent nova has
undergone 6 recorded outbursts: 1898, 1933, 1958, 1967, 1985 and the
most recent one in 2006.
T Pyx
This star is way overdue for an outburst and when it happens, some
people think it is going to be a big one.
VW Hyi
VW Hyi is one of the most popular dwarf novae in the southern
skies.
GK Per
Once
GK Per's magnetic nature was discovered, it was classified based on the
strength of the white dwarf's magnetic field into the cataclysmic
variable subtype, intermediate polar
or DQ Her star. |
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