The periods of cataclysmic variable stars
Abstract
For an understanding of the structure and the evolution of the cataclysmic variables, it will be necessary to obtain accurate values for their masses, dimensions, mass transfer rates, and other physical properties. However, there is currently a lack of reliable, quantitative information about the fundamental physical properties of these systems. The only physical property known accurately for a large number of cataclysmic variables is the orbital period. For this reason, the orbital periods have an importance out of proportion to their immediate information content. The present investigation has the objective to collect the data on the orbital periods of cataclysmic variables, to discuss the selection effects distorting the sample of orbital periods, and to determine the properties of the period distribution. It is found that moderately or highly reliable orbital periods have been measured for 66 cataclysmic variables.
- Publication:
-
IAU Colloq. 72: Cataclysmic Variables and Related Objects
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1007/978-94-009-7118-9_1
- Bibcode:
- 1983ASSL..101....1R
- Keywords:
-
- Orbital Elements;
- Variable Stars;
- Astrometry;
- Astronomical Catalogs;
- Star Distribution;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Stellar Magnitude;
- Stellar Rotation;
- Astrophysics