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Detecting Chromospheric Activity on the Secondary Star of Cataclysmic Variables

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2007

Styliani Kafka
Styliani Kafka*
Affiliation:
NOAO/CTIO, 603 Casilla, La Serena, Chileemail:[email protected]
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Abstract

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Chromospheric activity on the secondary stars of cataclysmic variables (CVs) is a key ingredient for angular momentum loss from the system via magnetic braking. This effect is thought to drive the evolution of the system and is invoked to explain a number of observed properties of CV light curves, such as long-term modulations and high/low states. However, obtaining observational support for magnetic activity has proven difficult. We present a new method of studying chromospheric activity on the secondary stars of CVs, using near-IR spectral features. We discuss in particular the magnetic CV AM Herculis, in which satellites to the H-alpha emission line are interpreted as arising from magnetically confined gas streams (prominences). This phenomenon provides a new technique for mapping magnetic structures on CV secondaries, and advances our understanding of the nature of magnetic structures and activity on CV secondaries.

Keywords

cataclysmic variablesstars: individual (AM Her, ST LMi, VV Pup)stars: activity stars: flare
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 2 , Symposium S240: Binary Stars as Critical Tools & Tests in Contemporary Astrophysics , August 2006 , pp. 154 - 159
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2007

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