Detecting Chromospheric Activity on the Secondary Star of Cataclysmic Variables

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Scientific paper

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 this 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 (polar) 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.

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