Demystifying the SW Sex stars

Computer Science

Scientific paper

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Hst Proposal Id #7362 Binary Stars

Scientific paper

We propose to use the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph to observe the SW Sex star DW UMa with medium spectral and high time-resolution in the far-ultraviolet for three consecutive full binary cycles. Only 7 HST orbits are required to achieve this goal because our target is located in the continuous viewing zone. The resulting data set will allow us to test the three models that have been proposed to account for the puzzling orbital phase-dependent behaviour of this high- inclination cataclysmic variable in optical spectra and thus lay to rest the controversy surrounding the SW Sex phenomenon. The complete orbital phase-coverage we will achieve is necessary to confidently rule out unsuccessful models. It will also make DW UMa an important addition to the very small number of cataclysmic variables for which phase-resolved ultraviolet spectroscopy of a full binary orbit has been performed. No bona fide SW Sex star has ever been observed with HST. Our proposed observations will rectify this important omission and achieve our scientific goals in an extremely efficient manner.

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