Are the red dwarfs in cataclysmic variables main-sequence stars?

Details Are the red dwarfs in cataclysmic variables main-sequence stars? Are the red dwarfs in cataclysmic variables main-sequence stars?

1998-09-18

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9809233v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

8 pages, Latex file, uses aa.cls, accepted for publication in A&A

Scientific paper

We show that the secondaries in short-period cataclysmic variables with orbital periods $P < 3$ hr are close to the solar-abundance main sequence defined by single field stars. In cataclysmic variables with $P > 3$ hr, the earliest spectral types at a given period correspond to main sequence stars, while the majority of secondaries have later spectral types. Possible causes are nuclear evolution prior to mass transfer and lack of thermal equilibrium due to mass transfer. A comparison with evolutionary sequences obtained with up--to--date stellar models implies unusually high transfer rates and a large fraction of systems with evolved donors. There is no evidence for a secondary of low metallicity in any of the well-studied cataclysmic variables.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Are the red dwarfs in cataclysmic variables main-sequence stars? does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Are the red dwarfs in cataclysmic variables main-sequence stars?, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Are the red dwarfs in cataclysmic variables main-sequence stars? will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-458080