Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2004-11-03
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 356 (2005) 1471-1476
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
6 pages, 5 figures (eps/ps). Accepted for publication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2004.08582.x
The 2001 outburst of WZ Sagittae has shown the most compelling evidence yet for an enhancement of the mass transfer rate from the donor star during a dwarf nova outburst in the form of hot-spot brightening. I show that even in this extreme case, the brightening can be attributed to tidal heating near the interaction point of an accretion stream with the expanding edge of an eccentric accretion disc, with no need at all for an increase in the mass transfer rate. Furthermore, I confirm previous suggestions that an increase in mass transfer rate through the stream damps any eccentricity in an accretion disc and suppresses the appearance of superhumps, in contradiction to observations. Tidal heating is expected to be most significant in systems with small mass ratios. It follows that systems like WZ Sagittae - which has a tiny mass ratio - are those most likely to show a brightening in the hot-spot region.
No associations
LandOfFree
Mass transfer in tidally unstable compact binaries 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 Mass transfer in tidally unstable compact binaries, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mass transfer in tidally unstable compact binaries will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-47818