Bibcode
Torres, Manuel; Steeghs, D.; Rodriguez-Gil, P.; Gansicke, B.; Marsh Warwick, T. R.; Araujo-Betancor, S.; Long, K.
Bibliographical reference
NOAO Proposal ID #2006B-0566
Advertised on:
8
2006
Citations
0
Refereed citations
0
Description
SW Sextantis stars are a relatively large group of cataclysmic variables
whose properties contradict all predictions made by the current CV
evolution theories. Very little is known about the properties of their
accreting white dwarfs and their donor stars, as the stellar components
are usually outshone by an extremely bright accretion flow.
Consequently, a proper assesment of their evolutionary state is
illusionary. We are monitoring the brightness of 33 SW Sex stars, and
request here Gemini/GMOS-N time to obtain orbital phase-resolved
spectroscopy if one of them enters a low state. These data will be used
to accurately measure the mass ratio, white dwarf temperature, and
distance of the system, eventually providing the first detailed system
parameters for any SW Sex star.