Time Series Analysis of the Cataclysmic Variable V1101 Aquilae
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physics and Astronomy
Date of Award
Summer 2015
Abstract
This work reports on the application of various time series analysis techniques to a two month portion of the light curve of the cataclysmic variable V1101 Aquilae. The system is a Z Cam type dwarf nova with an orbital period of 4.089 hours and an active outburst cycle of 15.15 days due to a high mass transfer rate. The system???s light curve also displays higher frequency variations, known as negative sumperhums, with a period of 3.891 hours and a period deficit of ???5.1%. The amplitude of the negative superhumps varies as an inverse function of system brightness, with an amplitude of 0.70358 during outburst and 0.97718 during quiescence (relative flux units). These variations are believed to be caused by the contrast between the accretion disk and the bright spot. An O???C diagram was constructed and reveals the system???s evolution. In general, during the rise to outburst, the disk moment of inertia decreases as mass is lost from the disk, causing the precession period of the tilted disk to increase and with it the negative superhump period. The decline of outburst is associated with the opposite effects. While no standstills were observed in this data, they are present in the AAVSO data and the results agree with the conditions for Z Cam stars.
Advisor
Matt A. Wood
Subject Categories
Physical Sciences and Mathematics | Physics
Recommended Citation
Spahn, Alexander C., "Time Series Analysis of the Cataclysmic Variable V1101 Aquilae" (2015). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 709.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/709
