Title

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

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