The asynchronous polar V1432 Aquilae and its path back to synchronism

V1432 Aquilae is the only known eclipsing asynchronous polar. In this respect it is unique and therefore merits our attention. We report the results of a 15-year campaign by the globally distributed Center for Backyard Astrophysics to observe V1432 Aql and investigate its return to synchronism. Orig...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2014-06
Main Authors: Boyd, David, Patterson, Joseph, Allen, William, Bolt, Greg, Bonnardeau, Michel, Tut, Campbell, Jeannie, Cejudo, David, Cook, Michael, de Miguel, Enrique, Ding, Claire, Dvorak, Shawn, Foote, Jerrold, Fried, Robert, Franz-Josef Hambsch, Kemp, Jonathan, Krajci, Thomas, Berto Monard, Ogmen, Yenal, Rea, Robert, Roberts, George, Skillman, David, Starkey, Donn, Ulowetz, Joseph, Uthas, Helena, Walker, Stan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Astrophysics
Binary stars
Deposition
Eclipses
Inclination
Light emission
Orbits
Rotation
Synchronism
White dwarf stars
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Summary:V1432 Aquilae is the only known eclipsing asynchronous polar. In this respect it is unique and therefore merits our attention. We report the results of a 15-year campaign by the globally distributed Center for Backyard Astrophysics to observe V1432 Aql and investigate its return to synchronism. Originally knocked out of synchrony by a nova explosion before observing records began, the magnetic white dwarf in V1432 Aql is currently rotating slower than the orbital period but is gradually catching up. The fortuitously high inclination of the binary orbit affords us the bonus of eclipses providing a regular clock against which these temporal changes can be assessed. At the present rate, synchronism should be achieved around 2100. The continually changing trajectory of the accretion stream as it follows the magnetic field lines of the rotating white dwarf produces a complex pattern of light emission which we have measured and documented, providing comprehensive observational evidence against which physical models of the system can be tested.
ISSN:2331-8422