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Light Curves of the Dwarf Nova U Gem: A Diagnostic of Accretion Disk Evolution

Light Curves of the Dwarf Nova U Gem: A Diagnostic of Accretion Disk Evolution. Larry Molnar Calvin College Grand Rapids, Michigan. Outline. Calvin-Rehoboth Twin Telescopes Project Dwarf Novae U Gem Preliminary Light Curves. Calvin-Rehoboth Twin Telescope Project. NSF-CCLI funding

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Light Curves of the Dwarf Nova U Gem: A Diagnostic of Accretion Disk Evolution

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  1. Light Curves of the Dwarf Nova U Gem: A Diagnostic of Accretion Disk Evolution Larry Molnar Calvin College Grand Rapids, Michigan

  2. Outline • Calvin-Rehoboth Twin Telescopes Project • Dwarf Novae • U Gem • Preliminary Light Curves

  3. Calvin-Rehoboth Twin Telescope Project • NSF-CCLI funding • Two 16” OGS telescopes • One in Grand Rapids, MI • Hands-on experience for students • Development platform for remote site • One in Rehoboth, NM (35.5N,108.6W) • Unattended robotic operation • High throughput

  4. Dwarf Novae • White dwarf + red dwarf • Red dwarf fills Roche Lobe • Angular momentum loss leads to mass transfer via an accretion stream, and formation of an accretion disk • Disk conditions do not permit steady-state

  5. U Gem • Brightness: 10-14 magnitude • Mass ratio: 0.25 • Orbital period: 4.24 hours • Outburst time scale: 3-4 months • Inclination: hot spot is eclipsed by red dwarf

  6. Conclusions • U Gem data demonstrate capabilities of new system • Comparison of eclipses before and after outburst are consistent with accretion disk radius increasing gradually through the quiescent phase

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