Boyd, D. (David) and Gaensicke, B. T. (Boris T.) (2009) An intensive CCD photometry campaign to observe DW Ursae Majoris. In: The Society for Astronomical Sciences 28th Annual Symposium on Telescope Science, Big Bear Lake, CA, 19-21 May 2009 p. 127.

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Abstract

We report on a coordinated observing campaign in April and May 2008 to study the eclipsing dwarf nova DW Ursae Majoris. This belongs to the group of SW Sex stars, nova-like variables containing accretion disks which exhibit superhumps in their light curves suggesting that their accretion disks are elliptical and precessing on time scales of a few days due to tidal interactions with the companion star. It has been suggested that the changing geometry will cause the depth of eclipses to be modulated on the accretion disk precession period. The aim of this campaign was to provide for the first time sufficient continuous photometric coverage of an eclipsing super-humper to test this hypothesis. 26 experienced amateur CCD photometrists in 7 countries participated in the project and altogether made almost 55,000 magnitude measurements over a 4 week period, keeping DW UMa under observation for more than 50% of the time. The results provide direct measurements of the orbital, super-hump and disk precession periods, confirming unambiguously that the superhump signal is a beat between the orbital and precession periods. They also reveal modulation not only of the eclipse depth but also of the eclipse time of minimum and width on the accretion disk precession period. The project is a good example of cooperation between the amateur and professional communities to address an open research issue.

Item Type:	Conference Item (Paper)
Subjects:	Q Science > QB Astronomy
Divisions:	Faculty of Science, Engineering and Medicine > Science > Physics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Astronomical photometry, Cataclysmic variable stars
Official Date:	May 2009
Dates:	Date Event May 2009 Published
Page Range:	p. 127
Status:	Peer Reviewed
Publication Status:	Published
Access rights to Published version:	Restricted or Subscription Access
Conference Paper Type:	Paper
Title of Event:	The Society for Astronomical Sciences 28th Annual Symposium on Telescope Science
Type of Event:	Other
Location of Event:	Big Bear Lake, CA
Date(s) of Event:	19-21 May 2009

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