Open AccessThe spin period of EX Hydrae
Author(s) -
King A. R.,
Wynn G. A.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.1999.02974.x
Subject(s) - physics , white dwarf , astrophysics , cataclysmic variable star , orbital period , radius , lagrangian point , astronomy , spin (aerodynamics) , intermediate polar , stars , thermodynamics , computer security , computer science
We show that the spin period of the white dwarf in the magnetic cataclysmic variable (CV) EX Hydrae represents an equilibrium state in which the corotation radius is comparable with the distance from the white dwarf to the inner Lagrange point. We also show that a continuum of spin equilibria exists at which P spin is significantly longer than ∼0.1 P orb . Most systems occupying these equilibrium states should have orbital periods below the CV period gap, as observed.