An accretion model for the eclipsing cataclysmic variable PG 0859 + 415

The emission lines found in the majority of cataclysmic variables aregenerally used as tracers of accretion flows which dominate the light atoptical wavelengths. It has been suggested from previous observations that theeclipsing nova-like variable PG0859+415 shows individualistic orbitalcharacteristics which are inconsistent with canonical models of stellaraccretion. We present spectrophotometry of this star which suggest that thestandard picture is not in conflict with observation. We provide evidence thatthe shallow optical eclipses are of an extended bright spot rather than theaccretion disc, and that the low-excitation lines are dominated by a transientabsorption component, perhaps a result of the bright spot or accretion streameclipsing the disc. We argue that this object may be another nova-like variabledisplaying long-term or cyclic variations in mass-transfer rate from thesecondary star.