Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments

Recent advances in observational and theoretical efforts in understanding the nature of cataclysmic variables had reached such maturity that there existed a strong, shared feeling among the workers in this field that an international colloquium sponsored by the International Astronomical Union would be timely. To be more specific, this was due primarily to the accumulation of the new data from satellite observatories, such as the International Ultraviolet Observatory (IUE) and EXOSAT, as well as ground-based optical and radio telescopes, and the advances in modeling the putative accretion disks and the thermo-nuclear run-away phenomena in the vinicity of the white dwarf stars in cataclysmic variables. A series of workshops on this subject held in North America over the past several years and that held in Europe in 1985 had all contributed to the advances in our knowledge that led to IAU Colloguium No. 93, held in Bamberg from the 16th to 19th of June 1986. In all, 157 astronomers from 27 countries participated in this conference. Judging from the papers presented, both invited and contributed, and from the enthusiasm seen in discussions, the meeting was indeed a success.

Foreword.- Introductory Review.- Systematics of Dwarf Novae.- I. Evolution.- The Formation and Evolution of Low-Mass Close Binaries with Compact Components.- Collective Properties of a Magnitude-Limited Sample of Cataclysmic Binaries.- The Periods of Cataclysmic Variables.- The Effective Temperature Distribution Function of Cataclysmic Variable White Dwarfs.- Radio Emission from Cataclysmic Variables.- II. Radio, IR and Optical Observations.- A Photometric and Spectroscopic Comparison of the Cataclysmic Variables on the 2 Sides of the Period Gap and at Specific Orbital Period.- Cataclysmic Variables in a White Dwarf Survey at the South Galactic Pole.- Observations of Eclipsing Dwarf Novae.- Mapping the Line Emission Distribution of Cataclysmic Variable Stars.- Continuum Distributions and Line Profiles of UX UMa-Type Novalike Systems.- Multi-Wavelength Observations of Dwarf Novae During Outburst.- Echelle-Mepsicron Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of the Dwarf Nova SS Cygni.- Discrepant Measurements of the Radial Velocities of SS Cygni: Solution to the Problem.- Some Notes on SS Cygni.- Spectroscopy of the Primary and Secondary Components of the Dwarf Nova AH Herculis.- The Ultrashort Period Dwarf Nova SW Ursae Majoris.- Long-Term Optical Photometry of the Dwarf Nova VW Hyi.- Recurrence Behaviour of Outbursts in VW Hyi.- Periodic Variations in the Spectrum of the Dwarf Nova WX Hyi in Outburst and Minimum.- Red Spectroscopy of IP Pegasi.- Mass Transfer and Line Profiles - WZ Sge.- Spectroscopic Evolution of Novae Vul 1984 No. 1 (PW Vul) and No. 2.- Photometry of TT Arietis.- The Nature of RW Sextantis.- Photometry of BD-7°3007.- Properties of the Optical 2-Second Oscillations in E1405-451.- Periodic Modulations in the Optical Light Curves of EX Hydrae.- Simultaneous Five Color (UBVRI) Polarimetry of EF Eri.- Simultaneous Five Color (UBVRI) Polarimetry of W Puppis.- III. UV and X-Ray Observations.- Ultraviolet Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- X-Ray Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- X-Ray Emission from Non-Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables.- EUV and FUV Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- Preliminary Results of Improved Model Fits to the Extreme and Far UV Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- Multi-Frequency Observations of the 1985 Outburst of RS Ophiuchi.- A Simultaneous X-Ray and Optical Study of TT Arietis.- New EXOSAT Observations of TV Columbae: Preliminary Results.- IUE Observations of HL CMa and the Winds of Cataclysmic Variables.- Periodic Variabilities in the IUE Spectra of SS Cygni.- EXOSAT Observations of X-Rays from Classical Novae During Outburst Stage.- EXOSAT Observations of H2252-035: Pulse Phase and Orbital Phase Dependent Low Energy Absorption and Iron Line Emission.- IV. Accretion Disks.- Accretion Disk Evolution.- The Boundary Layer in Cataclysmic Variables.- Accretion Disk Boundary Layers: Their Structure and Stability.- Two-Dimensional Numerical Models of the Boundary Layer of Accretion Disks in Cataclysmic Variables.- Implications from the Shape of the Viscosity-Surface Density Relation.- Disk-Instability Model for Outbursts of Dwarf Novae: Fine Mesh Calculations.- On the Computation of Accretion Disk Spectra.- Theoretical Spectra of Cataclysmic Variables.- Accretion Disk Structure in SS Cygni.- The May 1985 Superoutburst of OY Carinae: I. Structure of the Outer Disk from Optical and IR Observations.- The May 1985 Superoutburst of OY Carinae: II. Phase-Resolved IUE Spectroscopy and EXOSAT Observations.- Hot Stripes Rather than Hot Spots in Cataclysmic Binaries: 2-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Models.- V. Nova and Dwarf Nova Outbursts.- A Review of the Classical Nova Outburst.- White Dwarf Models of Supernovae and Cataclysmic Variables.- Explosion of White Dwarfs.- The Variable M Scenario for Nova Outbursts.- A Full Cycle in the Evolution of a Classical Nova.- Nucleation in Novae.- Possible Role of the White Dwarf in Grain Formation in Cataclysmic Variable Systems.- The Frequency of Novae in the Galaxy.- The Kukarkin-Parenago Relation for Dwarf Novae and Novae.- The Interaction of Nova Shells with the Interstellar Medium.- A Survey of Nova Remnants.- The Spectrum of Nova Vulpeculae 1984 No. 2 at Nebular Phase.- The Optical Spectrum of Nova LW Serpentis 1978.- Optical Short-Time Variations in GK Persei during the 1983 Outburst.- Extremely Slow Nova PU Vulpeculae - Seven Fat Years After Maximum.- The Nature of Recurrent Novae.- Observational Evidence for the Two Types of Dwarf Nova Outbursts.- Spectroscopy of CN Orionis.- A Modern View of the Dwarf Nova Z Chamaeleontis.- VI. Magnetic Cataclysmic Systems.- Evolution of Magnetic Cataclysmic Binaries.- The Period and Magnetic Field Distributions of Cataclysmic Variables: Implications for Their Evolution.- ‘Swinging Dipoles’ in Magnetic Close Binary Stars.- Electron Scattering in Cyclotron Emission Regions in AM Herculis-Type Systems.- Spectral Models of AM Her Stars.- Accretion in Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables.- Hydrodynamics of Accretion Columns.- Atomic Data Relevant to Line Formation in Strongly Magnetized White Dwarf Stars.- Zeeman Features from Accretion Columns in AM Herculis-Type Systems.- The Energy Distributions of Magnetic Variables: The Effects of Inhomogeneous Accretion Columns.- Time-Resolved Optical Spectroscopy of AM Her X-Ray Sources.- Properties of the Emission Regions in AM Her Stars.- Optical and UV Observations of the Intermediate Polar 3A0729+103. Modulation with the Orbital Period.- X-Ray and Optical Observations of the AM Her Star H0139-68.- H2215-086 FO Aqr: The ‘King’ of Intermediate Polars Spins Down.- Changes in the Soft and Hard X-Ray Light Curves of the AM Her Object E1405-451.- Polarimetry of ST LMi (CW1103+254).- Models for Optical and Infrared Polarization from CW1103+254.- VII. Related Objects.- Accretion-Induced Collapse of Old White Dwarfs.- Rapid Mass Accretion on a Fully Convective Star.- Mass Loss and Shell Masses of Close Binary Stars.- Hydrogen Depletion and the Evolution of Cataclysmic Variables to Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries.- CCD Observations of X-Ray Binaries.- Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries in the LMC.- EXOSAT Medium Energy Observations of Cyg X-2. Spectra and QPOs.- X-Ray and Optical Observations of the X-Ray Source EX0020528+1454.8.- The Solution of the X-Ray Heating Light Curve for 4U2129+47/V1727 Cyg.- Theoretical Line Profiles from a Symbiotic System.- PeriodicVariations in Symbiotic Star Spectra.- IUE Observations of CH Cyg Continuum During 1979-1986.- Optical Spectroscopy of CH Cyg in 1985-1986.- Spectral Variations in CH Cygni During the Phase of Activity in 1982.- The Symbiotic Binary System EG Andromedae.- Rapid Mass Accretion in the Symbiotic Star AG Dra.- X-Ray and Ultraviolet Observations of AG Draconis During Quiescence and Outburst.- Combined Satellite and Ground-Based Observations of the Quiescent, High Latitude Symbiotic Variable AG Draconis = BD+67°922.- EXOSAT and IUE Observations of the Symbiotic Binary R Aquarii During Maximum and Minimum.- AG Pegasi: The Episode of Minimum 1985.- Symbiotic Star AS 201: A Planetary Nebula.- Hot Wind in the Double Degenerate System AM CVn.- Concluding Remarks.- Author Index.