Hill, C.A., Watson, C.A., Steeghs, D. et al. (2 more authors) (2016) Roche tomography of cataclysmic variables - VII. The long-term magnetic activity of AE Aqr. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 459 (2). pp. 1858-1874. ISSN 0035-8711
Abstract
We present a long-term study of the secondary star in the cataclysmic variable AE Aqr, using Roche tomography to indirectly image starspots on the stellar surface spanning 8 years of observations. The seven maps show an abundance of spot features at both high and low latitudes. We find that all maps have at least one large high-latitude spot region, and we discuss its complex evolution between maps, as well as its compatibility with current dynamo theories. Furthermore, we see the apparent growth in fractional spot coverage, fs, around 45° latitude over the duration of observations, with a persistently high fs near latitudes of 20°. These bands of spots may form as part of a magnetic activity cycle, with magnetic flux tubes emerging at different latitudes, similar to the ‘butterfly’ diagram for the Sun. We discuss the nature of flux tube emergence in close binaries, as well as the activity of AE Aqr in the context of other stars.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2016 The Author(s). Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. |
Keywords: | dynamo; stars: activity; stars: individual: AE Aqr; stars: magnetic field; novae; cataclysmic variables; starspots |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Science (Sheffield) > Department of Physics and Astronomy (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 24 Nov 2016 15:23 |
Last Modified: | 24 Nov 2016 15:32 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stw766 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Oxford University Press |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1093/mnras/stw766 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:107625 |