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Concerning the origin of novae and U Geminorum starsThe dynamical stability of the contact component in a semi-detached binary system is investigated by a linear time dependent analysis. The boundary condition imposed on the photosphere by the Roche lobe is assumed to be one of constant pressure over the whole surface of the lobe, which is treated as being spherically symmetric. The eigenvalues of the linear equation of motion are evaluated for sequences of stellar envelope models under the constraint of this boundary condition. An extensive region in the Hertzprung-Russell diagram is found to be dynamically unstable. This region coincides almost precisely with that predicted by a previous quasi-static study. Time scales for the growth of the instability are also evaluated. Color observations of several novae and U Geminorum stars are discussed in an attempt to provide semi-empirical tests of the proposed theoretical model of the outbursts. In particular the track in the H-R diagram of the U Geminorum star, EM Cygni, is shown to be consistent with an outburst which is purely a temperature change at constant radius, as is demanded by the theory.
Document ID
19720006196
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Contractor Report (CR)
Authors
Bath, G. T. (Princeton Univ. Observatory NJ, United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1971
Subject Category
Space Sciences
Report/Patent Number
NASA-CR-124830
Accession Number
72N13845
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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