High Galactic Latitude Cataclysmic Variables:

激变变星(CV)是以亮度突然变化为特征的恒星系统。它们包括新星和类似新星的变星。所有的CV都是近距离双星，由一个致密的物体组成，通常是一颗白矮星和一颗红星。在我们银河系的盘状和晕状恒星群中发现了CVS。首席探测者*(PI)建议用光度计和光谱学观测40到50个CV，这些CV是我们银河系晕群的候选成员。主要的观测工具将是二维电荷耦合器件(CCDs)，它将允许进行精确的光度研究，尽管物体非常微弱。这项研究的目的是确定晕CV的轨道和物理性质，并将它们与银盘CV的数据进行比较。这一观测计划和文献中已有的其他CV系统的结果应该提供有关年龄、化学成分和母星群如何影响双星的形成，特别是CV的信息。PI希望能够在关于简历的属性和形成的相互冲突的理论之间进行选择。*这项建议是由三个不同院校的首席调查员提交的三份相同的建议书之一，每份建议书都有其本身的预算。其他的私人投资者是哥伦比亚大学的约瑟夫·帕特森(国家科学基金会提案8916995)和华盛顿大学的保拉·什科迪(8915445)。

Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are stellar systems that are characterized by sudden brightness changes. They include novae and nova-like variables. All CVs are close binary stars, consisting of a compact object, usually a white dwarf, and a red star. CVs are found among the disk and the halo population of stars in our Galaxy. The Principal Invsetigators* (PIs) propose to observe photo- metrically and spectroscopically 40 to 50 CVs that are candidate members of the halo population of our galaxy. The chief observing tool will be two-dimensional charge-coupled devices (CCDs), which will allow accurate photometric studies despite the objects' extreme faintness. The goal of this research is to determine the orbital and physical properties of halo CVs and to compare them with data of galactic disk CVs. The results of this observational program and of other CV systems already in the literature should provide information on how age, chemical composition, and parent population affect the formation of binary stars and, in particular, CVs. The PIs expect to be able to choose between conflicting theories on the properties and formation of CVs. *This proposal is one of three identical proposals, each with its own budget, submitted by Principal Investigators (PIs) from three different institutions. The other PIs are Joseph Patterson of Columbia University (NSF Proposal 8916995) and Paula Szkody of the University of Washington (8915445).