Ritter describes cataclysmic binaries as "semi-detached binaries consisting of a white-dwarf primary (or a white-dwarf precursor) and a low-mass secondary which is filling its critical Roche lobe. The secondary need not necessarily be un-evolved. It may even be a highly evolved star as, e.g., in the cases of GP COM and AM CVN." He goes on to describe low-mass X-ray binaries as "semi-detached binaries consisting of a neutron-star primary and a low-mass secondary which is filling its critical Roche lobe. Observationally they are distinguished from the luminous massive X-ray binaries by the following main properties: in general, the spectra of the low-mass X-ray binaries (at maximum light) are devoid of normal stellar absorption features. The ratio of their X-ray to optical luminosities is much larger than unity. Typically it ranges from about 100 to about 10,000." Finally, Ritter describes the related objects class as "detached binaries consisting of a white dwarf primary (or a white dwarf precursor) and a low-mass secondary which is detached from its critical Roche lobe. The secondary may also be a highly evolved star."
Name
Wherever possible, the designation of the object as given in the General
Catalog of Variable Stars is used here.
Alternate_Name
An alternate name for the object, if given.
Object_Code
If `object code` is CV, the object was included in Ritter's table of 168
cataclysmic variables; if XRB, the object was in his table of 36 low-mass X-ray
binaries; if REL, the object was in his table of 28 related objects.
RA
The Right Ascension (degrees) of the object.
Dec
The Declination (degrees) of the object.
LII
The galactic longitude of the object
BII
The galactic latitude of the object.
Type1
Ritter has coarsely characterized the object type using as many as four of the
following abbreviations:
---
* AC = AM CVN star, does not contain hydrogen, subtype of NL
* AM = Polar/AM HER system, subtype of NL, contains a synchronously rotating
magnetized white dwarf
* CP = Coherent pulsator, contains a coherently pulsating white dwarf
* DD = System consists of two degenerate components
* DN = Dwarf nova
* DQ = Intermediate polar/DQ HER system, contains a non-synchronously
rotating magnetized white dwarf
* DS = Detached system
* N = Classical nova
* NA = Fast nova (decline from maximum by 3 magnitudes in less than
about 100 days)
* NB = Slow nova (decline from maximum by 3 magnitudes in more than
about 100 days)
* NC = Extremely slow nova, typically takes decades to decline from maximum
* NL = Nova-like variable
* NR = Recurrent nova
* PN = Central star of a planetary nebula
* SU = SU UMA star, subtype of DN
* UG = Dwarf nova of either U GEM or SS CYG subtype
* UX = UX UMA star, subtype of NL
* VY = VY SCL star (anti-dwarf nova), subtype of NL
* XB = X-ray burst source
* XL = Low mass X-ray binary, SCO X-1-like
* XP = X-ray pulsar
* XS = X-ray source
* XT = Transient X-ray source
* ZC = Z CAM star, subtype of DN
* * = Object possibly related to the DQ HER stars
---
Type2
Ritter has coarsely characterized the object type using as many as four of the
abbreviations listed under `Type1`.
Type3
Ritter has coarsely characterized the object type using as many as four of the
abbreviations listed under `Type1`.
Type4
Ritter has coarsely characterized the object type using as many as four of the
abbreviations listed under `Type1`.
VMag
Apparent V magnitude (or B magnitude, if followed by a "B"). For all novae
(type N, NA, NB, NC, NR) and dwarf novae (DN, UG, ZC, SU) `VMag` is at minimum
light. For novae such as UX and AC, `VMag` is in the normal state; AM and VY,
in the high state. For XT and XB it is in quiescence, and for detached systems,
outside eclipse.
VMag_Comment
Comment on V magnitude using abbreviations as follows:
---
* > = greater than
(for example, a value may have been listed in the table as ">17.5")
* < = less than
* : = uncertain value
* ? = uncertain classification or value
---
Mag2
The minimum magnitude. In the case of eclipses, `Mag2` is given at
mid-eclipse. For novae (N, NA, NB, NC, NR) and dwarf novae (UG, ZC, SU) `Mag2`
is at minimum; for NL (UX, AC) in the normal state; NL (AM, VY) in the high
state; XL (XB, XT) in quiescence.
Mag2_Comment
Comment on 2nd magnitude using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Mag3
The maximum brightness. For novae (N, NA, NB, NC, NR) and dwarf novae (UG, ZC)
`Mag3` is given in outburst; for DN (SU), in normal outburst; NL (AM, VY) in the
low state; XL (XB, XT) in outburst.
Mag3_Comment
Comment on 3rd magnitude using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Mag4
`Mag4` is the brightness of ZC in standstill, SU in super-outburst, NL (AM, VY)
in low state.
Mag4_Comment
Comment on 4th magnitude using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Interval
The typical time interval in days for: DN(UG, ZC) between two outbursts;
DN (SU), between two subsequent outbursts; XL (XT), between two X-ray
outbursts.
Interval2
The time interval in days for DN (SU) between two subsequent superoutbursts.
Luminosity_Ratio
For XL, XB, XP, the X-ray to optical luminosity ratio.
Luminosity_Ratio_Comment
Comment on Luminosity Ratio using abbreviations as listed under
`VMag Comment`.
Orbital_Period
The orbital period, in days. In the case of objects of type DQ,
`Orbital Period` is the spectroscopic period if different from the photometric
one; for SU, if followed by a *, `Orbital Period` is estimated from the known
superhump period using the empirical relation given by Stolz and Schoembs
(1984 Astr.Ap., Vol. 132, p. 187). For other types, if `Orbital Period` is
followed by a *, it is the spectroscopic period, and if followed by a "P", it
is the photometric period.
Orbital_Period_Comment
Comment on Orbital Period using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Period2
The second period, in days. For N, NA, NB, NC it is the orbital period of the
prenova; DQ the photometric period is given if it is different from the
spectroscopic one; for SU it is the superhump period at the beginning of the
outburst. If `Period2` is followed by a *, it is the photometric period.
Period2_Comment
Comment on Period2 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Period3
Additional periods (in seconds) in the system, including the following:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
CP : 3. Period of the coherent pulsation (transient if followed by a "T")
4. Second period of coherent pulsation (transient if followed by a "T")
DQ : 3. Rotation period of the white dwarf
4. Optical period
XP : 3. Pulse period of the pulsar
4. Optical period.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The occurrence of transient QPO in objects of type N, DN, NL, XL, XT, XB and
XP is indicated in the `Period3` parameter by the string `QPO`.
Period3_Comment
Comment on Period3 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Period4
Additional periods (in seconds) in the system as listed under `Period3`.
Period4_Comment
Comment on Period4 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Eclipse
Indicates the occurrence of eclipses as follows: if blank, no eclipses seen; if
1 there is one eclipse per orbital revolution observed; if 2 there are two
eclipses per orbital revolution; if D, periodic eclipse-like dips observed.
SB
Type of spectroscopic binary: 1 = single-lined, 2 = double-lined.
Spectrum1
Spectral type of the primary. The number to the right of the slash indicates
luminosity class (1 = I, 2 = II, 3 = III, etc.).
Spectrum2
Spectral type of the secondary. The number to the right of the slash indicates
luminosity class (1 = I, 2 = II, 3 = III, etc.).
Eccentricity
The eccentricity of the orbit.
Eccentricity_Comment
Comment on Eccentricity using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Eccentricity_Error
Error in eccentricity.
Eccentricity_Error_Comment
Comment on Eccentricity Error using abbreviations as listed under
`VMag Comment`.
Mass_Ratio
The primary to secondary mass ratio, M1/M2.
Mass_Ratio_Comment
Comment on Mass Ratio using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Mass_Ratio_Error
Error in Mass Ratio.
Mass_Ratio_Error_Comment
Comment on Mass Ratio Error using abbreviations as listed under
`VMag Comment`.
Inclination
The orbital inclination in degrees.
Inclination_Comment
Comment on Inclination using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Inclination_Error
Error in Inclination.
Inclination_Error_Comment
Comment on Inclination Error using abbreviations as listed under
`VMag Comment`.
M1
The mass of the primary in solar masses.
M1_Comment
Comment on M1 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
M1_Error
Error in M1.
M1_Error_Comment
Comment on M1 Error using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
R1
The radius of the primary in solar radii.
R1_Comment
Comment on R1 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
R1_Error
Error in R1.
R1_Error_Comment
Comment on R1 Error using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
M2
The mass of the secondary in solar masses.
M2_Comment
Comment on M2 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
M2_Error
Error in M2.
M2_Error_Comment
Comment on M2 Error using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
R2
The radius of the secondary in solar radii.
R2_Comment
Comment on R2 using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
R2_Error
Error in R2.
R2_Error_Comment
Comment on R2 Error using abbreviations as listed under `VMag Comment`.
Class
This is a BROWSE object class code assigned to each object when the database
was created. The class code given is based on Ritter's object types and other
sources (i.e. the Bradt-McClintock catalog of X-ray binaries, 1983).