Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-10-2001

Publication Title

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Department

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Abstract

We present spectroscopic and photometric observations of the cataclysmic variable CW 1045+525. Both the optical spectrum and the photometric lightcurve show a strong contribution of a K5V–M0V secondary. We derive an orbital period Porb = 0.271278(1) d by measuring the radial velocities of the absorption lines of the secondary. The period and spectral type of the secondary suggest a distance of 350–700 pc. There is evidence for additional sources of line- and continuum emission, but no direct evidence of an accretion disc. We discuss several scenarios for the nature of CW 1045+525 on the basis of our results, finding a dwarf nova classification to be the most probable, although not completely satisfying, explanation for the observed characteristics.

DOI

10.1051/0004-6361:20011441

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