Observation by Gary Poyner: Accretion Disc flickering

Uploaded by

Gary Poyner

Observer

Gary Poyner

Observed

2016 Dec 20 - 10:01

Uploaded

2016 Dec 20 - 10:11

Objects

Lightcurve
Variable star

Equipment

35cm SCT

Location

Birmingham

Target name

1RXS J053234.9+624755

Title

Accretion Disc flickering

About this image

1RXS J053234.9+624755 was in outburst during April 2005 when this observation was made. I found it difficult to make an observation because the magnitude was jumping all over the place. I had seen DNe flickering before but not to this extent - nearly one magnitude in 20 seconds. I decided to monitor it for as long as possible so made an estimate every 10 seconds for 24 minutes. After this time I couldn't trust my eyes as they were feeling strained so I stopped. The data was later analysed by a professional and confirmed to be real flickering within the system and not due to atmospheric seeing. Flickering in CV's is not well understood, and is probably a disc phenomenon although a school of thought suggests the mass transfer stream. Whatever the cause it's amazing to watch, especially at this sort of amplitude.

Files associated with this observation

1RXS J053234.9+624755.gif (29.0 kB)

Like this image

Jeremy Shears, James Screech, David Basey, Peter Carson, Dr Paul Leyland

Comments

Paul Whitmarsh, 2017 Apr 22 - 09:56 UTC

Gary that is an amazing observation, are there any theories of what drives such rapid changes in luminosity? Is it related to material hitting the accretion disk?

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