CATCLYS5 (S1): Fifth Catalog of Cataclysmic Binary Stars, 1990 (19950226)
FILES:
catclys5.s1 (data file; 232 cataclysmic binary stars and similar objects)
catclys5.s1n (associated note file)
catclys5.ls (position-list for locating stars)
CONTENTS: Fifth Catalog of Cataclysmic Binaries; Ritter, 1990
DATASET: This file comes in HyperSky dataset S-30, version 19950226. Availability on HyperSky CD-ROM: Vol. 2 (1995)
DESCRIPTION: This datafile contains 232 cataclysmic binaries and similar objects from the catalog by Dr. Hans Ritter of the Max-Planck Institute for Physics and Astrophysics, Germany. It contains, as far as possible, data based on all literature references to these objects through Dec 31, 1989.
The author divides the catalog into three distinct groups. These are the true cataclysmic binaries (168 entries), low-mass X-ray binary stars (36 entries), and related objects (28 entries). Each of these groups is described below.
Cataclysmic binaries are 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 unevolved. It may even be a highly evolved star, as for example in the cases of GP Com and AM CVn.
Low-mass X-ray binaries are semi-detached binaries composed 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: (1) In general the spectra of the low-mass X-ray binaries (at maximum light) are devoid of normal stellar absorption features. (2) The ratio of their X-ray to optical luminosities is much larger than unity, and typically ranges from about 100 to about 10000.
The "related objects" group are 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.
The HyperSky file is based on the version of the catalog available at the U.S. National Space Sciences Data Center (NSSDC) as Astronomical Data Center (ADC) catalog #5059. The catalog is also distributed by the Stellar Data Centre (CDS), Strasbourg, France, as catalog V/59.
DATA: The HyperSky datafile contains the following data from the catalog:
POSITION: Right Ascension and Declination are the catalog equinox 2000 postions.
TYPE: The HyperSky type Sv (variable star) is used for all stars.
MAG: The brightest of the catalog magnitudes given for the binary; see the comments section below for a description of these magnitudes.
IDENTIFICATION: The primary identification of the binary as given in the catalog.
COMMENTS: The comment lines contain the following information from the catalog, provided if available for each system:
* One or more lines giving the type(s) and subtype(s) of the system. Each type consists of a two-letter catalog code, followed in parentheses by a brief description of the code.
* A line giving the typcial outburst period of the star, in days.
NOTEFILE: Each entry in the associated notefile contains the following additional information on each binary system, provided when available:
* For certain types, a slightly extended type description, beyond that given in the comments above.
* Up to four magnitudes associated with the system, whose meaning depends on the system type. These magnitudes are apparent visual magnitudes unless followed by a B, which indicates a B magnitude. The meanings of these magnitudes depends on the system type code:
mag1 = Maximum brightness of:
novae (N,NA,NB,NC,NR) in minimum
DN (UG,ZC,SU) in minimum
NL (UX,AC) in normal state
NL (AM,VY) in high state
DS outside eclipse
mag2 = Minimum brightness, in case of eclipses magnitude at mid-eclipse, of:
novae (N,NA,NB,NC,NR) in minimum
DN (UG,ZC,SU) in minimum
NL (UX,AC) in normal state
NL (AM,VY) in high statE
XL (XB,XT) in quiescence
DS
mag3 = Maximum brightness of:
novae (N,NA,NB,NC,NR) in outburst
DN (UG,ZC) in outburst
DN (SU) in normal outburst
NL (AM,VY) in low state
XL (XB,XT) in outburst
mag4 = brightness of:
ZC in standstill
SU in superoutburst
= Minimum brightness of
NL (AM,VY) in low state
* A comment indicating whether a spectroscopic binary is single- or double-lined.
* Lines giving the mass of the primary and secondary in solar masses, and the mass ratio M1/M2.
* Lines giving the orbital period in days, and the orbital inclination in degrees. A 90-degree inclination indicates system viewed edge-on. Systems with high inclinations are thus subject to eclipses.
* A line indicating the number of eclipses per orbit.
POSITION-LIST: If installed, position-list file catclys5.ls will let you center your HyperSky field on any cataclysmic binary in catclys5.s1. The position-list contains the following sublists:
* A complete list of all cataclysmic binaries in the catalog.
* A list of all dwarf novae, plus separate sublists of the following dwarf nova subtypes:
+ SU UMa stars
+ U Gem and SS Cyg stars (related dwarf nova subtypes)
+ Z Cam stars
* A list of all nova-like variables, plus separate sublists of the following nova-like variable subtypes:
+ AM Her stars
+ UX UMa stars
+ VY Scl stars
* A list of all fast novae.
* A list of all slow novae.
* A list of all DQ Her systems.
* A list of the separate low-mass X-ray binary group (32 objects)
* A list of the separate "related objects" group (28 objects)
Remember that this is only a position-list; it does not actually display a star at the position you select. The star you select will will appear at the position only if you have also loaded catclys5.s1, or some other HyperSky catalog file which contains the object.