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cataclysmic variable |
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cataclysmic variable [¦kad·ə¦kliz·mik ′ver·ē·ə·bəl] (astronomy) A star showing a sudden increase in the magnitude of light, followed by a slow fading of light; examples are novae and supernovae. Also known as explosive variable. In particular, a short-period binary star, one of whose components is a white dwarf star, capable of irregularly timed but recurrent outbursts of brightness by 2 to 10,000. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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The cataclysmic variable may impart a gravitational kick that sends the star fleeing, or the star will trade places with and eject the white dwarf's original partner. University and his colleagues base their conclusions on Hubble Space Telescope spectra of two Milky Way white dwarfs at the heart of the cataclysmic variables VW Hydri and U Geminorum. Observations of certain binaries, known as cataclysmic variable stars, will involve a special collaboration with observers on the ground, notes Stachnik. |
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