| SXTs and TOADs, Close encounters of the same kind (2007) | |||||||||||||
Abstract | |||||||||||||
| We show that apart from having in common long intervals between large-amplitude outbursts (without intervening normal outbursts) soft X-ray transients (SXTs) and `tremendous outburst amplitude dwarf novae' (TOADs) also have very similar optical light curves, showing glitches and superhumps during the main part of the outbursts, and considerable post-outburst activity in the form of one or more mini-outbursts. We propose that these similarities reflect that both SXTs and TOADs have very small mass ratios and very low mass transfer rates. The outbursts of SXTs and TOADs are triggered by a viscous instability, and are almost always followed by a tidal instability during which superhumps develop. We suggest that the increased mass accretion during the glitches are caused by enhanced tidal dissipation. Subject headings: accretion, accretion disks --- binaries: close --- stars: individual (GRO J0422+32, AL Com, UZ Boo) --- novae, cataclysmic variables --- X-rays: stars -- 3 -- 1. Introduct... | |||||||||||||
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