Assigned ID: 301 ----- Submission 1 (Fri Jan 21 19:12:20 GMT 2005) ----- The white dwarfs (WDs) in cataclysmic variables (CVs) are probes of cataclysmic evolution and accretion physics because they bear the thermal, chemical and rotational imprint of their long term accretion and thermonuclear history. An understanding of the consequences of accretion in CVs is the first step in a global understanding of accretion-related phenomena throughout the universe including Young Stellar Objects, galactic binaries (accretion onto neutron stars and black holes) and AGNs, which can't be easily observed. We propose an archival study of 25 CV systems, for which the HST/STIS (and/or HRS, FOS) spectra can be combined with matching FUSE spectra, covering a total spectral wavelength range 905-1725A. Such a systematic study of a large sample of combined HST-FUSE spectra of CVs systems is unique. We propose to use these 25 CVs as probes of CV evolution and accretion physics by deriving, for each system, the WD masses, surface temperatures, rotation rates, abundances and the mass accretion rate. This will be achieved by analysing the combined spectra with state-of-the-art stellar & accretion disk synthetic spectrum programs TLUSTY and BINSYN. The combined HST-FUSE spectra are expected to improve the accuracy of the measurements from the individual HST and FUSE spectra alone.

HOT STARS 12 69366 Salaries to be split over two years false 0.0 false false false false false SUPPORTED