An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics · Problem 18.8

Physical Processes in the Solar System — Carroll & Ostlie

Physics — Astrophysics · cataclysmic-variable-eclipse-rotation

Problem

When the accretion disk in a cataclysmic variable is eclipsed by the secondary star, the blueshifted emission line is the first to disappear at the beginning of the eclipse, and the redshifted emission line is the last to reappear when the eclipse ends. What does this have to say about the directions of rotation of the binary system and the accretion disk?

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