The unusual 2006 dwarf nova outburst of GK Persei |
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| Authors: | P A Evans A P Beardmore J P Osborne G A Wynn |
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| Institution: | Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH |
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| Abstract: | The 2006 outburst of GK Persei differed significantly at optical and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths from typical outbursts of this object. We present multiwavelength (X-ray, UV and optical) Swift and AAVSO data, giving unprecedented broad-band coverage of the outburst, allowing us to follow the evolution of the longer-than-normal 2006 outburst across these wavelengths. In the optical and UV we see a triple-peaked morphology with maximum brightness ～1.5 mag lower than in previous years. In contrast, the peak hard X-ray flux is the same as in previous outbursts. We resolve this dichotomy by demonstrating that the hard X-ray flux only accounts for a small fraction of the total energy liberated during accretion, and interpret the optical/UV outburst profile as arising from a series of heating and cooling waves traversing the disc, caused by its variable density profile. |
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| Keywords: | accretion accretion discs stars: individual: GK Per novae cataclysmic variables X-rays: binaries |
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