Observational population studies of cataclysmic variables - The golden era of surveys
Abstract
Description
We review the properties of the currently known CV population from an accountants point of view. In particular, it is examined to what extent different selection mechanisms (variability, X-ray emission, colours, spectroscopic properties) affect the observed CV orbital period distribution. Large-scale surveys provide homogeneously selected CV samples, for which observational biases can in principle be modelled. Such samples will eventually provide the essential observational input for an improved understanding of CV evolution, and we highlight the impact of several completed and on-going surveys.
14 pages, 10 figures, to appear in The astrophysics of cataclysmic variables and related objects, ASP Conf. Ser., eds. J.M. Hameury and J.P. Lasota
14 pages, 10 figures, to appear in The astrophysics of cataclysmic variables and related objects, ASP Conf. Ser., eds. J.M. Hameury and J.P. Lasota