From about 30 Dwarf Novae with the best determined distances the following relationships are found.

1. (i) a tight correlation between absolute magnitude at maximum light, Mv (max), and orbital period, P.

2. (ii) a correlation between Mv (min) and P showing wide scatter.

3. (iii) a correlation between Mv (mean), the mean absolute magnitude averaged over normal outbursts, and P, again with wide scatter. The scatter is shown to correlate strongly with outburst timescale Tn.

4. (iv) a strong correlation between range, Mv (min) - Mv (max), and Tn (the Kukarkin-Parenago relationship).

5. (v) a strong correlation between range My. (mean) - Mv (max), and both Tn and P.

This final correlation is interpreted in terms of the disc instability model of dwarf novae and successfully predicts the observed width of outburst versus P relationship.

We discuss the formation and evolution of interacting low-mass close binaries with a He-ICO- or ONe-dwarf neutron star or a black hole as a compact component. Mass exchange leads to cataclysmic events in such systems. The rate of semidetached low-mass close binary formation is 5×10−3 yr−1 if the accreting component is a He degenerate dwarf, 5×10−3 yr−1 if it is a CO-dwarf and 3×10−8 yr−1 if it is a neutron star. Systems with compact accretors arise as the result of the common envelope phase of close binary evolution or due to collisions of single neutron stars or dwarfs with low-mass single stars in dense stellar clusters. Evolution of LMCB to the contact phase in semi-detached stages is determined mainly by the angular momentum losses by a magnetic stellar wind and radiation of gravitational waves. Numerical computations of evolution with momentum loss explain observed mass exchange rates in such systems, the absence of cataclysmic variables with orbital periods 2h−3h, the low number and the evolutionary status of systems with orbital periods shorter than 80m. In conclusion we list unsolved problems related to magnetic stellar wind, the distribution of young close binaries over main initial parameters, stability of mass exchange.

Results of an analytical discussion of observational selection in a magnitude-limited sample of cataclysmic binaries (CBs) are presented. It is shown that the dependence of the strength of selection in favour of massive white dwarfs, of the mean orbital inclination and the fraction of eclipsing systems in a sample on the limiting magitude mv reflects the large-scale distribution of CBs in the galaxy and the influence of interstellar absorption. Furthermore it is shown how selection in favour of massive white dwarfs depends on the mass radius relation of white dwarfs.

The present status of the period studies of cataclysmic variables is briefly reviewed, mainly from the observational point of view. A few comments on individual objects include EM Cyg, Z Cha, WZ Sge and AM CVn.

With the recent detection of direct white dwarf photospheric radiation from certain cataclysmic variables in quiescent (low accretion) states, important implications and clues about the nature and long-term evolution of cataclysmic variables can emerge from an analysis of their physical properties. Detection of the underlying white dwarfs has led to a preliminary empirical CV white dwarf temperature distribution function and, in a few cases, the first detailed look at a freshly accreted while dwarf photosphere. The effective temperatures of CV white dwarfs plotted versus orbital period for each type of CV appears to reveal a tendency for the cooler white dwarf primaries to reside in the shorter period systems. Possible implications are briefly discussed.

The study of radio emission from cataclysmic variables (CVs) is a new and developing field. Radio emission from novae, recurrent novae, dwarf novae and each of the subclasses (AM Her and OQ Her) of magnetic CVs have now been reported and are reviewed here. These observations are shown to provide, in general, a probe of the structure of the CV on length scales typically ≳1011cm. Radiation mechanisms, both incoherent and coherent, relevant to the observed radio emission are also discussed. These suggest that the red dwarf in AM Her and DQ Her is also magnetized and provides support for theories for the evolution of CVs which require a magnetized secondary star.

New and previously existing photometric colors and spectroscopic H and He line strengths are used to compare CV disk systems below the period gap (P=80–130 min) with those directly above (P=190–240 min). Significant differences are found in the mean U-B,V-J colors and in the Hβ equivalent widths on the 2 sides of the gap. A detailed comparison from UV-IR of 3 high inclination novalike systems with periods near 3.3 hr (PG1012−029, PG1030+590 and V1315 Aql) shows similar continuum distributions (and implied mass accretion rates) but large differences in high excitation lines (HeII1640,4686;CIV1550).

During a ¡photometric and spectrophotometric survey of 200 white dwarf candidates with in a field around the South Galactic Pole two new cataclysmic variables have been identified and new observations of one already known object have been accumulated. Observations in the visible and UV-region show variability and differences in spectral type. If compared to the numbers of cataclysmic variables/white dwarfs as computed by Ritter and Burkert (1985)there is a shortage of a factor of 5.

High Speed Photometry of four eclipsing dwarf novae, Z Cha, OY Car, HT Cas and IP Peg, is used to determine the orbital parameters and the masses of the two stars in each system. The mass ratio, q, and inclination, i, are found by constraining theoretical stream trajectories (Lubow and Shu 1975) to pass through the observed light centre of the bright spot eclipse. The light centre is defined as the point corresponding to the half flux points in the ingress and egress of the eclipse of the compact part of the bright spot. The theoretical stream width indicates that the centre of the stream must intersect the bright spot close to this point.

We describe a method for imaging the accretion disc of a Cataclysmic Variable star. We use the two-dimensional information contained in the line profiles as they vary with phase to invert the line formation process. Asymmetries in the disc, as are caused by the bright-spot, for example, are accounted for naturally.

Combined UV, optical and, in part, IR continuum distributions of the UX UMa-systems CPD-48°1577, V3885 Sgr, RW Sex and of the recently discovered cataclysmic system PHL 227 were determined from multi-wavelength spectroscopic and photometric data to search for general characteristics of these systems. The observed variations of the UV to IR spectral indices are qualitatively very similar for all systems, whereas the absolute values show significant differences in the far and near UV ranges. The wavelength dependence of the optical and IR spectral indices as well as the variations of the Balmer line profiles lie within the range of model spectra of optically thick and stationary accretion disks with stellar atmosphere characteristics. The different behavior of the far UV spectral indices can be explained by the excess radiation from an extended and optically thick boundary layer, which depends mainly on the orbital inclination.

Multi-wavelength observations of dwarf novae during outburst are presented here. Thirty three objects were observed, of which seventeen were at outburst. Six objects were caught during the rise, and a short flare was detected in SU UMa. It lasted 20 hours and reached a maximum increase of 3.6 in flux at 5500 A. The flare was simultaneous at all observed wavelengths.

High dispersion time-resolved spectrograms of the dwarf nova SS Cygni, obtained with the Echelle-Mepsicron system, show double peaked emission lines with a complex profile. The intensity of the Hβ line appears to be modulated by the orbital period. Radial velocity measurements of the wings of Hβ and of the absorption line system of the late-type star yield semiamplitude values of Kem = 101 ± 6 km s−1 and Kab = 151 ± 7 km s−1, respectively. Radial velocity measurements of the blue and red peaks and of the central absorption of Hβ reveal a synchronous movement with the broad wings, although there is some evidence of a narrow component probably associated with a hot spot in the disk or a chromospheric emission line from the secondary star. The Hβ modulation, the double profile and recently discovered UBV light variations support an inclination angle i ~ 50°. The masses of the primary and secondary stars using this angle and the observed semiamplitudes are Mp = 0.60 M⊙ and Ms = 0.40 M⊙, respectively. A detailed analysis of the absorption lines reveals a spectral type of K2V.

We show that the discrepancies among the various measurements of the radial velocity curve of the K5 V star in the dwarf nova SS Cyg have been caused by (1) poor choices of lines for measuring its velocity and (2) large distortions in its velocity caused by heating from the white dwarf and its accretion disk. The correct K velocity of the center of mass of the K5 V star is 158 ± 3 km s−1.

The results of photoelectric and spectral observations of SS Cyg are briefly discussed. Some features of the spectral variations observed during a large outburst of SS Cyg can probably be explained using a model of a double star which is surrounded by an absorbing gaseous shell. It is noted that the existing data are not numerous enough for the explanation of the SS Cyg variability, in particular, its short-term variations.

SS Cyg is a spectroscopic binary star with a 0.d276 period. The components of this system are dwarf stars (M ≈ 5.m5 for both stars), with dG5 and sdBe spectra; they probably show eruptive activity (Joy, 1956). In the spectrum of the B-component strong emission lines are observed. The dG5 spectrum is observed only in the minimum of SS Cyg.

There are various investigations of SS Cyg, but up to now the cause of its variability, in particular, its rapid variability has not been determined. In addition, there are many other observations which have not been explained.

The dwarf nova AH Her belongs to those cataclysmic variables which show a composite spectrum in the optical range, containing emission lines from the accretion disk and absorptions from the secondary star. This has been shown by Horne et al. (1986). Anticipating the composite nature of the spectrum from the the B-V colour of AH Her, which is intrinsically redder then , I took spectra of the system in four nights in June 1984 at the 1.2-m-telescope of the DSAZ on Calar Alto in order to detect the secondary component. The wavelength range observed was 5300 Å – 7150 Å. Apart from H in emission which behaves in the same way as described by Horne et al., the spectra show in fact a definite absorption of the Na D lines to be attributed to the secondary star. The linestrength and the absence of any strong TiO features confines the spectral type of the secondary to between K2 and MO. It is possible to calculate the relative contributions of the primary and secondary to the total light at the wavelength of Na D as a function of the exact spectral subtype of the secondary, using the measured equivalent width of the Na D lines. Taking the spectral gradient of primary and secondary from the current literature the same can be done for the effective wavelength of the V band. It is then straightforward to calculate the system’s absolute visual magnitude and the distance. It turns out that AH Her is one of the intrinsically brightest dwarf novae known, regardless of the exact spectral subtype of the secondary.

A complete account of the observations of AH Her and of the interpretations is given in a paper which has been submitted to Astronomy and Astrophysics.

SW UMa is an unusual dwarf nova in several respects. Recent observations by Robinson et al. (1986) have established that SW UMa is an SU UMa system, while Shafter, Szkody, and Thorstensen (1986) have presented evidence suggesting that SW UMa may be a DQ Her system as well. If the DQ Her classification is confirmed then SW UMa will be the only system to have this dual classification. Finally, time resolved spectroscopy of SW UMa has revealed the presence of an S-wave component in the Ha emission which has an unexpected phasing relative to the line wings.