How to understand the light curves of symbiotic stars

TL;DR

This paper explains the main types of light curve variations in symbiotic stars, such as orbital modulations, eclipses, and apparent orbital changes, using spectral energy distribution and ionization models.

Contribution

It provides a clear interpretation of light curve features in symbiotic stars based on spectral and ionization analysis, enhancing understanding of their variability.

Findings

Identification of wave-like modulation during quiescence

Explanation of eclipses during active phases

Insight into apparent orbital changes during activity transitions

Abstract

I introduce fundamental types of variations observed in the light curves (LC) of symbiotic stars: the orbitally-related wave-like modulation during quiescent phases, eclipses during active phases and apparent orbital changes indicated during transitions between quiescence and activity. I explain their nature with the aid of the spectral energy distribution (SED) of the composite spectrum of symbiotic stars and their simple ionization model.