Z Cha and its Superhumps

TL;DR

This paper analyzes superhump eclipses in Z Cha, revealing that superhumps originate from modulated mass transfer and enhanced energy dissipation in the overflowing stream, providing insights into their physical mechanism.

Contribution

It demonstrates that superhumps are caused by periodic variations in mass transfer rate leading to increased energy dissipation in the stream.

Findings

Superhump light source coincides with overflowing stream parts.

Superhumps result from modulated mass transfer rate.

Enhanced dissipation of kinetic energy causes superhumps.

Abstract

From the analysis of superhump eclipses of Z Cha it is found that the location of the superhump light source coincides with the overflowing parts of the stream. This implies that superhumps are due to modulated mass transfer rate resulting in periodically enhanced dissipation of the kinetic energy of the stream.