The Z CamPaign: Year 1

TL;DR

The Z CamPaign is an observational effort by the AAVSO to collect comprehensive light curves of suspected Z Cam type dwarf novae to confirm their classification and understand their variability.

Contribution

This paper introduces the Z CamPaign, a new coordinated observational campaign aimed at definitively classifying Z Cam type dwarf novae through detailed light curve data collection.

Findings

Initial data collection is underway for 30 candidate systems.

Early results suggest diverse variability patterns among the targets.

The campaign is establishing a foundation for future classification accuracy.

Abstract

The Cataclysmic Variable Section of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO) has initiated an observing campaign to study a subset of dwarf novae (DNe), known as Z Cam type (UGZ). We call this program the Z CamPaign. Since there is no strong agreement between the various published catalogues as to which few dozen DNe are actually Z Cam type systems, our primary goal is to accumulate enough data to construct detailed light curves, covering the entire range of variability, to determine unequivocally the 30 Z CamPaign subjects' membership in the UGZ class of DNe. We discuss the organization, science goals, and some early results of the Z CamPaign in detail.