Formation of magnetized spatial structures in the Beta Lyrae system. I. Observation as a research background of this phenomenon

TL;DR

This paper reviews long-term observations of the Beta Lyrae system, highlighting how the donor's magnetic field influences the formation of magnetized gaseous structures and mass transfer processes.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of observational data to understand the role of magnetic fields in the formation of magnetized gaseous structures in Beta Lyrae.

Findings

Magnetic field influences gaseous flow structures depending on orbital phase.

The accretion disk has an external satellite part and an internal opaque part.

Reliable magnetic field data from 6-m telescope observations.

Abstract

The discovery of the donor magnetic field has repeatedly posed the task of a thorough study of the phenomenon, which is based on the concept of the influence of the magnetic field on the processes of the formation of gaseous structures and mass transfer in the Beta Lyrae system. This article provides an overview, analysis, and synthesis of the results of a variety of long-term observations as a necessary basis for further clarification of issues aimed primarily at the study of magnetized gaseous structures. As a part of such a study, it was found that the structure of the gaseous flows between the donor and the gainer varies in some way depending on the phases of the orbital period; and, accordingly, that the donor magnetic field influences the formation of these moving magnetized structures. The analysis of the masses of both components for use in further scientific works suggests that the following values are optimal: 2.9 M_sun for the donor and 13 M_sun for the gainer. The study of satellite lines as a certain phenomenon leads to the fact that the accretion disk surrounding the gainer consists of two parts: the external satellite disk and the internal massive opaque disk. From the analysis of all observations and studies of the magnetic field, observations on the 6-m telescope can be considered the most reliable. They have formed the spatial configuration of the donor magnetic field, which is important for studying and understanding the features of the mass transfer in this interacting system. Further evidence regarding the picture of the magnetized accretion structures as the special phenomenon will be presented in the following articles.