Locating the flickering source in polars

TL;DR

This paper investigates the origin of flickering in polars, a type of magnetic cataclysmic variable, revealing multiple sources and their locations through analysis of flickering amplitude variations.

Contribution

It identifies multiple flickering sources in polars and determines that at least one originates far from the main light source, advancing understanding of accretion processes.

Findings

Multiple flickering sources identified in polars.

At least one flickering source is located far from the main light source.

Flickering amplitude varies with orbital phase, indicating different origins.

Abstract

Flickering is a fast variability observed in all accreting systems. It has been shown that in most cataclysmic variables flickering originates in the accretion disc. However, in polars the strong magnetic field of the white dwarf prevents the formation of an accretion disc. Therefore, the origin of flickering in polars is not clear. We analyzed the changes of flickering amplitude with orbital phase in seven polars in order to reveal its site of origin. We show that at least in some polars there are two separate sources of flickering. Moreover, at least one of the sources is located at a large distance from the main source of light in the system.