On the new short orbital period cataclysmic variable Halpha0242-2802

Abstract

We present results from our phase-resolved spectroscopy of the newly identified cataclysmic variable Halpha0242-2802. Halpha0242-2802 was identified from a deep UK Schmidt Halpha-R band survey as a candidate cataclysmic variable. Although initial spectroscopy revealed an optical spectrum very similar to that of the famous short orbital period system WZ Sge, the analysis of our data shows that this is not the case. Halpha0242-28 differs from WZ Sge in both the accretion disk structure and the orbital period. In particular, Halpha0242-28 appears to be a system which has not reached the orbital period minimum, yet.

9 pages, 6 figures. In press