Engineering topics

Edwards, D. A.

Publications and source records attributed to Edwards, D. A..

2 records

NASA NTRS1987

Numerical calculations of mass transfer flow in semi-detached binary systems

The details of the mass transfer flow near the inner Lagrangian point in a semidetached binary system are numerically calculated. A polytropic equation of state with n = 3/2 is used. The dependence of the mass transfer rate on the degree to which the star overfills its Roche lobe is calculated, and good agreement with previous analytic estimates is found. The variation of mass transfer rate which occurs if the binary system has a small eccentricity is calculated and is used to cast doubt on the model for superhumps in dwarf novae proposed by Papaloizou and Pringle (1979).

Edwards, D. A.↗

NASA NTRS1987

Orbital eccentricity in classical novae

The effect on the orbital parameters of a classical nova of the ejection of mass during the nova explosion is considered. The most easily observable consequence is the generation of a small eccentricity in the orbit which leads to a luminosity modulation at a period just longer than the orbital period. Observation of such an effect would have implications not just for interpreting the dynamics of the explosion but also for measuring the secular effect of tidal interaction after the outburst.

Edwards, D. A.↗