How to Understand the Light Curves of Symbiotic Stars

Volume 36 number 1 (2008)

Download this article (pdf)

Augustin Skopal

Astronomical Institute, Slovak Academy of Sciences, SK-059 60 Tatranska

Abstract

I introduce fundamental types of variations observed in the light curves of symbiotic stars: the orbitally-related wave-like modulation during quiescent phases, eclipses during active phases, and apparent orbital changes indicated during transitions between quiescence and activity. I explain their nature with the aid of the spectral energy distribution of the composite spectrum of symbiotic stars and their simple ionization model.