PolarCat: Catalog of polars, low-accretion rate polars, and candidate objects

Polars and low-accretion rate polars (LARPs) are strongly magnetic cataclysmic variables. Mediated by the magnetic field of the white dwarf, their spin and binary orbit are (mostly) synchronized. They play an important role in our understanding of close binary evolution and the generation of strong magnetic fields in white dwarfs. Thanks to X-ray all-sky surveys, optical variability, and spectroscopic surveys, the number of polars and LARPs has grown from just a few in the 1980s to more than 200 today. Follow-up studies are facilitated by the systematic compilation of these systems presented here, which is also made available as an online resource. Yearly updates are planned, and community input is highly appreciated.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Published
2025-05-09
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202554519
Citations
9
Primary Topic
Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
12.01

Funders

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article

PolarCat: Catalog of polars, low-accretion rate polars, and candidate objects

Axel D. Schwope
9 citations
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
12.01
article

PolarCat: Catalog of polars, low-accretion rate polars, and candidate objects

Axel D. Schwope
article en
9 citations

Abstract

Polars and low-accretion rate polars (LARPs) are strongly magnetic cataclysmic variables. Mediated by the magnetic field of the white dwarf, their spin and binary orbit are (mostly) synchronized. They play an important role in our understanding of close binary evolution and the generation of strong magnetic fields in white dwarfs. Thanks to X-ray all-sky surveys, optical variability, and spectroscopic surveys, the number of polars and LARPs has grown from just a few in the 1980s to more than 200 today. Follow-up studies are facilitated by the systematic compilation of these systems presented here, which is also made available as an online resource. Yearly updates are planned, and community input is highly appreciated.

Astronomy and AstrophysicsVol. 698
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Astronomical Observations and Instrumentation
12.01
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