Dwarf nova outbursts with magnetorotational turbulence

M. S.B. Coleman, I. Kotko, O. Blaes, J. P. Lasota, S. Hirose

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Scopus citations

Abstract

The phenomenological disc instability model has been successful in reproducing the observed light curves of dwarf nova outbursts by invoking an enhanced Shakura-Sunyaev α parameter ~0.1-0.2 in outburst compared to a low value ~0.01 in quiescence. Recent thermodynamically consistent simulations of magnetorotational instability (MRI) turbulence with appropriate opacities and equation of state for dwarf nova accretion discs have found that thermal convection enhances α in discs in outburst, but only near the hydrogen ionization transition. At higher temperatures, convection no longer exists and α returns to the low value comparable to that in quiescence. In order to check whether this enhancement near the hydrogen ionization transition is sufficient to reproduce observed light curves, we incorporate this MRI-based variation in α into the disc instability model, as well as simulation-based models of turbulent dissipation and convective transport. These MRI-based models can successfully reproduce observed outburst and quiescence durations, as well as outburst amplitudes, albeit with different parameters from the standard disc instability models. The MRI-based model light curves exhibit reflares in the decay from outburst, which are not generally observed in dwarf novae. However, we highlight the problematic aspects of the quiescence physics in the disc instability model and MRI simulations that are responsible for this behaviour.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3710-3726
Number of pages17
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume462
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 11 Nov 2016

Keywords

  • Accretion
  • Accretion discs
  • MHD
  • Stars: dwarf novae
  • Turbulence

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