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Polars, a Growing Family

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Boris T. Gänsicke
Universitäts-Sternwarte, Geismarlandstr. 11, D-37083 Göttingen, Germany Present address: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK

Klaus Beuermann
Universitäts-Sternwarte, Geismarlandstr. 11, D-37083 Göttingen, Germany Present address: Institut für Astrophysik, Georg-August-Universität, Friedrich- Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany

Janet A. Mattei*
AAVSO, 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138

Abstract
For years, AM Herculis was the only member of a class of cataclysmic variable stars now known as polars, whose systems are characterized by a strongly- magnetized white dwarf and the absence of an accretion disc. A number of ground- based and satellite observing missions, particularly the ROSAT All-Sky Survey, have located many more members of the polar family. To date, however, AM Her is the only polar whose long-term variability has been studied in detail.

*deceased March 22, 2004

Link to article on ADS