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CVs: How do we know they are binaries?
Joy (1940) found that RU Peg (Dwarf Nova) had a G3 absorption spectrum, as well as an emission spectrum, suggesting it was double
Joy (1956) found that SS Cyg had composite spectrum,
and that radial velocity variations occurred on a timescale
of 6h 38m again suggesting it was double
Walker (1954) found DQ Her to be an eclipsing binary
Kraft (1962) suggested all CVs might be binaries
Crawford & Kraft (1956) found that the secondary of AE Aqr occupied its ³zero velocity surface² (Roche Lobe) so that some gas might be lost at the L1 point
Kuiper (1941) had suggested for other binaries that turbulent gas would have angular momentum and swirl around the primary
Greenstein & Kraft (1959) found line profile changes through eclipse of DQ Her which result from the eclipse first of one side of the disk then the other Þ confirmed this was the eclipse of a prograde rotating disk
Kraft (1961) found a spectroscopic variation on the orbital period resulting from impact region of the stream on the disk
Large survey by Kraft (1962) on Palomar 200² telescope found orbital motion in almost all CVs, indicating they are close binaries with a white dwarf primary and a low mass main sequence secondary