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[19.04] Modelling the Galactic CV distribution for the ChaMPlane Project

A. B. Rogel, P. M. Lugger, H. N. Cohn (IU)

We model the cataclysmic variable (CV) distribution in the Galaxy to better understand CV detection rates for the ChaMPlane survey of accreting X-ray sources in the Galactic plane. The CV distribution is modeled as a warped, flared exponential disk with a Gaussian vertical structure. Extinction is based on the recently published Galactic dust and gas model by Drimmel, et al. A luminosity function for CVs is also incorporated, based on a smoothed version of published data by Patterson. We use Monte-Carlo techniques to distribute of order 1-2 \times 10⁶ CVs throughout the Galaxy. We then determine the expected number per NOAO 4m telescope Mosaic field as a function of limiting magnitude and Galactic coordinates, within the plane but outside of the bulge (20^\circ\circ, |b|<15^\circ). This Monte-Carlo simulation also provides confidence range estimates. The current ChaMPlane detection of 5 CVs in 13 non-bulge fields is consistent with the Patterson local space density of 0.6 \times 10⁵~pc^-3 and other model assumptions to within the statistical uncertainty. This research was supported in part by NSF grant AST-0098683, NASA/Chandra grants AR2-3002B, AR3-4002B, and AR4-5003B. Additionally, ABR gratefully acknowledges a Fellowship from the Indiana Space Grant consortium.

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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.