The Luminous Erupting Dwarf Nova CV 1 in the Dense Globular Cluster M15

Abstract

Despite decades-old predictions of the expected presence of dozens of cataclysmic variables in the cores of globular clusters, the number of irrefutable, outbursting candidates is still barely a handful. Using multiwavelength, multiepoch Hubble Space Telescope images, we have produced outburst and quiescence light curves for the recently discovered large-amplitude variable CV 1 in the core of the post-core-collapse globular cluster M15. The light curves and blue colors show that the object is a bona fide dwarf nova, with absolute magnitude at maximum light rivaling that of the most luminous known dwarf novae.

Based on observations with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained from the Data Archive at the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc., under NASA contract NAS 5-26555.

We acknowledge with thanks the variable star observations from the AAVSO International Database contributed by observers worldwide and used in this research.