Disentangling Cataclysmic Variables in Gaia's HR-Diagram

Abstract

Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) are interacting binaries consisting of at least three components that control their colour and magnitude. Using Gaia we here investigate the influence of the physical properties of these binaries on their position in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram (HR-diagram). The CVs are on average located between the main sequence and the white dwarf regime, the maximum density being at $G_{BP}-G_{RP} \sim 0.56$ and $G_{abs} \sim 10.15$. We find a trend of the orbital period with colour and absolute brightness: with decreasing period, the CVs become bluer and fainter. We also identify the location of the various CV sub-types in the HR-diagram and discuss the possible location of detached CVs, going through the orbital period gap.