On the nature of embedded precursors in long outbursts of SS Cyg stars as inferred from observations of the IW And star ST Cha

Abstract

We observed the IW And-type dwarf nova ST Cha and found that standstills were terminated by brightening at a constant brightness level during standstills. This finding is not consistent with a model of IW And-type dwarf novae assuming repeated enhancements of the mass-transfer rate from the secondary. We found that one outburst in ST Cha had a shoulder during the rising branch at the same level in which standstills were terminated by brightening. This phenomenon is very similar to what are called "embedded precursors" in SS Cyg stars. We propose that these embedded precursors in both SS Cyg stars and the IW And star ST Cha occur when the disk reaches the tidal truncation radius. If this is the case, precursors in SS Cyg stars and SU UMa stars are different in origin on the contrary to the idea suggested by Cannizzo (2012).