Evidence of abrupt changes in the orbital periods of two cataclysmic variables

Abstract

We report evidence from eclipse timing that two otherwise apparently normal cataclysmic variables have experienced abrupt changes in their orbital periods. The orbital period of HS 2325+8205 increased by 22.15 msec (1.3 x 10-6 of the orbital period) around 1 February 2011 and the orbital period of EP Dra increased by 4.51 msec (7.2 x 10-7 of the orbital period) around 7 December 2001. In neither case was there any apparent change in the subsequent behaviour of the system. These changes are currently unexplained.

10 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in the Journal of the British Astronomical Association