Lead Author: Paula Szkody

Abstract: We have used the GROWTH Marshal to identify cataclysmic variables (CVs) during the first year of operation of the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF). Filtering on amplitude, time, and color produced 335 objects during the first year of testing and operation, with 90 being previoulsy confirmed CVs, 215 being good candidates based on the shape and color of their light curves obtained during 30-400 days of observations, and the remaining 30 being possible CVs but with too few data points to be listed as good candidates. Almost half the good candidates are within 10 deg of the galactic plane, in contrast to other large surveys which have avoided crowded fields. The available Gaia prallaxes are consistent with sampling the low mass transfer CVs, as predicted by population models. Followup spectra have confirmed Balmer emission in 23 objects, with a few showing high excitation HeII emission. Our results demonstrate that many surveys are required to capture all the CVs in the galaxy, especially those that target the galactic plane.

Paper for Working Group

• ztfps.pdf: CV paper draft for review and approval by variable science group