Statistical Analysis of Low States in VY Scl Stars

The first detailed statistics of the light curves of a class of cataclysmic variable binary star systems, known as the VY Sculptoris stars, was compiled. These light curves are time-series observations of these stars’ apparent magnitudes in visible light. These observations were made by the American Association of Variable Star Observers and were made available publicly on a server funded by the National Science Foundation. In every star in this sample, the presence of low states that define the VY Scl stars was confirmed. The VY Scl stars typically spend most of their time in a high state, and irregularly drop by between 0.4 and 7.6 magnitudes into low states. We have compiled tables of the depths and durations of the low states of each system. We discuss these statistics in the context of the explanation that the low states may be caused by concentrations of magnetism on the secondary star, namely starspots.