ADAFs, accretion discs and outbursts in compact binaries

Understand

I discuss the status of the Soft X-ray Transient model.

• First, I discuss and then compare with observations the assumption that the geometrically thin disc evaporates into an ADAF.
• Second, I address the problems created by the recent determinations of the distance to SS Cyg, according to which the Disc Instability Model does not apply to this famous dwarf-nova, thus casting doubt on the application of this model to any system at all.