Dwarf nova-type cataclysmic variable stars are significant radio emitters

Understand

We present 8--12\,GHz radio light curves of five dwarf nova (DN) type Cataclysmic Variable stars (CVs) in outburst (RX And, U Gem and Z Cam), or superoutburst (SU UMa and YZ Cnc), increasing the number of radio-detected DN by a factor of two.

• The observed radio emission was variable on time-scales of minutes to days, and we argue that it is likely to be synchrotron emission.
• This sample shows no correlation between the radio luminosity and optical luminosity, orbital period, CV class, or outburst type; however higher-cadence observations are necessary to test this, as the measured luminosity is dependent on the timing of the observations in these variable objects.
• The observations show that the previously detected radio emission from SS Cyg is not unique in type, luminosity (in the plateau phase of the outburst), or variability time-scales.