MV Lyrae in Low, Intermediate and High States 1

Abstract

Archival IUE spectra of the VY Scl system MV Lyr, taken during an intermediate state, can be best fit by an isothermal accretion disk extending half way to the tidal cutoff radius. In contrast, a recent HST spectrum, while MV Lyr was in a high state, can be best fit with a standard T(R) profile for an accretion disk extending from an inner truncation radius to an intermediate radius with an isothermal accretion disk beyond. These fits use component star parameters determined from a study of MV Lyr in a low state. Model systems containing 1 Based on observations made with the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope, obtained at the Space