3-D Visualization of Cataclysmic Variables with Interactive Data Language(IDL) by: Deidrick Capers

What is a Cataclysmic Variable? Class of binary star systems Class of binary star systems Contains white dwarf and red dwarf Contains white dwarf and red dwarf White dwarf has powerful gravitational and electromagnetic fields White dwarf has powerful gravitational and electromagnetic fields Accretion disc/stream between stars Accretion disc/stream between stars Polars Polars

CV with Accretion Disc

Magnetic CV (Polar)

Visualization 101: 2-D Before 3-D Fortran program determines position, velocity, and density of particles Fortran program determines position, velocity, and density of particles 30,000 particles total 30,000 particles total Bash shell scripts for extraction of relevant particles Bash shell scripts for extraction of relevant particles Direct graphics programs: x-axis vs. y- axis, x-axis vs. z-axis Direct graphics programs: x-axis vs. y- axis, x-axis vs. z-axis 2-D scatter plot as series of colored points 2-D scatter plot as series of colored points

Visualization 102: Survival of the Fittest 2-D plots become part of 3-D model program 2-D plots become part of 3-D model program Orbs used to represent positions of particles Orbs used to represent positions of particles Stream and stars are placed on grid Stream and stars are placed on grid

What is IDL? Interactive Data Language Interactive Data Language Powerful visualization tool Powerful visualization tool Used by medical industry Used by medical industry

IDL Program Code 2 part program/object-oriented 2 part program/object-oriented Part 1 defines events: mouse clicks, sliders, scroll bars etc. Part 1 defines events: mouse clicks, sliders, scroll bars etc. Part 2 specifies actual window structure: placement of labels, buttons, lists/names Part 2 specifies actual window structure: placement of labels, buttons, lists/names Objects- red/white dwarf, surface polygons Objects- red/white dwarf, surface polygons Physical objects- light/text/axis objects Physical objects- light/text/axis objects

Program Features Phase adjustment Phase adjustment Inclination adjustment Inclination adjustment Zoom feature Zoom feature Transfer of snapshot to TIF Transfer of snapshot to TIF MPEG generator MPEG generator Automotion Automotion

Future Work Exporting of program to non-IDL machines Exporting of program to non-IDL machines Increase of detail in CV depiction Increase of detail in CV depiction

Acknowledgements South Carolina State University South Carolina State University Dr. Cash Dr. Cash Dr. Walter Dr. Walter NASA URIA NASA URIA

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