Cataclysmic Variables. Recent Multi-Frequency Observations and Theoretical Developments

Foreword.- Introductory Review.- Systematics of Dwarf Novae.- I. Evolution.- The Formation and Evolution of Low-Mass Close Binaries with Compact Components.- Collective Properties of a Magnitude-Limited Sample of Cataclysmic Binaries.- The Periods of Cataclysmic Variables.- The Effective Temperature Distribution Function of Cataclysmic Variable White Dwarfs.- Radio Emission from Cataclysmic Variables.- II. Radio, IR and Optical Observations.- A Photometric and Spectroscopic Comparison of the Cataclysmic Variables on the 2 Sides of the Period Gap and at Specific Orbital Period.- Cataclysmic Variables in a White Dwarf Survey at the South Galactic Pole.- Observations of Eclipsing Dwarf Novae.- Mapping the Line Emission Distribution of Cataclysmic Variable Stars.- Continuum Distributions and Line Profiles of UX UMa-Type Novalike Systems.- Multi-Wavelength Observations of Dwarf Novae During Outburst.- Echelle-Mepsicron Time-Resolved Spectroscopy of the Dwarf Nova SS Cygni.- Discrepant Measurements of the Radial Velocities of SS Cygni: Solution to the Problem.- Some Notes on SS Cygni.- Spectroscopy of the Primary and Secondary Components of the Dwarf Nova AH Herculis.- The Ultrashort Period Dwarf Nova SW Ursae Majoris.- Long-Term Optical Photometry of the Dwarf Nova VW Hyi.- Recurrence Behaviour of Outbursts in VW Hyi.- Periodic Variations in the Spectrum of the Dwarf Nova WX Hyi in Outburst and Minimum.- Red Spectroscopy of IP Pegasi.- Mass Transfer and Line Profiles - WZ Sge.- Spectroscopic Evolution of Novae Vul 1984 No. 1 (PW Vul) and No. 2.- Photometry of TT Arietis.- The Nature of RW Sextantis.- Photometry of BD-7 3007.- Properties of the Optical 2-Second Oscillations in E1405-451.- Periodic Modulations in the Optical Light Curves of EX Hydrae.- Simultaneous Five Color (UBVRI) Polarimetry of EF Eri.- Simultaneous Five Color (UBVRI) Polarimetry of W Puppis.- III. UV and X-Ray Observations.- Ultraviolet Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- X-Ray Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- X-Ray Emission from Non-Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables.- EUV and FUV Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- Preliminary Results of Improved Model Fits to the Extreme and Far UV Observations of Cataclysmic Variables.- Multi-Frequency Observations of the 1985 Outburst of RS Ophiuchi.- A Simultaneous X-Ray and Optical Study of TT Arietis.- New EXOSAT Observations of TV Columbae: Preliminary Results.- IUE Observations of HL CMa and the Winds of Cataclysmic Variables.- Periodic Variabilities in the IUE Spectra of SS Cygni.- EXOSAT Observations of X-Rays from Classical Novae During Outburst Stage.- EXOSAT Observations of H2252-035: Pulse Phase and Orbital Phase Dependent Low Energy Absorption and Iron Line Emission.- IV. Accretion Disks.- Accretion Disk Evolution.- The Boundary Layer in Cataclysmic Variables.- Accretion Disk Boundary Layers: Their Structure and Stability.- Two-Dimensional Numerical Models of the Boundary Layer of Accretion Disks in Cataclysmic Variables.- Implications from the Shape of the Viscosity-Surface Density Relation.- Disk-Instability Model for Outbursts of Dwarf Novae: Fine Mesh Calculations.- On the Computation of Accretion Disk Spectra.- Theoretical Spectra of Cataclysmic Variables.- Accretion Disk Structure in SS Cygni.- The May 1985 Superoutburst of OY Carinae: I. Structure of the Outer Disk from Optical and IR Observations.- The May 1985 Superoutburst of OY Carinae: II. Phase-Resolved IUE Spectroscopy and EXOSAT Observations.- Hot Stripes Rather than Hot Spots in Cataclysmic Binaries: 2-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Models.- V. Nova and Dwarf Nova Outbursts.- A Review of the Classical Nova Outburst.- White Dwarf Models of Supernovae and Cataclysmic Variables.- Explosion of White Dwarfs.- The Variable M Scenario for Nova Outbursts.- A Full Cycle in the Evolution of a Classical Nova.- Nucleation in Novae.- Possible Role of the White Dwarf in Grain Formation in Cataclysmic Variable Systems.- The Frequency of Novae in the Galaxy.- The Kukarkin-Parenago Relation for Dwarf Novae and Novae.- The Interaction of Nova Shells with the Interstellar Medium.- A Survey of Nova Remnants.- The Spectrum of Nova Vulpeculae 1984 No. 2 at Nebular Phase.- The Optical Spectrum of Nova LW Serpentis 1978.- Optical Short-Time Variations in GK Persei during the 1983 Outburst.- Extremely Slow Nova PU Vulpeculae - Seven Fat Years After Maximum.- The Nature of Recurrent Novae.- Observational Evidence for the Two Types of Dwarf Nova Outbursts.- Spectroscopy of CN Orionis.- A Modern View of the Dwarf Nova Z Chamaeleontis.- VI. Magnetic Cataclysmic Systems.- Evolution of Magnetic Cataclysmic Binaries.- The Period and Magnetic Field Distributions of Cataclysmic Variables: Implications for Their Evolution.- 'Swinging Dipoles' in Magnetic Close Binary Stars.- Electron Scattering in Cyclotron Emission Regions in AM Herculis-Type Systems.- Spectral Models of AM Her Stars.- Accretion in Magnetic Cataclysmic Variables.- Hydrodynamics of Accretion Columns.- Atomic Data Relevant to Line Formation in Strongly Magnetized White Dwarf Stars.- Zeeman Features from Accretion Columns in AM Herculis-Type Systems.- The Energy Distributions of Magnetic Variables: The Effects of Inhomogeneous Accretion Columns.- Time-Resolved Optical Spectroscopy of AM Her X-Ray Sources.- Properties of the Emission Regions in AM Her Stars.- Optical and UV Observations of the Intermediate Polar 3A0729+103. Modulation with the Orbital Period.- X-Ray and Optical Observations of the AM Her Star H0139-68.- H2215-086 FO Aqr: The 'King' of Intermediate Polars Spins Down.- Changes in the Soft and Hard X-Ray Light Curves of the AM Her Object E1405-451.- Polarimetry of ST LMi (CW1103+254).- Models for Optical and Infrared Polarization from CW1103+254.- VII. Related Objects.- Accretion-Induced Collapse of Old White Dwarfs.- Rapid Mass Accretion on a Fully Convective Star.- Mass Loss and Shell Masses of Close Binary Stars.- Hydrogen Depletion and the Evolution of Cataclysmic Variables to Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries.- CCD Observations of X-Ray Binaries.- Low-Mass X-Ray Binaries in the LMC.- EXOSAT Medium Energy Observations of Cyg X-2. Spectra and QPOs.- X-Ray and Optical Observations of the X-Ray Source EX0020528+1454.8.- The Solution of the X-Ray Heating Light Curve for 4U2129+47/V1727 Cyg.- Theoretical Line Profiles from a Symbiotic System.- PeriodicVariations in Symbiotic Star Spectra.- IUE Observations of CH Cyg Continuum During 1979-1986.- Optical Spectroscopy of CH Cyg in 1985-1986.- Spectral Variations in CH Cygni During the Phase of Activity in 1982.- The Symbiotic Binary System EG Andromedae.- Rapid Mass Accretion in the Symbiotic Star AG Dra.- X-Ray and Ultraviolet Observations of AG Draconis During Quiescence and Outburst.- Combined Satellite and Ground-Based Observations of the Quiescent, High Latitude Symbiotic Variable AG Draconis = BD+67 922.- EXOSAT and IUE Observations of the Symbiotic Binary R Aquarii During Maximum and Minimum.- AG Pegasi: The Episode of Minimum 1985.- Symbiotic Star AS 201: A Planetary Nebula.- Hot Wind in the Double Degenerate System AM CVn.- Concluding Remarks.- Author Index.