Infrared light curves of the dwarf nova Z Chamaeleontis

Abstract
Infrared light curves of the eclipsing dwarf nova Z Cha are presented. The light curves differ from the optical light curves of this system in showing a much shallower primary eclipse, and in showing a secondary minimum which is not present in the optical. The light curves can be understood if the late-type secondary star contributes a substantial proportion of the infrared radiation. The secondary has not previously been directly observed in a dwarf nova with such a short period. From the infrared colours of the secondary it is found to be a very cool M dwarf. The K magnitude of the secondary is used to derive the distance of Z Cha giving d = 125 pc.

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