Abstract
Three major sub-populations of Galactic supersoft X-ray sources may exist: semi-detached binaries with main sequence or subgiant donors, and symbiotic binaries (~ 550, ~ 460, and ~ 600 objects, respectively). Each group contains both permanent and transient sources. The intrinsic and interstellar absorptions reduce the number of observable sources to ~ 25. We derive the distributions of the sources over orbital periods, masses of the components, and ‘on’-times. The rate at which white dwarfs in Galactic binaries reach M Ch is ~ 3 10-5 yr-1. The rate of He-shell detonations which may lead to supernovae may be up to 3 10-4 yr-1.KeywordsCataclysmic VariableBolometric LuminosityPermanent SourceSymbiotic StarInterstellar AbsorptionThese keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
