Abstract

The magnetic white dwarfs in AM Herculis type systems are known to have field structures which differ significantly from that of a centred dipole. We use the implied quadrupole asymmetry to explain the observed orientations of the accretion regions relative to the red star. In particular, we present an interpretation of the result that in four systems where two accretion shocks are observed, the region with the weaker magnetic pole is the stronger accretor.

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