High Time Resolution Observations of Cataclysmic Variables

Abstract

Cataclysmic Variables (CVs) show a wide range of time-dependent phenomena which make them ideal objects of study with high time-resolution instruments. The most rapid timescales observed in CVs are of the order of a few seconds, and thus CVs are relatively slow objects compared to some phenomena studied by the high time-resolution community. However, the rich and varied processes which occur in CVs make high time-resolution observations powerful tests of cutting-edge astrophysics. Here we present a review of high time-resolution observations of CVs to date, and underline their relevance to modern astrophysics.