The masses of cataclysmic variables - a statistical approach

A statistical analysis of the eclipse durations in eclipsing cataclysmic variables is used to obtain information on the mass ratio (q=M2/M1) for cataclysmic variables, using the assumption that the orbits are randomly oriented in space. For nine systems below the period gap (P<0.09 d) the mean value derived by this method is q=0.13±0.03. For 12 systems above the period gap (P>0.13 d) the mean value is q=0.65±0.12. However, the latter value may be too small because of selection effects in inclination. (author)