RX And: An intermediate between Z Cam and VY Scl stars

Abstract

We present the AAVSO long term visual light curve of RX And. The system has been classified as a Z Cam-type dwarf nova, showing alternating standstills and dwarf nova outbursts. Our data reveal that RX And has also characteristics of a VY Scl star, remaining for extended periods in a low state ∼3.5 mag fainter than the standstill with no detectable outbursts. We discuss this result in the context of mass transfer variations in CVs and the still poorly understood VY Scl phenomenon.