ejaavso160

pdf    

Paula Szkody
Department of Astronomy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195

Boris T. Gaensicke
Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK

Invited review paper, received April 3, 2012

Abstract

This paper presents a concise summary of our current knowledge of cataclysmic variables, including definitions of types and the observational basis for classification, what we have been able to piece together about evolution, and discoveries from recent surveys. We provide a list of unanswered problems and questions and references for seeking additional information. The importance of AAVSO observations in the past and for the future is highlighted.