Update cataclysmic variable catalog: 1,166 CVs

README.md

@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ license: cc-by-4.0
 pretty_name: "Ritter & Kolb Cataclysmic Variable Catalog"
 language:
   - en
-description: "Catalog of cataclysmic variables (CVs) from the Ritter & Kolb catalog — white dwarfs accreting from companion stars"
+description: "Catalog of cataclysmic variables (CVs) from the Ritter & Kolb catalog, sourced from NASA HEASARC. CVs are binary star systems where a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion star.  Cataclysmic va"
 task_categories:
   - tabular-classification
 tags:
@@ -30,106 +30,49 @@ configs:
 
 # Ritter & Kolb Cataclysmic Variable Catalog
 
+
 <div align="center">
   <img src="banner.jpg" alt="The Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant" width="400">
   <p><em>Credit: NASA/ESA/Hubble</em></p>
 </div>
 
-*Part of the [Astronomy Datasets](https://huggingface.co/collections/juliensimon/astronomy-datasets-69c24caf2f17e36128946743) and [Variable Stars & Transients](https://huggingface.co/collections/juliensimon/variable-stars-transients-69c24caf2f17e36128946744) collections on Hugging Face.*
-
-![Update Cataclysmic Variables](https://github.com/juliensimon/space-datasets/actions/workflows/update-cataclysmic-variables.yml/badge.svg)
-![Updated](https://img.shields.io/badge/dynamic/json?url=https://raw.githubusercontent.com/juliensimon/space-datasets/main/status.json&query=$.cataclysmic-variables&label=updated&color=brightgreen)
 
-The Ritter & Kolb catalog of cataclysmic variables (CVs), sourced from NASA HEASARC.
-Currently **1,168** CVs with 51 attributes.
+*Part of a [dataset collection](https://huggingface.co/collections/juliensimon/astronomy-datasets-69c24caf2f17e36128946743) on Hugging Face.*
 
 ## Dataset description
 
-Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are binary star systems in which a white dwarf accretes
-matter from a low-mass companion star (typically a red dwarf) that overflows its Roche
-lobe. The infalling material forms an accretion disk around the white dwarf, producing
-dramatic brightness variations across timescales from seconds to decades. CVs are
-classified into several subtypes based on their outburst behavior and magnetic field
-strength:
-
-- **Dwarf novae** (DN): exhibit quasi-periodic outbursts of 2-8 magnitudes caused by
-  thermal instabilities in the accretion disk. Includes SU UMa, U Gem, and Z Cam subtypes.
-- **Classical novae** (N): undergo thermonuclear explosions on the white dwarf surface
-  when accreted hydrogen reaches a critical mass, brightening by 6-19 magnitudes.
-- **Polars** (AM Her): strongly magnetic white dwarfs (B ~ 10-230 MG) where the magnetic
-  field channels accretion directly onto the poles, preventing disk formation.
-- **Intermediate polars** (DQ Her): moderately magnetic white dwarfs (B ~ 1-10 MG)
-  with a truncated accretion disk and magnetically channeled inner flow.
-- **Nova-like variables** (NL): high mass-transfer rate systems in a persistent
-  bright state without the outburst cycles of dwarf novae.
-
-The Ritter & Kolb catalog is the standard reference catalog for CV research, containing
-orbital periods, spectral types, magnitudes, and classifications for the known CV
-population. This dataset is essential for population studies, period distribution
-analysis, and understanding the evolution of compact binary systems.
+Catalog of cataclysmic variables (CVs) from the Ritter & Kolb catalog, sourced from NASA HEASARC. CVs are binary star systems where a white dwarf accretes matter from a companion star.
+
+Cataclysmic variables (CVs) are binary star systems in which a white dwarf accretes matter from a low-mass companion star (typically a red dwarf) that overflows its Roche lobe. The infalling material forms an accretion disk around the white dwarf, producing dramatic brightness variations across timescales from seconds to decades. CVs are classified into several subtypes based on their outburst behavior and magnetic field strength:
+
+Dwarf novae (DN) exhibit quasi-periodic outbursts of 2-8 magnitudes caused by thermal instabilities in the accretion disk. Classical novae (N) undergo thermonuclear explosions on the white dwarf surface when accreted hydrogen reaches a critical mass, brightening by 6-19 magnitudes. Polars (AM Her) are strongly magnetic white dwarfs (B ~ 10-230 MG) where the magnetic field channels accretion directly onto the poles. Intermediate polars (DQ Her) are moderately magnetic white dwarfs with a truncated accretion disk. Nova-like variables (NL) are high mass-transfer rate systems in a persistent bright state.
+
+The Ritter & Kolb catalog is the standard reference catalog for CV research, containing orbital periods, spectral types, magnitudes, and classifications for the known CV population. This dataset is essential for population studies, period distribution analysis, and understanding the evolution of compact binary systems.
+
+
+This dataset is suitable for **tabular classification** tasks.
 
 ## Schema
 
-| Column | Type | Description |
-|--------|------|-------------|
-| `__row` | str |  |
-| `name` | str | Primary designation of the cataclysmic variable |
-| `alt_name` | str |  |
-| `ra` | float64 | Right ascension (J2000) in degrees |
-| `dec` | float64 | Declination (J2000) in degrees |
-| `lii` | float64 | Galactic longitude in degrees |
-| `bii` | float64 | Galactic latitude in degrees |
-| `acc_pos` | str |  |
-| `type1` | str |  |
-| `type1_flag` | str |  |
-| `type2` | str | Secondary type classification |
-| `type2_flag` | str |  |
-| `type3` | str |  |
-| `type3_flag` | str |  |
-| `type4` | str |  |
-| `type4_flag` | str |  |
-| `mag1` | float64 | Primary magnitude (typically in V band) |
-| `mag2` | float64 | Secondary magnitude (typically at minimum brightness) |
-| `mag3` | float64 |  |
-| `mag4` | float64 |  |
-| `interval` | str |  |
-| `interval2` | str |  |
-| `orbital_period` | float64 |  |
-| `period2` | float64 |  |
-| `period3` | float64 |  |
-| `period4` | float64 |  |
-| `eclipse` | str |  |
-| `sb` | str |  |
-| `spect_type_2` | str |  |
-| `spect_type_1` | str |  |
-| `lim_mass_ratio` | str |  |
-| `mass_ratio` | str |  |
-| `mass_ratio_flag` | str |  |
-| `mass_ratio_error` | str |  |
-| `lim_inclination` | str |  |
-| `inclination` | str |  |
-| `inclination_flag` | str |  |
-| `inclination_error` | str |  |
-| `lim_m1` | str |  |
-| `m1` | str |  |
-| `m1_flag` | str |  |
-| `m1_error` | str |  |
-| `lim_m2` | str |  |
-| `m2` | str |  |
-| `m2_flag` | str |  |
-| `m2_error` | str |  |
-| `class` | str | Object classification code from Ritter & Kolb |
-| `__x_ra_dec` | str |  |
-| `__y_ra_dec` | str |  |
-| `__z_ra_dec` | str |  |
-| `cv_subtype` | str | Derived CV subtype: dwarf_nova, polar, intermediate_polar, nova_like, classical_nova, or other |
+| Column | Type | Description | Sample | Null % |
+|--------|------|-------------|--------|--------|
+| `name` | str | Standard CV designation (e.g. 'SS Cyg', 'AM Her'); CVs are close binaries where a white dwarf accretes matter from a donor star | 0035-7230 | 0.0% |
+| `ra` | float64 | Right ascension ICRS J2000.0 in degrees (0-360) | 9.3325 | 0.0% |
+| `dec` | float64 | Declination ICRS J2000.0 in degrees (-90 to +90) | -72.23722222 | 0.0% |
+| `lii` | float64 | Galactic longitude in degrees (0-360, increasing toward Galactic center direction) | 304.44884775 | 0.0% |
+| `bii` | float64 | Galactic latitude in degrees (-90 to +90; most CVs within \|b\| < 30 deg) | -44.84945298 | 0.0% |
+| `type2` | str | Secondary classification flag from Ritter & Kolb (qualifier or additional subtype) | EG | 18.7% |
+| `mag1` | float64 | V-band magnitude at outburst maximum (brightest state); lower value = brighter | 20.2 | 2.1% |
+| `mag2` | float64 | V-band magnitude at quiescence (faint state); difference mag2-mag1 = outburst amplitude | 20.6 | 58.4% |
+| `class` | int64 | CV classification code from Ritter & Kolb catalog (e.g. DN, NL, N, RN, AM, IP) | 1600 | 0.0% |
+| `cv_subtype` | str | Derived CV subtype: 'dwarf_nova' (DN, recurring outbursts), 'polar' (AM Her, strongly magnetic), 'intermediate_polar' (DQ Her/IP), 'nova_like' (NL, steady high accretion), 'classical_nova' (N/RN, thermonuclear runaway), or 'other' | other | 0.0% |
 
 ## Quick stats
 
-- **1,168** cataclysmic variables
-- **0** systems with measured orbital period
+- **1,166** cataclysmic variables
+- **0** systems with measured orbital period (median 0.0 h)
 - CV subtypes:
-  - **other**: 1,166
+- **1,166** other
 
 ## Usage
 
@@ -138,60 +81,60 @@ from datasets import load_dataset
 
 ds = load_dataset("juliensimon/cataclysmic-variable-catalog", split="train")
 df = ds.to_pandas()
+```
 
-# Filter by CV subtype
-dwarf_novae = df[df['cv_subtype'] == 'dwarf_nova']
-polars = df[df['cv_subtype'] == 'polar']
+```python
+from datasets import load_dataset
+
+ds = load_dataset("juliensimon/cataclysmic-variable-catalog", split="train")
+df = ds.to_pandas()
 
-# Period distribution
-# No period column available
+# Filter by CV subtype
+dwarf_novae = df[df["cv_subtype"] == "dwarf_nova"]
+polars = df[df["cv_subtype"] == "polar"]
+print(f"{len(dwarf_novae):,} dwarf novae, {len(polars):,} polars")
 
-# Sky distribution
+# Period distribution showing the famous period gap
 import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
-import numpy as np
-fig, ax = plt.subplots(subplot_kw={"projection": "aitoff"})
-ra = np.radians(df["ra"].values - 180) if "ra" in df.columns else []
-dec = np.radians(df["dec"].values) if "dec" in df.columns else []
-ax.scatter(ra, dec, s=1, alpha=0.5)
-plt.title("Cataclysmic Variables - Sky Distribution")
+periods = df["porb"].dropna()
+periods[periods > 0].hist(bins=50)
+plt.xlabel("Orbital period (hours)")
+plt.ylabel("Count")
+plt.title("CV Orbital Period Distribution")
+plt.axvspan(2.0, 3.0, alpha=0.2, color="red", label="Period gap")
+plt.legend()
+plt.show()
 ```
 
 ## Data source
 
-All data comes from the [Ritter & Kolb Cataclysmic Binaries catalog](https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/W3Browse/all/rittercv.html)
-hosted by NASA's High Energy Astrophysics Science Archive Research Center (HEASARC),
-accessed via the TAP protocol. Originally published in:
-Ritter H., Kolb U., 2003, A&A 404, 301 (Edition 7.24).
+https://heasarc.gsfc.nasa.gov/W3Browse/all/rittercv.html
 
-## Update schedule
+## Related datasets
 
-Quarterly (Feb/May/Aug/Nov 1st at 08:30 UTC) via [GitHub Actions](https://github.com/juliensimon/space-datasets).
+- [juliensimon/xray-binary-catalog](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/xray-binary-catalog)
 
-## Related datasets
+- [juliensimon/gaia-dr3-white-dwarfs](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/gaia-dr3-white-dwarfs)
 
-- [xray-binary-catalog](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/xray-binary-catalog) — X-ray binary systems
-- [gaia-dr3-white-dwarfs](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/gaia-dr3-white-dwarfs) — Gaia white dwarf catalog
-- [gcvs-variable-stars](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/gcvs-variable-stars) — General Catalogue of Variable Stars
-- [kepler-eclipsing-binaries](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/kepler-eclipsing-binaries) — Kepler eclipsing binary catalog
+- [juliensimon/gcvs-variable-stars](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/gcvs-variable-stars)
 
-## Pipeline
+- [juliensimon/kepler-eclipsing-binaries](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/kepler-eclipsing-binaries)
 
-Source code: [juliensimon/space-datasets](https://github.com/juliensimon/space-datasets)
+> If you find this dataset useful, please consider [giving it a like](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/cataclysmic-variable-catalog) on Hugging Face. It helps others discover it.
 
-## Support
+## About the author
 
-If you find this dataset useful, please give it a heart on the [dataset page](https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/cataclysmic-variable-catalog) and share feedback in the Community tab! Also consider giving a star to the [space-datasets](https://github.com/juliensimon/space-datasets) repo.
+Created by [Julien Simon](https://julien.org) — AI Operating Partner at Fortino Capital. Part of the [Space Datasets](https://julien.org/datasets) collection.
 
 ## Citation
 
 ```bibtex
 @dataset{cataclysmic_variable_catalog,
-  author = {Simon, Julien},
   title = {Ritter & Kolb Cataclysmic Variable Catalog},
+  author = {juliensimon},
   year = {2026},
-  publisher = {Hugging Face},
   url = {https://huggingface.co/datasets/juliensimon/cataclysmic-variable-catalog},
-  note = {Based on Ritter & Kolb (2003) catalog, sourced from NASA HEASARC}
+  publisher = {Hugging Face}
 }
 ```
 

data/cataclysmic_variables.parquet

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