Study of Cataclysmic Variables with the Satellites LOFT and Gaia

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to discuss the capabilities of ESA satellite missions Gaia (already in space) and LOFT (considered for the ESA M4 slot) for investigation of cataclysmic variables (CVs). Both Gaia and LOFT can contribute to study of CVs and related objects. Spectrophotometry and low dispersion spectroscopy are the most important for CV analyses with the observations of Gaia. We present the possible strategies for investigation of CVs in the sampled photometric and spectroscopic data provided by Gaia. E.g. statistical properties of the long-term activity of various types of CVs can be determined from them. LOFT can be a promising satellite to provide a sensitive X-ray monitor which will enable to investigate the little studied long-term activity of various types of CVs (especially the magnetic ones) in the X-ray band.