OY Arae

OY Arae is a cataclysmic variable star system located in the constellation Ara. It is classified as a nova-like variable, specifically a UX Ursae Majoris star, indicating it is a binary star system consisting of a white dwarf primary star accreting matter from a companion star. The accretion process forms a bright accretion disk around the white dwarf. OY Arae exhibits irregular brightness variations, characterized by high brightness states with occasional dips. The system's behavior is believed to be due to variations in the mass transfer rate from the companion star to the white dwarf. Its distance is estimated to be several hundred parsecs from Earth. Further study of OY Arae contributes to the understanding of accretion processes and the evolution of cataclysmic variable star systems.