ASYMMETRIC MASS ACCRETION IN THE MAGNETIC CATACLYSMIC VARIABLE RE-1149+28

We present the first detailed extreme ultraviolet photometric observations of a magnetic cataclysmic variable. Our two EUVE observations of the AM Her star RE 1149+28 were obtained about 1 yr apart and show light-curve variations on orbital to yearly timescales, as well as long-term mean flux level changes of a factor of 2. The photometric data show a persistent ingress EUV enhancement which lasts similar to 0.04 in phase. We attribute this to a region of similar to 10(3) km in extent at the accretion impact site, on or very near the surface of the white dwarf primary. Our observations of RE 1149 are consistent with a relatively low system inclination and provide a best-fit orbital period of 90.14+/-0.015 minutes.