WZ Sge: An eclipsing cataclysmic variable evolving towards the period minimum

We present the photometric results of the eclipsing cataclysmic variable (CV) WZ Sge near the period minimum (Pmin ). Eight new mid-eclipse times were determined and the orbital ephemeris was updated. Our result shows that the orbital period of WZ Sge is decreasing at a rate of P˙=−2.72(±0.23)×10−13ss−1. This secular decrease, coupled with previous detection of its donor, suggest that WZ Sge is a pre-bounce system. Further analysis indicates that the observed period decrease rate is about 1.53 times higher than pure gravitational radiation (GR) driving. We constructed the evolutionary track of WZ Sge, which predicts that Pmin  of WZ Sge is ∼ 77.98( ± 0.90) min. If the orbital period decreases at the current rate, WZ Sge will evolve past its Pmin  after ∼ 25.3 Myr. Based on the period evolution equation we find M˙2≃4.04(±0.10)×10−11M⊙yr−1, which is compatible with the current concept of CV evolution at ultrashort orbital periods.