Eccentric discs in binaries with intermediate mass ratios: superhumps in the VY Sculptoris stars

We investigate the role of the eccentric disc resonance in systems with mas s ratios q greater than or similar to 1/4, and demonstrate the effects that changes in the mass flux from the secondary star have upon the disc radius and structure. The addition of material with low specific angular momentum to the outer edge of a disc restricts that disc radially. Should the mass flux from the secondary be reduced, it is possible for the disc in a system with mass ratio as large as 1/3 to expand to the 3:1 eccentric inner Lindb lad resonance and for superhumps to be excited.