Long time-scale variability in GRS 1915+105

ABSTRACT We present very high resolution hydrodynamical simulations of accretion discs in black hole X‐ray binaries accreting near the Eddington limit. The results show that mass loss, irradiation and tidal interactions all have a profound effect on the observed behaviour of long‐period X‐ray transients. In particular, the interplay of all of these effects in the outer regions of the accretion disc is able to drive long time‐scale (weeks to years) variability is these objects, and is a possible origin for some of the extreme variability of GRS 1915+105.