Rotating ellipsoidal variable

A light curve for Spica, adapted from Tkachenko *et al.* (2016)^[1]

Rotating ellipsoidal variables are a class of close binary variable star systems whose components are ellipsoidal. They are not eclipsing, but fluctuations in apparent magnitude occur due to changes in the amount of light emitting area visible to the observer. Typical brightness fluctuations do not exceed 0.1 magnitudes.^[2]

The brightest rotating ellipsoidal variable is Spica (α Virginis).^[3]

List of variables

List of Rotating ellipsoidal variables^[3]
Designation (name)	Constellation	Discovery	Apparent magnitude (Maximum)	Apparent magnitude (Minimum)	Range of magnitude	Spectral type	Comment
Spica (α Virginis)	Virgo	Ruban et al. (2006)	0.97	1.04	0.07	B1 III-IV + B2 V	Brightest member; binary
α Trianguli (Mothallah)	Triangulum	Ruban et al. (2006)	3.52 (Hp)	3.53 (Hp)	0.01	F5 III + M
π⁵ Orionis	Orion	Ruban et al. (2006)	3.66	3.73	0.07	B2 III + B6 V
b Persei	Perseus	Ruban et al. (2006)	4.52	4.68	0.07	A2 V
68 Cygni (V1809 Cyg)	Cygnus		4.98	5.09	0.11	O7.5 IIIn((f))	Variability is disputable
π Cassiopeiae	Cassiopeia	Paunzen & Maitzen (1998)^[4]	4.95	4.97	0.02	A5 V + A5 V
31 Crateris (TY Corvi)	Corvus		5.19	5.23	0.04	B1.5 V	Unknown companion
14 Cephei (LZ Cephei)	Cepheus	Morris (1985)^[2]	4.67	4.71	0.04	O9 III + O9.5 V
HZ Canis Majoris	Canis Major		5.28	5.34	0.06	A0 EuCrSr	Long 6.4 year period;binary

References

^ Tkachenko, A.; et al. (May 2016), "Stellar modelling of Spica, a high-mass spectroscopic binary with a β Cep variable primary component", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 458 (2): 1964–1976, arXiv:1601.08069, Bibcode:2016MNRAS.458.1964T, doi:10.1093/mnras/stw255, S2CID 26945389
^ ^a ^b Morris, S. L. (August 1985). "The ellipsoidal variable stars". The Astrophysical Journal. 295: 143. Bibcode:1985ApJ...295..143M. doi:10.1086/163359. eISSN 1538-4357. ISSN 0004-637X. S2CID 121391876.
^ ^a ^b Samus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (2009). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007-2013)". VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/GCVS. Originally Published in: 2009yCat....102025S. 1: B/GCVS. Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.
^ Paunzen, E.; Maitzen, H. M. (November 1998). "New variable chemically peculiar stars identifiedin the Hipparcosarchive". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 133 (1): 1–6. Bibcode:1998A&AS..133....1P. doi:10.1051/aas:1998305. eISSN 1286-4846. ISSN 0365-0138. S2CID 59046281.

External links

OGLE Atlas of Variable Star Light Curves - Ellipsoidal variables

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[Tkachenko2016-1] Tkachenko, A.; et al. (May 2016), "Stellar modelling of Spica, a high-mass spectroscopic binary with a β Cep variable primary component", Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, 458 (2): 1964–1976, arXiv:1601.08069, Bibcode:2016MNRAS.458.1964T, doi:10.1093/mnras/stw255, S2CID 26945389

[Morris1985-2] Morris, S. L. (August 1985). "The ellipsoidal variable stars". The Astrophysical Journal. 295: 143. Bibcode:1985ApJ...295..143M. doi:10.1086/163359. eISSN 1538-4357. ISSN 0004-637X. S2CID 121391876.

[gcvs-3] Samus, N. N.; Durlevich, O. V.; et al. (2009). "VizieR Online Data Catalog: General Catalogue of Variable Stars (Samus+ 2007-2013)". VizieR On-line Data Catalog: B/GCVS. Originally Published in: 2009yCat....102025S. 1: B/GCVS. Bibcode:2009yCat....102025S.

[Paunzen1998-4] Paunzen, E.; Maitzen, H. M. (November 1998). "New variable chemically peculiar stars identifiedin the Hipparcosarchive". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 133 (1): 1–6. Bibcode:1998A&AS..133....1P. doi:10.1051/aas:1998305. eISSN 1286-4846. ISSN 0365-0138. S2CID 59046281.

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