Discovery of a large-amplitude photometric wave in the RS CVn binary BD +61 deg 1211 /= DM UMa/ and constraints on starspot models for the observed variation

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (19) References (17) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Discovery of a large-amplitude photometric wave in the RS CVn binary BD +61 1211 (=DM UMA) and constraints on starspot models for the observed variation. Kimble, R. A. ; Kahn, S. M. ; Bowyer, S. Abstract RS CVn binaries exhibit strong coronal chromospheric activity. The classic optical photometric indicator of RS CVn activity is a distortion wave, which, in the canonical model of Hall (1972), results from a large-scale, nonuniform distribution of starspots on the stellar surface. The discovery of such a photometric wave is discussed. Several strking features of this wave provide motivation for detailed modeling of the assumed underlying starspot distribution. A rather general starspot model is described. The model is used to derive constraints on various physical parameters of the system. The results of the investigation confirm that the canonical starspot of RS CVn activity can provide a good explanation of the observed optical behavior. The model fitting indicates that the system has an unusually extensive distribution of spots. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: December 1981 DOI: 10.1086/159502 Bibcode: 1981ApJ...251..585K Keywords: Binary Stars; Radiant Flux Density; Stellar Spectra; Stellar Spectrophotometry; X Ray Sources; Light Curve; Photosphere; Stellar Models; Stellar Temperature; Temperature Distribution; Astrophysics full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3)