Five years of photometry of? geminorum

Abstract

Five years of photoelectric photometry of this bright K1 III RS CVn binary has been obtained at thirteen different observatories. Except for one year, the light curve has shown two minima, separated by roughly a half cycle. At the epoch of discovery (1977.2) one minimum was shallower but as of 1980.2 the two became comparable in depth. During the 1979–80 season the light curve changed shape rapidly, the shallower minimum becoming as deep as the other within about 80 days or perhaps less. Times of both minima can be fit with a photometric period of 19d.423, which is 0.9% shorter than the 19d.603 orbital period. The overall brightness range during the five years has been 4m.13<V<4m.29.