Preliminary Results of a Five-Year Survey of Radio Emission from RS CVn and Similar Binaries

Abstract

This is a summary of the systematic program of λ3cm radio observations of RS CVn and similar binaries which has been carried out since 1977 at the Algonquin Radio Observatory*. The observations were made at X-band frequencies (10–11 GHz) with the 46m telescope using the same observing procedures described in Feldman et al. (1978). The detection limit is generally 25 mJy, although it is possible to do somewhat better than this if the star is located well off the galactic plane and if it maintains an elevated flux level (i.e. ≳15 mJy) for several hours. The observing list has grown roughly four-fold since the start of the program in 1977. It now encompasses 65 of the 69 “bona fide” RS CVn binaries compiled by Hall (1982); the rest are suspected RS CVn binaries, BY Dra variables, Algol-type binaries, and W UMa binaries. To date, a total of some 85 observing days, representing more than 1000 hours of telescope time, has been devoted to this program.