Rotating ellipsoidal variable

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

Rotating ellipsoidal variables are a class of variable star. They are close binary 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
68 Cygni (V1809 Cyg)	Cygnus		4.98	5.09	0.11	O7.5 IIIn((f))	Hottest member; variability is disputable
π Cassiopeiae	Cassiopeia	Paunzen & Maitzen (1998)	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	1834	4.67	4.71	0.04	O9 III + O9.5 V	Hottest member;binary
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{{citation}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
^ Morris, S. L. (August 1985), "The ellipsoidal variable stars", Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, 295: 143–152, Bibcode:1985ApJ...295..143M, doi:10.1086/163359.
^ ^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.

This variable star–related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

[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{{citation}}: CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)

[Morris1985-2] Morris, S. L. (August 1985), "The ellipsoidal variable stars", Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, 295: 143–152, Bibcode:1985ApJ...295..143M, doi:10.1086/163359.

[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.

[1]

[2]

[3]