FR Cnc Revisited: Photometry, Polarimetry and Spectroscopy

Here we present the study of FR Cnc, a young, active and spotted star. We performed analysis of ASAS-3 (The All Sky Automated Survey) data for the years 2002-2008 and amended the value of the rotational period to be 0.826518 d. The amplitude of photometric variations decreased abruptly in the year 2005, while the mean brightness remained the same, which was interpreted as a quick redistribution of spots. BVRc and Ic broad band photometric calibration was performed for 166 stars in FR Cnc vicinity. The photometry at Terskol Observatory shows two brightening episodes, one of which occurred at the same phase as the flare of 2006 November 23. Polarimetric BVR observations indicate the probable presence of a supplementary source of polarization. We monitored FR Cnc spectroscopically during the years 2004-2008. We concluded that the RV changes cannot be explained by the binary nature of FR Cnc. We determined the spectral type of FR Cnc as K7V. Calculated galactic space-velocity components (U, V, W) indicate that FR Cnc belongs to the young disc population and might also belong to the IC 2391 moving group. Based on LiI 6707.8 measurement, we estimated the age of FR Cnc to be between 10-120 Myr. Doppler Tomography was applied to create a starspot image of FR Cnc. We optimized the goodness of fit to the deconvolved profiles for axial inclination, equivalent width and v sin i, finding v sin i=46.2 km s^-1 and i=55 degrees. The starspot distribution of FR Cnc is also of interest since it is one of the latest spectral types to have been imaged. No polar spot was detected on FR Cnc.

Activity of five WZ Sge-type systems in a few years after their outbursts

We present results of observations and analysis of five WZ-type dwarf novae: SDSS J080434.20+510349.2, SDSS J102146.44+234926.3, V1108 Her, ASAS J0025 and WZ Sge in 3 - 7 years after their outbursts. We found: 1) the observational evidences that emerging of the white dwarf nonradial pulsation in SDSS J080434.20+510349.2 [1] is no longer a regular since 3-rd year after 2006 outburst; 2) the true value of orbital period for V1108 Her (0.05672 d) and mass ratio (0.09); 3) The main feature of quiescent light curves of ASAS J0025 is the high-amplitude quasiperiodical light variations probably originated in accretion disk; 4) in SDSS J102146.44+234926.3 in some occasions the brightness is modulated by period of 0.01367 day or with the multiple of it. The main brightness modulation of J080434.20+510349.2, V1108 Her and WZ Sge is the orbital one and has two-humped shape.

MN Dra - In-the-Gap Dwarf Nova With Negative Superhumps

The multi-site photometric observations of MN Dra were made over 77 nights in August-November, 2009. The total exposure was 433 hours. During this time the binary underwent two superoutbursts and five normal outbursts. During the course of first superoutburst period of positive superhumps decreased with extremely large $dot P = -1.5 times 1.0^{-4}$ for SU UMa-like dwarf novae, confirming known behavior of MN Dra [1]. Between the superoutbursts MN Dra displayed negative superhumps. Their period changed cyclically around 0.096-day value.

Three New Variable Stars in Indus

We report the discovery of three new variable stars in Indus: USNO-B1.0 0311-0760061, USNO-B1.0 0309-0771315, and USNO-B1.0 0315-0775167. Light curves of 3712 stars in a 87 x 58 field centered on the asynchronous polar CD Ind were obtained using a remotely controlled 150 mm telescope of Tzec Maun Observatory (Pingelly, Western Australia). The VaST software based on SExtractor package was used for semi-automatic search for variable stars. We suggest the following classification for the newly discovered variable stars: USNO-B1.0 0311-0760061 - RR Lyr-type, USNO-B1.0 0309-0771315 - W UMa-type, and USNO-B1.0 0315-0775167 - W UMa-type.

RZ Cassiopeia: Eclipsing Binary with Pulsating Component

We report time-resolved VR-band CCD photometry of the eclipsing binary RZ Cas obtained with 38-cm Cassegrain telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory during July 2004 - October 2005. Obtained lightcurves clearly demonstrates rapid pulsations with the period about 22 minutes. Periodogram analysis of such oscillations also is reported. On the 12, January, 2005 we observed rapid variability with higher amplitude (~0.^m 1) that, perhaps, may be interpreted as high-mass-transfer-rate event and inhomogeneity of accretion stream. Follow-up observations (both, photometric and spectroscopic) of RZ Cas are strictly desirable for more detailed study of such event.

Discovery of The New WZ Sge Star, SDSS J080434.20+510349.2

We present the results of photometric observations of SDSS J080434.20+510349.2 in its low state and during an outburst and spectroscopy during the outburst. We found such peculiarities as a long-term outburst with amplitude probably not less than 6m, rarity of the outbursts, eleven rebrightenings, and a short (0.059713(7) d) superhump period. We conclude that this star belongs to the WZ Sge-type subclass of cataclysmic variables. The spectrum shows both emission and absorption lines of H and He superimposed on the blue continuum. We also found 8 -- 9 min. brightness variations during the end of the super-outburst plateau that could be related to pulsations of the white dwarf in the binary.