The Radio Light Curve of V471 Tauri

Abstract

AbstractWe have observed the white dwarf — K dwarf eclipsing binary system V471 Tauri with the VLA. We have detected in the radio flux an interesting dip centered near phase zero (the phase of white dwarf eclipse) and a 6 mJy flare shortly after mid—eclipse at phase 0.15. The best possible explanation for the dip is the self—eclipse of a large radio—emitting cloud anchored to a particular spot on the secondary, namely the sub—white dwarf point. The 6 cm flare observation and sudden variations seen in Hα suggest that this spot is an active flaring region.