Spectroscopic and photometric observations of the short-period RS CVn-type star WY Cnc

Abstract

High-resolution spectroscopic observations around the H α line and BVRI photometry of the eclipsing short-period RS CVn star WY Cnc are presented. The solutions of our radial velocity curves and light curves yielded the following values for masses and radii of the components: M 1 = 0.84 M ⊙, M 2 = 0.46 M ⊙, R 1 = 1.06 R ⊙. The measured rotational broadenings of the spectral lines correspond to equatorial velocities V 1 = 78 km s -1 and V 2 = 49 km s -1. The distortions of our multicolor light curve of WY Cnc were reproduced by two cool spots on the primary star. An increase of the out-of-eclipse brightness by 0.1 mag in February 2001 was detected. Our spectra show H α line in emission from the secondary star. The chromospheric activity appeared also in the observed emission cores of the CaII H and K lines as well as the CaI 6494 line.