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Helium Line Strengths in the Spectrum Variable a Centauri

Abstract

a CENTAURI (HD 125823) is a sharp lined B type star in which the neutral helium lines undergo a remarkable variation in strength. This was first noted by Bidelman1 and Thackeray2, and Jaschek and Jaschek3 have confirmed and further discussed the phenomenon. Jaschek and Jaschek described two spectra taken 17 nights apart in which the helium lines indicated spectral types B3 and B8 respectively. The present investigation shows that the strength of the He I line λ4471, for example, varies periodically between 300 and 2200 mÅ. All helium lines observed share similar extreme variations.

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NORRIS, J. Helium Line Strengths in the Spectrum Variable a Centauri. Nature 219, 1342–1343 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/2191342a0

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