COMMISSION 27 OF THE I. A. U.
         INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS
                     Number 2015

                                  Konkoly Observatory
                                  Budapest
                                  1981 September 7

                                  HU ISSN 0374-0676




    TWO NEW VARIABLE STARS IN THE BRIGHT STAR CATALOGUE




HR 3655 (HD 79193,21 Hya)
In the course of determining Stromgren indices for bright
southern O-G0 stars, Gronbech and Olsen (1976) found differing
values for 21 Hya on two nights. Since this star (V =6.3m) was
reported to be a double-lined spectroscopic binary with a period
of 7.75 days by Chauville (1975), a search for eclipses was
undertaken in late 1976 with the Danish 50 cm telescope at ESO,
La Silla, Chile.
Observations on 16 nights gave parts of three eclipses, indicating
a period of 7.750 days. The primary minimum is 0.47m deep in y
with a duration of not more than 8 hours. Secondary minimum
lasts at least 5 hours, is at least 0.24m deep in y and is displaced
to phase 0.54, indicating an eccentric orbit.
Cowley (1968) classifies 21 Hya as A3m, and the metallicity
is confirmed by the large m_1-index m_1 =0.238. The secondary
spectrum is very faint, but must be later, since b-y in primary
minimum is 0.025 redder than outside eclipse.
Based on the observations reported here, 21 Hya has recently
been named KM Hya. A full lightcurve is presently being obtained.


HR 119 (HD 2724)

This star (V = 6.2m) was chosen as one of the comparison stars
for the eclipsing binary AG Phe. Later reductions have shown
HR 119 to be variable, with the observations spreading over
0.04m in y.

A period-analysis of 346 observations gives a possible period
of 0.174d. There are indications that the amplitude is variable,
but no reliable over-tones were found. HR 119 is most likely
a Delta Scuti star.





                B. REIPURTH



         Copenhagen University Observatory
         Oster Voldgade 3, 1350 Copenhagen K
         Denmark





References:

Chauville, M.-T.: 1975, Astron. Astrophys. 40, 207 [BIBCODE 1975A&A....40..207C ]
Cowley, A.P.: 1968, Publ. Astron. Soc. Pacific 80, 453 [BIBCODE 1968PASP...80..453C ]
Gronbech, B., Olsen, E.H.: 1976, Astron. Astrophys. Suppl. 25, 213. [BIBCODE 1976A&AS...25..213G ]