2004AJ....127.1594H

We have monitored four fields containing nine previously identified members of the MBM 12 association to search for photometric variability and periodicity in these pre-main-sequence stars. Seven of the nine are found to be variable and definite periodicity (of 1.2, 2.6, and 6.2 days) is found for three of them, including the classical T Tauri star LkHα 264. Two other members are possibly periodic, but each requires confirmation. In addition, a ``field'' star that is associated with the X-ray source RX J0255.9+2005 was discovered to be a variable with a period of 4.2 days. Our results indicate that the photometric variability characteristics of the known MBM 12 association members are typical of what is found in roughly few-million-year-old stellar groups such as IC 348, supporting arguments for a similar age. In particular, there is a mix of periodic and nonperiodic variables with typical amplitudes (in Cousins I) of 0.1-0.5 mag, in addition to a small number of larger amplitude variables. The periods, as a group, are somewhat shorter than in IC 348, but when allowance is made for the known dependence of period on mass in pre-main-sequence stars the difference may not be significant. Our data confirm and illustrate the value of photometric monitoring as a tool for identifying likely association members and for studying rotation in extremely young stellar groups.