2002A&A...387..580H

An analysis of numerous homogenized UBV photoelectric observations and red spectra of the Be star V832 Cyg from several observatories led to the following principal findings: 1. Pronounced long-term light and colour variations of V832 Cyg result from a combination of two effects: from the gradual formation of a new Be envelope, and from an asymmetry and a slow revolution of the envelope (or its one-armed oscillation). The colour variations associated with the envelope formation are characterized by a positive correlation between brightness and emission strength, typical for stars which are not seen roughly equator-on. 2. The V magnitude observations prewhitened for the long-term changes follow a sinusoidal orbital light curve with a small amplitude and a period of 28.1971^d which is derived from observations spanning 43 years. This independently confirms a 12-year old suggestion that the star is a spectroscopic binary with a 29-d period. V832 Cyg thus becomes the fifth known Be star with cyclic long-term V/R variations, the duplicity of which has been proven, the four other cases being ζ Tau, V923 Aql, γ Cas and X Per. Therefore, the hypothesis that the long-term V/R variations may arise due to the attractive force of the binary companion at certain phases of the envelope formation is still worth considering as a viable alternative to the model of one-armed oscillation. 3. We have shown that the RV and V/R variations of the Hα and He I 6678 emission lines are all roughly in phase. In particular, the He I 6678 emission also moves with the Be primary which differs from what was found for another Be binary, φ Per. 4. We derived the orbital elements and found that in spite of the remaining uncertainties, the basic physical properties of the 28^d.2 binary are well constrained. 5. The light minimum of the orbital light curve occurs at elongation when the Be star is approaching us and the object becomes bluest in (B-V) and reddest in (U-B) at the same time. This may indicate that a part of the optically thick regions of the envelope is eclipsed at these orbital phases.