Search for rapid spectral variability in Be stars - Alpha Columbae, Rho Carinae and Eta Centauri

Abstract

A series of H-alpha profiles (in total 1006 spectra in the H-alpha region) with the time resolution around 45 s were obtained on six nights between January 29 and February 7, 1988, to search for rapid spectral variability in the Be stars - Alpha Col, Rho Car and Eta Cen. No rapid variations of Fc and W alpha) in Alpha Col and Rho Car, but such variations of Fc were present in Eta Cen on the night of February 2 and absent on other nights. Also, it was found that Fc and L 6563) of Eta Cen slowly increased from January 29, 1988 and reached to a maximum on February 2, 1988 with a subsequent gradual decay, without affecting the equivalent width of H-alpha.