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Rotating ellipsoidal variable
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<p>Rotating ellipsoidal variables are a class of close <a href="/facts/Binary_star/TYlDe1bD">binary</a> <a href="/facts/Variable_star/Ac8mp2gy">variable star</a> systems whose components are <a href="/facts/Ellipsoid/pe9vm0Sh">ellipsoidal</a>. They are not eclipsing, but fluctuations in <a href="/facts/Apparent_magnitude/7pCTF1Me">apparent magnitude</a> occur due to changes in the amount of light emitting area visible to the observer. Typical brightness fluctuations do not exceed 0.1 magnitudes. </p><p>The brightest rotating ellipsoidal variable is <a href="/facts/Spica/bqWfSvp5">Spica</a> (α Virginis). </p>