Starspot and flare activity of the dwarf system CM Dra

The spotting activity of the dwarf system CM Dra (dM4.5+dM4.5) is analyzed using new photometric observations taken in the spring of 2005 using the multichannel photometer and 70-cm telescope at the Astronomical Observatory of the Urals State University. A light curve constructed for this system revealed a rotational brightness modulation of low amplitude, 0^m.016, owing to cold spots analogous to those on the sun. The longitude of maximum spotting is found to be 263°±4° perpendicular to the line between the centers of the components. A comparison with our earlier observations in 1996-1997, as well as with published data, shows that during different epochs a spotting maximum is observed in the hemisphere of the principal component which faces the secondary component and is shifted by 30° relative to the line between the centers along the direction of rotation of the star. This may indicate a role for tidal effects in creating the magnetic activity of CM Dra. Grouping of flares in time is observed, even for long-term observations. This appears to be related to the passage of large active regions across the star’s disk and may indicate a possible cyclical activity of CM Dra.