Analysis of MOST light curves of the active stars <Emphasis Type="Italic">ɛ</Emphasis> Eri AND <Emphasis Type="Italic">κ</Emphasis> Cet

We have analyzed light curves from the MOST satellite for the two active dwarfs ? Eri and κ Cet. Our maps of the stellar surface-temperature inhomogeneities were obtained with no a priori assumptions about the shape, configuration, and number of spots. We find variations of the surface-temperature inhomogeneities with time, also on time scales about equal to their rotation periods. We consider a model of a spotted star with two types of surface inhomogeneities—spots and related plage fields—and demonstrate that the best agreement between the theoretical and observed light curves is achieved for small ratios of the plage-field area to the area of cool spots. This conclusion indicates that long-term brightness variations of stars younger than the Sun are mainly due to variable spots on their surfaces, while the contribution from plage fields becomes more significant for older stars.     

Spots on the surfaces of the chromospherically active stars GSC 08923-01147 and GSC 08933-01802: Observational data of the ASAS-3 project

Active regions on the surfaces of the chromospherically active stars GSC 08923-01147 and GSC 08933-01802 are found by reconstructing the surface-temperature inhomogeneities using the V light curves, obtained from observations performed during the ASAS-3 project. Up to one-third of the total observed area of the stellar surfaces was covered by spots. In GSC 08923-01147, the spotted fraction decreased from 0.31 to 0.05 during the observation period, while it varied within 0.2–0.3 during four years in GSC 08933-01802. The detected phases of active longitudes tend to concentrate near two positions separated by about half a period. The active regions in GSC 08933-01147 became closer or further apart on a time scale of 4.8 years. The maximum separations of the longitudes Δφ _long were maximum when the amplitude of the brightness variability reached a minimum. During the transition of the star from a minimum-brightness to an enhanced-brightness state, the longitude of the more active region switched. The brightness variability of GSC 08933-01802 was more substantial (ΔV }~ 0.55 ^m −0.06 ^m ). For some time, only one extended active region was present on the stellar surface, while two regions were usually present. No switch of the active longitudes was detected. The more active region monotonically moved over the surface of the star, causing the longitudes of the active regions to drift together. This monotonic change in the position of the more active longitude ceased at the minimum of the brightness-variation amplitude.     

Spots and activity cycles of HD 199178

We present our analysis of photometry for the FK Com star HD 199178 (V1794 Cyg). The V-band light curves are used to restore the distribution of temperature inhomogeneities on the stellar surface. The spots on the surface of HD 199178 are concentrated at two preferred longitudes separated by 0.5 in phase (180° in longitude). In addition to the quasi-periodic switching of the most active area between these two longitudes, which occurs in cycles of 2.1–2.4 or 4.1 years, we suspect that the two active areas moved toward each other across the stellar surface, possibly merging into a single formation. The detected cycle in the star’s brightness variations of about 8.0 years is also clearly visible in variations of the star’s spottedness. Themagnetic activity of the FK Com star HD199178 is in many ways similar to that observed for the prototype of this group.     

Stellar activity observed by the kepler space telescope: The systems with two planets and two active longitudes KOI 877 and KOI 896

Unique high-accuracy 33.5-day continuous photometric observations of the KOI 877 and KOI 896 systems are used to study their surface inhomogeneities and trace the evolution of spots over two to three rotational periods. These systems are two of five candidate multi-planet objects. We found evidence for the existence of two active longitudes on the surfaces of KOI 877 and KOI 896, separated by 165° and 135°, respectively. The fraction of the surface area covered by the spots is similar to the solar one, and comprises about 0.6–1.1% of the total visible surfaces of the stars. A switch of the active longitudes likely occurred in KOI 877 during the observation period. Calculated maps of surface temperature inhomogeneities may be helpful for more accurate derivations of the parameters of planetary systems.     

Activity observed by the Kepler space telescope: The M dwarf LHS 6351 (KIC 2164791)

Continuous 123.87-day observations with the “Kepler” space telescope are used to study the activity of the fully convective, low-mass M dwarf LHS 6351. The axial-rotation period of the star is 3.36 day. High-precision photometric observations of LHS 6351 enabled studies of its surfacetemperature inhomogeneities and their evolution. The difference in the longitudes of active regions increased from 120° at the beginning to 207° at the end of the observations, for i = 60° (and from 156° to 198° for i = 30°). This variation of the locations of the spots on the stellar surface provides evidence for differential rotation of the star. According to our estimates, the rate of displacement of the active regions is (0.006–0.014) ± 0.002 rad/day. Assuming i = 60°, the total area of spots S decreased, on average, from 1.2% to 0.92% of the total visible surface of the star; if i = 30°, this area decreased from 1.8% to 1.0%. We compared manifestations of the magnetic activity of LHS 6351 with the properties of the fully convective M dwarfs V374 Peg and GJ 1243, studied earlier. We derived the dependence of ΔΩ on the Rossby number for these M dwarfs, and identified two groups of stars with differing mass and differential rotation.     

HD 181906: A star with two systems of active longitudes on its surface

We use continuous 156-day COROT photometric observations of the F dwarf HD 181906 to analyze temperature inhomogeneities on the stellar surface and follow their evolution. The analysis used the iPH code, which solves for the temperature inhomogeneities in a two-temperature approximation without any assumptions about the shape or number of spots on the surface. For the first time in studies of active regions and active longitudes, we find that the phases of the active longitudes on the surface of HD 181906 are concentrated close to two systems of active longitudes. In each system, the active longitudes are separated by 180°, with the shift between the systems being 100°. During the observing period, switches between the systems of active longitudes occurred quasi-periodicly on a time scale of 30–35 day about two-thirds of the time, while these switches occurred less frequently about one-third of the time. The positions of active regions switched either every 20–25 day or every 40–45 day. The periodicity of brightness and amplitude variations is of the order of 110 day. Variations in the spot coverage and changes in the active longitudes have shorter time scales (about 55–75 day). All these parameters are variable on time scales of 25–38 day. A wavelet analysis of the periodicity of the brightness variations indicates that all the above processes are quasi-periodic; activity on all time scales became less pronounced in the last third of the observing period.     

Starspots and Activity of the Flare Star GJ 1243

The photometric variability of the uniqueMdwarf flare star GJ 1243 (KIC 9726699) is investigated using the most complete set of observationalmaterial obtained with the Kepler Space Telescope. The analysis is based on 49 487 individual brightness measurements obtained during an interval of 1460 days (nearly four years). The periodicity of the brightness variations with the period P_phot = 0.59261 ± 0.00060^d is confirmed. The temperature inhomogeneities on the stellar surface reconstructed from the light curve are used to drive maps of these surface-temperature inhomogeneities (of the filling factor f). The resulting maps are used to determine the positions of active regions. Analysis of the surface-temperature maps for GJ 1243 led to the conclusion that the positions of spots on the stellar surface displayed appreciable evolution during the analyzed time interval. The maximum value for the lower limit on the differentialrotation parameter ΔΩ is 0.0022 rad/day. This more accurate estimate of ΔΩ is lower than the values presented earlier by Davenport et al. [1] (0.0058 and 0.0036 rad/day), due to the more accurate account of variations in the positions of the most active longitude in the current study. However, the differentialrotation estimate obtained in [1] using a method based on fitting the evolution of spots using twodimensional Gaussian functions essentially coincides with the new estimate presented here. The fractional area of the total spotted surface S of the star during the observing interval considered varied from 7 to 2%. The amplitude of the brightness variability of the star slowly decreased, varying in the range 1.6?0.5%. Overall, the position of GJ 1243 in spottedness–age, spottedness–rotation period, and spottedness–Rossby number diagrams agrees very well with the general character of the dependences displayed in earlier studies of M dwarfs.     

Possible scenarios for the formation of Ap/Bp stars

Possible paths for the formation of Ap/Bp stars—massive main-sequence stars with strong magnetic fields—are analyzed based on modern theories for the evolution of single and binary stars. Assuming that the strong magnetic fields of these stars are the main reason for their comparatively slow axial rotation and the observed anomalies in the chemical compositions of their atmospheres, possible origins for these high magnetic fields are considered. Analysis of several possible scenarios for the formation of these stars leads to the conclusion that their surface magnetic fields are probably generated in the convective envelopes of the precursor stars. These precursors may be young, single stars with masses 1.5–3 M _⊙ that formed at the peripheries of forming star clusters and ended their accretion at the Hayashi boundary, or alternatively close binaries whose components have convective envelopes, whose merger leads to the formation of an Ap/Bp star. Arguments are presented supporting the view that the merger of close binaries is the main channel for the formation of Ap/Bp stars, and a detailed analysis of this scenario is presented. The initial major axes of the merging binary systems must be in the range 6–12 R _⊙, and the masses of their components in the range 0.7–1.5 M _⊙. When the merging components possess developed convective envelopes and fairly strong initial magnetic fields, these can generate powerful magnetic fields “inherited” by the products of the merger—Ap/Bp stars. The reason the components of the close binaries merge is a loss of angular momentum via the magnetic stellar winds of the components.     

Spot activity of the binary CG Cyg: Observations during maximum spottedness

We present the results of new multicolor photometry of the chromospherically active binary CG Cyg acquired in 2005–2009 (136 hours of observations). The light curves for each season reveal rotational brightness modulation due to spots that varies in amplitude and phase from season to season. We have determined the longitudes of spotted areas: for each season, they were located on the primary, close to the line joining the centers of the components. The longitude distribution of spots was analyzed for 44 years of observations of CG Cyg using all data available in the literature. The active longitudes of CG Cyg are not fixed at the quadratures, as was believed earlier: most of the time (1965–2003), the spots were concentrated at two active longitudes at the quadratures, at orbital phases 0.28±0.06 and 0.70±0.08, but, during a shorter time after 2004, they were located along the line joining the component centers, at orbital phases 0.50 ± 0.04 and 0.93 ± 0.03. We detected a switch of the active longitude by 180° during 1.5 months in 2008, accompanied by an increase in the amplitude of the rotational brightness modulation and only a slight increase in the star’s spotted area (by 5%). Our analysis of archive data reveals that switches of the active longitude during time intervals of 1–1.5 months were observed three times during the entire observational history of CG Cyg (in 1991, as well as in our observations of 2003 and 2008). All these switches were accompanied by similar phenomena: an increase in the amplitude of the rotational brightness modulation (by 0.06 ^m , 0.02 ^m , and 0.04 ^m ) and an increase in the spotted area (by 79%, 11%, and 5%). We used a zonal spot model to reconstruct the parameters of the spotted regions on CG Cyg. At all our observing epochs, the spots were located at low latitudes, in a region that was symmetric about the equator, 10° to 14° wide on either side. The spots are cooler than the surrounding photosphere by 2000 K. The spotted area varied only slightly from season to season, comprising 13%–15% of the surface area of the star, close to the historic spottedness maximum for the CG Cyg system.     

IR photometry and models of dust shells for two RCB stars

We present JHKLM photometry obtained in 1984–2009 for the RCB stars UV Cas and SU Tau. No major fadings characteristic of RCB stars were detected during the observations of UV Cas, while two events of this kind occurred for SU Tau. The observed flux and color-index variations can be explained with a changing dust concentration in the line of sight, and possibly variations of the stellar temperature. We use the measured fluxes, supplemented with observations in the intermediate IR, to compute spherically symmetric dust-shell models for the stars. The mass-loss rate is estimated to be 1.7 × 10⁻⁶ M _⊙ yr⁻¹ for UV Cas and 4.1 × 10⁻⁶ M _⊙ yr⁻¹ for SU Tau.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">BV I</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis></Subscript> photometry of RR Lyrae stars

We have obtained 26 372 CCD frames in the B, V, and I _c filters for 81 RR Lyrae stars in 2008–2010, using the 76-cm telescope of the South African Astronomical Observatory and the 40-cm telescope of the Cerro Armazones Observatory, North Catholic University (Chile) using an SBIG ST-10XME CCD camera. For 12 of these RR Lyrae stars, we also obtained 337 brightness measurements in the B and V bands in 2000–2001 using the 60-cm telescope of the High Altitude Mt. Maidanak Observatory (Republic of Uzbekistan). We present tables of observations, light curves, and improved light-curve elements for all these RR Lyrae stars. The Blazhko effect was detected for SU Hor.     

Stellar activity as observed by the KEPLER space telescope: The K Dwarf KIC 8429280

The activity of the K dwarf KIC 8429280 (TYC 3146-35-1) has been studied. Unique high-precision photometric observations of this object obtained with the KEPLER space telescope suggest a pronounced amplitude modulation of the brightness of the star, and have made possible the analysis of surface-temperature inhomogeneities. The evolution of active regions on the surface of KIC 8429280 has been traced during 105 rotation periods. Evidence has been found for the existence of two active longitudes on the surface of KIC 8429280, separated by approximately 180°. The motion of the active longitudes on the surface of KIC 8429280 is complex and unstable. At some times, the active regions moved together in longitude with the rotation of the star, while they moved in opposite directions at other time. The less active region sometimes disappeared completely, and only one active region was observed on the stellar surface. The area of the spotted surface S is 4% of the visible stellar surface for the adopted inclination of the rotation axis of the star to the line of sight, i = 60°. The periodicity for variations in S is no less than 90 d. The timescale for the change in the amplitude of the brightness variations is 30 d. Three epochs of alternation of the active longitudes are close in time to three of four firmly established minima in the amplitudes of the brightness variations. The results of the light-curve analysis for KIC 8429280 are compared to results obtained for the young active solar-type star Corot-Exo-2, which has a similar light curve with a pronounced modulation.     

A Catalog of Variable Stars based on the new name list

We present a new electronic version of the General Catalog of Variable Stars (GCVS) based on the new IAU name list of confirmed variable stars. The catalog contains 1270 stars, most of them contained earlier in the New Catalog of Suspected Variable Stars or its supplement. A number of recent studies—including those by authors of the catalog, who investigated many stars using data from modern automatic surveys, determined light-curve elements for periodic stars, and plotted numerous light curves—have made it possible to move these stars to the GCVS. Among the catalog objects, 24 stars are novae or other unusual variable stars that acquired their GCVS names out of the usual order, upon communication from the Bureau of Astronomical Telegrams of the International Astronomical Union. We present the GCVS names, coordinates, classifications (in two forms: the GCVS system and a new, proposed system), brightness-variation limits, and light-curve elements for the catalog stars, as well as bibliographic references and remarks when necessary. We discuss several catalog stars that are of astrophysical interest or caused problems during the compilation of the catalog.     

An experimental test of the photometric calibration of the guide star catalog for the Spectrum-UV (WSO/UV) project

A test of the photometric calibration accuracy for the guide-star catalog (Master Catalog) of the Spectrum-UV project (World Space Observatory—Ultraviolet) has been performed using CCD observations in a spectral band close to that of the guide sensor system of the T-170M space telescope. The mean photometric uncertainty of the Master Catalog at 14 ^m –17 ^m is 0.23 ^m ; variations in this uncertainty over the sky are within a factor of two. About 2% of the stars in the Master Catalog were found to have photometric errors in excess of 2 ^m . We analyze the correspondence of large photometric errors to flags of the Master Catalog.     

Nuclear activity of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469 in 1990–2006: Observations from the Mt. Maidanak Observatory

We present the results of UBV RI observations of the nucleus of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469 performed in 1990–2006 at the Mt. Maidanak Observatory of the Ulug Beg Astronomical Institute in Uzbekistan. Light curves for various apertures are plotted for all the filters. Our analysis of these light curves indicates the presence of short-time-scale (from several days to several weeks) and long-term (∼8–9 years) variability of the nucleus. The character of the brightness variations in all the optical filters is the same, with the relative amplitude of the variations decreasing from U to V, but being higher in R than in V. A comparison with earlier observations (prior to 1990) indicates an increase of the time scale for the long-term variability, from three to six years to eight to nine years, providing evidence for changing emission conditions in the accretion disk. We present the results of a statistical analysis of the light curves and an analysis of the color characteristics during different activity periods. Color-index measurements using various apertures demonstrate that the color becomes bluer towards the galaxy nucleus.     

IR photometry and dust-shell models for two carbon stars

We present JHKLM photometry of the carbon stars ST And and T Lyn acquired in 2000–2010. Along with brightness variations due to pulsations, changes on timescales of 2000–3000 days are also observed. Our combined light curves can be satisfactorily represented with light elements derived from visual observations, but the maxima are delayed relative to the calculated times. A color-index analysis demonstrates that the dust shell of ST And is fairly weak, and is manifest only episodically, while the presence of hot dust was always detected for T Lyn. These results confirm models of spherically symmetric stellar dust shells based on mean-flux data, supplemented with observations in the intermediate IR from the IRAS and AKARI satellites. The visual optical depth of the relatively cool dust shell of ST And assuming a dust temperature at the inner edge of T ₁ = 510 K is very low: τ _V = 0.047. The dust shell of T Lyn is considerably hotter (T ₁ = 940 K), with τ _V = 0.95. We estimate the mass-loss rate to be 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ M _⊙/year for ST And and 3.7 × 10⁻⁷ M _⊙/year for T Lyn.     

Long-term variations in the spottedness of BY Dra M dwarfs

The results of a spottedness study for twelve red dwarf stars covering several decades and based on a vast amount of photometric observations are presented. The analysis makes use of multicolor (UBV RI) photometric monitoring of ten of these stars since 1991 at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, as well as data from the literature. The spottedness parameters for selected active BY Dra red dwarfs have been refined using an improved zonal model for the spotted stellar atmospheres to allow for the possible presence of two active longitudes on the stars. Time variations in the spot activity of these systems are analyzed in order to look for possible cycles. Three of the stars show a drift of their spots in the latitude towards the stellar poles; however, the magnitude of this latitude drift is a factor of two to three lower than the analogous value for sunspots. All the stars except for YZ CMi display relationships between the area of the spots and their latitude, with correlation coefficients R from 0.67 to 0.97. Evidence for the presence of activity cycles with durations from 25 to 40 years is found for six stars, which are characterized by synchronous variations in the areas and latitudes of their spots, as well as of the overall photometric brightness.     

Magnetic activity of the star Corot-Exo-2a

Continuous photometric observations of the young active solar-type star Corot-Exo-2a using the “Corot” space telescope obtained over 142 days were used to analyze the star’s surface temperature inhomogeneities and to monitor their continuous evolution. This analysis was based on the iPH code, which reconstructs the distribution of temperature inhomogeneities on the surface of a star based on its light curve in a two-temperature approximation. We identified five time intervals in the positions of active areas, with corresponding flip-flop events, interpreted as activity periods. Their durations were between 55 and 15 days. The time scale for the active-longitude flip-flops of Corot-Exo-2a is a few tens of days, rather than years, as for other stars studied earlier. We detected motions of the active longitudes, possibly indicating differential rotation of the star. The phenomenon of flip-flops in the positions of active longitudes has a complex character. This is the first case apart fromthe Sun where we are able to follow the appearance and development of temperature inhomogeneities on a stellar surface in such detail. We determined typical timescales for variations of the activity parameter of the star in the ranges 17–20, 28–32, 33–38, and 51–55 days, which characterize changes of the brightness variation amplitude, the spotted surface area, positions of active areas, and brightness variations.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">WBVR</Emphasis> observations of the X-ray star V1341 Cyg = Cyg X-2 in 1986–1992

We present the results of WBVR observations of the low-mass X-ray binary V1341 Cyg = Cyg X-2. Our observations include a total of 2375 individual measurements in four bands on 478 nights in 1986–1992. We tied the comparison and check stars used for the binary to the WBVR catalog using their JHK magnitudes. The uncertainty of this procedure was 3% in the B and V bands and 8%–10% for the W and R bands. In quiescence, the amplitude of the periodic component in the binary’s B brightness variations is within 0.265 ^m –0.278 ^m (0.290 ^m –0.320 ^m in W); this is due to the ellipsoidal shape of the optical component, which is distorted with gravitational forces from the X-ray component. Some of the system’s active states (long flares) may be due to instabilities in the accretion disk, and possibly to instabilities of gas flows and other accretion structures. The binary possesses a low-luminosity accretion disk. The light curves reveal no indications of an eclipse near the phases of the upper and lower conjunctions in quiescence or in active states during the observed intervals. We conclude that the optical star in the close binary V1341 Cyg = Cyg X-2 is a red giant rather than a blue straggler. We studied the longterm variability of the binary during the seven years covered by our observations. The optical observations presented in this study are compared to X-ray data from the Ginga observatory for the same time intervals.     

Search for and study of hot circumstellar dust envelopes

Long-term (1984–2008) JHKLM photometry for 254 objects is presented. The observations were carried out in the standard JHKLM photometric system using an original method and a modern IR photometer designed and built at the Sternberg Astronomical Institute. Our program of studies included searches for and studies of relatively hot circumstellar dust envelopes. The most important results obtained using these observations include the following. We have detected relatively hot dust envelopes in a number of objects for the first time, including the RCB star UV Cas, RX Cas, several classical symbiotic stars, etc. A model has been calculated for the dust envelope of FG Sge, which formed around the star as a result of several successive cycles of dust condensation beginning in Autumn 1992. Several dust-condensation episodes have been traced in the envelopes of symbiotic systems (CH Cyg, V1016 Cyg, HM Sge, etc.), as well as the role of the hot component in the formation of the dust envelopes. We have established from variations of the IR emission that the cool components in the symbiotic novae V1016 Cyg and HM Sge, and possibly CH Cyg, are Miras. The binarity of V1016 Cyg and HM Sge has also been firmly established. The variability of a whole series of object has been studied, including the stellar components of close binary systems and several dozen Mira and semi-regular variables. The ellipsoidality of the components in the RX Cas system (a prototype W Ser star) and the cool component in the symbiotic systems CI Cyg and BF Cyg has been firmly established. We have obtained the first IR light curve for the eclipsing system V444 Cyg (WN5+O6), and determined the wavelength dependence of the obtained parameters of the WN5 star. Analysis of the IR light curves of several novae indicate the condensation of dust envelopes in the transition periods of Cygnus 1992, Aquila 1993, and Aquila 1995. The IR light curve of R CrB has been obtained over a long period and analyzed. IR observations of the nova-like variable V4334 Sgr have been carried out over four years, over which the star passed through four stages during its motion along its post-AGB evolutionary track; the star’s bolometric flux and optical depth of its dust envelope have been estimated, and the structure and mass of the dust layer determined. We have analyzed the IR variability of the symbiotic star V407 Cyg over 14 years, and found its cool component to be a Mira with a period of 745 days. The observed pulsations and trend are associated with the luminosity and temperature variations of the Mira, as well as the optical depth of the dust envelope. The size of the dust grains and mass-loss rate of the Mira have been determined. We have obtained JHKL light curves for the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 over 23 years. The IR brightness of the galaxy grew from 1985 through 1996 (by ∼0.9 ^m at 1.25 μm, ∼1 ^m at 1.65 μm, ∼1.1 ^m at 2.2 μm, and ∼1.3 ^m at 3.5 μm), while the galaxy simultaneously reddened. The “cool” variable source in NGC 4151 was still in the active state in 1998, although its luminosity had decreased by approximately 15%–20%. If the “cool” component of the variable source in this galaxy is a dust envelope heated by the central “hot” source, it should be optically thin to the radiation of this source: its mean optical depth is in the range 0.05–0.15. Emission from dust particles heated to temperatures of 600–800 K was observed in the near IR at a distance of several parsecs from the nucleus during the period of activity in 1995–1998; the inferred mass of emitting dust was 5–20 M _⊙. In 1994–2003, we observed a tendency for NGC 4151 to become bluer at 1.25–1.65 μm while simultaneously reddening at 2.2–3.5 μm. Beginning in Autumn 2000, the galaxy began to emerge from a minimum, which lasted from March 2000 through April 2001 in the IR; a flare of the galactic nucleus was observed and followed in detail in the IR in this same period. We confirm the IR variability of the nucleus of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068, which can be located in various stages of activity. The variability of NGC 1068 is associated with a complex source. A periodic component has been detected in the J brightness variations of the oxygen Mira V2108 Oph; we have shown that this star is immersed in a fairly dense dust envelope, and have calculated amodel for this envelope. We have calculated an (axially symmetrical) dust-envelope model for the carbon semi-regular variable RWLMi with a density distribution characteristic for the “superwind” stage. This envelope model is able to reproduce the observed fluxes over the entire observable spectrum, and displays a good agreement with the observational data. The three hot supergiants V482 Cas, QZ Sge, and HD 338926 may be variable in the IR. Long-term photometry of eight planetary nebulae in the near IR (1.25–5 μm) has enabled us to firmly establish the IR brightness and color variability of these nebulae on time scales from several tens of days to six-to-eight years. We have analyzed long-term JK photometry of the X-ray binary Cyg X-1 (V1357 Cyg). Periodicity with a characteristic time scale of ∼11.5 years is visible in the JK brightness variations of Cyg X-1 in 1984–2007, possibly due to periodic variations of the temperature, radius and luminosity of the optical component of the binary with P ∼11.5 yr. Fourteen-year IR light curves of five RV Tau stars (R Sge, RV Tau, AC Her, V Vul, and R Sct) and the yellow supergiant and protoplanetary-nebula candidate V1027 Cyg have been analyzed. A spherically symmetrical dust-envelope model has been calculated for V1027 Cyg.