Activity history of the spotted rotating star HII 296 in the Pleiades

Observations of the spotted rotating G8 V star HII 296, a member of the Pleiades cluster, are presented. The star has exhibited stable periodic brightness variations for several years. The apparent rotation period of the star in our observations was 2.53 and 2.58 days. The shape and amplitude of its light curve changed from year to year. During our observational monitoring from September to November 2012, we recorded an almost complete absence of brightness variations in September. A rapid (within a few weeks) and manyfold increase in the brightness variability amplitude was observed in October and November 2012. The changes in the rotation period, amplitude, and shape of the light curve suggest an intense relative motion of spots in latitude and longitude.