The variability of the light curve of the WR-eclipsing binary CV serpentis

Two sets of observations of the WR-eclipsing binary CV Ser were carried out in 1982 and 1983 in the standard photometric systemUBV. Since 1982, the depth of the atmospheric eclipse has changed and does not show in theV data obtained in 1983. There is significant intrinsic variability (0 _. ^m 05) in the light curves of CV Ser over both sets of observations and it is suggested that this is due to the changing mass-loss rate from the envelope of the WC8 star on time-scales from days to months. The observed mass-loss rate can change the mass by some 10^–5 M y^–1. An orbital inclinationi=72±2° is obtained.