The nature of the light variations of chemically peculiar stars CU Vir and HD 64740

Abstract

Abstract. The nature of the light variations of chemically peculiar stars was studied in detail only in a very few cases. To better understand the mechanisms of light variability of these stars, we study the light variations of the well-known magnetic chemically peculiar star CU Vir and one of the least amplitude variable stars HD 64740. We show that the light variability of these stars is induced by flux redistribution in spots of enhanced abundance of chemical elements (e.g., helium, silicon, iron or chromium), and by the stellar rotation. We conclude that this is a promising model for the explanation of the light variability of most chemically peculiar stars.