Fifty Years of TT Arietis

Abstract

Results of photometric observations of the permanent negative superhumper TT Ari in 1961/62 and 1966 are presented. Together with data from the literature they are used to discuss the negative superhump amplitudes $A_{nSH}$ and the amplitudes $A_{beat}$ of the modulation with the beat period $P_{beat}$. Both amplitudes are shown to vary considerably from one season to another. Three correlations are found: (1) between $A_{nSH}$ and $A_{beat}$, (2) between $A_{nSH}$ and $P_{nSH}$, and (3) between $A_{beat}$ and $P_{beat}$.