H-ALPHA OBSERVATIONS OF VW CEPHEI

Low resolution Ha spectroscopic observations of VW Cep performed in Ju ly and August 1993 at Catania Astrophysical Observatory are reported. A variable Ha emission from the secondary cooler component has been fo und to be correlated with the presence of photospheric spots. The seco ndary star shows an asymmetrical H alpha profile with blue-shifted abs orption excess between the orbital phase 0(P).38 and 0(P).53, and a re d-shifted excess from 0.(P)62 to 0.(P)95. It is suggested that the asy mmetry is due to the absorption effect of mass how from the secondary component, through the inner lagrangian point.