The first photometric study of the binary star WZ Cygni

The first photoelectric observations of the binary WZ Cygni, are presented, analysed and discussed. They were made with the 48-in Cassegrain reflector at the Kryonerion Station of the National Observatory of Athens, Greece du ring 1993 and 1994. The light curves have been analysed using Wood's and W-D programs; the obta ined solutions support a contact configuration for the system. The latter, along with the beta Lyrae type light curve shape of WZ Cyg, suggest that it is a near-contact binary. The times of the observed minimum light show that the orbital period increa ses. Details for the flashes, detected during our observations, are also given. These flare-like phenomena might be related to a magnetic activity on the s econdary cooler component of WZ Cyg, while the observed increasing of the s ystem's orbital period might be due to mass transfer from the less massive star towards its mate.