Photometry of the low accretion rate polar HS 1023+3900

We present results from a photometric monitoring campaign of the new low (M )over dot magnetic CV HS 1023+3900. It showed the system at a constant brig htness level during the half year of observations, confirming that it is pe rmanently accreting at a low rate. Optical light curves are dominated by em ission from two cyclotron spots in accordance with previously published spe ctroscopy. The timings of the primary maxima were used to derive a revised spin-period of 166.93 min. We estimated approximate locations of the accret ion spots on the white dwarf by simple modeling of the R and I-band light c urves. Interestingly, the dipole axis is perpendicular to the line connecti ng both stars and inclined into the orbital plane, an orientation quite dif ferent from that found in all other polars so far. We report the detection of a single are event of DeltaB similar to1 mag lasting similar to1 min, in dicating chromospheric activity of the secondary.