SIMBAD references

A few years ago, β Cep - a prototype of hot rapid spectral and light variables which are generally believed to pulsate - was also confirmed to be a Be star and a magnetic Bp star. Our investigation of red Reticon spectra of β Cep obtained during the presence of the Hα emission revealed a new surprising aspect of the variability of this star: Radial velocity of the double Hα emission, measured on the wings of the emission line, varies in antiphase to absorption radial-velocity with the known period of 0.19048d. It also varies on a longer time scale: over the period from 1994 to 1996 the mean radial velocity of the Hα emission increased from 24 to 63km/s. Possible serious impact of these finding on the current interpretation of the β Cep phenomenon is briefly discussed. It is also found that β Cep is rapidly approaching the periastron of its 90-yr orbit, much sooner than predicted, and an intensive monitoring is called for.