SIMBAD references

CCD photometric data collected at UnderOak Observatory (UO) and Desert Bloom Observatory (DBO) in three bandpasses (B, V and I_C) produced 10 new times of minimum for AU Ser which were used to revise the linear ephemeris. These results captured in 2011 and 2018 reinforced a longstanding observation that the shape of the light curve from this W UMa binary system (P=0.386497 d) is highly variable. Significantly skewed peaks and differences at maximum light were detected during quadrature which could only be simulated during Roche modeling by positioning a hot spot on the secondary star close to the neck between both constituents. Historically this system has been variously classified as an F8, G5 and K0 system; however, this study supports more recent reports that AU Ser is best described as spectral type K1V-K2V. A fresh assessment of eclipse time residuals over the past 80 years has provided additional insight regarding cyclical changes in orbital period experienced by this interesting variable star.