Rapid Variations in Long Period Variables
Paolo Maffei, Gino Tosti · The Astronomical Journal · 1995
Short-term variations in the magnitude, with amplitude ≥0m.5, have been observed in the light curves of 18 long period variables during the study of 182 Mira and SR in the field of M16-M17, carried out with I and B photographic plates taken between 1961 and 1991. The phenomena have durations ranging from 1 to 30 days so we have generically called them rapid variations. They can be tentatively distinguished in three types: (a) rapid brightening and/or rapid weakening; (b) a sudden increase or decrease; (c) flickering. Some possible interpretations of these phenomena are given.