The WR binary CV Serpentis (= WR113, WC8d + O8-9IV) has been a source of
mystery since it was shown that its atmospheric eclipses change with time over
decades, in addition to its sporadic dust production. The first high-precision
time-dependent photometric observations obtained with the MOST space telescope
in 2009 show two consecutive eclipses over the 29d orbit, with varying depths.
A subsequent MOST run in 2010 showed a seemingly asymmetric eclipse profile. In
order to help make sense of these observations, parallel optical spectroscopy
was obtained from the Mont Megantic Observatory (2009, 2010) and from the
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (2009). Assuming these depth variations are
entirely due to electron scattering in a beta-law wind, an unprecedented 62%
increase in mass-loss rate is observed over one orbital period. Alternatively,
no change in mass-loss rate would be required if a relatively small fraction of
the carbon ions in the wind globally recombined and coaggulated to form carbon
dust grains. However, it remains a mystery as to how this could occur. There
also seems to be evidence for the presence of corotating interaction regions
(CIR) in the WR wind: a CIR-like signature is found in the light curves,
implying a potential rotation period for the WR star of 1.6 d. Finally, a new
circular orbit is derived, along with constraints for the wind collision.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, 5 table