Back Variable Beta Lyrae Catalan Beta-Lyrae-Stern German Beta Lyrae tüüpi kaksiktähed Estonian Beta Lyrae -muuttuja Finnish Étoile variable de type Beta Lyrae French Variabile Beta Lyrae Italian 거문고자리 베타형 변광성 Korean Beta-Lyrae-Stär LB Променлива ѕвезда од типот на Бета Лира Macedonian Gwiazdy zmienne typu Beta Lyrae Polish
Beta Lyrae variables are a class of close binary stars. Their total brightness is variable because the two component stars orbit each other, and in this orbit one component periodically passes in front of the other one, thereby blocking its light. The two component stars of Beta Lyrae systems are quite heavy (several solar masses (M☉) each) and extended (giants or supergiants). They are so close, that their shapes are heavily distorted by mutual gravitation forces: the stars have ellipsoidal shapes, and there are extensive mass flows from one component to the other.