ヘルクレス座τ星は、ヒッパルコス衛星による測光観測から周期的な変光が発見され、ゆっくりと脈動するB型星(Slowly Pulsating B star、SPB)とみなされるようになった[11][1]。実際、ヘルクレス座τ星をヘルツシュプルング・ラッセル図上に図示すると、SPB不安定帯の中央に位置しており、他の観測結果と整合する[12][4]。ヘルクレス座τ星の変光は、周期1.25日で、振幅が0.01等程度である[1][13]。
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^ abcAdelman, Saul J.; et al. (2001-06), “Elemental abundance analyses with DAO spectrograms. XXV. The superficially normal B and A stars α Draconis, τ Herculis, γ Lyrae, and HR 7926”, Astronomy & Astrophysics371: 1078-1083, Bibcode: 2001A&A...371.1078A, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20010408
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^Waelkens, C.; et al. (1998-02), “Study of an unbiased sample of B stars observed with Hipparcos: the discovery of a large amount of new slowly pulsating B stars”, Astronomy & Astrophysics330: 215-221, Bibcode: 1998A&A...330..215W
^ abMasuda, Seiji; Hirata, Ryuko (2000-04), “Line-profile variation in tau Herculis”, Astronomy & Astrophysics356: 209-212, Bibcode: 2000A&A...356..209M
^Mathias, P.; et al. (2001-12), “Spectroscopic monitoring of 10 new northern slowly pulsating B star candidates discovered from the HIPPARCOS mission”, Astronomy & Astrophysics379: 905-916, Bibcode: 2001A&A...379..905M, doi:10.1051/0004-6361:20011406