Why V471 Tau is Important

• The system parameters, age, and evolutionary status are well known.
• The K star is an analog for the ultra-rapidly rotating ZAMS stars (e.g., AB Dor, PZ Tel).
• The WD provides a pencil beam probing the line of sight to the WD.
• The atmosphere of the K star should be seen in absorption on this LoS.
• The LoS to the WD probes the K star atmosphere between ± 40^o latitude and out to the co-rotation radius.

UV absorption lines of C II, C IV, and Si IV were first seen by Guinan et al, using the IUE, in 1984. The orbital phase was 0.95.

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