The ellipsoidal light curve of VV Puppis

We present light curves of the AM Herculis-type binary VV Puppis at 1.2 μm in both active and quiet states. In its active state the light curve resembles existing optical data, with perhaps additional evidence for accretion on to the second pole. During quiescence the cyclotron continuum fades and reveals the ellipsoidal variations of the M dwarf. By fitting the ellipsoidal light curve we are able to specify the location of the M dwarf in the system and place limits on the inclination of our line-of-sight, $$50^{\circ}\leqslant i\leqslant70^{\circ}$$.