W Ursae Majoris
Beta Lyrae systems are sometimes regarded as a subtype of the Algol variables; however, their light curves differ (the eclipses of Algol variables are much more sharply defined). On the other hand, beta Lyrae variables look somewhat like W Ursae Majoris variables; however, the latter are in general yet closer binaries (so-called contact binaries), and their component stars are mostly lighter than the beta Lyrae system components (about ).