Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
May 2008
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2008aas...212.1403s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #212, #14.03; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 40, p.207
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
Scientific paper
Epsilon Aurigae is an F0 supergiant exhibiting Algol-like eclipses on a 27 year period, last in 1982-84 -- see NASA Conf. Publication 2384 [available at http://www.du.edu/ rstencel/NASAcp2384.pdf ]. The problem is that despite the 0.8 mag total eclipse, which lasts 2 years, the massive secondary object has proven difficult to detect. Current models suggest that an enormous disk, stabilized by an embedded binary, causes the eclipses. In preparation for the predicted 2009-11 eclipse, an international observing campaign again has been organized, via websites: http://www.du.edu/ rstencel/epsaur.htm and http://www.hposoft.com/Campaign09.html - featuring current campaign newsletters. Recent optical photometry has shown characteristics of a 67 day quasi-periodicity [http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/0706/0706.0891.pdf ], which is shorter than the 95 day quasi-periodicity noted after the last eclipse [Nha, et al. 1993 http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1993ASPC...38..291N ]. Spectroscopic monitoring of H-alpha has shown rapid variation [Schanne, 2007 http://www.konkoly.hu/cgi-bin/IBVS?5747]. Near infrared efforts have involved spectroscopy [Clemens et al. 2008 PASP 119:1385 Fig.15] and K band interferometry at PTI [Stencel et al., in preparation]. Spitzer infrared observations, with IRS and MIPS, were obtained at a pair of epochs during Cycle 2 [Stencel 2007 http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2007IAUS..240..202S ]. Additional effort with polarimetry is solicited, and interested parties are invited to contact this author to be added to the campaign notification lists. I am delighted to acknowledge complicity in this campaign once again with Jeff Hopkins, and the connection with the International Year of Astronomy - Citizen Science effort and AAVSO. This research is supported in part by Spitzer JPL Contract 1275955, and the bequest of William Herschel Womble, to the University of Denver Astronomy Program.
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