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Looking at the Light Curve: Has the Eclipse Begun?
There are hints in recent visual observations of a decline in brightness for epsilon Aurigae. In this walk through, learn how to read data and the light curve to make your own decision. What do you think? "Is it real, or is it Memorex?"
Avoiding Bias: Simonsen's Rules for Variable Star Observing
Check out Mike's advice for avoiding bias. Among my favorite advice:
If you see the observations of some other observer(s) beforehand-Read more
- Assume they are lying to deceive you!
- Know they are bad observers, so their opinion is worthless!
- They could be, and probably are, completely crazy. How many variable star observers have you met? I rest my case.
Mini-Campaign on an Eclipse of Zeta Aurigae
Brian is leading a mini-campaign on zeta Aurigae. It is undergoing a short eclipse (compared to epsilon Aurigae) with a dip of only 0.1 mag sometime this month. Thus it will be quite a feat for even advanced observers. Up to the challenge?
Steps toward an emerging model
Half-way through ingress by most estimates, but epsilon Aurigae continues to confound. Middle of October, the star changed its rate of decline in brightness, from rapid to less rapid - see the visual light curve data link. This change of slope seems to be more pronounced at shorter wavelengths, less pronounced at longer wavelengths. Clues like these will help us define the nature of the eclipsing body more precisely. If purely due to effective area, it says that the disk is slightly thinner-looking in bluer light, relative to red wavelengths. Ultraviolet light curves during last eclipse seem consistent with this trend.Read more
