Observational highlights for November 2010

November 2010 will be remembered for the final phases of totality, with hints of 3rd contact beginning to appear.
During the course of the month and since mid-eclipse in August 2010, a 63 day periodicity in the visual light curve has become more noticeable, as noticed by Thomas Karlsson.  Recent minima occurred in late Aug and early Nov, and recent maxima in early Oct and presumably in early Dec 2010.
The latest CHARA+MIRC observations were obtained in late Oct (poor observing conditions) and again in early Nov (better conditions).  While the data reduction remains challenging, these images show a hint of elongation of light toward the egress end of the disk.  Our next chance to confirm this is with scheduled time Dec. 9+10, 2010.
At long last, our near-infrared spectra obtained with the NASA IRTF telescope atop Mauna Kea have begun to show carbon monoxide (CO) as of late September - as predicted.  These features were discovered during last eclipse, but ONLY after mid-eclipse, and may relate to sublimation of volatiles off icy particles in the disk that have been heated by exposure to the F star.  With extra sensitivity, we might be poised to detect CO2 and water ice, potentially as well.  Water ice on asteroids 65 Cybele and 24 Themis was reported this year using similar IRTF near-IR spectroscopy.   Mine Takeuti predicts a 3 year orbital period for the outer parts of the eps Aur disk, and thus during the ~ 1 year duration of total eclipse, disk particles then facing the F star at the start of eclipse are now facing earthward.  Follow-up observations are underway to determine persistence, gas temperature and molecluar band strength variations.  This and more are included in reports planned for the Seattle AAS meeting in January 2011.
Epsilon Aurigae is now well placed in the evening sky for convenient observing.  Be sure to share the view with friends and neighbors, helping them memorize the current faintness (V ~ 3.7) which is predicted to quickly change starting about March 2011 - after which epsilon resumes its role as the 5th brightest star in the constellation (V ~ 3.0).  Thank you for your careful recording and reporting of the continued fluctuations during totality - our light curve is telling quite a tale!