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epsilon Aurigae—an Overview of the 2009–2011 Eclipse Campaign Results
Robert E. Stencel
Received March 19, 2012; revised May 30, 2012; accepted June 19, 2012
Abstract Evidence is provided from the array of observations amassed during the 2009–2011 eclipse, that defines the enigmatic binary epsilon Aurigae as comprised of an unstable F0-1 Iab star in orbit around a comparable mass upper main sequence star (or stars) enshrouded in a disk resulting from F star mass loss. In this picture, the F star may be undergoing rapid evolutionary changes, and the recent 67-day primary quasi-period may make it suitable for asteroseismic studies. The hidden star(s) may have gained mass from the F star, and the disk itself provides opportunities for study of accretion, dust evolution, and dynamics. |
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