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Monday, November 4, 2024

Sky Tonight-Feb 26, Epsilon Aurigae, the Charioteer’s distant and mysterious star

Courtesy of EarthSky
A Clear Voice for Science

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At early evening, look up high for the brilliant star Capella, the brightest in the constellation Auriga the Charioteer. Close to Capella, note the prominent triangle of starlets called The Kids. Lighting up the apex of this triangle is the star Epsilon Aurigae (Almaaz), one of the most mysterious stars in all the heavens.

More on Capella: Golden Goat Star

Although Capella looks much brighter than Epsilon, that is because Capella is so much closer. Capella resides about 42 light-years away, whereas Epsilon might be over 2,000 light-years distant.

In cycles of 27 years, the light from Epsilon Aurigae dims for a period of two years. The star’s last dimming happened in 1982-1984. Epsilon is now in the midst of its 2009-2011 eclipse. Mid-eclipse has already passed, but the eclipse is predicted to continue until May 2011. Epsilon is an eclipsing binary star, meaning that some “dark” star routinely eclipses the brighter star.

Astronomers are studying Epsilon Aurigae during its present dimming in an attempt to unlock its long-held secrets. Studies have shown that the dark body in this binary system consists of a star surrounded by a large disk of dust. However, questions remain and competing theories are vying to explain the age-old puzzle that is still Epsilon Aurigae, Auriga the Charioteer’s distant and mysterious star.

Close-up on constellation Auriga the Charioteer


Astronomy Picture of the Day from NASA/JPL

EarthSky: Space

CHANDRA Photo Album

U.S. Naval Observator Astronomical Information center

Universe Today

StarDate Online

Sky and Telescope

National Geographic

Space Com

Simostronomy Blog

Amazing Space

The York County Astronomical Society

Scope City

James S McDonnell Planetarium

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