Epsilon Aurigae: Polarization, Light Curves, and Geometry of the 1982--1984 Eclipse
Ake, T. B.; Simon, T.; Kemp, J. C.; Kraus, D. J.; Henson, G. D.; Beardsley, I. S.; Carroll, L. C.; Collins, G. W.
United States
Abstract
Polarization and light curves of the recent eclipse of ɛ Aur are presented and modeled, using a tilted, opaque secondary disk and a model atmosphere for the F Ia primary star. That model qualitatively explains the striking asymmetries in the observed curves. But out-of-eclipse polarimetry shows the primary to be a nonradial pulsator, and this will have to be included in a truly quantitative picture of the eclipse and the system.