Polarization observations of the unique eclipsing binary, Epsilon Aurigae, are being carried out using a new dual beam imaging polarimeter on the 0.36m telescope of the Harry D. Powell Observatory. This bright binary system has a 27.1 year period with an eclipse duration of nearly two years. The primary is known to be a pulsating F0 supergiant with the secondary a large and essentially opaque disk. We report here on the characteristics of the polarimeter and on the status of V-band observations that are being obtained to better understand the system's geometry and the nature of its two components. In particular, the characteristics of the secondary disk remain a puzzle. Results are compared to polarization observations from the 1982-1984 eclipse.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ETSU/oai:dc.etsu.edu:etsu-works-17312 |
| Date | 29 May 2012 |
| Creators | Henson, Gary D., Burdette, John, Gray, Sharon |
| Publisher | Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University |
| Source Sets | East Tennessee State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Source | ETSU Faculty Works |
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