A new ephemeris and an orbital solution of {epsilon} Aurigae

We collected rich series of RV measurements covering last 110 years and photometric observations from the past 6 primary eclipses, complemented them by our new observations and derived a new precise ephemeris and an orbital solution of epsilon Aur.

Inter-Eclipse Spectroscopic Snapshot of Epsilon Aurigae with HST

A single-epoch low resolution GHRS spectrum of the eclipsing binary Epsilon Aurigae was obtained while the secondary was orbiting towards eclipse by the primary. The detected emission line profiles have the appearance of double- peaked emission with a stronger red component at a radial velocity of +108 km/s, and a weaker blue emission bump at ca. -92 km/s. We compare these observational results with known orbital properties of the epsilon Aur binary system, and propose that the emission originates at the inner radius of the disk surrounding the enigmatic secondary. We interpret the kinematic data as a possible means to uncover the underlying stellar masses and we speculate about the binarys relationship to other high-mass models.

H$alpha$ spectral monitoring of epsilon Aurigae 2009-2011 eclipse

We present and analyze epsilon Aurigae data concerning the evolution of the H$alpha$ line on the occasion of the 2009 International observation campaign launched to cover the eclipse of this object. About 250 high resolution spectra of the H$alpha$ line were obtained by amateur covering the three years around eclipse. We visually inspect the dynamical spectrum constructed from the data and analyze the evolution with time of the radial velocity and of EW (Equivalent Width) vs V mag. The spectroscopic data reveal many details which confirm the complexity of the Aurigae system. The object is far from being understood. In particular, according to our measurements, the eclipse duration has been underestimated and key dates were defined. A complete analysis of details revealed by our data would require much time and effort. Observers are encouraged to continue monitoring the H$alpha$ line out of eclipse in the hope that it will provide further important information.

Interferometry of $epsilon$ Aurigae: Characterization of the asymmetric eclipsing disk

We report on a total of 106 nights of optical interferometric observations of the $epsilon$ Aurigae system taken during the last 14 years by four beam combiners at three different interferometric facilities. This long sequence of data provides an ideal assessment of the system prior to, during, and after the recent 2009-2011 eclipse. We have reconstructed model-independent images from the 10 in-eclipse epochs which show that a disk-like object is indeed responsible for the eclipse. Using new 3D, time-dependent modeling software, we derive the properties of the F-star (diameter, limb darkening), determine previously unknown orbital elements ($Omega$, $i$), and access the global structures of the optically thick portion of the eclipsing disk using both geometric models and approximations of astrophysically relevant density distributions. These models may be useful in future hydrodynamical modeling of the system. Lastly, we address several outstanding research questions including mid-eclipse brightening, possible shrinking of the F-type primary, and any warps or sub-features within the disk.

An Extreme Analogue of $epsilon$ Aurigae: An M-giant Eclipsed Every 69 Years by a Large Opaque Disk Surrounding a Small Hot Source

We present TYC 2505-672-1 as a newly discovered and remarkable eclipsing system comprising an M-type red giant that undergoes a ~3.45 year long, near-total eclipse (depth of ~4.5 mag) with a very long period of ~69.1 yr. TYC 2505-672-1 is now the longest-period eclipsing binary system yet discovered, more than twice as long as that of the currently longest-period system, $epsilon$ Aurigae. We show from analysis of the light curve including both our own data and historical data spanning more than 120 yr and from modeling of the spectral energy distribution, both before and during eclipse, that the red giant primary is orbited by a moderately hot source (T$_{eff}$~8000 K) that is itself surrounded by an extended, opaque circumstellar disk. From the measured ratio of luminosities, the radius of the hot companion must be in the range 0.1-0.5 Rsun (depending on the assumed radius of the red giant primary), which is an order of magnitude smaller than that for a main sequence A star and 1-2 orders of magnitude larger than that for a white dwarf. The companion is therefore most likely a stripped red giant subdwarf-B type star destined to become a He white dwarf. It is however somewhat cooler than most sdB stars, implying a very low mass for this pre-He-WD star. The opaque disk surrounding this hot source may be a remnant of the stripping of its former hydrogen envelope. However, it is puzzling how this object became stripped, given that it is at present so distant (orbital semi-major axis of ~24 AU) from the current red giant primary star. Extrapolating from our calculated ephemeris, the next eclipse should begin in early UT 2080 April and end in mid UT 2083 September (eclipse center UT 2081 December 24). This system is poised to become an exemplar of a very rare class of systems, even more extreme in several respects than the well studied archetype $epsilon$ Aurigae.