Jan 9 2010 Centuries-Old Star Mystery Coming to a Close Artistic rendering of e-Aurigae system. The bright star Epsilon Aurigae, visible to the naked eye in the northern hemisphere, has long puzzled scientists because of a 27-year cycle of dimming and brightening. This suggested that it was an eclipsing binary system. However, the spectral signature of the bright component, suggesting that it was a supermassive giant star, made it difficult to build a model that would account for what might be eclipsing it. Now, the NASA Spitzer Space Telescope may have put the mystery to rest with some ingenious observation techniques. [Does anyone, apart from my friend abby, whom I have to thank for sending me many such links, enjoy these arcane astronomical items?] Share this:ShareEmailPrintFacebookTwitterStumbleUponDiggLike this:LikeBe the first to like this post.
Came for the psychology, stayed for the astronomy (and holiday arcana, social commentary, musical and poetical offerings…).
Love those astronomical mind-stretchers, keep ‘em coming!
-Ray
Eliot,
I’m also fascinated by science news like this.
Count me in with Ray L.
@joely
I absolutely do, Eliot!
Came for the psychology, stayed for the astronomy (and holiday arcana, social commentary, musical and poetical offerings…).
I read them then send the links to my son who loves them.
Absolutely. Ad astra per aspera.
I, too, enjoy the astronomica.
Yes.
Yes! I always look for your astronomy posts.