UV-Blue (CCD) and Historic (Photographic) Spectra of epsilon Aurigae—Summary
R. Elizabeth Griffin
Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, 5071 West Saanich Road, Victoria, BC V9E 2E7, Canada
Robert E. Stencel
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Denver, 2112 East Wesley Avenue, Denver, CO 80208
Received March 19, 2012; accepted March 27, 2012
Abstract
While there are numerous “new spectroscopic studies” of epsilon Aurigae reported in this special edition, the one summarized here is believed to be unique on two counts: it concentrates on the blue and near-UV spectral regions, and it incorporates historical spectra from the previous eclipses of 1983 and 1956. The more data that can be collated, across all wavelength and time base-lines, the more conclusive the final model of this baffling object is likely to be. A more lengthy paper that includes illustrations of the spectra is being prepared for publication elsewhere. This short contribution summarizes the effort that has so far gone into data acquisition and preparation, and the principal results that are now emerging.