Spectroscopic Results From Blue Hills Observatory of the 2009-2011 Eclipse of epsilon Aurigae

Volume 40 number 2 (2012)

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Stanley A. Gorodenski

9440 East Newtown Avenue, Dewey, AZ 86327; stanlep@commspeed.net

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to report spectroscopic results of e Aurigae during the 2009–2011 eclipse. Spectra of the sodium D lines and an absorption line occurring at approximately 5853Å were taken from February 13, 2010, to October 10, 2011, with an LHIRES III spectrograph and a 16-inch Meade telescope at Blue Hills Observatory in Dewey, Arizona. Equivalent width and radial velocity data support the presence of a void or ring structure within the eclipsing disk, and they support a central disk clearing around an unseen primary central object. The results also indicate the disk does not end at fourth contact but continues for a significant distance. Analysis of radial velocities demonstrated the profile of the 5853Å line has a disk component in addition to the primary F0 star component. A split line at this location was observed. From the equivalent width profile of the 5853Å line the duration of the split line event was estimated to be 101 days. Other lesser results are presented and discussed.