Polarimetry of epsilon Aurigae, From November 2009 to January 2012

Volume 40 number 2 (2012)

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Gary M. Cole

Starphysics Observatory, 14280 W. Windriver Lane, Reno, NV 89511; garycole@mac.com; www.starphysics.com

Abstract

During the 2010–2012 eclipse of e Aurigae, the author obtained linear polarization measurements during 200 nights of observation over three observing seasons. These observations began before second contact and have extended some six months into the post-eclipse period. Measurements were made in V, B, and R photometric bands. The polarization of e Aurigae was observed to vary by nearly 0.6% peak to valley during this period in cycles of varying duration. These variations resemble, at a qualitative level, those seen by Kemp and Henson during the 1984 eclipse egress. In particular they show evidence of local polarization activity extending well past 4th contact.