Discovery of an “Eclipse” in the WC9d-Type Wolf-Rayet Star, WR 53

Volume 43 number 2 (2015)

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Rod Stubbings

Tetoora Road Observatory, 2643 Warragul-Korumburra Road, Tetoora Road 3821, Victoria, Australia; stubbo@sympac.com.au

Abstract

The WC9d- type Wolf-Rayet star WR 53 was observed visually entering into an “eclipse” with a depth of 1.2 magnitude Subsequent visual and CCD data showed a steady linear rise over 10 days to recover and return to its normal brightness level. This is the first-ever recorded “eclipse” of this star which has previously shown no photometric variability.