Observation of a Deep Visual "Eclipse" in the WC9-Type Wolf-Rayet Star, WR 76

Volume 45 number 1 (2017)

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Rod Stubbings

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

Peredur Williams

Institute for Astronomy, Royal Observatory, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ, United Kingdom; pmw@roe.ac.uk

Abstract

The WC9-Type Wolf-Rayet star WR 76 is one of the most prolific dust makers identified from its infrared emission. WR 76 experienced a deep fading eclipse in 2016. The ~3.1 magnitude depth of the eclipse exceeds fadings in similar eclipses observed in WR stars thus far. Conclusions from recent and earlier analyses of eclipses observed suggests that WR 76 may be a prolific eclipser.