Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Another paper (reprint from Nature) on ArXiv: A dusty veil shading Betelgeuse during its Great Dimming
Thanks Tim. Another interesting paper.
(For some reason, clicking the ArXiv linked brought up an error message for me; the link that worked for me is here)
The Great Dimming of Betelgeuse is still eliciting papers on what caused it, such as this one submitted to the MNRAS. The title asks “Did a close tidal encounter cause the Great Dimming of Betelgeuse?” and although the answer (spoiler alert!) seems to be “probably not”, it’s still an interesting read.
Updated light curve until end 2021. Currently ca mag 15.5, some 4.5 mags above quiescence and worth following
Here is the complete light curve of V1405 Cas from its discovery on March 18 until today. What a fascinating nova! And it’s still worth following
I can’t believe it’s 2 years since the great dimming of Betelgeuse. The latest light curve was shown in the recent Christmas Meeting Sky Notes by Nick James. There have been a couple of conferences dedicated to Betelgeuse in the last year. Here is a nice paper on “The curious case of Betelgeuse”, by Jacco van Loon (Keele U.) posted in ArXiv today.
I have the printed Journal for a few reasons.
1. I’m far more likely to read it. I have a mixture of other publications in either printed or electronic format. I am far more likely to read a printed edition. I tend to forget about a electronic publication. Or I might read a couple of articles, think I will continue another time, but don’t. It’s much easier for me to pickup and put down a printed edition, leaving it by my favourite chair.
2. I find it difficult to take in detail when I read it from a screen; I also absorb more info in printed format.
3. I much prefer the feel of a printed mag or book
4. Much of my day job is performed on screens. I look for opportunities not to use them when I can
The big advantage of electronic is when I travel. I can read the Journal anywhere on my iPad. But aways have that choice as my non-electronic sub also gives access to the electronic Journal
Observations made last night ~ Nov 29.9 by Tamas Tordai (Hungary) show beautiful ~ 0.1 mg humps, varying between ~12.4-12.5 in V (AAVSO data)
Further info on this transient continues to roll in. Isogai et al. report that the spectrum of this object suggests it is a dwarf nova of the WZ Sge type. They also observed early superhump-like modulations that occur in this type of object. If confirmed this would be the WZ Sge-type dwarf nova having the largest outburst amplitude ever seen.
An ATel by Taguchi et al. (Tokyo U) reports a low res spectrum consistent with a nova, but a UGWZ dwarf nova classification cannot be ruled out at this stage.
More observations needed!
