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http://vsnet.gsfc.nasa.gov/news-release/releases/2003/03-004.htm There you can read some news on the upcoming event. Eta Carinae is currently fainter (V= 5.3) than it was during the last years. After a fading and a steep rise that occured between 1995 and 1998, (it wasn't in 1999 as stated everywhere) that made the star mean magnitude grow 0.3 mag. brighter than before**, cyclic variations have been present every year. However this last cycle is fainter than the previous one when the star rose to V= 4.9. I have compiled a visual lightcurve (beginning exactly when the strange brightening came to an end) with all my observations and contemporaneous Johnson V photometry at: http://ar.geocities.com/varsao/Curva_Eta_Carinae.htm Visual magnitudes have been calibrated to the standard V system by adjusting the zero point with help of the simultaneous observations. ** Wait for a great job on the whole photometric history of the star by David Frew coming soon. You'll be able to see this event clearly on the lightcurves. Best wishes, Sebastian. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://vsnet.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.423 / Virus Database: 238 - Release Date: 26/11/02
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