[vsnet-chat 4649] Eta Carinae rising

["Sebastian Otero" <varsao@sinectis.com.ar>]

Dear observers:
                      Eta Carinae is now at its brightest state since the
end of 19th century's eruption. Although the current state is not an
outburst but a normal S Doradus phase on its way up, this is very
interesting to note.
                      The star is currently at 5.0-5.1 magnitudes and it
will probably continue to brighten for several weeks more.
                      As we all know the star is very difficult to measure
both photometrically and visually due to the envelope that surrounds it and
the emission lines present. My visual observations have been 0.1 mag.
fainter than the PEP(V) values presented in the past by Stan Walker so now
that I observe it at 5.1 it's probably at 5.0. Three other observers (Enzo
de Bernardini, Cecilia Scalia and Conrado Kurtz) have also been observing
the star between 5.0 and 5.2 so the rising trend is confirmed.
                       Will eta Carinae finally get closer to 4th magnitude?

Cheers,
Sebastian.


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