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The RXTE X-ray lightcurve of Eta Car through June 22 is available at http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/corcoran/eta_car/etacar_rxte_lightcurve/ slight decline, 0.4 cts/s. Looking at the last minimum, the level 3.5 PCU2 L1 cts/s with a scatter of about 0.3 cts/s. In light of Augusto's recent e-mail, perhaps the X-ray minimum has begun, but at an elevated level (10 cts/s vs. 3.5) compared to last time? If so, what does this say about the binary model? It seems like a large change in the minimum X-ray brightness from cycle to cycle would be difficult to explain by an X-ray eclipse! Again judging from the last minimum, I expect that the eclipse will be characterized by a relatively constant brightness level with a scatter of no more than 0.4 cts/s for 1 week or so. We're not there yet! The Derby: Date of minimum Name ---------- ---- June 11 Ian June 20 Julian June 21 Susan June 22/23 Thom June 25 Augusto June 26 Gladys June 27 Mike, Virpi June 28 Ted June 29/30 Gloria June 30 Roberto, Alexander July 2 Andy, Kenji July 4 Henrik, Amy, Ted July 5 John H. July 10 Ian July 15 Jean cheers Mike -- *********************************************************** Dr. Michael F. Corcoran Universities Space Research Association Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD 20771 301-286-5576 (office) 301-286-1684 (fax) corcoran@barnegat.gsfc.nasa.gov http://lheawww.gsfc.nasa.gov/users/corcoran/bio.html ***********************************************************
Return to the Powerful Daisaku Nogami
vsnet-adm@kusastro.kyoto-u.ac.jp
