2003 Eta Carinae Observing

Eta Carinae is one of the most interesting stars in the sky. According to predictions, 2003 could be a very exciting year for observing Eta Car. Below is a list of resources and information that can help you with your observations.

Eta Car (type S Doradus) is a Luminous Blue Variable that historically has shown two types of irregular eruptions - a typical S Doradus-type eruption with a brightening of 1-2 magnitudes in visual wavelength and a duration of years, and a "giant eruption" that shows a significant increase in total luminosity (to that rivaling a supernova) and mass ejection of a solar mass or more. Eta Car has experienced several of these giant eruptions, the most recent being in the 1840's when the star reached magnitude -1 and much of the material we see as the surrounding Homunculus nebula was ejected (Humphreys et al., Publ. ASP, 111,1124 (1999)).

The 5.52-year x-ray eclipse cycle believed to exist in the extremely complex eta Car is expected to produce an x-ray eclipse in late May or mid-July (depending on the model) of 2003. Optical brightening should most probably follow this eclipse, as may be seen in the 1997-2000 visual observations in the AAVSO International Database. (below)

• AAVSO Alert Notice #301 A call for observations
• Eta Car: April 2000 Variable Star of the Month A complete overview of the star's history, what is going on, and current observing strategies
• Quick Look Data Updating every ten minutes
• NASA Multiwavelength Observing Campaign by Dr. Michael Corcoran
• The Eta Carinae HST Treasury Project by Prof. K. Davidson, University of Minnesota
• Article on expecting upcoming events by Julian Pittard of Leeds University in Astronomy & Geophysics 44:1 (Feb > 2003) pp.17-22.
• Charts
• Light Curves
• Observer Images of Eta Car

Charts

Light curves

Observer Images of Eta Car