Eta Carinae rising
Sebastian Otero
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.
Submitted by Brian Fraser