Large distance of ε Aurigae inferred from interstellar absorption and reddening

• Published in: Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin) Vol. 546; p. A123
• Main Authors: Guinan, E. F., Mayer, P., Harmanec, P., Božić, H., Brož, M., Nemravová, J., Engle, S., Šlechta, M., Zasche, P., Wolf, M., Korčáková, D., Johnston, C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Les Ulis EDP Sciences 01.10.2012
• Subjects: Astronomy; binaries: eclipsing; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; stars: AGB and post-AGB; stars: distances; stars: individual: eps Aurigae; stars: massive; Eclipsing binary stars; Spectroscopy; binaries: eclipsing; Interstellar absorption; UBV photometry; Absolute magnitude; Reference star; Luminosity; stars: AGB and post-AGB; Satellite observation; Massive stars; Diffuse interstellar band; Interstellar reddening; stars: individual: eps Aurigae; stars: distances; Supergiant stars; stars: massive; Distance measurement; Models; Radial velocity; Asymptotic giant branch; Spectroscopic binary stars; Interstellar matter

The long-period (P = 27.1 years) peculiar eclipsing binary ε Aur, which has recently completed its two year-long primary eclipse, has perplexed astronomers for over a century. The eclipse arises from the transit of a huge, cool and opaque, disk across the face of the F0 Iab star. One of the principa...