epsilon Aurigae—an Overview of the 2009–2011 Eclipse Campaign Results
Robert E. Stencel
Received March 19, 2012; revised May 30, 2012; accepted June 19, 2012
Evidence is provided from the array of observations amassed during the 2009–2011 eclipse, that defines the enigmatic binary epsilon Aurigae as comprised of an unstable F0-1 Iab star in orbit around a comparable mass upper main sequence star (or stars) enshrouded in a disk resulting from F star mass loss. In this picture, the F star may be undergoing rapid evolutionary changes, and the recent 67-day primary quasi-period may make it suitable for asteroseismic studies. The hidden star(s) may have gained mass from the F star, and the disk itself provides opportunities for study of accretion, dust evolution, and dynamics.