Spitzer Space Telescope - Directors Discretionary Time Proposal #535


Early Science - Epsilon Aurigae

Principal Investigator: Steve Howell
           Institution: NOAO

     Technical Contact: Steve Howell, NOAO

Co-Investigators: 
D.W. Hoard, SSC
Robert Stencel, Denver U.
Luisa Rebull, SSC
Ken Mighell, NOAO
Caer McCabe, SSC
Darryl Stanford, College of San Mateo
Dean Brumheller, College of San Mateo
Sally Seebode, San Mateo HIgh School
Tim Spuck, Oil City Area School District
Chelen H. Johnson, Breck School

Science Category: massive stars
 Observing Modes: IracMap
  Hours Approved: 0.1

Abstract:
Epsilon Aurigae is one of the most unusual and famous eclipsing binary 
stars in all of astronomy, the subject of studies since 1824 but still 
defying explanation.  During Spitzer Cycle 6, Eps Aur will begin its 
2-year eclipse. We propose a very modest 0.1 hour program to obtain 
the first Spitzer IRAC observations of Eps Aur before eclipse.