Eyes Full Of Stars

Do you like mystery? This month, one of the most puzzling variable stars in the sky will dim for the first time in 27 years. It is epsilon Aurigae in the constellation Auriga, the Charioteer. With an estimated distance of 2,000 light years, epsilon Aurigae is a variable star. But, the star’s variability isn’t the odd part.

Astronomers have cataloged thousands of variable stars with cycles ranging from hours to days at a time. Some stars, like the Cephied variables, pulsate in brightness due to changes in opacity of their outer layers. Other variable stars are eclipsing binary systems. The star Algol, in the constellation Perseus, is a famous example. With the regularity of clockwork, Algol’s luminosity plunges every 2.9 days. It then rebounds to full brightness in just a few hours.