Yearlong Star Eclipse May Help Solve Space Mystery

Yearlong Star Eclipse May Help Solve Space Mystery

news.nationalgeographic.com

Normally the star is so bright it can be seen with the naked eye even by city dwellers. For all but the most rural star-gazers, though, the mystery object that eclipses the star causes it to vanish for about 18 months every 27.1 years.

Ever since the star's periodic eclipses were first recorded in 1821, astronomers have been puzzling over how Epsilon Aurigae pulls off its lengthy disappearing act.

(visit the link for the full news article)

They are still plugging away at possibilities, but it is facinating how much we are able to determine from so far away in the universe.

A theoretical disk made of dark matter? An orbiting black hole? I agree with the scientists that it is something - but if any of them state "I know what it is", it is obvious they are just guessing.

I love the topic of astronomy and astrophysics. We are learning something new each day. And this day, we are learning that we don't know all the answers... yet.

news.nationalgeographic.com
(visit the link for the full news article)