Epsilon Aurigae during eclipse - IRAS observations of the cool secondary component

Abstract

Measurements of Epsilon Aur made from 5 to 60 microns over a period of less than 1 month during full eclipse, including special Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) observations at 12, 25, and 60 microns are presented. The observed flux at 60 microns agrees well with a prediction based on ground-based infrared monitoring of the eclipse ingress in 1982. Fits to the flux in excess of simple models for the primary star's infrared photospheric continuum yield T = 475 + or - 50 K, Omega = 8.6 + or - 1.0 x 10 to the -16th sr for the secondary. The total observed luminosity from the secondary is no larger than 50 solar luminosities.