
Abstract We present a photometric detection of the first brightness dips of the unique variable star KIC 8462852 since the end of the Kepler space mission in 2013 May. Our regular photometric surveillance started in 2015 October, and a sequence of dipping began in 2017 May continuing on through the end of 2017, when the star was no longer visible from Earth. We distinguish four main 1%–2.5% dips, named “Elsie,” “Celeste,” “Skara Brae,” and “Angkor,” which persist on timescales from several days to weeks. Our main results so far are as follows: (i) there are no apparent changes of the stellar spectrum or polarization during the dips and (ii) the multiband photometry of the dips shows differential reddening favoring non-gray extinction. Therefore, our data are inconsistent with dip models that invoke optically thick material, but rather they are in-line with predictions for an occulter consisting primarily of ordinary dust, where much of the material must be optically thin with a size scale ≪1 μm, and may also be consistent with models invoking variations intrinsic to the stellar photosphere. Notably, our data do not place constraints on the color of the longer-term “secular” dimming, which may be caused by independent processes, or probe different regimes of a single process.
POLARIZATION, Aérospatiale, astronomie & astrophysique, TELESCOPE, Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre, Astronomy, FOS: Physical sciences, PLANET, DUST, Astronomy & Astrophysics, [SDU.ASTR] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], 510, [SDU] Sciences of the Universe [physics], Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences, INTERSTELLAR SILICATE MINERALOGY, stars: activity, PROGRAM, comets: general – stars: activity – stars: individual (KIC 8462852) – stars: peculiar, comets: general; stars: activity; stars: individual (KIC 8462852); stars: peculia; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Space and Planetary Science, QC, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR), MISSION, QB, Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP), Science & Technology, [SDU.ASTR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], STAR, comets: general, 500, stars: individual: KIC 8462852, stars: peculiar, stars: individual (KIC 8462852), 520, EXTINCTION, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Physical Sciences, Space science, astronomy & astrophysics, STEPS, Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
POLARIZATION, Aérospatiale, astronomie & astrophysique, TELESCOPE, Physique, chimie, mathématiques & sciences de la terre, Astronomy, FOS: Physical sciences, PLANET, DUST, Astronomy & Astrophysics, [SDU.ASTR] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], 510, [SDU] Sciences of the Universe [physics], Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences, INTERSTELLAR SILICATE MINERALOGY, stars: activity, PROGRAM, comets: general – stars: activity – stars: individual (KIC 8462852) – stars: peculiar, comets: general; stars: activity; stars: individual (KIC 8462852); stars: peculia; Astronomy and Astrophysics; Space and Planetary Science, QC, Solar and Stellar Astrophysics (astro-ph.SR), MISSION, QB, Earth and Planetary Astrophysics (astro-ph.EP), Science & Technology, [SDU.ASTR]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Astrophysics [astro-ph], STAR, comets: general, 500, stars: individual: KIC 8462852, stars: peculiar, stars: individual (KIC 8462852), 520, EXTINCTION, Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics, [SDU]Sciences of the Universe [physics], Physical Sciences, Space science, astronomy & astrophysics, STEPS, Astrophysics - Earth and Planetary Astrophysics
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