KIC 8462852 Boyajian's Star Update for 06/06/2017 | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Recent data from observations of KIC 8462852, also known as Boyajian's star, suggests that the dips in brightness may be caused by dust or gas, and new research is being conducted to gain a better understanding of these phenomena.

Key Insights

• 🤩 The recent Elsie dip in Boyajian's star showed a significant drop in brightness, with more data collected compared to previous observations.
• 🩵 The greater dip in blue light suggests that dust or gas is the likely cause for the dips in brightness.
• 👨‍🔬 While it is premature to conclude that there is periodicity in the data, further research is being conducted to explore different explanations, including the interstellar material theory.
• 🤩 Observations by Bruce Gary indicate that the minor dipping in Boyajian's star continues, potentially leading to a major dip comparable to those observed by Kepler.
• 🤩 Peter Foukal's revised paper proposes that variations in the star's magnetic and atmospheric conditions could be responsible for the dips, raising questions about the uniqueness of this behavior in Boyajian's star.
• 🤩 The presence of a .88 day fluctuation in the Kepler data suggests either the rotation of the star or interference from a nearby star.

Transcript

This is another update in my continuing coverage of KIC 8462852 or Boyajian’s star for June 6, 2017. For the extensive backstory on this star, check out my other updates on this channel or the playlist dedicated to the subject. Links to all of the mentioned papers and websites in this update are in the description below. Firstly, Dr. Boyajian appea... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the significance of the greater dip in blue light compared to red during the Elsie dip?

The greater dip in blue light suggests the presence of dust or gas, which is likely responsible for blocking the star's brightness. This finding provides important clues for understanding the nature of the dips in Boyajian's star.

Q: Has infrared data been collected for Boyajian's star, and what does it reveal?

Previous research by Dr. Boyajian and her colleagues did not detect any infrared excess, indicating that the material blocking the star's light is either cold or below the detection capability of the instruments. This finding further supports the hypothesis that the dips are caused by dust or gas.

Q: What recent observations by Bruce Gary suggest about Boyajian's star?

Bruce Gary has been taking photometry of Boyajian's star and his data indicates that the minor dipping continues. If this is consistent with the Kepler data, it suggests the possibility of a major dip similar to the ones observed by Kepler.

Q: What does a revised paper by Peter Foukal propose as an explanation for the dips in Boyajian's star?

Peter Foukal's paper suggests that variations in the magnetic and atmospheric conditions of the star itself could be responsible for the dips. However, the uniqueness of these brightness variations compared to other stars raises questions about why only this star exhibits such behavior.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The most recent dip, called the Elsie dip, lasted for about 4 days and showed a drastic drop in brightness followed by a sawtooth return to normal levels.

• Dr. Boyajian noted a greater dip in blue light compared to red, indicating the presence of dust or gas blocking the star.

• Further analysis is needed to confirm periodicity in the data and to rule out the interstellar material theory.