SPA Variable Star Section

Eclipses of RZ Cassiopeiae

Although not as bright as Algol, once you have located this binocular variable, its eclipses, which last just under 5 hours, are quite easy to follow. The orbital period of this system is such that five eclipses occur in approx 35 minutes less than six days, so if you observe an eclipse on one night another will be observable six nights less 35 minutes later. The table below lists nights on which eclipses may be observed:

    Nov 14/15           Nov 15/16  
    Nov 20/21 (10pm)    Nov 21/22  (2am)    Nov 22/23  (7am)
    Nov 26/27           Nov 27/28           Nov 28/29
    Dec 02/03           Dec 03/04           Dec 04/05
    Dec 08/09  (8pm)    Dec 09/10           Dec 10/11
    Dec 14/15           Dec 15/16  (mid)    Dec 16/17
    Dec 20/21           Dec 21/22           Dec 22/23
    Dec 26/27           Dec 27/28           Dec 28/29
    Jan 01/02           Jan 02/03           Jan 03/04
    Jan 07/08  (5pm)    Jan 08/09           Jan 09/10
                        Jan 14/15           Jan 15/16  (2am)
                        Jan 20/21           Jan 21/22
                        Jan 26/27  (8pm)    Jan 27/28
                        Feb 01/02           Feb 02/03

So for example RZ Cas will be disappearing into eclipse during twilight on the morning of Nov 23, and will be emerging from eclipse during twilight on the evening of Jan 07.

Maintained by Michael Oates Email: mike@ph.u-net.com
Last modified 11th Nov 1997