Predicting Alpha Comae Berenices Time of Eclipse I: A 26 Year Binary will Eclipse within 2 weeks of 25 January 2015

TL;DR

This paper predicts an eclipse of the Alpha Comae Berenices binary star system in early 2015, using simulations based on recent orbital data, with the event expected within two weeks of January 25, 2015.

Contribution

The study provides the first detailed prediction of the eclipse timing and duration for Alpha Comae Berenices using updated orbital simulations.

Findings

Eclipse predicted within 3 days of January 25, 2015

Eclipse duration estimated between 28 and 45 hours

Eclipse depth expected to be several tenths of a magnitude

Abstract

The dwarf stars in the 26 year period binary Alpha Com are predicted to eclipse each other in early 2015. Simulations of randomly selected orbital parameters based on the most recently published orbital elements and uncertainties show the eclipse will happen within 3 days of MJD 57047 (January 25, 2015; 1 sigma; all simulations fall within 2 weeks of this) and will have a depth of several tenths of a magnitude. The eclipse will last between 28 and 45 hours, depending on the exact orbital parameters. Observers are encouraged to monitor this unique event.