η Carinae: Binarity Confirmed

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Abstract

We report the recovery of a spectroscopic event in eta Carinae in 1997/1998 after a prediction by Damineli in 1996. A true periodicity with P=2020+/-5 days (0.2% uncertainty) is obtained. The line intensities and the radial velocity curve display a phase-locked behavior, implying that the energy and dynamics of the event repeat from cycle to cycle. This rules out S Doradus oscillation or multiple shell ejection by an unstable star as the explanation of the spectroscopic events. A colliding-wind binary scenario is supported by our spectroscopic data and by X-ray observations. Although deviations from a simple case exist around periastron, intensive monitoring during the next event (mid-2003) will be crucial to our understanding of the system.

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