COMISSION 27 OF THE I. A. U.
       INFORMATION BULLETIN ON VARIABLE STARS
                    NUMBER 242

                              Konkoly Observatory
                              Budapest
                              1968 January 8


  NEW SPECTROSCOPIC ELEMENTS OF BETA AURIGAE


From 17 grating spectra, dispersion 34 A/mm secured at Merate during the last
two years, we have redetermined the spectroscopic elements of the eclipsing
binary Beta Aurigae=HD 46183. The "Finding List for Observers of Eclipsing
Binaries"^1) has recommanded a new radial velocity study for this star.
Spectra of both components are visible. The last radial velocity curve is of
1948^2). The following elements have been obtained by us:

 gamma = -22.45 +- 1.42                e = 0.0
 P = 3.9600421 ^1)                     T_0 = 2439162.197
 a_1 sin i = 5.463.164                 a_2 sin i = 5.581.372
 K_1 = 100.33 +- 2.61                  K_2 = 102.50 +- 2.62

A more detailed paper will soon be printed in the "Memoire della Societa
Astronomica Italiana".


P. GALEOTTI
G. GUERRERO
Osservatorio Astronomico di Merate


^1) Koch, Sobieski, Wood: "Finding list for Observers of Eclipsing Binaries",
   University of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX, 1963 
^2) Burke Smith, Ap.J., 108, 504, 1948. [BIBCODE 1948ApJ...108..504S ]