Variability
In June 2000, Delta Scorpii was observed by Sebastian Otero to be 0.1 magnitudes brighter than normal. Its brightness has varied since then and has reached as high as magnitude 1.65, altering the familiar appearance of Scorpius. Spectra taken after the outburst began have shown that the star is throwing off luminous gases from its equatorial region. As of 2005 the flareup continues. Although the brightness varies, it remains well above its previous constant magnitude.
The companion passed close by in 2011, again resulting in the star peaking at 1.65 between 5 and 15 July 2011.
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Famous quotes containing the word variability:
“The grand points in human nature are the same to-day they were a thousand years ago. The only variability in them is in expression, not in feature.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)