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arXiv · 1610.03219

The High Rate of the Boyajian's Star Anomaly as a Phenomenon

Brian C. Lacki
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Abstract

Boyajian's Star (KIC 8462852) undergoes mysterious, irregular eclipses that aren't yet explained. It also appears to have dimmed over a time of several years, possibly decades. I show that Kepler's detection of a phenomenon with a duration of t_anom is only expected if it occurs at a mean rate of >~ 30 Gyr^(-1) (t_anom / 100 yr)^(-1) for each Kepler target and K2 star. If true, the phenomenon occurs hundreds of times during the lifespan of its host stars. Obscuration by the interstellar medium remains a plausible explanation, since it doesn't actually affect the host star. An intervening cloud is consistent with the lack of an observed submillimeter excess but would be abnormally dilute.

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Brian C. Lacki. 2016-10-11. The High Rate of the Boyajian's Star Anomaly as a Phenomenon. https://arxiv.org/abs/1610.03219

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