Electronic Telegram No. 21
Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams
INTERNATIONAL ASTRONOMICAL UNION
M.S. 18, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
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CBAT@CFA.HARVARD.EDU (science)
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eta CARINAE
     Z. Abraham and T. P. Dominici, Sao Paulo University and
Sao Paulo State Research Foundation, report that radio
measurements at 7 mm, made at the Itapetinga Radio Observatory,
show that the flux density decreased from 3 Jy on May 22 to
1.5 Jy on June 20, remaining constant since then.  A. Damineli,
N. Leister, and R. Levenhagen report that spectroscopy,
obtained at the Pico dos Dias Observatory, shows the complete
disappearance of the [Ne III] 386.8-nm spectral line on June 23.
Both results indicate that eta Car has entered the deepest phase
of the 2003.5 event, as predicted by Damineli et al. (2000, Ap.J.
528, L101).


NOTE: These 'Central Bureau Electronic Telegrams' are intended to
      be preliminary announcements of items that later appear in the
      formal IAU Circulars.  Citations should normally be made to IAUCs
      rather than to CBETs.

                         (C) Copyright 2003 CBAT
2003 June 26                      (CBET 21)               Kyle E. Smalley