Single Channel UBV and JH Band Photometry of Epsilon Aurigae

Epsilon Aurigae is the longest known eclipsing binary star system, with a 27.1 year period. The next eclipse begins in 2009. While many observatories make observations during the eclipse, few have maintained an observing program between eclipses. As seen with the last eclipse, there are some very interesting pre- and post-eclipse light variations. There is evidence for periodic variations be-tween eclipses, possibly pulsations of the primary F star. The Hopkins Phoenix Observatory made single channel UBV photon counting observations during the last eclipse and for several years there-after. In 2003 a concentrated observing effort was resumed and recently infrared bands J and H have been added. The intent of these observations is to provide out-of-eclipse data on the system in prepa-ration for the 2009-2011 eclipse. This paper will summarize current activity, present out-of-eclipse data, and provide analysis of the data.