SIMBAD references

A. Damineli, Instituto de Astronomico e Geofisico, Universidade de Sao Paulo, reports that spectroscopic observations collected at the Southern Astrophysical Research Telescope (La Serena, Chile) by Damineli, J. Steiner, J. H. Groh, and L. Fraga indicate that eta Car reached the phase of minimum excitation on Jan. 11, on schedule with the predictions (Damineli et al. 2008, MNRAS 384, 1649). This supports the 2023-day period and the binary nature of the system. The doubly ionized forbidden lines and the narrow components of He I and [N II] lines disappeared from the spectrum. P-Cyg absorption in permitted transitions (He I, H I, and Fe II) became more enhanced. The He II 468.6-nm line, which had been increasing rapidly through 2008 December, has now collapsed abruptly to about 300 milliAngstroems, the same level as it was a month before. The radial velocity reached -3204 km/s and seems to be still shifting toward the blue. Such results are corroborated by observations taken at Observatorio do Picos dos Dias (Brazil) by M. Teodoro; at the Complejo Astronomico el Leoncito (Argentina) by E. F. Lajuz, F. Gonzalez, and R. Gamen; at the European Southern Observatory 2.2-m telescope by M. Borges Fernandes, C. B. Pereira, C. A. P. C. O. Torres, and M. I. Zevallos Herencia; and at Las Campanas Observatory by N. Morrell. Figures and additional details can be found at the following website URL: www.etacarinae.iag.usp.br.