Paschen beta emission in the spectrum of Omicron Ceti.

Evaluation of three infrared spectra of Omicron Ceti obtained on Aug. 7 to 11, 1969. The equivalent width of the Paschen beta emission line in these spectra was found to vary by a factor of 2 during this time period. The variation was similar to that for H gamma and H delta as measured by Odell et al. (1970) for the same time span. The equivalent widths of Paschen beta and H gamma on August 7 were used to estimate an opacity ratio of kappa (1.28 micron)/kappa (0.43 micron) about equal to 1:30 and a molecular/atomic hydrogen ratio of about 10. The variation in the strength of Paschen beta and H delta lines is considered to be intrinsic and to have a time scale of less than or about equal to 100,000 sec.