Hilmar W. Duerbeck, Brussels Free University (VUB), Brussels,
Belgium
The optical light curve of Sakurai's Object has been monitored from 1997 - 2000. It can be divided into four phases: rise to maximum, maximum, dust onset, and massive dust shell phase. The first two phases can be explained by the slow expansion of a pseudo-photosphere which surrounds a source radiating at almost constant luminosity. Quasi-periodic light variations are present. The last two phases are marked by more and more dramatic dust forming events, so that the object has vanished to very faint magnitudes at optical wavelengths at present.
Implications on luminosity and other physical characteristics will be given. Parallels in the evolution of various final helium flash objects are outlined, and the future evolution of Sakurai's Object will be outlined.