A newly identified Luminous Blue Variable in the galactic starburst cluster Westerlund 1

Clark, J. S. (2004). A newly identified Luminous Blue Variable in the galactic starburst cluster Westerlund 1. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 413(2) L15-L18.

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DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20031700

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Abstract

We present observations of the massive transitional star W243 in Westerlund 1 . We find an apparent spectral type of early-mid A from our data, in contrast to an earlier classification of B2I, made from data obtained in 1981. The concurrent development of a rich emission line spectrum suggests a very high mass loss rate; the continued presence of He I emission suggesting that the underlying star remains significantly hotter than implied by its apparent spectral type. We suggest that W243 is a Luminous Blue Variable undergoing an eruptive phase, leading to an extreme mass loss rate and the formation of a pseudo photosphere.

Item Type:	Journal Article
ISSN:	1432-0746
Keywords:	stars: evolution - stars: variables: general - winds, outflows - supergiants
Academic Unit/Department:	Science > Physical Sciences
Interdisciplinary Research Centre:	Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR)
Item ID:	13112
Depositing User:	Astrid Peterkin
Date Deposited:	12 Feb 2009 17:01
Last Modified:	15 Feb 2012 06:59
URI:	http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/13112
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