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

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

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DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link:	https://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 Item
Copyright Holders:	2004 ESO
ISSN:	1432-0746
Keywords:	stellar evolution; variable stars; stellar winds, outflows; supergiants
Academic Unit/School:	Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Physical Sciences Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
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:	16 Jul 2017 13:15
URI:	http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/13112
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