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.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20031700

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.

Viewing alternatives

Metrics

Item Actions

Export

You can export this page using these formats Digital Object Identifier - DOI

About

• Item ORO ID
• 13112
• Item Type
• Journal Item
• ISSN
• 1432-0746
• Keywords
• stellar evolution; variable stars; stellar winds, outflows; supergiants
• Academic Unit or School
• Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) > Physical Sciences
  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
• Copyright Holders
• © 2004 ESO
• Depositing User
• Astrid Peterkin