Bibcode
Pastorello, A.; Botticella, M. T.; Trundle, C.; Taubenberger, S.; Mattila, S.; Kankare, E.; Elias-Rosa, N.; Benetti, S.; Duszanowicz, G.; Hermansson, L.; Beckman, J. E.; Bufano, F.; Fraser, M.; Harutyunyan, A.; Navasardyan, H.; Smartt, S. J.; van Dyk, S. D.; Vink, J. S.; Wagner, R. M.
Bibliographical reference
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 408, Issue 1, pp. 181-198.
Advertised on:
10
2010
Citations
97
Refereed citations
85
Description
We present new photometric and spectroscopic observations of an unusual
luminous blue variable (LBV) in NGC 3432, covering three major outbursts
in 2008 October, 2009 April and 2009 November. Previously, this star
experienced an outburst also in 2000 (known as SN 2000ch). During
outbursts the star reached an absolute magnitude between -12.1 and
-12.8. Its spectrum showed H, HeI and FeII lines with P-Cygni profiles
during and soon after the eruptive phases, while only intermediate-width
lines in pure emission (including HeII λ4686) were visible during
quiescence. The fast-evolving light curve soon after the outbursts, the
quasi-modulated light curve, the peak magnitude and the overall spectral
properties are consistent with multiple episodes of variability of an
extremely active LBV. However, the widths of the spectral lines indicate
unusually high wind velocities (1500-2800kms-1), similar to
those observed in Wolf-Rayet stars. Although modulated light curves are
typical of LBVs during the S-Dor variability phase, the luminous maxima
and the high frequency of outbursts are unexpected in S-Dor variables.
Such extreme variability may be associated with repeated ejection
episodes during a giant eruption of an LBV. Alternatively, it may be
indicative of a high level of instability shortly preceding the
core-collapse or due to interaction with a massive, binary companion. In
this context, the variable in NGC 3432 shares some similarities with the
famous stellar system HD 5980 in the Small Magellanic Cloud, which
includes an erupting LBV and an early Wolf-Rayet star.
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Kinematic, Structural and Composition Studies of the Interstellar and Intergalactic Media
The basic objective of the broject is to investigate the evolution of galaxies by deepening our understanding of the interaction between the insterstellar medium and the stars.The main technique which we use is the two-dimensional kinematic study of whole galaxies observed using our instrument:GHaFaS, a Fabry-Perot interferometer on the William
Prof.
John E. Beckman