H and K band moderate resolution and 4 μm high resolution spectra have been obtained for FMM#362, a bright star in the Quintuplet Cluster near the Galactic Center. The spectral features in these bands closely match those of the Pistol Star, a luminous blue variable and one of the most luminous stars known. The new spectra and previously-obtained photometry imply a very high luminosity for FMM#362, L ≥106 \Lsun, and a temperature of 10,000 - 13,000 K. Based on its luminosity, temperature, photometric variability, and similarities to the Pistol Star, we conclude that FMM#362 is a luminous blue variable.
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9912415,
title = {A Second Luminous Blue Variable in the Quintuplet Cluster},
author = {T. R. Geballe and F. Najarro and D. F. Figer},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9912415},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 4 PostScript figures, 2 tables