Related papers: Pulsation-Initiated Mass Loss in Luminous Blue Var…
Dust formation in the winds of hot stars is inextricably linked to the classic eruptive state of luminous blue variables (LBVs) because it requires very high mass loss rates, Mdot>10^(-2.5) Msun/year, for grains to grow and for the non-dust…
We present the first systematic spectropolarimetric study of Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) in the Galaxy and the Magellanic Clouds, in order to investigate the geometries of their winds. We find that at least half of our sample show…
We present multi-epoch, multi-colour pre-outburst photometry and post-outburst light curves and spectra of the luminous blue variable (LBV) outburst Gaia16cfr discovered by the Gaia satellite on 1 December 2016. We detect Gaia16cfr in 13…
To better understand the LBV phenomenon, we analyze multi-epoch and multi-wavelength spectra and photometry of R71. Pre-outburst spectra are analyzed with the radiative transfer code CMFGEN to determine the star's fundamental stellar…
We present new photometric and spectroscopic observations of an unusual luminous blue variable (LBV) in NGC 3432, covering three major outbursts in October 2008, April 2009 and November 2009. Previously, this star experienced an outburst…
Mass loss is one of the key parameters that determine stellar evolution. Despite the progress we have achieved over the last decades we still cannot match the observational derived values with theoretical predictions. Even worse, there are…
The luminous blue variable (LBV) phase is a poorly understood stage in the evolution of high mass stars, characterized for its brevity and instability. The surroundings of LBV stars are excellent test beds to study their dense stellar winds…
We present radiation-driven wind models for Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) and predict their mass-loss rates. A comparison between our predictions and the observations of AG Car shows that the variable mass loss behaviour of LBVs is due the…
It remains unclear whether massive star evolution is facilitated by mass loss through stellar winds only, or whether episodic mass loss during an eruptive luminous blue variable (LBV) phase is also significant. LBVs exhibit unique…
The 'event' that triggers a gamma ray burst cannot last for more than a few seconds. This is, however, long compared with the dynamical timescale of a compact stellar-mass object ($\sim 10^{-3}$ seconds). Energy is assumed to be released as…
We briefly review the phenomenon of long secondary periods (LSPs) in red giants, and the LSP variable stars classification introduced in the All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae (ASAS-SN) variable star catalog; they are red giant Long…
Low- and intermediate-mass stars eject much of their mass during the late, red giant branch (RGB) phase of evolution. The physics of their strong stellar winds is still poorly understood. In the standard model, stellar pulsations extend the…
A model for gas outflows is proposed which simultaneously explains the correlations between the (i) equivalent width of low ionization and Ly-alpha lines, (ii) outflow velocity, and (iii) star formation rate observed in Lyman Break Galaxies…
We present ALMA and ATCA observations of the luminous blue variable \rmc. The radio maps show for the first time the core of the nebula and evidence that the nebula is strongly asymmetric with a Z-pattern shape. Hints of this morphology are…
Blue compact dwarf galaxies (BCDs) form stars at, for their sizes, extraordinarily high rates. In this paper, we study what triggers this starburst and what is the fate of the galaxy once its gas fuel is exhausted. We select four BCDs with…
The discrepancies between observations and theoretical predictions of cataclysmic variables (CVs) suggest that there exists unknown angular momentum loss mechanism(s) besides magnetic braking and gravitational radiation. Mass loss due to…
Gamma ray burst outflows may entrain small blobs or filaments of dense, highly ionized metal rich material. Such inhomogeneities, accelerated by the flow to Lorentz factors in the range 10-100, could have a significant coverage factor, and…
Luminous blue variables (LBVs) exhibit unique variability features, characterized by episodic outbursts ($>$1 mag) accompanied by spectroscopic changes (S Dor variables). It is debated if all massive stars undergo an LBV-like phase during…
OBA hypergiants (OBAHGs) are evolved massive stars with notable wind features in their optical spectrum. Located at the cool edge of the line-driven wind regime, many are candidate luminous blue variables (LBVs) likely near the Eddington…
We present the photometric properties of 1279 blue variable stars within the LMC. Photometry is derived from the MACHO database. The lightcurves of the sample exhibit a variety of quasi-periodic and aperiodic outburst behavior. A…