The LBV nature of Romano's star (GR 290) in M 33
Abstract
We report the first spectroscopic study of the LBV candidate GR 290 in M 33 (``Romano's star'') taken in February 2003, showing, besides prominent hydrogen and He I emission lines, the 4630-60 Å blend and weak He II 4686 Å emission typical of Of stars. Our broad-band photometry shows that the star was observed during a phase of minimum optical luminosity, with B=17.91+/- 0.03, and a slightly positive colour index, which we tentatively attribute to an anomalous continuum energy distribution. We argue that GR 290 is indeed an LBV star presently in a high temperature phase, that should be followed - also in a short time - by ample spectroscopic and associated photometric variations.
Based on observations collected at 1.52 m Cassini telescope of the Loiano Observing Station, Bologna Astronomical Observatory.- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- November 2003
- DOI:
- 10.1051/0004-6361:20031149
- Bibcode:
- 2003A&A...411..193P
- Keywords:
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- stars: evolution;
- stars: emission-lines;
- Be;
- stars: individual: GR 290;
- stars: mass-loss;
- galaxies: individual: M 33