Luminous and Variable Stars in M31 and M33. I. The Warm Hypergiants and Post-Red Supergiant Evolution

The progenitors of the Type IIP supernovae have an apparent upper mass limit of ~ 20 solar masses suggesting that the most massive red supergiants evolve to warmer temperatures before their terminal explosion. But very few post-red supergiants are known. We have identified a small group of luminous stars in M31 and M33 that are candidates for post-red supergiant evolution. These stars have A -- F-type supergiant absorption line spectra and strong hydrogen emission, hence the warm hypergiant name. Their spectra are also distinguished by the Ca II triplet and [Ca II] doublet in emission formed in a low density circumstellar environment. They all have significant near- and mid-infrared excess radiation due to free-free emission and thermal emission from dust. We discuss their wind parameters and mass loss rates which range from a few times 10^-6 to 10^-4 solar masses per year. On an HR Diagram, these stars will overlap the region of the LBVs at maximum light, however the warm hypergiants are not LBVs. Their winds are not optically thick and they have no significant variability. We suggest, howvwr, that the warm hypergiants may be the progenitors of the ``less luminous'' LBVs such as R71 and even SN1987A.