Variable blue supergiants in the Large Magellanic cloud : R 84, R 85 and R 99.
Stahl, O.; Leitherer, C.; Zickgraf, F. -J.; Wolf, B.; Krautter, J.; de Groot, M.
Germany, United Kingdom
Abstract
During a search for luminous blue variables in the LMC the three emission-line stars R 84 (OIafpe), R 85 (B5Iae), and R 99 (OBf:pe) have been found to show significant brightness and colour variations. Photometric and spectroscopic data from the UV to the IR have been used to discuss the nature of these variables. It is argued that they are closely related to the S Dor variables. The implications of this finding for the interpretation of the Ofpe/WN9 stars and the S Dor variables are discussed. Photometric data for 11 additional suspected variables are given.