Blue Variable Stars From the MACHO Database. I. Photometry and Spectroscopy of the Large Magellanic Cloud Sample
Date
2002
Authors
Keller, S C
Bessell, Michael
Cook, Kem H
Geha, M
Syphers, D
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Chicago Press
Abstract
We present the photometric properties of 1279 blue variable stars within the Large Megallanic Cloud. Photometry is derived from the MACHO database. The light curves of the sample exhibit a variety of quasi-periodic and aperiodic outburst behavior. A characteristic feature of the photometric variation is that the objects are reddest when at maximum outburst. A subset of 102 objects were examined spectroscopically. Within this subset, 91% exhibited Balmer emission in at least one epoch, in some cases with spectacular spectral variability. The variability observed in the sample is consistent with the establishment and maintenance of the Be phenomenon.
Description
Keywords
Keywords: Galaxies: individual (Large Magellanic Cloud); Stars: emission-line, Be; Stars: variables: other
Citation
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Source
Astronomical Journal
Type
Journal article