A Second Luminous Blue Variable in the Quintuplet Cluster

T. R. Geballe(1), F. Najarro(2), D. F. Figer(3)


(1) Gemini Observatory, 670 N. A'ohoku Pl., Hilo, HI 96720
(2) Instituto de Estructura de la Materia, CSIC, Serrano 121, 28006 Madrid, Spain
(3) Space Telescope Science Institute, 3700 San Martin Drive, Baltimore, MD 21218

Paper: ApJL 530, L57

Abstract:

H and K band moderate resolution and 4 microns high resolution spectra have been obtained for FMM362, a bright star in the Quintuplet Cluster near the Galactic Center. The spectral features in these bands closely match those of the Pistol Star, a luminous blue variable and one of the most luminous stars known. The new spectra and previously-obtained photometry imply a very high luminosity for FMM362, L >= 106 \Lo, and a temperature of 10,000 - 13,000 K. Based on its luminosity, temperature, photometric variability, and similarities to the Pistol Star, we conclude that FMM362 is a luminous blue variable.

Preprints available from the authors at tgeballe@noao.edu , or the raw TeX (no figures) if you click here.

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