The yellow hypergiants
We list the main stellar data of known hypergiants and similarlyluminous stars, and then concentrate on a review of the yellowhypergiants. These stars are post-red supergiants evolving alongblueward loops in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram. Their properties,their location in the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram and their occasionalmass ejections are related to a region of atmospheric instability in theH-R diagram, the Yellow Void. The `bouncing against the border of theVoid' of three objects: ρ Cas, HR8752 and IRC+10420, is described.The apparent atmospheric instability of yellow hypergiants is related tothe atmospheric pulsations. There are indications that the approach tothe Void is associated with an increased amplitude of the pulsation andwith enhanced mass loss. The observed small-scale motion field is onlyapparently strongly supersonic; the observed large stochastic velocitiesare the quasi-stochastically varying thermal motions in the many hotsheets that occur in the wakes of many small shocks, while the realhydrodynamic velocity component is small and subsonic. This shock-wavefield is also responsible for the observed rate of mass loss and foremission in the wings of Hα . Most yellow hypergiants haveenvelopes containing gas and dust, but a thick extended envelope,presumably dissipating and showing bipolar outflow, is only known aroundIRC+10420. At the interface of the bipolar wind and the interstellarmedium one or more stationary shocks may develop as is observed in thecase of IRC+10420 and suspected with ρ Cas.
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The HIPPARCOS proper motion of the Magellanic Clouds
The proper motion of the Large (LMC) and Small (SMC) Magellanic Cloudusing data acquired with the Hipparcos satellite is presented. Hipparcosmeasured 36 stars in the LMC and 11 stars in the SMC. A correctlyweighted mean of the data yields the presently available most accuratevalues, mu_alpha cos(delta) = 1.94 +/- 0.29 mas/yr, mu_delta = - 0.14+/- 0.36 mas/yr for the LMC. For the SMC, mu_alpha cos(delta) = 1.23 +/-0.84 mas/yr, mu_delta = - 1.21 +/- 0.75 mas/yr is obtained, whereby careis taken to exclude likely tidal motions induced by the LMC. Bothgalaxies are moving approximately parallel to each other on the sky,with the Magellanic Stream trailing behind. The Hipparcos proper motionsare in agreement with previous measurements using PPM catalogue data byKroupa et al. (1994), and by Jones et al. (1994) using backgroundgalaxies in a far-outlying field of the LMC. For the LMC the Hipparcosdata suggest a weak rotation signal in a clockwise direction on the sky.Comparison of the Hipparcos proper motion with the proper motion of thefield used by Jones et al. (1994), which is about 7.3 kpc distant fromthe center of the LMC, also suggests clockwise rotation. Combining thethree independent measurements of the proper motion of the LMC and thetwo independent measurements of the proper motion of the SMC improvesthe estimate of the proper motion of the LMC and SMC. The correspondinggalactocentric space motion vectors are computed. Within theuncertainties, the LMC and SMC are found to be on parallel trajectories.Recent theoretical work concerning the origin of the Magellanic Systemis briefly reviewed, but a unique model of the Magellanic Stream, forthe origin of the Magellanic Clouds, and for the mass distribution inthe Galaxy cannot yet be decided upon. Future astrometric space missionsare necessary to significantly improve our present knowledge of thespace motion of the two most conspicuous galactic neighbours of theMilky Way.
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On the motion of the Magellanic Clouds
We have measured the proper motion of the Large and Small MagellanicClouds using Magellanic Cloud stars in the PPM Catalogue, and obtainμ = 1.7+/-0.9 mas yr^-1^ for the LMC. Systematic uncertainties arediscussed. Bound and unbound orbits of the Magellanic Clouds around theGalaxy are consistent with our result. The various models of theMagellanic Stream and their predictions for the motion of the MagellanicClouds are discussed. The predictions by several authors for the sametype of model differ by up to 0.3 mas yr^-1^. All models proposed todate that assume the Magellanic Clouds to lead the Magellanic Streampredict a proper motion for the LMC of between 1.5 and 2.0 mas yr^-1^,the smallest value being a prediction for a Galaxy with no halo. Otherindependent measurements of the proper motion of the LMC are discussed.These lie between 1 and 1.5 mas yr^-1^. Future astrometry will have toallow measurement of the proper motion of the LMC with an uncertainty nolarger than one-tenth of a milliarcsecond per year in order to help todistinguish significantly between models of the halo of the Galaxy. Theproper motion of the LMC cannot by itself distinguish between models ofthe Magellanic Stream.
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Luminosities of yellow supergiants from near-infrared spectra - Calibration through Magellanic Cloud stars
The possibility of using medium resolution spectrograms in the nearinfrared region to determine luminosities of A-G supergiants has beenexplored. A sample of 49 of these stars has been observed in the twoMagellanic Clouds, and using the intensities of the O I 7774 triplet andan index (CP), which is a combination of the Ca II triplet and Paschenlines intensities, a preliminary luminosity calibration, based on LMCstars, has been obtained. Such a calibration predicts reliableluminosities for Galactic supergiants, and offers the advantage of beingcompletely reddening independent. The reddening free CP index combinedwith BVRI color indices has also been used to estimate the interstellarreddenings of Magellanic Cloud stars.
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Positional reference stars in the Magellanic Clouds
The equatorial coordinates are determined of 926 stars (mainly ofgalactic origin) in the direction of the Magellanic Clouds at the meanepoch T = 1978.4 with an overall accuracy characterized by the meanvalues of the O-C coordinates, Sa = 0.35 arcsec and Sd = 0.38 arcsec,calculated from the coordinates of the Perth reference stars. Thesevalues are larger than the accuracy expected for primary standard stars.They allow the new positions to be considered as those of reliablesecondary standard stars. The published positions correspond to anunquestionable improvement of the quality of the coordinates provided inthe current catalogs. This study represents an 'astrometric step' in thestarting of a 'Durchmusterung' of the Magellanic Clouds organized by deBoer (1988, 1989).
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Astrometry of SN 1987A and SK -69.202 deg
Two sets of astrometric plates (epochs 1987.2 and 1973.0) and asecondary reference system comprised of LMC members were used todetermine the position of SN 1987A relative to about 30 Perth 70 stars.The positional coincidence of the SN and Star 1 of Sanduleak -69 deg 202is confirmed to within an uncertainty of + or - 0.13 arcsec in eachcoordinate. The relative brightness of the two major components of Sk-69 deg 202 was assessed by fitting the density profiles of the blendedimages.
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Photometric Studies of Magellanic Cloud Supergiants. II. Variability
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1986ApJS...62..451G
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Photometric studies of Magellanic Cloud supergiants. I - Mean magnitudes and reddenings. II - Variability
In the first part of this paper, a combination of spectral types for 81LMC and 46 SMC supergiants from the literature with new BVRI photometryyields reddenings and intrinsic colors for these stars. While reddeningsup to E(B-V) of 0.3 are found for the LMC sample, the figure for the SMCappears to be no more than 0.2. The dust/gas ratio in both galaxies isfound to be lower than in the Milky Way. In the second part, individualBVRI photoelectric observations for 88 LMC and 46 SMC intermediatespectral type supergiants are analyzed for variability. It is noted that45 percent of the stars exhibit significant variations, with theincidence of variability decreasing with decreasing luminosity.
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The brightest stars in the Magellanic Clouds and other late-type galaxies
Observational data on the most luminous stars in the Galaxy, theMagellanic Clouds, and other nearby late-type galaxies are compiled intables, characterized, and used to construct a schematic HR diagram.Luminosity calibrations are performed; the position of the S Dor orHubble-Sandage variables on the HR diagram is indicated; and anempirical upper luminosity limit for normal stars, declining withtemperature for the hotter stars but becoming constant for the coolersupergiants, is determined.
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Mass loss in A and B supergiants and the extragalactic distance scale
Samples of B5 and A0 stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC)demonstrate the existence of tight correlations between luminosity andequivalent widths in the H-alpha and H-beta lines. The H-alpha line isin emission for stars brighter than M(v) = -7, and this easilyidentifiable feature should be detectable at the distances of nearbygroups of galaxies. The correlations imply that mass loss in A and Bsupergiants is strongly dependent on luminosity and therefore on stellarmass. Similar samples of stars in the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) showssystematically smaller H-alpha emission and more scatter in therelationships between luminosity and H-alpha line strengths than werefound for the LMC stars. There is independent evidence that mass-lossrates are smaller in the SMC than in the LMC, and this fact probablyaccounts for the lower emission at H-alpha in the SMC stars. Thedifferences between the samples in the two clouds may be caused bydifferences in stellar chemical composition.
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The brightest stars as extragalactic distance indicators
The luminosities of the brightest blue and red supergiants werecalibrated by the spectra and photometry of such stars in six LocalGroup galaxies. It is found that the brightest blue supergiants are allA type supergiants, their luminosities depending strongly on theluminosity of the parent galaxy. The same relationship obtains for themost luminous (bolometric) stars in the galaxies. It is also found thatthere is a tight upper limit to the visual luminosities of the Msupergiants at -8.0 + or - 0.2 mag in spiral and irregular type galaxiescovering almost 6 mag of galactic luminosity from -20.5 to -14.8 mag. Itis concluded that the M supergiants are excellent extragalactic distanceindicators for spiral and Magellanic type irregular galaxies andprobably also for the less luminous dwarf irregular galaxies.
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Radial velocities from objective-prism plates in the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud
A catalog is presented of 711 Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) stars, withattention to the radial velocities of 418 of these. Also given are theradial velocities of 1127 galactic stars in the direction of the LMC, aswell as discussions of the precision of these measurements and of radialvelocity dispersion in different fields.
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Radial velocities for different spectral lines of B and A supergiants in our Galaxy and in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1981A&AS...45..121K
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Studies of luminous stars in nearby galaxies. II - M supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Basic properties of the brightest red stars in the Large MagellanicCloud (LMC) are determined from BVRI photometry of 157 red stars andspectra of 74 of the brightest red stars, including 54 confirmedsupergiants. The luminosities, reddening, and colors of the Msupergiants are obtained. H-R diagrams for the luminous stars of allspectral types in the LMC are provided, and general features of thesediagrams are examined. The ratio of blue to red supergiants in the LMCis estimated to be 5 for distances of no more than 1 kpc from thecenter, 3.5 for distances of 1 to 2 kpc, 3.8 for distances of 2 to 3kpc, and 2.3 for distances of at least 3 kpc. It is shown that theluminous red stars in the LMC and the Galaxy have essentially the samespectral characteristics and luminosities.
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Long-term light variations of four supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1978A&A....64..243F
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A catalogue of A- and F-type supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1976A&AS...24...35S&db_key=AST
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UBV photometry for supergiants of the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1975A&A....43..345B&db_key=AST
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Halpha emission-line stars in the Large Magellanic Cloud. I. A new deep survey.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1974A&AS...18...47B
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Radial velocities from objective-prism plates in the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud. List of 398 stars, LMC members. List of 1434 galactic stars, in the LMC direction
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1974A&AS...13..173F&db_key=AST
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Rotation et masse DU grand nuage de Magellan.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1973A&A....28..165P&db_key=AST
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Spectrographic and photometric observations of supergiants and foreground stars in the direction of the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1972A&AS....6..249A&db_key=AST
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The Strength of the O i ?7774 Line in the Brightest Stars in the Megellanic Clouds
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1972ApJ...171..393O
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A Search for Light Variations in Some Supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1971ApJ...169..281R
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BVRI-Photometry of the Brightest Stars in the Magellanic Clouds
We have made photometric observations in the BVRI system of 100 objectsthat belong to the Magellanic Clouds. The observational data indicate atleast two remarkable differences between some of the Magellanic Cloudobjects and the supergiant stars in the Galaxy, namely, the former aremore luminous than the most luminous galactic supergiants and they alsohave a color excess in V-R unexplained by interstellar extinction alone.Two possible explanations are likely for the additional color excess;either the presence of a circumstellar dust envelope or a differentchemical atmospheric composition from galactic supergiant stars, orperhaps both of them.
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Five-colour photometry of supergiants and the dust-to-gas ratio in the Large Magellanic Cloud.
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1970A&A.....7...49V
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A deep objective-prism survey for Large Magellanic Cloud members
Not Available
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Grand Nuage de Magellan. Liste des etoiles membres DU Grand Nuage de Magellan et liste d'etoiles galactiques
Not Available
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Photometric Observations of Supergiants in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Not Available
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Equivalent widths of Hγ in stellar spectra of the Magellanic Clouds
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1966MNRAS.132..433H&db_key=AST
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Interstellar polarization in the Large Magellanic Cloud
Abstract image available at:http://adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-bib_query?1966MNRAS.132..423V&db_key=AST
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