Abstract

Pulsational mass loss in Luminous Blue Variables

Catherine Lovekin (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Joyce Guzik, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Luminous Blue Variables are evolved stars which experience periods of enhanced mass loss and outbursts. During these outbursts, the star stays at constant luminosity, but appears to become cooler. The S Doradus type variability, unlike the more extreme eruptions seen in eta Car, occur on timescales of years to decades. The origin of the variability is still not understood, nor is the connection to extreme objects such as eta Car. In this work, we examine radial pulsation and time-dependent convection in massive stars, looking for the conditions necessary to trigger S Doradus type variability.

Mode of presentation: poster