Understanding the Variability of Quiescent Supernova Imposters
Noel Richardson
Université de Montréal

Recent supernovae surveys have found several transient events that resemble core-collapse supernovae, but where the star continues to shine afterwards. These stars are believed to be unstable, evolved massive stars that underwent an episodic mass-loss event where anywhere from 0.1 to 10 solar masses are shed from the star's surface quickly. I will review recent developments for two nearby Galactic analogs, P Cygni and eta Carinae, that underwent similar episodes in the past. I will compare the stellar environments as well as the variability properties. I will follow with a discussion about why these and some other particular stars are interesting in the context of understanding the rare supernova imposters as well as in the context of massive stellar evolution.

Date:	Jeudi, le 1 novembre 2012
Heure:	11:30
Lieu:	Université de Montréal
	Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, local D-460
Contact:	Nicole St-Louis