The circumstellar environments of the cool hypergiants: Implications for the mass loss mechanism

Roberta M. Humphreys

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The cool hypergiants are the most luminous known stars in the upper HR Diagram in the apparent temperature range represented by the spectral types A to M. Most of these stars in this regime are unstable as evidenced by their high mass loss rates, variability, and in some cases large IR excesses and circumstellar ejecta. In this brief paper, I describe the complex circumstellar ejecta of two remarkable hypergiants IRC+10420 and VY CMa and the evidence for high mass loss episodes in their recent history apparently driven by large-scale convective activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationCircumstellar media and latetsages of massive stellar evolution
Pages6-11
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 2007
EventCircumstellar media and late stages of massive stellar evolution - Ensenada, B.C., Mexico
Duration: Sep 4 2006Sep 8 2006

Publication series

NameRevista Mexicana de Astronomia y Astrofisica: Serie de Conferencias
Volume30
ISSN (Print)1405-2059

Other

OtherCircumstellar media and late stages of massive stellar evolution
Country/TerritoryMexico
CityEnsenada, B.C.
Period9/4/069/8/06

Keywords

  • Circumstellar matter
  • Stars: Mass loss
  • Stars: Supergiants

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