Red supergiants in M31 - spectra, colors, and luminosities

Journal Article · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · Astron. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/114935· OSTI ID:6276338

Humphreys, R M; Pennington, R L; Jones, T J; Ghigo, F D

M31 has been surveyed for its most luminous red stars; 300 candidates were found distributed across the face of the galaxy. JHK infrared photometry was observed for 57 of the candidates, and far-red (6800-8800 A) spectra were also obtained for 45 stars. The strength of the Ca II triplet (about 8500 A) and the J - H and H - K colors have been used as luminosity discriminants to separate the supergiants from the foreground dwarfs. With these criteria, 23 probable late-type supergiants were identified. Their distribution and relative numbers of the red supergiants are discussed in comparison with the known WR stars in M31. Accurate extinction and infrared (K = 2.2 microns) and bolometric luminosities are also derived from the infrared photometry. 38 references.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6276338
• Journal Information: Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 96; ISSN ANJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COLOR
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DISTRIBUTION
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXIES
GIANT STARS
INFRARED RADIATION
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
RED GIANT STARS
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
SUPERGIANT STARS