Nebulae around Luminous Blue Variables – large bipolar variety

Abstract

AbstractDuring the LBV phase—a short transitional phase of only the very massive stars—strong stellar winds sometimes accompanied by eruptions form small circumstellar LBV nebulae around a substantial number of LBV stars. Analyzing the morphology and and kinematics of the LBV nebulae even weakly bipolar components can be detected, leading to the conclusion that about 50% have—to some degree—a bipolar structure. A global overview of our current observational knowledge of LBV nebulae is summarized, including their morphology, sizes and kinematic parameters.