Investigating the properties of Galactic Luminous Blue Variables via IR observations
Dept. Physics & Astronomy, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory, St Petersburg, Russia
Astronomical Institute of St. Petersburg University, St Petersburg, Russia
Dept. Physics & Astronomy, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK
Dept. Physics & Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
Dept. de Astrofísica, CAB, INTA-CSIC, Torrejón de Ardoz, Spain
Abstract
Recent IR surveys of the Galactic plane have revealed a large number of candidate Luminous Blue Variables. In order to verify these classifications we have been undertaking a long term spectroscopic and photometric monitoring campaign supplemented with tailored non-LTE model atmosphere analysis. Here we present a brief overview of selected aspects of this program, highlighting the prospects for identification, classification and quantitative analysis of LBVs in the near-IR spectral window.