This is a list of luminous blue variable stars in order of their distance from Earth. [1] [2] [3]
Star system | Nebula | Median distance (ly) | Stars in system | Spectral type | Apparent magnitude (V) | Comments and references |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
P Cygni (34 Cygni) | 5251±180 | 1 | B1-2 Ia-0ep | 4.82 | The closest luminous blue variable star to Earth | |
V4029 Sagittarii (HD 168607) | 6,000 | 1 | B9Ia+ | 8.12 to 8.29 | [4] [5] near the Omega Nebula | |
V905 Scorpii (HD 160529) | 6,100 | 1 | LBV | 6.66 | [4] [5] | |
Eta Carinae (Eta Argus) | 7,500 | 2 | O + B | −1.0 to ~7.6 | part of Trumpler 16 in the Carina Nebula | |
MWC 930 (V446 Scuti) | 11,400 | 1 | B5/9Iaeq | 11.51 | [4] | |
WRAY 16-137 | 12,400 | 1 | LBV | 15.5 | [6] [5] | |
W1-243 | 15,000 | 1 | LBV | 15.81 | [4] in Westerlund 1 | |
HR Carinae | 16,000 | 2 | LBV+RSG | 8.42 | [4] [5] | |
V481 Scuti (LBV G24.73+0.69) | 17,000 | 1 | LBV_B[e]: | [4] | ||
AG Carinae | 17,000 ± 1,000 | 1 | B | 6.96 | ||
EM* VRMF 55 (MN44) | 18,000 or 35,000 | 1 | LBV | 15 | [6] [7] | |
[GKF2010] MN48 | 20,000 | 1 | 15.83 | [4] [5] | ||
GCIRS 34W (WR 101db) | 25,000 | 1 | Ofpe/WN9 | [6] [8] in the galactic center | ||
Pistol Star (V4647 Sgr) | 25,114 | 1 | B | >28 | part of the Quintuplet cluster | |
LBV G0.120-0.048 (V4998 Sgr) | 26,000 | 1 | WN5b | [6] near the Quintuplet cluster | ||
FMM 362 (V4650 Sgr) | 26,000 | 1 | LBV | [6] near the Quintuplet cluster | ||
AFGL 2298 (V1672 Aql) | 30,000 | 1 | B8I | [6] | ||
V432 Carinae (Wray 15-751) | 33,000 | 1 | LBV | 10.20 | Also known as AT 2019ooa [4] [5] | |
[GKM2012] WS1 | 39,000 | 1 | LBV | 15.31 | [4] [5] | |
[GKF2010] MN58 | 1 | [6] | ||||
Star system | Nebula | Median distance (ly) | Stars in system | Spectral type | Apparent magnitude (V) | Comments and references |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
HD 148937 | 3,870 | 1 | O6f?p | 6.71 | [6] central star of NGC 6164 | |
MWC 349A (V1478 Cygni) | 4,560 | 2–3 | B0-1.5 I + B0 III | 13.15 | [6] maybe ejected from Cygnus OB2 | |
HD 326823 | 4,700 | 1 | WNpec | 9.03 | [4] [5] | |
HD 168625 | 5,000 | 1 | B6Ia+ | 8.30–8.41 | [4] [5] near the Omega Nebula | |
Cygnus OB2-12 | 5,500 | 1 | B3–4 Ia+ | 11.702 | [4] [5] in Cygnus OB2 | |
AS 314 | 5,600 | 1 | B9Ia | 9.85 | [6] | |
Zeta1 Scorpii | 5,600 | 1 | B1.5 Iae | 4.705 | [4] [5] | |
G79.29+0.46 | 5,700 | 1 | B:I[e] | 15.1 | [4] [5] in Cygnus X | |
WRAY 16-232 | 6,850 | 1 | Be | 12.5 | [6] [5] | |
HD 80077 | 8,700 | 1 | B2.5Ia+ | 9.00 | [4] [5] | |
HD 316285 | 10,800 | 1 | B0Ieq | 9.60 | [4] [5] | |
MWC 314 (V1429 Aquilae) | 15,000 | 3 | B3Ibe | 9.79 - 10.1 | [4] [5] | |
[SBW2007] 1 | 18,500 | 1 | B1Iab | 12.7 | [4] [5] | |
Sher 25 | 21,000 | 1 | cLBV | 12.23 | [4] [5] in NGC 3603 | |
W51 LS1 (V1936 Aquilae) | 22,000 | 1 | O4I | 15.1 | [4] [5] | |
WRAY 17-96 | 22,000 | 1 | cLBV | ~13.0 | [4] [5] | |
[B61] 2 | 22,000 | 1 | LBV_B[e]: | 15.00 | [6] [5] | |
WR 102ka | 26,000 | 1 | WN10 | [6] near the galactic center | ||
GCIRS 16SW | 27,000 | 1 | Ofpe/WN9 | [6] in the galactic center | ||
LBV 1806−20 | 28,000 | 1 | cLBV | [6] part of the 1806−20 cluster | ||
Hen 3-519 | 28,000 | 1 | WN11h | 10.85 | [4] [5] | |
MSX6C G026.4700+00.0207 | 30,000 | 1 | LBV_B | [6] [9] |
The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is around 163 kly distant and the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) is around 204 kly distant
Host galaxy | Star system | Stars in system | Spectral type | Apparent magnitude (V) | Comments and references |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
LMC | S Doradus | 1 | B8/9eq – F0/5:Iae | 8.6 – 11.5 | |
LMC | HD 269858 (R127) | 1 | B | 10.15 | |
LMC | HD 269006 (R71) | 1 | LBV | 10.55 | [6] |
LMC | HD 269216 (SK −69 75) | 1 | OBe | 11.123 | [6] |
LMC | HD 269582 (SK −69 142a) | 1 | WN10h | 11.093 | [6] |
LMC | HD 269662 (R110) | 1 | A0Ia | 10.28 | [6] |
LMC | HD 269700 (R116) | 1 | B1.5Iaeq | 10.54 | [6] |
LMC | R143 (CPD-69 463) | 1 | F7Ia | 12.014 | [6] |
SMC | HD 5980 (R14) | 3 | WN4+O7I: | 11.31 | [6] |
SMC | HD 6884 (R40) | 1 | B9Ia0ek | 10.2 | [6] |
The Andromeda Galaxy (M31) is 2.5 Mly distant and the Triangulum Galaxy is around 3.2 Mly distant
Host galaxy | Star system | Stars in system | Spectral type | Apparent magnitude (V) | Comments and references |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Andromeda | LGGS J004051.59+403303.0 | 1 | LBV | 16.989 | [6] |
Andromeda | AE Andromedae (HV 4476) | 1 | LBV | 17.0–17.9 | [6] |
Andromeda | AF Andromedae (HV 4013) | 1 | LBV | 17.325 | [6] |
Andromeda | Var 15 ([WB92a] 370) | 1 | LBV | 18.450 | [6] |
Andromeda | Var A-1 | 1 | LBV | 17.143 | [6] |
Andromeda | UCAC4 660-003111 | 1 | LBV | 16.39 | [6] |
Triangulum | Var C | 1 | LBV | 16.429 | [6] |
Triangulum | Var B | 1 | LBV | 16.208 | [6] |
Triangulum | Var 83 | 1 | LBV | 15.4–16.6 | [6] |
Triangulum | Var 2 (Y Trianguli) | 1 | Ofpe/WN9 | 18.22 | [6] |
Triangulum | Romano’s Star (M33 V0532) | 1 | Ofpe/WN9 | 16.5–18.8 | [6] |
Host Galaxy | Star system | Median distance (ly) | Stars in system | Spectral type | Apparent magnitude (V) | Comments and references |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NGC 3109 | AT 2018akx | 4,350,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.5 - 19.28 | [10] |
NGC 2403 | AT 2016ccd | 9,650,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.0 - 19.95 | Also known as SNhunt225. [11] [12] |
NGC 4214 | SN 2010U | 9,700,000 | 1 | LBV | 16 | [13] |
NGC 2363 | NGC 2363-V1 | 10,800,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.88 | One of the most luminous stars known. |
NGC 45 | AT 2018htr | 21,700,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.469 | [14] |
NGC 2537 | AT 2017be | 27,900,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.349 - 18.5 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [15] |
NGC 4559 | AT 2016blu | 29,000,000 | 1 | LBV | 15.9 – 19 | Repeated outbursts have been observed since January 2012. [16] [17] |
NGC 7286 | AT 2019mil | 32,400,000 | 1 | LBV | 19 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [18] |
UGC 5829 | AT 2021blu | 43,500,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.17 - 21.62 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [19] |
NGC 4656 | Variable in NGC 4656 | 43,700,000 | 1 | LBV | 18 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [20] |
NGC 4389 | AT 2022fnm | 44,700,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.495 - 17.855 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [21] |
ESO 249- G 015 | AT 2020agp | 47,500,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.463 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [22] |
NGC 908 | AT 2021ablz | 56,000,000 | 1 | LBV | 20.58 | [23] |
IC 5267A | AT 2019oet | 60,000,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.335 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [24] |
NGC 2748 | PSN J09132750+7627410 | 61,300,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.3 | [25] |
NGC 3423 | AT 2019ahd | 65,600,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.83 - 18.73 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [26] |
NGC 1385 | AT 2020pju | 66,400,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.3 - 19.73 | [27] |
NGC 718 | AT 2019udc | 69,800,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.53 - 19.09 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [28] |
SDSS J094838.45+332529.1 | AT 2020jev | 80,200,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.74 - 20.33 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [29] |
NGC 6509 | PSN J17592296+0617267 | 95,300,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.5 | [30] |
NGC 4045 | AT 2019wbg | 111,500,000 | 1 | LBV | 17.7 -19.39 | Repeated outbursts observed since discovery. Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [31] |
NGC 4532 | AT 2017des | 112,800,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.817 - 19.85 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [32] [33] |
ESO 602- G 015 | AT 2022rmk | 113,200,000 | 1 | LBV | 19.472 - 20.04 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [34] |
UGC 9113 | AT 2017dau | 162,100,000 | 1 | LBV | 19.32 - 21.32 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [35] |
MCG +07-07-070 | AT 2018kle | 180,200,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.797 - 18.91 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [36] |
UGC 449 | AT 2022oku | 239,100,000 | 1 | LBV | 18.781 - 19.49 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [37] |
WISEA J010803.49+010843.7 | AT 2020zmn | 262,600,000 | 1 | LBV | 20.31 - 20.85 | Distance from NED using redshift of host galaxy. [38] |
Antlia is a constellation in the Southern Celestial Hemisphere. Its name means "pump" in Latin and Greek; it represents an air pump. Originally Antlia Pneumatica, the constellation was established by Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille in the 18th century. Its non-specific (single-word) name, already in limited use, was preferred by John Herschel then welcomed by the astronomic community which officially accepted this. North of stars forming some of the sails of the ship Argo Navis, Antlia is completely visible from latitudes south of 49 degrees north.
NGC 300 (also known as Caldwell 70 or the Sculptor Pinwheel Galaxy) is a spiral galaxy in the constellation Sculptor. It was discovered on 5 August 1826 by Scottish astronomer James Dunlop. It is one of the closest galaxies to the Local Group, and probably lies between the latter and the Sculptor Group. It is the brightest of the five main spirals in the direction of the Sculptor Group. It is inclined at an angle of 42° when viewed from Earth and shares many characteristics of the Triangulum Galaxy. It is 94,000 light-years in diameter, somewhat smaller than the Milky Way, and has an estimated mass of (2.9 ± 0.2) × 1010M☉.
NGC 3184, the Little Pinwheel Galaxy, is a spiral galaxy approximately 40 million light-years away in the constellation Ursa Major. Its name comes from its resemblance to the Pinwheel Galaxy. It was discovered on 18 March 1787 by German-British astronomer William Herschel. It has two HII regions named NGC 3180 and NGC 3181.
NGC 4725 is an intermediate barred spiral galaxy with a prominent ring structure, located in the northern constellation of Coma Berenices near the north galactic pole. It was discovered by German-born British astronomer William Herschel on April 6, 1785. The galaxy lies at a distance of approximately 40 megalight-years from the Milky Way. NGC 4725 is the brightest member of the Coma I Group of the Coma-Sculptor Cloud, although it is relatively isolated from the other members of this group. This galaxy is strongly disturbed and is interacting with neighboring spiral galaxy NGC 4747, with its spiral arms showing indications of warping. The pair have an angular separation of 24′, which corresponds to a projected linear separation of 370 kly. A tidal plume extends from NGC 4747 toward NGC 4725.
Merope, designated 23 Tauri, is a star in the constellation of Taurus and a member of the Pleiades star cluster. It is approximately 440 light-years (135 pc) away.
NGC 514 is a low-luminosity, intermediate spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Pisces, located at a distance of approximately 83 million light-years from the Milky Way. It was discovered on 16 October 1784 by astronomer William Herschel. The general form of the galaxy is specified by its morphological classification of SAB(rs)c, which indicates it has a weak bar system at the core (SAB), an incomplete ring formation around the bar (rs), and somewhat loosely-wound spiral arms (c). This galaxy has an H II nucleus with an extended region that displays weak emission lines in the optical range, but not in the near infrared. The suspected supermassive black hole at the core has an estimated mass of 3.2×106 M☉.
NGC 4559 is an intermediate spiral galaxy with a weak inner ring structure in the constellation Coma Berenices. Distance estimates for NGC 4559 range from about 28 million light-years to 31 million light-years, averaging about 29 million light-years. It was discovered on 11 April 1785 by German-British astronomer William Herschel.
NGC 45 is a low surface brightness spiral galaxy in the equatorial constellation of Cetus. It was discovered on 11 November 1835 by the English astronomer John Herschel. The galaxy is located at a distance of 22 million light years and is receding with a heliocentric radial velocity of 466 km/s. It is located in the vicinity of the Sculptor Group, but is most likely a background galaxy.
Zeta1 Scorpii is a B-type hypergiant star in the constellation of Scorpius. It has an apparent visual magnitude which varies between 4.66 and 4.86. It is a member of the Scorpius OB1 association, and potentially of the open star cluster NGC 6231, also known as the "Northern jewel box" cluster. Around 36 times as massive as the Sun, it is also one of the most luminous stars known in the Galaxy, with an estimated bolometric luminosity of around 850,000 times that of the Sun and a radius 103 times that of the Sun.
NGC 5806 is an intermediate spiral galaxy in the constellation Virgo. It was discovered on February 24, 1786, by the astronomer John Herschel. It is located about 70 million light-years away from the Milky Way. It is a member of the NGC 5846 Group.
V1429 Aquilae is a candidate luminous blue variable multiple star system located in the constellation of Aquila. It is often referred to by its Mount Wilson Observatory catalog number as MWC 314. It is a hot luminous star with strong emission lines in its spectrum.
AS 314, also known as V452 Scuti, is a protoplanetary nebula once believed to be a white hypergiant star or luminous blue variable located in the constellation of Scutum. It has an apparent magnitude of 9.85 and can be seen with small telescopes.
HDE 316285 is a blue supergiant star in the constellation Sagittarius. It is a candidate luminous blue variable and lies about 6,000 light years away in the direction of the Galactic Center.
NGC 4424 is a spiral galaxy located in the equatorial constellation of Virgo. It was discovered February 27, 1865 by German astronomer Heinrich Louis d'Arrest. This galaxy is located at a distance of 13.5 million light years and is receding with a heliocentric radial velocity of 442 km/s. It has a morphological class of SB(s)a, which normally indicates a spiral galaxy with a barred structure (SB), no inner ring feature (s), and tightly-wound spiral arms (a). The galactic plane is inclined at an angle of 62° to the line of sight from the Earth. It is a likely member of the Virgo Cluster of galaxies.
NGC 5917 is a spiral galaxy located in the constellation of Libra. It was discovered by English astronomer John Herschel on 16 July 1835. This galaxy is located at a distance of 90.4 ± 6.2 million light-years (27.73 ± 1.90 Mpc) from the Milky Way, and is receding with a heliocentric radial velocity of 1,934.1 km/s. It is interacting with the neighboring galaxy, PGC 54817, at an angular separation of 4.2′. Tidal tails extend from PGC 54817 to the halo of NGC 5917.
NGC 1325 is a flocculent spiral galaxy situated in the constellation of Eridanus. Located about 75 million light years away, it is a member of the Eridanus cluster of galaxies, a cluster of about 200 galaxies. It was discovered by William Herschel on 19 December 1799.
V1936 Aquilae is a blue supergiant and candidate Luminous blue variable located in the nebula Westerhout 51, in the constellation Aquila, about 20,000 light years away. The star was originally identified as a massive star in 2000, and was thought to be an O-type supergiant. However, subsequent analyses have shown it to be not O but B-type, as well as being possibly an LBV.
V4332 Sagittarii is a nova-like event in the constellation of Sagittarius. It was discovered February 24, 1994 at an apparent visual magnitude of 8.9 by Japanese amateur astronomer Minoru Yamamoto from Okazaki, Aichi, then confirmed by K. Hirosawa. Initially designated Nova Sagittarii 1994 #1, it was given the variable star designation V4332 Sgr. A spectra of the event taken March 4 lacked the characteristic features of a classical nova, with the only emission lines being of the Balmer series. Subsequent spectra showed a rapid decline in luminosity and a change of spectral type over a period of five days. By 2003, the object was ~1500 times less luminous than at peak magnitude and showed a spectrum of an M-type star.