PV Telescopii variable

A light curve for PV Telescopii, adapted from Jeffery et al. (2020)[1]

PV Telescopii variable is a type of variable star that is established in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars with the acronym PVTEL. This class of variables are defined as "helium supergiant Bp stars with weak hydrogen lines and enhanced lines of He and C".[2] That is, the hydrogen spectral lines of these stars are weaker than normal for a star of stellar class B, while the lines of helium and carbon are stronger. They are a type of extreme helium star.

The prototype for this category of variable is PV Telescopii, which undergoes small but complex luminosity variations and radial velocity fluctuations.[3] The PV Tel stars are extremely hydrogen-deficient compared to other B-class stars and vary in luminosity on time scales ranging from a few hours to several years.[4] As of 2008, there are twelve confirmed PV Tel variables in the General Catalogue of Variable Stars.[2]

PV Telescopii variables are subdivided into three distinct types on the basis of spectral type: type I represents late B and A stars, type II represents O and early B, and type III represents F and G stars. The type III stars are always carbon-rich and hydrogen-deficient, while the type I and II stars do not necessarily have an excess of carbon. The hotter types pulsate more quickly than the cooler types.[5]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference TESS was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ a b Jeffery, C. Simon (March 2008). "Variable Star Designations for Extreme Helium Stars". Information Bulletin on Variable Stars. 5817 (1). Bibcode:2008IBVS.5817....1J.
  3. ^ Walker, H. J.; Hill, P. W. (August 1985). "Radial velocities for the hydrogen-deficient star HD 168476, several helium-strong and helium-weak stars". Astronomy and Astrophysics Supplement Series. 61: 303–311. Bibcode:1985A&AS...61..303W.
  4. ^ Jeffery, C. S.; Heber, U. (July 1992). "The extreme helium star BD-9 deg 4395". Astronomy and Astrophysics. 260 (1–2): 133–150. Bibcode:1992A&A...260..133J.
  5. ^ Otero, S. A.; Watson, C.; Wils, P. "Variable Star Type Designations in the VSX". AAVSO Website. American Association of Variable Star Observers. Retrieved 19 July 2014.