Open AccessV838 Mon: an L supergiant?
Author(s) -
Evans A.,
Geballe T. R.,
Rushton M. T.,
Smalley B.,
Van Loon J. Th.,
Eyres S. P. S.,
Tyne V. H.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2003.06755.x
Subject(s) - supergiant , physics , astrophysics , astronomy , stars , stellar classification , brown dwarf
We present a 0.8–2.5 μm spectrum of the peculiar variable V838 Mon, obtained on 2002 October 29. We see one of the coolest stars – certainly the coolest supergiant – ever observed, with deep water bands and other spectral signatures normally associated with very late L and T brown dwarfs. We suggest that V838 Mon may be the first known ‘L supergiant’.