Luminous Infrared Sources in the Local Group: Identifying the Missing Links in Massive Star Evolution. Issue Volume 9:Issue S307(2014) (23rd January 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Britavskiy, N.; Bonanos, A. Z.; Mehner, A.
• Editors: Meynet, Georges; Georgy, Cyril; Groh, José; Stee, Philippe
• Is Part Of: Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union. Volume 9:Issue S307(2014)
• Page Start: 92
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2015-01-23
• Subjects: stars: emission-line, -- supergiants, -- galaxies: individual (Pegasus, Phoenix, Sextans A, WLM): local group; Astronomy -- Congresses; Astronomy -- Periodicals; 520
• DOI: 10.1017/S1743921314006346
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1743-9213

Abstract

Abstract: We present the first systematic survey of dusty massive stars (RSGs, LBVs, sgB[e]) in nearby galaxies, with the goal of understanding their importance in massive star evolution. Using the fact that these stars are bright in mid-infrared colors due to dust, we provide a technique for selecting and identifying dusty evolved stars based on the results of Bonanos et al. (2009, 2010 ), Britavskiy et al. (2014 ), and archival Spitzer /IRAC photometry. We present the results of our spectroscopic follow-up of luminous infrared sources in the Local Group dwarf irregular galaxies: Pegasus, Phoenix, Sextans A and WLM. The survey aims to complete the census of dusty massive stars in the Local Group.