The Spectral Evolution of the LMC S Dor Variable R127 During Outburst

Abstract

The LMC star R127 was classified as O Iafpe extr. by Walborn (1977). Later, Walborn (1982) noted the spectral similarity to late WN stars and classified R127 as Ofpe/WN9 star. Stahl et al. (1983) discovered an S Dor outburst of R127. It has now been monitored photometrically almost continuously for more than four years. In addition, several high-dispersion and high signal-to-noise spectra were taken with the ESO CASPEC and CES spectrographs. In 1986 R127 became the visually brightest star of the LMC until it was surpassed by SN1987A in Feb. 1987.