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Issue A&A
Volume 372, Number 1, June II 2001
Page(s) L9 - L12
Section Letters
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361:20010539



A&A 372, L9-L12 (2001)
DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361:20010539

The shape of $\eta$ Carinae and LBV nebulae

A. Maeder and V. Desjacques

Geneva Observatory, 1290 Sauverny, Switzerland
    e-mail: Andre.Maeder@obs.unige.ch; Vincent.Desjacques@obs.unige.ch

(Received 19 December 2000 / Accepted 11 April 2001 )

Abstract
Stellar winds emitted by rotating massive stars may show two main components: firstly bipolar lobes with low density and fast wind, produced by the higher Teff and gravity at the poles (" geff-effect"); secondly, an equatorial disc with a slow dense wind, produced by the stronger opacities at the equator ("$\kappa$-effect"). To see the possible role of this anisotropic wind on the shape of LBV nebulae, we calculate the distribution of the ejected matter in 2 simplified cases: 1) A brief shell ejection. We find that prolate and peanut-shaped hollow nebulae naturally form due to the geff-effect in rotating stars. 2) A constant wind for a long time. This produces prolate filled nebulae, with a possible strong disc when a bi-stability limit is crossed in the equatorial region. Thus, many features of the $\eta$ Carinae and LBV nebulae are accounted for by the anisotropic ejection from rotating stars.


Key words: $\eta$ Carinae -- massive stars -- LBV stars -- mass loss

Offprint request: A. Maeder, Andre.Maeder@obs.unige.ch

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