PV Telescopii


PV Telescopii is a class B-type supergiant extreme helium star in the constellation Telescopium. It is also the prototype of variable stars called PV Telescopii variables.

Properties

PV Telescopii shows radial velocity changes thought to be due to radial pulsations caused by a strange mode instability It appears as a star of magnitude 9.3. Despite a mass thought to be less than the sun, it is actually around 25,000 more luminous. The spectrum shows a strong hydrogen deficiency and strongly enhanced helium and carbon lines.

PV Telescopii variable

PV Telescopii variables are helium supergiants which vary somewhat irregularly over about 0.1 magnitude on a time-scale of hours to days. PV Telescopii is an example with variations over a few days, 8–10 days being typically quoted. It may be a late thermal pulse post-AGB star or the result of a white dwarf merger.