Luminous Blue Variables

Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) are massive, luminous stars known for their dramatic and unpredictable behavior. They are in a brief, unstable phase of stellar evolution, characterized by sudden brightness increases, significant mass loss through stellar winds, and eruptions that can resemble supernovae but don't destroy the star. These stars are extremely hot and bright, often hundreds of thousands of times more luminous than the Sun. LBVs play a key role in shaping their surrounding environment and are considered a transitional stage before the star eventually evolves into a supernova. Their variability provides important insights into the life cycles of the most massive stars.