LBV Eruptions Triggered and Powered by Binary Interaction

TL;DR

This paper proposes that major LBV eruptions are triggered by binary interactions during periastron passages, where mass transfer from the primary to the secondary powers the eruption and can produce transient events resembling supernova impostors.

Contribution

It introduces a model linking LBV eruptions to binary interactions and mass transfer, explaining the energy source and triggering mechanism for these eruptions.

Findings

Major LBV eruptions are triggered by binary periastron interactions.

Mass transfer during these interactions powers the eruptions.

Extreme cases can produce bright transients similar to supernova impostors.

Abstract

We suggest that major Luminous Blue Variable (LBV) eruptions are a result of a periastron passage interaction with the secondary star. The interaction must take place when the primary envelope is in an unstable phase. In our model the mass transferred to the secondary accounts for the energy and light curve of the eruption. We propose that all major LBV eruptions are triggered by stellar companions, and that in extreme cases a short duration event with a huge mass transfer rate can lead to a bright transient event on time scales of weeks to months (a `supernova impostor')