The canonical Luminous Blue Variable AG Car and its neighbor Hen 3-519 are much closer than previously assumed

摘要: The strong mass loss of Luminous Blue Variables (LBVs) is thought to play a critical role in massive-star evolution, but their place the evolutionary sequence remains debated. A key understanding peculiar instability high observed luminosities, which often depends on uncertain distances. Here we report direct distances and space motions four canonical Milky Way LBVs---AG~Car, HR~Car, HD~168607, (candidate) Hen~3-519---from Gaia first data release. Whereas HR~Car HD~168607 are consistent with previous literature estimates within considerable uncertainties, Hen~3-519 AG~Car, both at $\sim$2~kpc, much closer than 6--8~kpc previously assumed. As result, moves far from locus LBVs HR Diagram, making it less luminous object. For considered defining example classical LBV, its lower luminosity would also move off S~Dor strip. Lower luminosities allow AG~Car have passed through red supergiant phase, for shell nebulae, imply that binary evolution needed account peculiarities. These results may impact our as potential supernova progenitors isolated environments. Improved will be provided second release, include additional LBVs. hint this new information alter traditional view