We present new photometric and spectroscopic observations of an unusual luminous blue variable (LBV) in NGC 3432, covering three major outbursts in 2008 October, 2009 April and 2009 November. Previously, this star experienced an outburst also in 2000 (known as SN 2000ch). During outbursts the star reached an absolute magnitude between −12.1 and −12.8. Its spectrum showed H, He i and Fe ii lines with P‐Cygni profiles during and soon after the eruptive phases, while only intermediate‐width lines in pure emission (including He iiλ4686) were visible during quiescence. The fast‐evolving light curve soon after the outbursts, the quasi‐modulated light curve, the peak magnitude and the overall spectral properties are consistent with multiple episodes of variability of an extremely active LBV. However, the widths of the spectral lines indicate unusually high wind velocities (1500–2800 km s−1), similar to those observed in Wolf–Rayet stars. Although modulated light curves are typical of LBVs during the S‐Dor variability phase, the luminous maxima and the high frequency of outbursts are unexpected in S‐Dor variables. Such extreme variability may be associated with repeated ejection episodes during a giant eruption of an LBV. Alternatively, it may be indicative of a high level of instability shortly preceding the core‐collapse or due to interaction with a massive, binary companion. In this context, the variable in NGC 3432 shares some similarities with the famous stellar system HD 5980 in the Small Magellanic Cloud, which includes an erupting LBV and an early Wolf–Rayet star.

We report the results of the photometric and spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the transient SN 2007sv. The observables are similar to those of type IIn supernovae, a well-known class of objects whose ejecta interact with pre-existing circum-stellar material. The spectra show a blue continuum at early phases and prominent Balmer lines in emission, however, the absolute magnitude at the discovery of SN 2007sv (M R = −14.25 ± 0.38) indicate it to be most likely a supernova impostor. This classification is also supported by the lack of evidence in the spectra of very high velocity material as expected in supernova ejecta. In addition we find no unequivocal evidence of broad lines of α-and/or Fe-peak elements. The comparison with the absolute light curves of other interacting objects (including type IIn supernovae) highlights the overall similarity with the prototypical impostor SN 1997bs. This supports our claim that SN 2007sv was not a genuine supernova, and was instead a supernova impostor, most likely similar to the major eruption of a luminous blue variable.

We report the discovery and analysis of a massive, compact, hierarchical triple system (TIC 470710327) initially identified by citizen scientists in data obtained by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Spectroscopic follow-up observations obtained with the hermes spectrograph, combined with eclipse-timing variations (ETVs), confirm that the system is comprised of three OB stars, with a compact 1.10 d eclipsing binary and a non-eclipsing tertiary on a 52.04 d orbit. Dynamical modelling of the system (from radial velocity and ETVs) reveal a rare configuration wherein the tertiary star (O9.5-B0.5V; 14–17 M⊙) is more massive than the combined mass of the inner binary (10.9–13.2 M⊙). Given the high mass of the tertiary, we predict that this system will undergo multiple phases of mass transfer in the future, and likely end up as a double neutron star gravitational wave progenitor or an exotic Thorne–Żytkow object. Further observational characterization of this system promises constraints on both formation scenarios of massive stars as well as their exotic evolutionary end-products.

The rapidly oscillating Ap (roAp) stars exhibit pulsational photometric and/or radial velocity variations on time scales of several minutes, which are essential to test current pulsation models as well as our assumptions of atmospheric structure characteristics. In addition, their chemical peculiarity makes them very interesting for probing stellar formation and evolution in the presence of a global magnetic field. To date, a limited number of only 61 roAp stars are known to show photometric variability. On the other hand, a literature survey yields 619 unique stars that have unsuccessfully been searched for variability of this kind. Strömgren-Crawford uvbybeta photometry of stars from both subgroups were used to investigate whether there is a selection bias of the investigated stars. We also present new photometric measurements (202 hours in 59 different nights) of 55 roAp candidates. We did not detect any new roAp star. Although our detection limits are comparable to other surveys, we also did not find pulsations in the known roAp star HD 12098, which may be a consequence of temporal amplitude changes. On the other hand, we do find some evidence for photometric variability of beta CrB at its spectroscopically derived pulsation period. From the uvbybeta photometry we conclude that the blue border of the roAp instability strip appears observationally well defined, whereas the red border is rather poorly known and studied. Within these boundaries, a total of 4646 candidates were identified which appear worthwhile to be investigated for short-term pulsational variability.

Context. Open clusters are often used as tracers for the formation and evolution of the Milky Way. But they can also be used to study distinct "local stellar populations" and all kind of stellar groups. All these studies crucially depend on their unambiguous detection and classification separating them from the fore-and background field population. Aims. Still more than one third of the catalogued galactic open clusters are unstudied to date. We have chosen three northern open cluster fields, namely NGC 3231, NGC 7055, and NGC 7127 which have been never studied before to shed more light on their true nature.Methods. We present Johnson-Cousins BVRI photometry down to V ≈ 19 mag. After the transformation to the standard systems, colour-magnitude diagrams were generated. These diagrams were used to fit solar abundant isochrones to determine the distance modulus, reddening and apparent age of the main sequences. Results. As reported before, a significant plate-dependent distortion of the UCAC3 compared to the PPMXL within all three star fields was found. No correlation of this distortion with the apparent magnitude of the objects was detected. From the analysis of the colour-magnitude diagrams and the available proper motions we conclude that NGC 7055 and NGC 7127 are young, real, open clusters with ages of about 10 and 100 Myr, respectively. They are located in a distance of about 3300 as well as 5700 pc from the Sun. NGC 3231, on the other hand, is probably a high galactic latitude open cluster remnant.