A Spitzer Space Telescope infrared spectrograph spectral atlas of luminous 8 mu m sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud

Abstract

We present an atlas of Spitzer Space Telescope Infrared Spectrograph (IRS) spectra of highly luminous, compact, mid-IR sources in the Large Magellanic Cloud. Sources were selected on the basis of IR colors and 8 μm (Midcourse Space Experiment) fluxes indicative of highly evolved, intermediate-to-high-mass stars with current or recent mass loss at large rates. We determine the chemistry of the circumstellar envelope from the mid-IR continuum and spectral features and classify the spectral types of the stars. In the sample of 60 sources, we find 21 red supergiants (RSGs), 16 C-rich asymptotic giant branch (AGB) stars, 11 H II regions, 4 likely O-rich AGB stars, 4 Galactic O-rich AGB stars, 2 O..