Spectroscopy of AT 2016blu’s recurring supernova impostor outbursts

ABSTRACT We present spectra of the supernova (SN) impostor AT 2016blu spanning over a decade. This transient exhibits quasi-periodic outbursts with an $\sim$113 d period, likely triggered by periastron encounters in an eccentric binary system where the primary star is a luminous blue variable (LBV). The overall spectrum remains fairly consistent during quiescence and eruptions, with subtle changes in line-profile shapes and other details. Some narrow emission features indicate contamination from a nearby H ii region in the host galaxy, NGC 4559. Broader H $\alpha$ profiles exhibit Lorentzian shapes with full width at half-maximum intensity (FWHM) values that vary significantly, showing no correlation with photometric outbursts or the 113 d phase. At some epochs, H $\alpha$ exhibits asymmetric profiles with a stronger redshifted wing, while broad and sometimes multicomponent P Cygni absorption features occasionally appear, but are again uncorrelated with brightness or phase. These P Cygni absorptions have high velocities compared to the FWHM of the H $\alpha$ emission line, perhaps suggesting that the absorption component is not in the LBV’s wind, but is instead associated with a companion. The lack of phase dependence in line-profile changes may point to interaction between a companion and a variable or inhomogeneous primary wind, in an orbit with only mild eccentricity. Recent photometric data indicate that AT 2016blu experienced its 21st outburst around 2023 May/June, as predicted based on its period. This type of quasi-periodic LBV remains poorly understood, but its spectra and erratic light curve resemble some pre-SN outbursts such as those of SN 2009ip.