The spectra of two early B-type supergiant stars in the Sculptor spiral galaxy NGC 300 are analysed by means of non-LTE line blanketed unified model atmospheres, aimed at determining their chemical composition and the fundamental stellar and wind parameters. For the first time a detailed chemical abundance pattern (He, C, N, O, Mg and Si) is obtained for a B-type supergiant beyond the Local Gro...

We present Hand K-band NIRSPEC spectroscopy of super star clusters (SSCs) in the irregular starburst galaxy NGC 1569, obtained at the Keck Observatory. We fit these photospheric spectra to NextGen model atmospheres to obtain effective spectral types of clusters, and find that the information in both Hand K-band spectra is necessary to remove degeneracy in the fits. The light of SSC B is unambig...

The non-spherically symmetric winds of B[e] supergiants are investigated. An empirical density distribution is chosen that accounts for the density concentrations and ratios derived from observations, and our model winds are assumed to contain only hydrogen and helium. We first calculate the approximate ionization radii for H and He and compare the results with the ionization fractions calculat...

We present multi-object spectroscopy of young, massive stars in the Local Group galaxy IC 1613. We provide the spectral classification and a detailed spectral catalog for 54 OBA stars in this galaxy. The majority of the photometrically selected sample is composed of Band A-type supergiants. The remaining stars include early O-type dwarfs and the only Wolf-Rayet star known in this galaxy. Among ...

The publication of new tables of calibration of some fundamental parameters of Galactic B0-B5 supergiants in the two classes Ia and Ib allows to particularize the eight parameters conjecture that model five fundamental parameters. The numerical expressions for visual magnitude, radius, mass, luminosity and surface gravity are derived for supergiants in the range of temperature between 29700 K a...

We present integrated-light (IL) spectra of eight young massive clusters (YMCs) in the metalrich spiral galaxy NGC 5236 (M83). The observations were taken with the X-Shooter spectrograph on the ESO Very Large Telescope. Through the use of theoretical isochrones and synthetic IL spectra, we derive metallicities and study the radial metallicity gradient observed through these young populations. F...

New numerical models of line-driven stellar winds of late O stars are presented. Statistical equilibrium (NLTE) equations of the most abundant elements are solved. Properly obtained occupation numbers are used to calculate consistent radiative force and radiative heating terms. Wind density, velocity and temperature are calculated as a solution of model hydrodynamical equations. Contrary to oth...

Multi-colour photometry of four variable supergiants in the LMC and SMC, viz. R 85, R 110, R 42 and R 45, is searched for periods, studied and discussed. The suspected LBV R 85 is undoubtedly an active LBV, though not as spectacular as R 110. Their microvariations superimposed on the S Dor-activity are analyzed as well as those exhibited by R 42 and R 45. Often, a period search is difficult bec...

Red supergiants with their enormous brightness at J-band are ideal probes of cosmic chemical composition. It is therefore crucial to have realistic models of radiative transfer in their atmospheres, which will permit determination of abundances accurate to 0.15 dex, the precision attainable with future telescope facilities in galaxies as distant as tens of Mpc. Here, we study the effects of non...