1998A&AS..131..469M

The results of high-resolution optical spectroscopy obtained for a recently suggested LBV candidate, MWC 314, are presented. Photospheric lines mostly of N II and S II have been found for the first time with a resolution of 0.4-0.8Å. They imply a N/O overabundance previously reported for AG and HR Car since no O ii absorptions were detected. Nearly 400 emission lines have been identified in the spectrum between 4190 and 8864Å many of which appear double-peaked. No significant P Cyg-type absorption components have been found for the optically thick Balmer lines. This suggests that the stellar wind of MWC 314 is non-spherical and the circumstellar envelope is viewed not edge-on. The systemic velocity measured using the emission lines of ionized metals turned out to be +55km/s, which corresponds to a distance towards the object of 3.0±0.2kpc, according to the galactic rotation curve. Our analysis of the characteristics of both photospheric and wind lines resulted in an estimate of the object's T_effof nearly 25000K, which, however, needs further improvement. The other stellar parameters were found to be as follows: log L_bol/L☉=6.1±0.3, R_*=60⁺³⁰_–10R☉. Our study confirms that MWC 314 is one of the most luminous stars in the Milky Way.