2000A&A...357..938W

WRA 751 is an evolved massive star in our Galaxy closely resembling Luminous Blue Variable stars (LBVs). It is surrounded by a nitrogen enriched nebula of about 23" diameter. A comparative study of the nebula's morphology and kinematics is presented, it supports-together with spectroscopical evidence-the classification of WRA 751 as a LBV. Images show that the nebula consists of a nearly spherical shell as well as a bipolar-like structure north and south of its main body, the Northern and Southern Caps. In contrast to the almost spherical appearance of the main body of the nebula, the kinematics shows a deviation even of this part from a classical spherical expansion pattern. From the present data it can be concluded that the main body expands asymmetrically (central expansion velocity ∼26km/s), with a thicker shell at the back side. A bump-like structure can be found to the west of the central star. In addition to the main body, bipolar kinematic components can be identified with the morphologically classified Caps. These results put WRA 751 into the class of LBVs which are surrounded by a nebula with bipolar components, albeit considerably less pronounced than, for instance, in the classical bipolar LBVs η Car and HR Car.