Rubenid

Rubenid refers to a proposed but unconfirmed family of stars. This hypothetical grouping would consist of luminous blue variables (LBVs) and related Wolf-Rayet stars that are believed to share a common origin. The term was coined by astronomer Roberta M. Humphreys, who suggested that these massive, unstable stars might have evolved from a common progenitor population and, in some cases, might be remnants of the same star-forming event or region.

The concept of the Rubenid family is rooted in observations of the distribution and spectral properties of these exceptionally hot and luminous stars. LBVs are known for their dramatic and unpredictable eruptions, where they shed large amounts of mass, while Wolf-Rayet stars represent a later stage of evolution for massive stars, characterized by strong stellar winds that strip away their outer hydrogen envelopes. Humphreys proposed that some LBVs might transition into Wolf-Rayet stars or that both types of stars could be the result of the rapid evolution of extremely massive stars.

While the idea of a Rubenid family is intriguing and provides a framework for understanding the evolutionary paths of the most massive stars, it remains a theoretical concept. Direct observational evidence definitively linking specific LBVs and Wolf-Rayet stars as members of a single, coherent family originating from a shared birth environment is still being sought. Further research, including detailed kinematic studies and more precise age estimations for these stars, is needed to confirm or refute the existence and definition of the Rubenid family. The term honors the contributions of astronomer J.B. Hutchings, whose work has been significant in the study of Wolf-Rayet stars.