G79.29+0.46

G79.29+0.46 is a luminous blue variable star candidate located in the Cygnus X star formation region. In the infrared and at radio wavelengths a prominent circular nebula can be seen. This nebula was formed by past mass-loss episodes of the LBV candidate.

G79.29+0.46 was first reported as a suspected LBV by Higgs, Wendker & Landecker in 1993 with the DRAO Synthesis Telescope, which identified a nebula around a star that was a wind-blown shell. As an LBV candidate, it has a spectrum with many emission lines, H-alpha being the strongest. The spectrum is similar to other LBVs and Be supergiants. The strength of the H-alpha line suggest very dense winds around this star. The star is currently losing mass at a rate of $39.02$/year and it is surrounded by a dusty envelope with a temperature of 40 to $2.51$. The star is considered only a candidate LBV because it has not shown variability in the optical or near-infrared over 20 years. It has been suggested that it is a LBV in the quiescent stage.

From radio and infrared images a detached shell can be seen that shows evidence of two mass-loss episodes. This shell has a mass of and a radius of 0.66 parsecs, and it contains carbon monoxide and ammonia.