Program: GS-2016B-Q-12

We propose PHOENIX long slit spectroscopic observation of circumstellar shell around Galactic luminous blue variable (LBV) AG Car. Study of LBVs have a potential to probe the mass loss history of massive evolved stars. Recent mid-IR and far-IR observations (using Spitzer, Akari and WISE) have revealed various IR nebulae around evolved massive stars, where the emission is dominated by thermal continuum from dust. Velocity-resolved NIR long slit spectroscopy will enable us to study atomic components where they can probe elemental abundances and gas kinematics. The high spectral resolution of R=50,000 in NIR is essential to resolve the velocity structure of the shell and to better constrain its mass loss history. We request total of 2 hours to map the radial and azimuthal variation of lines profiles of three different atomic lines - H, He and Fe.