Optical spectrum of the IR-source IRC+10420 in 1992-1996

To understand the evolutionary stage of the peculiar supergiant IRC+10420, we have been taking spectra for several years at the 6m telescope. The optical spectrum of IRC+10420 of the years from 1992 through 1996 points to the increase in the temperature: spectral class A5 instead of the former F8, as was pointed out by Humpreys et al., (1973). Now it resembles the spectra of late-type B[e] stars. The spectrum contains absorptions (mainly of ions) formed in the photosphere, apparently stationary with respect to the star center of mass, and emissions too, which can be formed in the fossil expanding envelope as well as partly in its compressing region. Using our spectra and spectral data obtained by Oudmaijer (1995) we estimated the atmospheric parameters Teff=8500 K, logg=1.0, Vt=12km/s and concluded that metallicity of IRC+10420 is solar: the average value [(V,Cr,Fe)/H]=-0.03. Combination of results allows us to consider IRC+10420 as a massive supergiant evolving to the WR-stage.Comment: 14 pages, Latex, 4 ps figures, uses supertab.sty. Accepted for publication in the MNRA