摘要：Aims. We explore the wealth of high-quality photometric data provided by data release 2 (DR2) of theGaiamission for long-period variables (LPVs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). Our goal is to identify stars of various types and masses along the asymptotic giant branch.Methods. For this endeavour, we developed a new multi-band approach combining Wesenheit functionsWRP,BP−RPandWKs,J−Ksin theGaiaBP, RP, and 2MASSJ, Ksspectral ranges, respectively, and use a new diagram, (WRP,BP−RP−WKs,J−Ks) versusKs, to distinguish between different kinds of stars in our sample of LPVs. We used stellar population synthesis models to validate our approach.Results. We demonstrate the ability of the new diagram to discriminate between O- and C-rich objects, and to identify low-mass, intermediate-mass, and massive O-rich red giants, as well as extreme C-rich stars. Stellar evolution and population synthesis models guide the interpretation of the results, highlighting the diagnostic power of the new tool to discriminate between stellar initial masses, chemical properties, and evolutionary stages.
关键词：enstars: AGB and post-AGBstars: evolutionstars: variables: generalMagellanic Clouds
