Spectral analysis of 30 Wolf-Rayet stars.
Abstract
The helium spectra of 30 Galactic WR stars are analyzed, and the luminosities, radii, temperatures, and mass-loss rates are determined. The analyses are based on model calculations which account for non-LTE radiation transfer in spherically expanding atmospheres. A three-dimensional grid of models is established for a wide range of stellar radii, temperatures, and mass-loss rates. The variety of resulting spectra is actually two-dimensional, as different combinations of stellar radius and mass-loss rates may yield very similar helium spectra at a given stellar temperature. Thus, the WR spectra can be described by a two-dimensional classification scheme. Individual mass-loss rates between 10 exp -3.9 and 10 exp -5.3 are found. The luminosities of WNE subtypes scatter between 10 exp 5 and 10 exp 5.5 solar luminosities while those for the late subtypes are higher. The WC stars are less luminous.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1989
- Bibcode:
- 1989A&A...210..236S
- Keywords:
-
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Stellar Spectra;
- Stellar Temperature;
- Wolf-Rayet Stars;
- Helium;
- Hydrogen;
- Radiative Transfer;
- Stellar Atmospheres;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Stellar Magnitude;
- Astrophysics