Superthermic Phenomena in Stellar Atmospheres.IV. The Wolf-Rayet Atmosphere.
Abstract
The structure of the Woif-Rayet atmosphere is considered from the standpoint of stratification and support. Itis concluded that the neglectof deviations from the Boltzmann-Saha relations in earlieranalysis obscured an ambiguity in the interpretation of the observations and that a homogeneous atmosphere with Te> Tr is as acceptable as a stratified atmosphere with Te increasing downward. Analysis of the density gradient in V 444 Cygni leads to the conclusion that nonisotropic macroscopic motions of velocity equal to that inferred from the emission-band width suffice for support of the atmosphere. Comparison of the (ionization, band-width) correlation with the velocities required for support suggests that the ionization increases outward in at least the lower atmosphere
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 1949
- DOI:
- 10.1086/145154
- Bibcode:
- 1949ApJ...109..500T