Wolf-Rayet Stars. I. The Continuous Energy Distribution

The continuous energy distribution of VoIf-Rayet stars has been determined by narrow-hand photoelectric measures from X 3200 to 11000 and found to be peculiar in that the color temperature decreases with increasing wavelength and becomes considerably lower in the visual and red than that of normal 0 and B stars. The lack of a Balmer discontinuity and the fitting of model atmospheres in the blue suggest a > 50000 K. Such fittings, however, leave a slight excess of observed radiation in the ultraviolet and a large excess in the near infrared. There is also some indication that the VC stars are slightly cooler than the WN's.