Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy
Scientific paper
Nov 2000
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2000pasp..112.1413c&link_type=abstract
The Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, Volume 112, Issue 777, pp. 1413-1416.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astronomy
9
Millennium Essays, Stars: Wolf-Rayet
Scientific paper
Wolf-Rayet (W-R) stars have strong broad emission lines of highly excited ions present in their optical spectra. These features have been found in massive, young but highly evolved, hot luminous stars and in the integrated spectra of some starburst galaxies. The stellar emission lines have their origin in robust winds with sufficient density that unit optical depth is formed in the outflowing material. The W-R galaxy spectra arise from the superposition of the emission-line spectra of many W-R stars, seen in contrast to the starburst continuum. This occurs when sufficient numbers of W-R stars are present, at a relatively early time in the history of the starburst. I will provide a brief overview of the history of W-R stars, a glance at our current understanding of their nature and evolution, and a glimpse of their promise for providing information about starbursts near and far. This Essay is one of a series of invited contributions which will appear in the PASP throughout the years 2000 and 2001 to mark the millennium. (Eds.)
No associations
LandOfFree
Wolf-Rayet Stars and Galaxies does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Wolf-Rayet Stars and Galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wolf-Rayet Stars and Galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1115453