The riddle of the Wolf-Rayet stars

Physics

Scientific paper

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Stellar Atmospheres, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Physics, Stellar Spectra, Wolf-Rayet Stars, Emission Spectra, Stellar Mass Ejection, Stellar Models, Stellar Temperature

Scientific paper

The history of Wolf-Rayet stars since their discovery is noted and a brief review is given of the major studies of these rare emission-line stars. One goal of the paper is to determine what the spectra of Wolf-Rayet stars imply concerning the physical state of the atmospheres of Wolf-Rayet stars. A second goal is to determine what the relationship is, if any, between a particular Wolf-Rayet subtype and the evolutionary state of a massive star. The characteristic features of Wolf-Rayet spectra are reviewed and the typical masses, radii, effective temperatures, and rates of mass loss of Population I Wolf-Rayet stars are noted. The use of modeling as a tool for determining the physical state of a Wolf-Rayet atmosphere is reviewed and evaluations are given of the analyses which have been published of Wolf-Rayet spectra. It is concluded that Wolf-Rayet stars appear to have effective temperatures in the range from 25,000K to 30,000K, normal (solar) composition, a density of the order of 1010cm-3 in the emission-line forming regions, and an electron temperature in the range from 50,000K to 105K in the case of WC stars, but greater than 105K in WN stars. The mantles of Wolf-Rayet stars are very extensive, at least 1014cm in radius.

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