Probing the Evolution of Massive Stars: Ejecta Ring Nebulae Abundances and Dynamics

Details Probing the Evolution of Massive Stars: Ejecta Ring Nebulae Abundances and Dynamics Probing the Evolution of Massive Stars: Ejecta Ring Nebulae Abundances and Dynamics

Jul 1999

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999hst..prop.8318s&link_type=abstract

HST Proposal ID #8318

Computer Science

Hst Proposal Id #8318 Hot Stars

Scientific paper

We propose to obtain STIS spectra of the nebulae surrounding two evolved massive stars in the Magellanic Clouds. These stars represent a short but key transition phase in the evolution of an O to a Wolf-Rayet {WR} star. This phase is characterized by a sudden increase of the mass loss and the appearance of processed material at the stellar surface. The remnants of this brief period are seen as small circumstellar shells. Since the nebulae, in effect, represent the stellar surface layers during the transition phase, the stellar evolutionary history can be probed by using STIS spectra to measure the N and O abundances together with the dynamics. HST is required because the nebular radii are typically 2-4 arcsec and thus stellar contamination precludes an accurate ground-based analysis. Our previous HST/FOS observations show that one such nebula is not composed of heavily-processed wind material but material that may have originated in a RSG envelope. Since our findings direct ly challenge our understanding of the evolution of massive stars and their enrichment of the interstellar medium through extensive mass loss, we propose to undertake a systematic abundance study of nebulae around evolved massive stars. This study will allow us to understand at which evolutionary stage the major mass loss occurs in the transition from an O to a WR star, and provide new insights into the LBV mass loss mechanism.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Probing the Evolution of Massive Stars: Ejecta Ring Nebulae Abundances and Dynamics 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 Probing the Evolution of Massive Stars: Ejecta Ring Nebulae Abundances and Dynamics, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Probing the Evolution of Massive Stars: Ejecta Ring Nebulae Abundances and Dynamics will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-993211