Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Dec 1990
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990apj...365l..19s&link_type=abstract
Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 365, Dec. 10, 1990, p. L19-L22.
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
28
Stellar Atmospheres, Stellar Envelopes, Stellar Spectra, Wolf-Rayet Stars, Helium, Line Spectra, Polarimetry, Polarized Electromagnetic Radiation
Scientific paper
The discovery of linear polarization changes across the extended wings of He II lines, mainly the strong 4-3 transition at 4686 A, in the WN5 star EZ CMa, is reported. When the polarization across the line profiles is plotted in the Stokes parameters plane, it traces loops clockwise from the blue wing through line center to the red, rather than straight lines. Such polarization loops are reminiscent of what is observed in the Balmer lines of Be stars. The continuum polarization in EZ CMa can be understood by an axisymmetric, electron-scattering envelope, with the decrease in polarization in He II being caused by an increase in absorptive opacity in the lines and dilution by unpolarized line emission, while the variations in position angle are due to the Doppler-shifted absorptive opacity and/or scattered line photons. As the sense of rotation in the loops is also independent of phase of this alleged Wolf-Rayet + compact binary, the polarized line profiles are the signature of a rotating, expanding wind geometry around a single star.
Anderson Martha C.
Bjorkman Karen S.
Magalhaes Antonio Mario
Nook Mark A.
Nordsieck Kenneth H.
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