Physics
Scientific paper
Sep 2004
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2004sptz.prop.3594c&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #3594
Physics
Scientific paper
We propose obtaining IRS spectra of a selection of 8 single Wolf Rayet stars, of both WC and WN subclasses. By observing spectral lines over the broad range from 10 to 40 microns we will be able to study the density concentrations or "clumpiness'' of the winds of WR stars over a geometrically extended region. This is because IR-radiation of increasing wavelength, comes from increasingly higher layers in the wind. Knowing about the clumpiness is crucial for three reasons: 1. the mass loss rates of WR stars derived from observed spectra depends on the adopted clumping and the clumping seems to decrease with distance 2. clumpiness increases the possibility of photons to escape and so it influences the applicability of the current WR wind models that depend on multiscattering of the radiation field. 3. It has been discovered recently that the IR flux distributions (i.e. the spectral slope) of WR-stars depend in a systematic way on the spectral subclass from WC 4 to 7 and WN 4 to 7. The IRS spectra will provide an explanation of this. This will provide a basis for interpreting the IRAC colors of the hundreds of WR stars that are expected to be discovered in the GLIMPSE legacy survey of the Galactic plane.
Cassinelli Joseph
Churchwell Edward
Ignace Richard
Lamers Henny
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