Winds of Wolf-Rayet stars: phenomenology of mass loss

Computer Science

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Population I Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars are the evolved descendants of massive (M ≥ 25 M&sun;) O-type stars. The dense, fast radiatively-driven WR winds efficiently hide all vital information about basic characteristics of the stellar cores. Observing binary systems with WR components, we put firm limits on the sizes and luminosities of WR stars. In attempt to understand dynamics of the outflows, we study the micro-structure of WR winds, finding that they are composed from numerous dense clumps. The growing evidence that WR stars may be linked (collapsars) to the long Gamma Ray Bursters raises a question about rotation rates of WR stars. First results based on the observations of globally-structured winds of some WR stars show that they may be considered as moderately fast rotators. There is one more fascinating feature of the WR mass loss: some carbon-reach WR stars may form dust, thus placing them among the first prodigious dust-producers in the early Universe. Though we are yet to find how dust is formed in the extremely hostile environment of WR winds, we have made substantial progress over the past decade. Recent high spatial resolution near/mid-infrared imaging at the HST, Keck and Gemini, combined with abundant optical/UV spectroscopy and photometry, allows to map rapidly changing environments of the dust-forming regions and derive some basic properties of the freshly formed dust.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Winds of Wolf-Rayet stars: phenomenology of mass loss 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 Winds of Wolf-Rayet stars: phenomenology of mass loss, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Winds of Wolf-Rayet stars: phenomenology of mass loss will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1400168

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.