Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2002-10-04
Astrophys.J.580:L35-L38,2002
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Accepted by ApJL; only minor correction in this version
Scientific paper
10.1086/345405
IC10 is the nearest starburst galaxy, as revealed both by its Halpha surface brightness and the large number of Wolf-Rayet stars (WRs) per unit area. The relative number of known WC- to WN-type WRs has been thought to be unusually high (~2), unexpected for IC10's metallicity. In this Letter we report the first results of a new and deeper survey for WRs in IC10. We sucessfully detected all of the spectroscopically known WRs, and based upon comparisons with a neighboring control field, estimate that the total number of WRs in IC10 is about 100. We present spectroscopic confirmation of two of our WR candidates, both of which are of WN type. Our photometric survey predicts that the actual WC/WN ratio is ~0.3. This makes the WC/WN ratio of IC 10 consistent with that expected for its metallicity, but greatly increases the already unusually high number of WRs, resulting in a surface density that is about 20 times higher than in the LMC. If the majority of these candidates are spectroscopically confirmed, IC10 must have an exceptional population of high mass stars.
Holmes Shadrian
Massey Philip
No associations
LandOfFree
Wolf-Rayets in IC10: Probing the Nearest Starburst 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 Wolf-Rayets in IC10: Probing the Nearest Starburst, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wolf-Rayets in IC10: Probing the Nearest Starburst will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-238078