FUSE Observations of the Wolf-Rayet Star WR136 and its Circumstellar Environment

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

The Wolf-Rayet star WR 136, classified as a WN6, is the central star powering the ring nebula NGC 6888. The material in the nebula was shed by the central star during its preceeding post-main sequence phase, presumably a red supergiant (RSG). Evolutionary models of massive stars suggest an initial mass for the progenitor star of ˜ 30 M&sun; ; models for the WR star suggest a mass of 10 M&sun; . Of the 20 M&sun; shed, however, only one-quarter can be accounted for in the nebular shell. It has been suggested previously that this material is present as a rarified shell outside the visible nebula, with all of the material ionized by the considerable UV flux from the central star. Here we present FUSE observations of WR 136 (HD 192163). In addition to the expected stellar and wind features of the WR star (e.g., P Cygni profiles) there are narrow absorption lines from intervening material. We identify and separate the various components, focussing on those lines we associate with the proposed rarified circumstellar matter. Particular attention is paid to the C iii λ 977 line; in conjunction with a grid of photoionization models, we can infer a range of C/H for the rarified material, and by extension the ring nebula.
This research was supported in part by NASA grant NAG5-12266 to Rice University.

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

FUSE Observations of the Wolf-Rayet Star WR136 and its Circumstellar Environment 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 FUSE Observations of the Wolf-Rayet Star WR136 and its Circumstellar Environment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and FUSE Observations of the Wolf-Rayet Star WR136 and its Circumstellar Environment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1368055

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