Constraints on Massive Star Evolution from Carbon and Oxygen Abundances in LMC WC Stars

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Hst Proposal Id #5723 Hot Stars Massive Stars

Scientific paper

High signal-to-noise UV FOS spectra of a sample of WC-type Wolf-Rayet stars in the LMC will be obtained to determine C/He and O/C abundance ratios. These abundance ratios will provide urgently required constraints on the He-burning stage of the evolution of massive stars. The surface C/He and O/C abundance ratios in WC stars are influenced by mass loss, convection and overshooting, and the (uncertain) 12C(ALPHA,GAMMA)16O reaction rate. The spectra will be analyzed using sophisticated non-LTE radiative transfer codes which allow for spherical extension and stellar winds, and which incorporate the latest atomic data. Our quantitative analysis will also allow a determination of fundamental stellar parameters (eg Rstar, Teff), abundances of species such as Fe and Si, and accurate mass loss rates. These, and the C and O abundance determinations, will allow much tighter constraints to be placed on the evolution of massive stars. Starburst galaxies are currently an active area of research. Massive stars, including W-R stars, are seen to be playing a key role in the dynamics and evolution of these systems. It is imperative that we understand the evolution and properties of massive stars in the galaxy and LMC (where they are amenable to detailed spectroscopic studies) if we are to make reliable inferences concerning star formation rates, nucleosynthesis yields, and initial mass functions etc in starburst systems.

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