7/18/2019 Wolf Rayet Stars

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Wolf-Rayet Stars

• Evolved, massive eruptive variable stars that lose mass

rapidly (usually 10−5  solar masses a year) by means of a

strong stellar wind with speeds up to 2000 m!s

• E"tremely hot (surfa#e temperatures range from $0,000-

200,000 %) and highly luminous, with spe#tros#opi# output

mostly in ultraviolet and soft &-ray range

• 'irst dis#overed by harles Wolf and eorges Rayet in

*+ at .aris /bservatory

•  ormal stage in evolution of very massive stars, with

strong, broad emission lines of helium 1 nitrogen or helium

1 #arbon 1 o"ygen

• ery rare, about 300 #atalogued in 4ily Way

  2$35

WR *26