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1991•Symposium - International Astronomical UnionOpen access

Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds

Lindsey F. Smith

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Abstract

The most striking feature of the Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds is their subtype distribution. The range of WC subtypes found in the Large and Small Cloud agrees with evolutionary model predictions at the corresponding metallicities. It follows that the WR subtype distribution in any external galaxy is a clear indicator of the metallicity in that galaxy. The fluxes in the emission lines of WC stars appear to be consistent within the LMC. This can be used (with some precautions) in the Milky Way and other galaxies to determine reddening, distance and the numbers of WR stars in compact regions.

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The most striking feature of the Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds is their subtype distribution. The range of WC subtypes found in the Large and Small Cloud agrees with evolutionary model predictions at the corresponding metallicities. It follows that the WR subtype distribution in any external galaxy is a clear indicator of the metallicity in that galaxy. The fluxes in the emission lines of WC stars appear to be consistent within the LMC. This can be used (with some precautions) in the Milky Way and other galaxies to determine reddening, distance and the numbers of WR stars in compact regions.

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Available abstract

The most striking feature of the Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds is their subtype distribution. The range of WC subtypes found in the Large and Small Cloud agrees with evolutionary model predictions at the corresponding metallicities. It follows that the WR subtype distribution in any external galaxy is a clear indicator of the metallicity in that galaxy. The fluxes in the emission lines of WC stars appear to be consistent within the LMC. This can be used (with some precautions) in the Milky Way and other galaxies to determine reddening, distance and the numbers of WR stars in compact regions.

Key concepts: Wolf–Rayet star, Physics, Milky Way, Large Magellanic Cloud, Metallicity, Astrophysics, Stars, Galaxy

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