A morphological diagnostic for dynamical evolution of wolf-rayet bubbles
Jul, 2000Citations per year
Abstract: (arXiv)
We have observed H-alpha and [OIII] emission from eight of the most well defined Wolf-Rayet ring nebulae in the Galaxy. We find that in many cases the outermost edge of the [OIII] emission leads the H-alpha emission. We suggest that these offsets, when present, are due to the shock from the Wolf-Rayet bubble expanding into the circumstellar envelope. Thus, the details of the WR bubble morphology at H-alpha and [OIII] can then be used to better understand the physical condition and evolutionary stage of the nebulae around Wolf-Rayet stars, as well as place constraints on the nature of the stellar progenitor and its mass loss history.Note:
- 11 pages, LaTex, 8 figures, accepted for publication in AJ, November 2000
References(22)
Figures(0)