Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

The 'WN + WC' Wolf-Rayet stars MR 111 and GP Cep - spectrum binaries or missing links

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/167854· OSTI ID:5357306
;  [1]
  1. Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tucson, AZ (USA)
MR 111 and GP Cep are two Wolf-Rayet stars classified as 'WN + WC', showing emission features of both the nitrogen and carbon sequences. They are also both known spectroscopic binaries, providing an excellent opportunity to determine whether the WN and WC features arise in two stars or in a single 'transition' object whose composition is intermediate between that of WN and WC stars. A radial velocity study of the C IV 5806A and N IV 7107A lines shows that these two lines vary in phase, and that therefore both sets of emission lines are produced in a single object in each of these two systems. In addition, an orbit solution is given for MR 111. If the mass of the W-R star is like that known in other binary systems, then the mass of the as-yet undetected companion is at least 15 solar masses, consistent with that of other W-R binaries. The mass of companion must be greater than that of the W-R component, unless the W-R star is very massive (m greater than 40 solar masses). 21 refs.
OSTI ID:
5357306
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 344; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

Similar Records

Skylab ultraviolet stellar spectra: the Wolf-Rayet stars
Journal Article · Fri Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 1975 · Astrophys. J., Lett., v. 199, no. 3, pp. L173-L175 · OSTI ID:4141458

The close binary frequency of Wolf-Rayet stars as a function of metallicity in M31 and M33
Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Astrophysical Journal · OSTI ID:22356525

Wolf--Rayet and high-temperature stars
Conference · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1972 · OSTI ID:4362779