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Masses and the evolution of Wolf-Rayet binaries

Journal Article · · Astron. J.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/115086· OSTI ID:5841953

Recent polarimetric observations have provided inclinations of double-line spectroscopic binary systems containing Wolf-Rayet stars with O star companions. Therefore, reasonably accurate masses of ten Wolf-Rayet stars in binaries are now known. These data are compared to evolutionary models of massive close binaries based on the scenario that O + O systems evolve into WR + O systems. Good agreement is found between the observations and nonconservative binary models with classical cores for the observed range of contemporary masses. The models with large convective-core overshooting fail to describe systems with Wolf-Rayet stars having observed masses larger than about 10 solar masses. 47 refs.

Research Organization:
Wisconsin Univ., Madison (USA)
OSTI ID:
5841953
Journal Information:
Astron. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astron. J.; (United States) Vol. 97; ISSN ANJOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English