2011MNRAS.416.1311C -
Mon. Not. R. Astron. Soc., 416, 1311-1323 (2011/September-2)
Spectral classification of O2–3.5 If*/WN5–7 stars.
CROWTHER P.A. and WALBORN N.R.
Abstract (from CDS):
An updated classification scheme for transition O2–3.5 If*/WN5–7 stars is presented, following recent revisions to the spectral classifications for O and WN stars. We propose that O2–3.5 If*, O2–3.5 If*/WN5–7 and WN5–7 stars may be discriminated using the morphology of Hβ to trace increasing wind density as follows: purely in absorption for O2–3.5 If* stars in addition to the usual diagnostics from Walborn et al.; P Cygni for O2–3.5 If*/WN5–7 stars; purely in emission for WN stars in addition to the usual diagnostics from Smith et al. We also discuss approximate criteria to discriminate between these subtypes from near-infrared spectroscopy. The physical and wind properties of such stars are qualitatively discussed together with their evolutionary significance. We suggest that the majority of O2–3.5 If*/WN5–7 stars are young, very massive hydrogen-burning stars, genuinely intermediate between O2–3.5 If* and WN5–7 subtypes, although a minority are apparently core helium-burning stars evolving blueward towards the classical WN sequence. Finally, we reassess classifications for stars exhibiting lower ionization spectral features plus Hβ emission.
Abstract Copyright:
2011 The Authors Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society2011 RAS
Journal keyword(s):
stars: early-type - stars: evolution - stars: fundamental parameters - stars: massive - stars: Wolf-Rayet
Simbad objects:
67
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