Wolf-Rayet Stars as Supernova Progenitors
Joanne Bibby
American Museum Natural History
Wolf-Rayet stars are evolved massive stars that have a unique broad line
spectrum due to their strong stellar winds. Current evolutionary theory
predicts that these helium burning stars will end their lives as Type Ib
or Ic core-collapse supernovae, however to date no observations have been
able to confirm this. I will discuss the aims and results of our survey to
identify Wolf-Rayet stars in several nearby star-forming galaxies. I will
highlight the limitations we face in terms of sensitivity and spatial
resolution and present new HST imaging of M101.
Date: | Thursday, 31 March 2011 |
Time: | 11:30 |
Where: | Université de Montréal |
| Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, local D-460 |
Contact: | Anthony Moffat |
|