Discovery of a Wolf-Rayet Star Through Detection of its Photometric Variability

Autor:	Littlefield, Colin, Garnavich, Peter, Marion, G. H. Howie, Vinko, Jozsef, McClelland, Colin, Rettig, Terrence, Wheeler, J. Craig
Rok vydání:	2011
Předmět:	Astrophysics - Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Druh dokumentu:	Working Paper
DOI:	10.1088/0004-6256/143/6/136
Popis:	We report the serendipitous discovery of a heavily reddened Wolf-Rayet star that we name WR142b. While photometrically monitoring a cataclysmic variable, we detected weak variability in a nearby field star. Low-resolution spectroscopy revealed a strong emission line at 7100 Ang., suggesting an unusual object and prompting further study. A spectrum taken with the Hobby-Eberly Telescope confirms strong HeII emission and a NIV 7112 Ang. line consistent with a nitrogen-rich Wolf-Rayet star of spectral class WN6. Analysis of the HeII line strengths reveals no detectable hydrogen in WR142b. A blue-sensitive spectrum obtained with the Large Binocular Telescope shows no evidence for a hot companion star. The continuum shape and emission line ratios imply a reddening of E(B-V)=2.2 to 2.5 mag. If not for the dust extinction, this new Wolf-Rayet star could be visible to the naked eye. Comment: 15 pages, 6 figures, submitted to the Astronomical Journal
Databáze:	arXiv
Externí odkaz:	http://arxiv.org/abs/1111.3367 Zobrazit plný text záznamu View this record from Arxiv