Wolf-Rayet Ring Nebulae

Revisited
I.Ciuca, Durham U., UK
A.Marston, ESAC
A.Pollock, ESAC

Wolf-Rayet and their rings a brief synopsis

What are Wolf-Rayet Stars?
Wolf-Rayet stars are believed to be the final evolutionary point of very massive stars
(initial masses >25M) prior to going supernova. By the time they reach this stage
of evolution their masses can be as little as 10 M. SIGNIFICANT MASS LOSS.

and ring nebulae?

Rings noted serendipitously in narrow-band optical emission line images in
particular up to 1990s.
As of mid-1990s < 200 Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars known in the galaxy. Systematic
wide-field optical imaging surveys done for the first time (Miller et al, 1993; Marston
et al, 1994a,b & Marston 1997).
Showed approx. 30% of WR stars have associated optical ring nebulae (less than 30
arc minutes in diameter). WC sub class > WN sub class ring nebulae in diameters.

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In the Meantime.
Many more WR stars have been found via various means more systematic surveys.
More than doubled the known number (Hadfield et al 2007; Mauerhan et al, 2011;
Shara et al, 2012; Kanarek et al, 2014)
Also have infrared surveys that allow probes of surrounding ISM 24 micron images
show hot dust (?) in nebulae well (Wachter et al, 2010)
Existence of (dense) molecular gas materials in some cases (e.g. around WR16, Marston
et al 1999; WR102, Arnal, 2008).
Spectral clarification of stellar-processed materials in some ring nebula cases (Duronea
et al 2013).
BUT
We

still have only limited understanding of

Fractional mass-loss during the evolution of very massive stars
Nature and history of mass-loss
Existence of WR rings and their morphologies (is 30% simply an observational
bias?).

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Evolution of Very Massive Stars

O stars on the main sequence (approx. > 25 M)

Part of APOD for 2 Oct, 2014.

Star (45M) in bubble NGC7635 (The Bubble
Nebula).
Bubble marks edge of fast
particle wind 2000km/s.

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High Mass-loss Intermediate Phases

RSG wind ejects dense cool

material in slow wind (Betelgeuse,
Herschel/PACS). Also second shell
seen in radio closer to star.

Luminous Blue Variable

(LBV) star and IR
environments

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On to Wolf-Rayet Nebulae

NGC 6888 (Crescent nebula).

- H shows blobby red colored nebula
- [OIII] shows extent of wind in blue
moving into low density wind-blown
shell materials (Marston, 1995;
Gruendl et al 2000).

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New Information wider and deeper H imaging

(SuperCOSMOS Halpha Survey)
WR16 anon nebula
discovered in 1990s.
New data shows
WR16 at centre of
very extended
filaments.

120
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20

H with CO contours

WR16 original discovery and CO 1-0 map

contours.

20

CO molecular line emission surrounds inner nebula Significant neutral

gas implied (Marston et al 1999). Duronea et al (2013) show molecular
gas also out to largest new ring seen.
Clear association due to CO emission line-splitting at edge of the ring
caused by ring expansion.
12

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WR102 H with continuum subtraction

Pillar
formation
Previously
unknown
outer shell.

WR102 is one
of the few WO
sub-type stars
known. Presupernova.
Deep image
structures
include large
external shell.

Jet?

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WISE 22 micron contour overlay on optical image

of WR102
Both IR and deep
optical show
corkscrew/helix
structure
Menzel
1 -- PN

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Large-scale structures around WR30, a WC star

WR30 in H.
Structures around 20
across. Multiple
internal ring-like
features.
As is quite common
star off-centre.
Eclipsing binary.

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Conclusions
Extending fields of view have shown structures beyond those
previously known.
More information indicating several phases and ejections can occur.
Shown wide field view around 3 notable WR stars covering all three
subtypes (WN, WC(+O), WO). Evolutionary sequence.
More details seen due to improved depth of images.
Complex evolutionary phases between early O and WR phases.
Binarity: WR30 is in Algol-type binary system with O7 star.
But checks on regions around WR stars not previously showing clear
ring nebulae STILL show nothing.
May be good to look more carefully in the mid-IR are we being
beaten by optical obscuration?

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