Deep Optical Images of the Ejecta Nebula around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 8 (HD 62910)

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract We report the results of deep Hα and [O iii] images of the bright WN6/WC4 Wolf–Rayet (WR) star WR 8 (HD 62910). These data show considerably more surrounding nebulosity than seen in prior imaging. The brighter portions of the nebula span ≃ 6 ′ in diameter and exhibit considerable fine-scale structure including numerous emission clumps and bright head-tail-like features, presumably due to the effects of the WR star’s stellar winds. Due to the overlap of a relatively bright band of unrelated foreground diffuse interstellar Hα emission, WR 8’s nebula is best viewed via its [O iii] emission. A faint 9 ′ × 1 3 ′ diffuse outer nebulosity is detected surrounding the nebula’s main ring of emission. Comparison of the nebula’s optical structure with that seen in Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 22 μm data shows a similarly clumpy structure but within a better-defined emission shell of thermal continuum from dust. The infrared shell is coincident with the nebula’s southern [O iii] emissions but is mainly seen in the fainter outer portions of the northern [O iii] emission clumps. It is this greater radial distance of dust emission in the nebula’s northern areas that leads to a striking off-center position of the WR star from the IR shell.

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