The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71

We present deep H α and [O iii ] images of the ejecta-rich nebulosity associated with the suspected runaway and binary Wolf–Rayet (WR) star WR 71 (HD 143414). In H α emission, the nebula appears as a crescent shaped, broken ring of clumpy emission some ${9}^{{\prime} }\times 1{3}^{{\prime} }$ in ang...

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Main Authors: Robert A. Fesen, Manuel C. Peitsch, Martin R. Pugh, Bray Falls, Marcel Drechsler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Astronomical Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/adf3af
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author Robert A. Fesen
Manuel C. Peitsch
Martin R. Pugh
Bray Falls
Marcel Drechsler
author_facet Robert A. Fesen
Manuel C. Peitsch
Martin R. Pugh
Bray Falls
Marcel Drechsler
author_sort Robert A. Fesen
collection DOAJ
description We present deep H α and [O iii ] images of the ejecta-rich nebulosity associated with the suspected runaway and binary Wolf–Rayet (WR) star WR 71 (HD 143414). In H α emission, the nebula appears as a crescent shaped, broken ring of clumpy emission some ${9}^{{\prime} }\times 1{3}^{{\prime} }$ in angular size centered to the south and west of the WR star. At a Gaia estimated distance of 4.27 kpc, the nebula has physical dimensions of 11 × 16 pc making it one of the larger known ejecta rich WR ring nebulae. Our [O III ] image also show considerable surrounding faint nebulosity much of which may be unrelated to the WR star. A comparison of the nebula’s optical appearance with that seen in Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 22 μ m data shows infrared coincidence with the nebula’s brightest [O III ] emission features. Deep H α and [O III ] images like those presented here suggests that new and substantially deeper imaging reconnaissance of WR stars compared to earlier surveys may lead to additional WR ring nebula detections, thereby enhancing our understanding on the frequency and formation of WR ring nebulae.
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-ae30b4308f494396b7a2b0a3b6f3ce202025-08-21T06:03:38ZengIOP PublishingThe Astronomical Journal1538-38812025-01-01170317410.3847/1538-3881/adf3afThe Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71Robert A. Fesen0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3829-2056Manuel C. Peitsch1Martin R. Pugh2Bray Falls3Marcel Drechsler4https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7855-32926127 Wilder Lab, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Dartmouth College , Hanover, NH 03755, USARoboscopes at e-EyE Entre Encinas y Estrellas Observatory , Camino de los Molinos 06340 Fregenal de la Sierra, SpainObservatorio El Sauce , Rio Hurtado, Coquimbo, ChileSierra Remote Observatories , 42120 Bald Mountain Road, Auberry, CA 93602, USA; Starfront Observatories , 1724 Co Road 244, Rockwood, TX 76873, USAÉquipe StDr , Bärenstein, Feldstraße 17, 09471 Bärenstein, GermanyWe present deep H α and [O iii ] images of the ejecta-rich nebulosity associated with the suspected runaway and binary Wolf–Rayet (WR) star WR 71 (HD 143414). In H α emission, the nebula appears as a crescent shaped, broken ring of clumpy emission some ${9}^{{\prime} }\times 1{3}^{{\prime} }$ in angular size centered to the south and west of the WR star. At a Gaia estimated distance of 4.27 kpc, the nebula has physical dimensions of 11 × 16 pc making it one of the larger known ejecta rich WR ring nebulae. Our [O III ] image also show considerable surrounding faint nebulosity much of which may be unrelated to the WR star. A comparison of the nebula’s optical appearance with that seen in Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer 22 μ m data shows infrared coincidence with the nebula’s brightest [O III ] emission features. Deep H α and [O III ] images like those presented here suggests that new and substantially deeper imaging reconnaissance of WR stars compared to earlier surveys may lead to additional WR ring nebula detections, thereby enhancing our understanding on the frequency and formation of WR ring nebulae.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/adf3afWolf-Rayet starsEmission nebulaeEjectaEarly-type emission stars
spellingShingle Robert A. Fesen
Manuel C. Peitsch
Martin R. Pugh
Bray Falls
Marcel Drechsler
The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71
The Astronomical Journal
Wolf-Rayet stars
Emission nebulae
Ejecta
Early-type emission stars
title The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71
title_full The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71
title_fullStr The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71
title_full_unstemmed The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71
title_short The Ejecta Nebula Around the Wolf–Rayet Star WR 71
title_sort ejecta nebula around the wolf rayet star wr 71
topic Wolf-Rayet stars
Emission nebulae
Ejecta
Early-type emission stars
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-3881/adf3af
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