Astrophysics (Index)About

Wolf-Rayet galaxy

(WR galaxy)
(galaxy with a lot of Wolf-Rayet stars)

A Wolf-Rayet galaxy is a starburst galaxy with spectrum suggesting a large percentage of Wolf-Rayet stars, which are a type of massive, hot star that loses mass rapidly through a strong stellar wind. The relatively large population suggests a recent, prominent starburst. Such a galaxy's spectral signature is a broad He II 468.6 nm emission line.


(galaxy type)
Further reading:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf-Rayet_galaxy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf-Rayet_star#Wolf-Rayet_galaxies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf-Rayet_star#Wolf%e2%80%93Rayet_galaxies

Referenced by page:
Wolf-Rayet star

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