25 Apr 2024
Out of the billions of stars in our galaxy less than 700 Wolf Rayet (WR) have currently been identified. Estimates are that there are only up to 6,000 in the entire galaxy, making them extremely rare. Their detection is made easier due to their strong emission lines, making their detection in other galaxies possible.
These super giant stars have consumed all of their hydrogen which has been expelled as strong winds forming a structure around them. In the case of WR16 it has been expelled in all directions forming the bubble seen in the image. Fission follows producing helium and other elements. The surrounding space around the bubble is filled with clouds of hydrogen gas. A starless Ha image resembles a piece of tumbleweed on a lunar-like landscape.
You may need to squint to make out the shape of a figure within the bubble. To me it resembles a soft toy named after a former US President.
WR 16
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