Spectral Classification of Wolf-Rayet Stars

Abstract

8pectrograms of forty-nine stars are reproduced. The spectrograms and the spectral classification system are discussed. Two parallel sequences within the VN sequence are recognized. They differ principally in emission band width and strength of the continuum. The sequence with the relatively weak narrow lines contains many V-R binaries. In addition to the wAl-recognized carbon sequence that shows a regular increase of band width with exdtation, a group of stars with relatively strong emission has been observed. The identity as a physical group is uncertain. A V-R star wfth only emission bands of helium and Ha is shown. Four Of stars are reproduced for comparison purposes.