Wolf-Rayet Stars as Supernova Progenitors
Joanne Bibby
American Museum Natural History

Wolf-Rayet stars are evolved massive stars that have a unique broad line spectrum due to their strong stellar winds. Current evolutionary theory predicts that these helium burning stars will end their lives as Type Ib or Ic core-collapse supernovae, however to date no observations have been able to confirm this. I will discuss the aims and results of our survey to identify Wolf-Rayet stars in several nearby star-forming galaxies. I will highlight the limitations we face in terms of sensitivity and spatial resolution and present new HST imaging of M101.

Date:	Jeudi, 31 mars 2011
Time:	11:30
Where:	Université de Montréal
	Pavillon Roger-Gaudry, local D-460
Contact:	Anthony Moffat