Abstract
GHRS and optical (ESO 3.6 m) observations of the O3f star Melnick 42 in the 30 Doradus complex are reported. A first analysis reveals that with a luminosity of 2.3 × 106 L⊙ and a present mass of 100 M⊙, Melnick 42 is one of the most luminous and massive stars known. An estimate of abundances indicates that iron and oxygen are very likely reduced by a factor of 4 relative to the Sun, whereas carbon is more strongly depleted and nitrogen is approximately solar. The terminal velocity of the stellar wind is 3000 km s-1. The mass-loss rate is 4 × 10-6 M⊙ yr-1, with a large uncertainty. The excellent quality GHRS spectrum taken in a crowded region of the LMC demonstrates the superiority of the HST for quantitative ultraviolet spectroscopy of hot stars in other galaxies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | L29-L32 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 377 |
Issue number | 1 PART II |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1991 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Galaxies: Magellanic Clouds
- Stars: Of-type
- Stars: individual (Melnick 42)
- Stars: massive
- Stars: winds
- Ultraviolet: spectra
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science