Variable Polarization from Co-Rotating Interaction Regions in Massive Star Winds
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Description
Co-rotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) are a well-known phenomenon in the solar wind, and is a favored culprit for certain cyclical behavior observed in the spectra of some massive stars. A prime example are the discrete absorption components (DACs) seen in the UV wind lines of many O stars. Here we report on modeling for the variable continuum polarization that could arise from the presence of CIR structures. Considerations are limited to optically thin scattering. Using a core-halo approach for winds that are thick to electron scattering, an application to observed variable polarization of WR6 (EZ CMa; HD 50896) is presented.
Citation Information
Ignace, Richard. 2017. Variable Polarization from Co-Rotating Interaction Regions in Massive Star Winds. American Astronomical Society Meeting. https://aas.org/meetings/aas229/schedule-and-plenary-speakers