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arXiv · 1007.4336

Spectropolarimetry of Wolf-Rayet Stars in the Magellanic Clouds: Constraining the Progenitors of Gamma-ray Bursts

Jorick S. Vink et al.
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Abstract

Wolf-Rayet stars have been identified as objects in their final phase of massive star evolution. It has been suggested that Wolf-Rayet stars are the progenitors of long-duration gamma ray bursts in low metallicity environments. However, this deduction has yet to be proven. Here we report on our initial results from a VLT/FORS linear spectropolarimetry survey of Wolf-Rayet stars in the Magellanic Clouds, which is intended to constrain the physical criteria - such as weaker stellar winds, rapid rotation, and associated asymmetry - of the collapsar model. Finally, we provide an outlook for polarisation studies with an extremely large telescope.

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Jorick S. Vink et al.. 2010-07-25. Spectropolarimetry of Wolf-Rayet Stars in the Magellanic Clouds: Constraining the Progenitors of Gamma-ray Bursts. https://arxiv.org/abs/1007.4336

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