McGill.CA / Science / Department of Physics

Joint Astrophysics Colloquium

SGR 1806-20, a Wolf-Rayet Cluster, and the Most Luminous Star(?)

Steve Eikenberry

Cornell

I will present new infrared observations of the environs of SGR 1806-20, with particular emphasis on the cluster of massive stars which seems to surround the soft gamma-ray repeater. The cluster is still embedded in its natal molecular cloud, and contains an unusual number of extremely massive stars, including several evolved Wolf-Rayet sars and what may be the most luminous star in the Galaxy. I will finish with some dicussion of the possible implications of this cluster for the origins and evolution of SGRs.

Friday, April 12th 2002, 12:00
Ernest Rutherford Physics Building, room 305