Of-Type Stars HD 16691 and HD 190429 Show WN-like Spectra in Infrared K Band
Conti, Peter S.; Morris, Patrick W.; Willis, Allan J.; Hanson, Margaret Murray; Fossey, Stephen J.
United States
Abstract
We present 2 micrometer K-band spectra of two early-type Of stars that have infrared emission-line morphology similar to that of WN stars. Archival International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) spectra of these two stars indicate they appear to be Of type, rather than WN. Recently acquired optical spectra of these stars are quantitatively similar to that in the past, namely, Of attributes. We suggest that these two Of stars have stellar wind characteristics closer to WN type than other Of stars. We discuss the consequences for K-band classification of highly obscured hot stars that might not otherwise be visible in optical or UV wavelengths.