Wolf-Rayet star

A Wolf-Rayet star is a rare, extremely hot and luminous type of star nearing the end of its life. They are characterized by strong stellar winds that blow off their outer layers, revealing the heavy elements like helium, nitrogen, and carbon produced in their cores. These stars are more massive than our Sun, burn their fuel quickly, and have short, dramatic lifespans. Wolf-Rayet stars are important in astronomy because they contribute to enriching the universe with heavy elements and often precede supernova explosions, which can lead to the formation of neutron stars or black holes.