Wolf-Rayet stars

Wolf-Rayet stars are massive, highly luminous stars nearing the end of their life cycle. They have intense stellar winds that blow off their outer layers at high speeds, stripping away significant mass and revealing their hot, dense cores. These stars are characterized by strong emission lines in their spectra, indicating powerful winds and high surface temperatures that can reach over 50,000°C. Wolf-Rayet stars are thought to be precursors to supernovae or gamma-ray bursts, playing a critical role in enriching the universe with heavier elements. They are rare, massive, and extraordinarily energetic objects in the cosmos.