WR 104

Starbox begin
name=WR 104Starbox observe
epoch=2000 [http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?protocol=html&Ident=wr104 SIMBAD query result ] ]
ra=RA|18|02|04.07
dec=DEC|-23|37|41.2
appmag_v=
constell=Starbox character
class= WCv+Starbox astrometry
radial_v=
prop_mo_ra=
prop_mo_dec=
parallax=
p_error=
parallax_footnote=
absmag_v=
dist_ly=8000
dist_pc=2400Starbox detail
mass=
radius=
luminosity=
temperature=
metal=
rotation=
gravity=
age=Starbox catalog
names= V* V5097 Sgr, IRAS 17590-2337, MR 80, UCAC2 22296214, CSI-23-17590, IRC -20417, MSX6C G006.4432-00.4858, Ve 2-45, Had V82, JP11 5559, RAFGL 2048

WR 104 is a Wolf-Rayet star located 8000 light years from Earth at RA 18h02m04s.07 Dec -23d37'41.2" (ICRS). It is a binary star with a class OB companion. The stars have an orbital period of 220 days and the interaction between their stellar winds produce a spiral "pinwheel" outflow pattern over 200 AU long. [ [http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gekko/pinwheel.html WR 104: The prototype Pinwheel Nebula ] ] The spiral is composed of dust that would normally be prevented from forming by WR 104's intense radiation were it not for the star's companion. The region where the stellar wind from the two massive stars interacts compresses the material enough for the dust to form, and the rotation of the system causes the spiral-shaped pattern. [http://www.physics.usyd.edu.au/~gekko/wr104.html wr_104 ] ]

WR 104's rotational axis is aligned within 16° of Earth. [cite journal| journal=The Astrophysical Journal| volume= 675| pages=698–710| year= 2008| month= March 1| doi=10.1086/527286| title=The Prototype Colliding-Wind Pinwheel WR 104| first=Peter G.| last= Tuthill| coauthors=John D. Monnier, Nicholas Lawrance, William C. Danchi, Stan P. Owocki, Kenneth G. Gayley| url=http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/527286 ] This could have potential implications to the effects of WR 104's eventual supernova, since these explosions often produce jets from their rotational poles. It is possible that WR 104 may even produce a gamma ray burst, though it is not possible to predict with certainty at this time.

References

External links

* [http://www.badastronomy.com/bablog/2008/03/03/wr-104-a-nearby-gamma-ray-burst/ WR 104: A nearby gamma-ray burst?]
* [http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-id?protocol=html&Ident=wr104 SIMBAD WR104 page]
* [http://server6.sky-map.org/starview?object_type=3&object_id=296 SKY-MAP.ORG images of NGC6526 region]