Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 April 2016
The prediction of the Wind Momentum - Luminosity Relationship (WLR) based on the theory of radiation driven winds is verified by quantitative spectroscopy of winds of A-, B- and O-supergiants. The relationship depends on spectral type. New stellar wind calculations are presented reproducing the observed spectral type dependence. The impact of spectral variability on the WLR is investigated by an analysis of some hundred spectra of the luminous A0Ia-supergiant HD92207 obtained within the Heidelberg Spectral Variability Survey and found to be small.
Finally, the WLR is discussed as a tool for the determination of extragalactic distances. Recent results obtained for the Galaxy, M31 and M33 are presented. The potential of the method is discussed with the conclusion that it may allow independent distance moduli to be obtained with an accuracy of ten percent out to the Virgo and Fornax clusters of galaxies.