Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 May 2016
In general, observationally derived wind compositions of WR stars are in reasonable agreement with predictions from stellar evolution models for massive stars. However, Barlow et al. (1988) identified a major discrepancy for neon in γ2 Vel (WC8+O) using ground-based observations. The advent of the ESA Infrared Space Observatory (ISO) has allowed the study of neon in many more WC stars, using mid-IR fine structure lines ([Ne II] 12.81 μm, [NeIII] 15.55μm and [NEV] 14.32 μm). Willis et al. (1998) used ISO-SWS observations of WR 146 (WC5+O) to derive a neon abundance that was within the range expected theoretically. Here we undertake a study of WR 90 (HD 156385), the only (apparently) single WC7 star in our Galaxy, using ISO-SWS spectroscopy. The only spectroscopic neon feature in the mid-IR of WR 90 is [Ne III] 15.55 μm, in addition to numerous C IV and He II transitions (see Figure 1).