An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

A → chemically peculiar star with very weak helium lines. Examples include 3 Sco, HD 176582, HD 217833, HR 2949, and HD 21699.

The He-weak stars do not form a homogeneous group. Some of them display intense Si, or Ti and Sr lines, and are considered a hot extension of the magnetic → Ap/Bp stars. Others show overabundances of P and Ga, typically noted for → HgMn stars.

The star HD 139160 belongs to the non-magnetic subgroup of He-weak stars.

See also: → helium; → weak; → line.