These stars are very rare; only around 150 are known to exist in the Milky Way. There are several reasons for this. First, hot, massive stars form relatively rarely in proportion to overall star formation. Second, a hot, massive star uses up its nuclear "fuel" at a rapid rate. They are short-lived stars! Third, the Wolf-Rayet phase is a short transition between a star's existence as a main sequence O or B star, and its violent end as a supernova.
By the way, a most fascinating characteristic of many Wolf-Rayet stars is that they produce laser light. Here is a link to an amateur astronomer's Wolf-Rayet page. There are lots of links (some broken) and lots of information which won't require a degree in physics for readers to understand. Observe Laser Stars
The mysterious and massive star Eta Carinae seems to be in the process of becoming a Wolf-Rayet star. It was "Variable Star of the Month" at AAVSO in April 2000. Unfortunately for us in the temperate northern latitudes, Eta Carinae is located WAY south at RA 10 45.1, dec. -59 41.
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