An X-ray excited wind in Centaurus X-3

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (33) References (46) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS An X-Ray Excited Wind in Centaurus X-3 Day, C. S. R. ; Stevens, Ian R. Abstract We propose a new interpretation of the behavior of the notable X-ray binary source Centaurus X-3. Based on both theoretical and observational arguments (using EXOSAT data), we suggest that an X-ray excited wind emanating from the O star is present in this system. Further, we suggest that this wind is responsible for the mass transfer in the system rather than Roche-lobe overflow or a normal radiatively driven stellar wind. We show that the ionization conditions in Cen X-3 are too extreme to permit a normal radiatively driven wind to emanate from portions of the stellar surface facing toward the neutron star. In addition, the flux of X-rays from the neutron star is strong enough to drive a thermal wind from the O star with sufficient mass-flux to power the X-ray source. We find that this model can reasonably account for the long duration of the eclipse transitions and other observed features of Cen X-3. If confirmed, this will be the first example of an X-ray excited wind in a massive binary. We also discuss the relationship between the excited wind in Cen X-3 to the situation in eclipsing millisecond pulsars, where an excited wind is also believed to be present. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: January 1993 DOI: 10.1086/172205 Bibcode: 1993ApJ...403..322D Keywords: Neutron Stars; O Stars; Stellar Winds; X Ray Binaries; Exosat Satellite; Light Curve; Massive Stars; Stellar Mass Accretion; Stellar Systems; Astrophysics; STARS: BINARIES: CLOSE; STARS: PULSARS: GENERAL; STARS: INDIVIDUAL CONSTELLATION NAME: CENTAURUS X-3; STARS: MASS LOSS; X-RAYS: STARS full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (7)