Colliding Stellar Winds: “Asymmetric” Thermal Conduction

Abstract

We present the first results from modeling asymmetric thermal conduction in colliding stellar winds. This effect is important even when a weak magnetic field is present in windblown bubbles and planetary nebulae. Using a simplified model of this complicated physical situation, we demonstrate that asymmetric conduction may cause asymmetric structures even if the colliding winds were initially spherically symmetric. We also find that the interior of such hot bubbles becomes convective. The objects that this model represents will show higher asymmetry if observed in X-rays rather than in the optical.