Helium-burning flashes on an accreting neutron star - A model for X-ray burst sources

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (183) References (25) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Helium-burning flashes on an accreting neutron star: a model for X-ray burst sources. Joss, P. C. Abstract Detailed numerical models of X-ray bursts resulting from thermonuclear flashes near the surface of an accreting neutron star have been constructed. The models assume a nonrotating nonmagnetized spherically accreting neutron star of 1.4 solar masses, radius 6.6 km, core temperature in the range from 250 million to 570 million K, and accretion rate in the range (0.3-3) x 10 to the 17th power g/s. Under many conditions the helium-burning shell undergoes thermonuclear flashes that result in the emission of X-ray bursts, the gross properties of which are remarkably similar to those of most observed X-ray burst sources. Neutron stars with moderately low core temperatures, low accretion rates, and weak magnetic fields are most likely to produce X-ray bursts. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: November 1978 DOI: 10.1086/182808 Bibcode: 1978ApJ...225L.123J Keywords: Helium; Neutron Stars; Nuclear Fusion; Stellar Mass Accretion; Stellar Models; X Ray Sources; Bursts; Low Temperature; Magnetic Effects; Temperature Effects; Astrophysics; Accretion:Neutron Stars; X-Ray Bursts: Models full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (2)