Neutron stars as X-ray burst sources. II - Burst energy histograms and why they burst

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (32) References (16) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Neutron stars as X-ray burst sources. II. Burst energy histograms and why they burst. Baan, W. A. Abstract This paper considers some of the implications of a model of X-ray burst sources where bursts are caused by Kruskal-Schwarzschild instabilities at the magnetopause of an accreting and rotating neutron star. A number of simplifying assumptions are made in order to test the model using observed burst-energy histograms for the rapid burster MXB 1730-335. The predicted histograms have a correct general shape, but it appears that other effects are important as well, and that mode competition, for instance, may suppress the histograms at high burst energies. An explanation is ventured for the enhancement in the histogram at the highest burst energies, which produces the bimodal shape in high-accretion-rate histograms. Quantitative criteria are given for deciding when accreting neutron stars are steady sources or burst sources, and these criteria are tested using the X-ray pulsars. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: February 1979 DOI: 10.1086/156807 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...227..987B Keywords: Flare Stars; Neutron Stars; Pulsars; Stellar Evolution; X Ray Sources; Astrophysics; Stellar Mass Accretion; Stellar Models; Stellar Rotation; Astrophysics; Accretion:Neutron Stars; Neutron Stars:X-Ray Bursts; X-Ray Sources:Bursts full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (3)