The change in wind velocity during a Centaurus X-3 transition

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (2) References (16) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The change in wind velocity during a Centaurus X-3 transition. Carlberg, R. G. Abstract A neutron star orbiting a stellar-wind star can be used as a probe of wind density and velocity. It is argued that Cen X-3 accretes mass from a stellar wind and that the model previously proposed by the author for supersonic accretion is applicable to Cen X-3. Combining X-ray data of one transition from low to high state, a previous suggestion that this type of transition is due to a decrease in the density of the stellar wind, and the model, allows one to deduce the variation of density and velocity in the stellar wind during the transition. It is found that the velocity decreases as the density decreases. This correlation between the stellar-wind density and velocity implies that the stellar-wind mass loss decreases during the transition. The result is discussed with respect to the mechanism for the acceleration of the wind. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1979 DOI: 10.1086/157349 Bibcode: 1979ApJ...232..878C Keywords: Binary Stars; Centaurus Constellation; Neutron Stars; Stellar Mass Accretion; Stellar Winds; X Ray Stars; Stellar Mass Ejection; Stellar Models; Stellar Occultation; Wind Velocity; Astrophysics; Accretion:X-Ray Binaries; Mass Loss:Stellar Winds full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (1)