Effects of Coronal and Shock-produced X-Rays on the Ionization Distribution in Hot Star Winds

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

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Shock Waves, Stars: Coronae, Stars: Mass Loss, X-Rays: Stars

Scientific paper

We investigate the effects of X-ray radiation on the ionization distribution in the wind of ζ Pup (O4 If). In particular, we have studied how the distribution of the "superionization" species O VI is affected by X-ray source characteristics. In our calculations, detailed statistical equilibrium and atomic physics models are used to ensure that critical processes such as photoionization out of excited states and Auger ionization are considered. For shock-produced X-ray sources, we show how the distribution of X-ray emission affects the O VI P Cygni profile and the resultant X-ray spectrum. For coronal sources, we examine the sensitivity of the X-ray spectrum and O VI profile to the mass-loss rate and attenuation by the overlying wind. Results are compared with UV data from Copernicus and X-ray spectral data from the Einstein Imaging Proportional Center and Broad-Band X-ray Telescope. We find that coronal models are not simultaneously consistent with both UV and X-ray data unless the mass-loss rate is ≲ 1 × 10-6 Msun yr-1, which is a factor of at least 3 to 5 lower than the values deduced from radio observations. Results from calculations using a mass-loss rate inferred from radio observations suggest that the X-ray source is distributed throughout the wind. In addition, calculations using a distributed X-ray source indicate that a significant X-ray flux must originate from regions close to the star (within 2 stellar radii) in order to produce an O VI P Cygni profile consistent with observations.

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