Wavelength-Dependent Structure in the Vela X-1 Bow Shock

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astronomy

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

We present new infrared observations of the bow shock of the high mass X-ray binary (HMXB) Vela X-1 obtained with the Spitzer Space Telescope. Vela X-1 is an X-ray pulsar, actually one of the most massive neutron stars known, accompanied by a B supergiant. Infrared images in the two MIPS bands (24 and 70 microns) and the four IRAC bands (3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8.0 microns) are augmented by IRS spectroscopy of three positions along the bow shock. Bow shocks provide a way to probe their energetic environments and reveal properties of both the stellar wind and the ambient interstellar medium. The presence of a bow shock indicates that the system has a high (supersonic) velocity with respect to the interstellar medium, in the process of which dust and gas is accumulated. The strong UV and X-ray radiation fields of this system may contribute to heating the dust. The MIPS and IRAC images show filamentary structures with strong intensity variations that vary with wavelength. We detect several emission features in the IRS spectra.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Wavelength-Dependent Structure in the Vela X-1 Bow Shock does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Wavelength-Dependent Structure in the Vela X-1 Bow Shock, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Wavelength-Dependent Structure in the Vela X-1 Bow Shock will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-968213

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.