Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-05-09
Astrophys.J.703:89-95,2009
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Solar and Stellar Astrophysics
16 pages, 1 figure
Scientific paper
10.1088/0004-637X/703/1/89
By considering the advection and interaction of the vector momentum flux in highly supersonic spherically diverging winds, we derive a simple analytic description of the asymptotic opening angle of a wind-collision shock cone, in the approximation that the shocked gas is contained in a cone streaming out along a single characteristic opening angle. Both highly radiative and highly adiabatic limits are treated, and their comparison is the novel result. Analytic closed-form expressions are obtained for the inferred wind momentum ratios as a function of the observed shock opening angle, allowing the conspicuous shape of the asymptotic bow shock to be used as a preliminary constraint on more detailed modeling of the colliding winds. In the process, we explore from a general perspective the limitations in applying to the global shock geometry the so-called Dyson approximation, which asserts a local balance in the perpendicular ram pressure across the shock.
No associations
LandOfFree
Asymptotic Opening Angles for Colliding-Wind Bow Shocks: the Characteristic-Angle Approximation 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 Asymptotic Opening Angles for Colliding-Wind Bow Shocks: the Characteristic-Angle Approximation, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Asymptotic Opening Angles for Colliding-Wind Bow Shocks: the Characteristic-Angle Approximation will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-688937