The anomalous X-ray absorption spectrum of VELA X-1

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Absorption Spectra, Eclipsing Binary Stars, Stellar Spectrophotometry, X Ray Sources, X Ray Spectra, Abundance, Heao 2, Interstellar Gas, Proportional Counters, Radiant Flux Density, Solid State Devices, Stellar Winds, Wind Velocity, X Ray Spectroscopy

Scientific paper

The HEAO 2 satellite's Solid State Spectrometer and Monitor Proportional Counter was used to observe one orbit of the massive X-ray binary Vela X-1. Using spectral fits to the data as a function of orbital phase, the column density and state of the material along the line of sight to the X-ray source has been inferred. The spectrum near orbital phase 0.2 compares favorably with absorption by neutral material with a column density corresponding to plausible values of stellar wind velocity law and total primary mass loss rate. Spectra at later orbital phases, which show unexpected strong absorption features near 2.0 and 2.5 keV, are interpreted as due to absorption by material with suppressed opacity below 2.0 keV. The opacity required to produce the observed features implies either the presence of an intense soft X-ray flux, or altered elemental abundances in the gas near Vela X-1.

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