On the evolutionary status of bright, low-mass X-ray sources

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

255

Binary Stars, Giant Stars, Stellar Evolution, Stellar Luminosity, Stellar Mass Accretion, X Ray Sources, Galactic Bulge, Neutron Stars, Stellar Mass Ejection, Stellar Models, White Dwarf Stars, X Ray Binaries

Scientific paper

A model of bright, low-mass X-ray binaries is proposed which features a lower giant-branch star losing mass on a nuclear time scale to an accreting compact companion. Simple numerical models show that mass transfer rates equal to or greater than 10 to the -9th solar masses per yr are sustained at very nearly a constant rate until the envelope of the donor star is exhausted. The model predicts orbital periods in the range 1-200 days and X-ray to optical luminosity ratios Lx/Lopt = 200-1000 for these sources. It accounts in a natural way for the large fraction of the total galactic bulge luminosity emitted by a few bright (10 to the 37th erg/s or greater) sources. It also accords very well with the observed X-ray and optical properties of the halo source Cyg X-2 and also with those of 2S 0921-63, provided this latter system contains a massive accreting white dwarf rather than a neutron star. Problems of the prior evolution of low-mass X-ray sources are also briefly delineated.

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

On the evolutionary status of bright, low-mass X-ray sources 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 On the evolutionary status of bright, low-mass X-ray sources, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the evolutionary status of bright, low-mass X-ray sources will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1627179

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