The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties

Details The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties

2009-02-21

arxiv.org/abs/0902.3700v2

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics

Corrected typo in Table 1

Scientific paper

We explore the formation and evolution of the black hole X-ray binary system M33 X-7. In particular, we examine whether accounting for systematic errors in the stellar parameters inherent to single star models, as well as the uncertainty in the distance to M33, can explain the discrepancy between the observed and expected luminosity of the ~70 solar masses companion star. Our analysis assumes no prior interactions between the companion star and the black hole progenitor. We use four different stellar evolution codes, modified to include a variety of current stellar wind prescriptions. For the models satisfying the observational constraints on the donor star's effective temperature and luminosity, we recalculate the black hole mass, the orbital separation, and the mean X-ray luminosity. Our best model, satisfying simultaneously all observational constraints except the observationally inferred companion mass, consists of a ~13 solar masses black hole and a ~54 solar masses companion star. We conclude that a star with the observed mass and luminosity can not be explained via single star evolution models, and that a prior interaction between the companion star and the black hole progenitor should be taken into account.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties 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 The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Eclipsing Black Hole X-ray Binary M33 X-7: Understanding the Current Properties will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-370487