Publication Date:
2011-08-18
Description:
Widely separated, eccentric pulsating X-ray binaries are shown to be appropriate systems for studying the basic properties of stellar wind accretion. They are free from the complications encountered in closed binaries, where the optical star nearly fills its critical lobe (Avni, 1977). A framework of four observational tests was set up to study the characteristics of wind accretion, and to distinguish between different models of wind acceleration. The tests are applied to the source 4U0115+63, and the accretion process is discussed in both its quiescent states, and during its transient high luminosity outbursts. For the quiescent steady state, two wind profiles, determined from observational data, are compared (Barlow-Lohen, 1977; Castor et al., 1975). The difficulties encountered during the transient high states with respect to the possibility of stellar wind accretion are discussed.
Keywords:
ASTROPHYSICS
Type:
Astronomy and Astrophysics; 102; 1, Se; Sept
Format:
text
Permalink