Accretion in wind-driven X-ray sources

Journal Article · Mon Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Astrophysical Journal; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/169935· OSTI ID:5469414

Taam, R E; Fu, Albert; Fryxell, B A ^[1]

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1. Northwestern University, Evanston, IL (USA) Arizona, University, Tucson (USA)

The hydrodynamics of axisymmetric accretion flow in stellar wind-fed X-ray sources is investigated, including momentum deposition by radiation, as well as radiative heating and cooling by Compton and bremsstrahlung processes. The results of two-dimensional numerical simulations for mass accretion rates ranging from 0.02 to 0.4 of the Eddington value reveal a variety of behaviors. At low rates radiative effects are unimportant, and the accretion flow is nearly adiabatic. In this case the flow is steady. For intermediate accretion rates, radiative heating and cooling effects become important. The flow remains steady, but the accretion rate is significantly reduced from the Hoyle-Lyttleton estimate. At the highest mass accretion rates, radiative momentum transfer and energy exchange are important and lead to nonsteady behavior. For the parameters relevant to massive X-ray binary systems accreting at high rates, the results reveal that the accretion flows can be complex and time dependent. 45 refs.

• OSTI ID: 5469414
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (United States) Vol. 371; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCRETION DISKS
BINARY STARS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FLUID MECHANICS
HYDRODYNAMICS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATION TRANSPORT
RADIATIONS
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR WINDS
X RADIATION