Self-consistent spherical accretion onto compact X-ray sources

Journal Article · Tue May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/157044· OSTI ID:6131431

Shull, J M

We present analytic spherical accretion models of compact X-ray sources, ''self-consistent'' in the sense that their luminosity is determined by the free-free radiation emitted by the flow. Because the emergent radiation extends to energies substantially above 10 keV, Compton heating of the infalling gas results in disruption of the flow for luminosities greater than 10/sup -6/ to 10/sup -4/ times the Eddington limit, within the uncertainties of the temperature of the innermost region. These models are applicable to accretion onto black holes in which the majority of X-ray emission occurs in the flow, rather than near the event horizon.

• Research Organization: Department of Physics and Astrophysics, University of Colorado
• OSTI ID: 6131431
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 229:3; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BLACK HOLES
COMPTON EFFECT
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GAMMA RADIATION
INTERACTIONS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LUMINOSITY
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NEUTRON STARS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RADIATIONS
SCATTERING
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STAR MODELS
STARS