Helium-burning flashes on an accreting neutron star: A model for X-ray burst sources

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1978 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/182808· OSTI ID:6502097

Joss, P C

We have constructed the first detailed numerical models of X-ray bursts resulting from thermonuclear flashes near the surface of an accreting neutron star. The models assume a nonrotating, nonmagnetized, spherically accreting neutron star of mass 1.4 M/sub sun/, radius 6.6 km, core temperature in the range (2.5--5.7) x 10/sup 8/ K, and accretion rate in the range (0.3--3) x 10/sup 17/ g s/sup -1/. Under many conditions, the helium-burning shell undergoes thermonuclear flashes that result in the emission of X-ray bursts, the gross properties of which are remarkably similar to those of most observed X-ray burst sources. Neutron stars with moderately low core temperatures, low accretion rates, and weak magnetic fields are most likely to produce X-ray bursts.

• Research Organization: Center for Space Research and Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• OSTI ID: 6502097
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Vol. 225:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
NEUTRON STARS
STAR ACCRETION
THERMONUCLEAR REACTIONS
X RADIATION
COSMIC X-RAY SOURCES
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS
STAR MODELS
COSMIC RAY SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
RADIATIONS
STAR EVOLUTION
STARS
640103* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources- (-1987)