X-ray emission from Wolf-Rayet stars

Journal Article · Sat Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/164736· OSTI ID:6542358

White, R L; Long, K S

Seven bright Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars were observed with the Einstein X-ray observatory; four were detected. The 0.15-4 keV fluxes of the detected stars (and the upper limits for the others) are consistent with the ratio of X-ray to bolometric luminosities observed for other early-type stars. The X-ray spectra of WR stars are also similar to those of OB stars, with most of the photons emerging with energies less than 1 keV. These observations support the idea that X-ray emission in all hot stars is produced by shocks in the wind. The X-ray flux of one of the stars, HD 50896, varied by a factor of 2 within half an hour on two of the three days when it was observed. The possible origin of these variations is discussed; it is concluded that the companion of HD 50896 is either a black hole or a white dwarf remnant of a massive star. 55 references.

• Research Organization: Space Telescope Science Institute, Baltimore, MD; Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD
• OSTI ID: 6542358
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 310; ISSN ASJOA
• 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
BINARY STARS
BLACK HOLES
DWARF STARS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MAIN SEQUENCE STARS
RADIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
SPECTRA
STARS
STELLAR ACTIVITY
STELLAR RADIATION
STELLAR WINDS
WHITE DWARF STARS
WOLF-RAYET STARS
X RADIATION
X-RAY SPECTRA