Open AccessEvolution of the X‐ray luminosity and metallicity of starburst blown superbubbles
Author(s) -
Silich Sergey A.,
TenorioTagle Guillermo,
Terlevich Roberto,
Terlevich Elena,
Netzer Hagai
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04288.x
Subject(s) - superbubble , metallicity , physics , astrophysics , luminosity , oxygen , metal , emissivity , outgassing , galaxy , astronomy , interstellar medium , optics , chemistry , organic chemistry , quantum mechanics
We have modelled the evolution of hot superbubbles in starbursts, taking into account the rapid changes in the chemical composition of the interior of the superbubbles resulting from the large stellar mass loss, i.e. stellar winds from massive young stars and type II supernovae. We have followed in detail the time‐dependent production and mixing of oxygen and iron in the interior of the hot superbubbles and showed that while the oxygen abundance rapidly climbs to over solar values in less than 10 Myr, iron abundance remains always under solar. This highly enhanced oxygen metallicity boosts the early X‐ray luminosity of superbubbles while keeping the iron abundance subsolar. This brings theory and X‐ray observations of the luminosity and metal content of young starbursts closer together.