New Challenges for Wind Shock Models: TheChandraSpectrum of the Hot Star δ Orionis
Author(s) -
N. A. Miller,
J. P. Cassinelli,
W. L. Waldron,
J. J. MacFarlane,
David H. Cohen
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
the astrophysical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.376
H-Index - 489
eISSN - 1538-4357
pISSN - 0004-637X
DOI - 10.1086/342111
Subject(s) - physics , astrophysics , stars , line (geometry) , emission spectrum , spectral line , helium , shock (circulatory) , ion , o type star , astronomy , atomic physics , geometry , medicine , mathematics , quantum mechanics
The Chandra spectrum ofOri A shows emission lines from hydrogen- and helium-like states of Si, Mg, Ne, and O, along with Nvii Lyand lines from ions in the range Fe xvii-Fexxi. In contrast to the broad lines seen inPup andOri (850 40 and 1000 240 km s 1 half-width at half-maximum (HWHM), respec- tively), these lines are broadened to only 430 60 km s 1 HWHM. This is much lower than the measured wind terminal velocity of 2000 km s 1 . The forbidden, intercombination, and resonance ( fir) lines from He-like ions indicate that the majority of the X-ray line emission does not originate at the base of the wind, in agreement with the standard wind shock models for these objects. However, in that model the X-ray emission is distributed throughout an expanding, X-ray-absorbing wind, and it is therefore surprising that the emis- sion lines appear relatively narrow, unshifted, and symmetric. We compare the observed line profiles to recent detailed models for X-ray line profile generation in hot stars, but none of them offers a fully satisfac- tory explanation for the observed line profiles.
Accelerating Research
Robert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom
Address
John Eccles HouseRobert Robinson Avenue,
Oxford Science Park, Oxford
OX4 4GP, United Kingdom