Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer: II. Stellar wind stratification in the high-mass X-ray binary Vela X-1

A. A.C. Sander*, F. Fürst, P. Kretschmar, L. M. Oskinova, H. Todt, R. Hainich, T. Shenar, W. R. Hamann

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Scopus citations

Abstract

Context. Vela X-1, a prototypical high-mass X-ray binary (HMXB), hosts a neutron star (NS) in a close orbit around an early-B supergiant donor star. Accretion of the donor star's wind onto the NS powers its strong X-ray luminosity. To understand the physics of HMXBs, detailed knowledge about the donor star winds is required. Aims. To gain a realistic picture of the donor star in Vela X-1, we constructed a hydrodynamically consistent atmosphere model describing the wind stratification while properly reproducing the observed donor spectrum. To investigate how X-ray illumination affects the stellar wind, we calculated additional models for different X-ray luminosity regimes. Methods. We used the recently updated version of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet code to consistently solve the hydrodynamic equation together with the statistical equations and the radiative transfer. Results. The wind flow in Vela X-1 is driven by ions from various elements, with Fe iii and S iii leading in the outer wind. The model-predicted mass-loss rate is in line with earlier empirical studies. The mass-loss rate is almost unaffected by the presence of the accreting NS in the wind. The terminal wind velocity is confirmed at v≈ 600 km s-1. On the other hand, the wind velocity in the inner region where the NS is located is only ≈ 100 km s-1, which is not expected on the basis of a standard β-velocity law. In models with an enhanced level of X-rays, the velocity field in the outer wind can be altered. If the X-ray flux is too high, the acceleration breaks down because the ionization increases. Conclusions. Accounting for radiation hydrodynamics, our Vela X-1 donor atmosphere model reveals a low wind speed at the NS location, and it provides quantitative information on wind driving in this important HMXB.

Original languageEnglish
Article numberA60
JournalAstronomy and Astrophysics
Volume610
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Feb 2018
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
ESAC
European Space Astronomy Centre
Deutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftHA 1455/26
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt50 OR 1612

    Keywords

    • Stars: Atmospheres
    • Stars: Early-type
    • Stars: Mass-loss
    • Stars: Massive
    • Stars: winds, outflows
    • X-rays: Binaries

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