X-RAY EMISSION FROM MAGNETIC MASSIVE STARS

作者:Naze Yael*; Petit Veronique; Rinbrand Melanie; Cohen David; Owocki Stan; ud Doula Asif; Wade Gregg A
来源:Astrophysical Journal, The - Supplement Series, 2014, 215(1): 10.
DOI:10.1088/0067-0049/215/1/10

摘要

Magnetically confined winds of early-type stars are expected to be sources of bright and hard X-rays. To clarify the systematics of the observed X-ray properties, we have analyzed a large series of Chandra and XMM-Newton observations, corresponding to all available exposures of known massive magnetic stars (over 100 exposures covering similar to 60% of stars compiled in the catalog of Petit et al.). We show that the X-ray luminosity is strongly correlated with the stellar wind mass-loss rate, with a power-law form that is slightly steeper than linear for the majority of the less luminous, lower-M. B stars and flattens for the more luminous, higher-M O stars. As the winds are radiatively driven, these scalings can be equivalently written as relations with the bolometric luminosity. The observed X-ray luminosities, and their trend with mass-loss rates, are well reproduced by new MHD models, although a few overluminous stars (mostly rapidly rotating objects) exist. No relation is found between other X-ray properties (plasma temperature, absorption) and stellar or magnetic parameters, contrary to expectations (e.g., higher temperature for stronger mass-loss rate). This suggests that the main driver for the plasma properties is different from the main determinant of the X-ray luminosity. Finally, variations of the X-ray hardnesses and luminosities, in phase with the stellar rotation period, are detected for some objects and they suggest that some temperature stratification exists in massive stars%26apos; magnetospheres.

  • 出版日期2014-11