Time-scales to reach chemical equilibrium in ices at snowline distance around compact objects: the influence of accretion mass in the central object

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2021-05, Vol.503 (2), p.2973-2978
• Main Authors: Carvalho, G A, Pilling, S
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1093/mnras/stab641

ABSTRACT In this work, we analyse soft X-ray emission due to mass accretion on to compact stars and its effects on the time-scale to reach chemical equilibrium of eventual surrounding astrophysical ices exposed to that radiation. Reaction time-scales due to soft X-ray in water-rich and pure ices of methanol, acetone, acetonitrile, formic acid, and acetic acid were determined. For accretion rates in the range $\dot{m}=10^{-12}\!-\!10^{-8}\,{\rm M}_\odot$ yr−1 and distances in the range 1–3 LY from the central compact objects, the time-scales lie in the range 10–108 yr, with shorter time-scales corresponding to higher accretion rates. Obtained time-scales for ices at snow-line distances can be small when compared to the lifetime (or age) of the compact stars, showing that chemical equilibrium could have been achieved. Time-scales for ices to reach chemical equilibrium depend on X-ray flux and, hence, on accretion rate, which indicates that systems with low accretion rates may not have reached chemical equilibrium.