Colliding stellar wind models with non-equilibrium ionization: X-rays from WR 147

• Published in: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society 2007-12, Vol.382 (2), p.886-894
• Main Author: Zhekov, Svetozar A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; Double stars; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; shock waves; stars: individual: WR 147; stars: Wolf-Rayet; X-ray astronomy; X-rays: stars
• ISSN: 0035-8711; 1365-2966
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2966.2007.12450.x

The effects of non-equilibrium ionization are explicitly taken into account in a numerical model which describes colliding stellar winds (CSW) in massive binary systems. This new model is used to analyse the most recent X-ray spectra of the WR+OB binary system WR 147. The basic result is that it can adequately reproduce the observed X-ray emission (spectral shape, observed flux) but some adjustment in the stellar wind parameters is required. Namely (i) the stellar wind velocities must be higher by a factor of 1.4–1.6 and (ii) the mass loss must be reduced by a factor of ∼2. The reduction factor for the mass loss is well within the uncertainties for this parameter in massive stars, but given the fact that the orbital parameters (e.g. inclination angle and eccentricity) are not well constrained for WR 147, even smaller corrections to the mass loss might be sufficient. Only CSW models with non-equilibrium ionization and equal (or nearly equal) electron and ion post-shock temperature are successful. Therefore, the analysis of the X-ray spectra of WR 147 provides evidence that the CSW shocks in this object must be collisionless.