X-rays from accretion of red giant winds.
Abstract
X-ray observations of the late-type red giants Mira and R Aqr obtained with the Einstein Observatory are presented, and the general problems of white dwarf accretion from late-type giant winds is considered. The extremely low measured luminosities obtained for the two systems leads to the conclusion that the companions of Mira and R Aqr are most likely low-mass main sequence objects rather than white dwarfs as is usually assumed. The expected X-ray luminosities of true red giant/white dwarf systems are considered, and it is concluded that far too few have been detected if the canonical accretion scenario is adopted. A possible explanation of this situation in terms of grain-dominated Eddington-limited accretion is proposed.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- December 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1086/162737
- Bibcode:
- 1984ApJ...287..785J
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Omicron Ceti Star;
- Red Giant Stars;
- Stellar Mass Accretion;
- Stellar Winds;
- Variable Stars;
- X Ray Sources;
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Eddington Approximation;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Late Stars;
- Main Sequence Stars;
- Stellar Mass Ejection;
- White Dwarf Stars;
- Astrophysics