On the tidal evolution of massive X-ray binaries.
Abstract
The tidal evolution of known massive X-ray binaries is considered in order to explain why in most cases their orbits are nearly circular. Only the tidal interaction during the main-sequence life time of the primary (which is assumed to be 20 solar masses) is considered starting after the supernova explosion which produced the compact object. Assuming that at the final stage of the tidal evolution the orbit is circular and the orbital motion is synchronized with the rotation of the primary, a lower limit of the mass of the compact object can be determined.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- October 1974
- Bibcode:
- 1974A&A....35..251S
- Keywords:
-
- Binary Stars;
- Stellar Evolution;
- Tides;
- X Ray Binaries;
- X Ray Sources;
- X Ray Stars;
- Angular Momentum;
- Main Sequence Stars;
- Stellar Mass;
- Stellar Rotation;
- Supernovae;
- Astrophysics