scholarly journals Structures of Binary Star Coronae

2004 ◽  
Vol 219 ◽  
pp. 199-210
Author(s):  
Nancy S. Brickhouse

Stellar coronae in binary star systems offer both a puzzle and an opportunity. We might expect that large magnetic loop structures on close binaries, such as RS CVn systems and contact binaries, would show evidence for interactions between the stars. While some radio studies support this scenario, there is surprisingly little evidence from EUV and X-ray observations for differences between binary and single star systems. Meanwhile, the binary systems offer observational opportunities through rotational modulation and eclipses of flaring and non-flaring regions. Localizing the sources of coronal emission is key to making the magnetic connection to the underlying photosphere. We discuss the structure of stellar coronae from the perspective of studies of binary systems.

1980 ◽  
Vol 88 ◽  
pp. 271-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margherita Hack ◽  
Umberto Flora ◽  
Paolo Santin

The common peculiarities of these two systems are: a) the companion is a massive object (probably m2≥10) whose spectrum is not observable; b) both systems show evidence, though in different degrees, of mass-transfer and mass-loss; c) both present, in different degrees, hydrogen deficiency; d) ultraviolet observations have shown, in both cases, the presence of lines of highly ionized elements like N V, C IV, Si IV, probably formed in an extended envelope because they do not show orbital radial velocity shifts, and cannot be explained by the effective temperature of the star whose spectrum we observe. The latter property seems to be common to several close binaries, as shown by the ultraviolet observations with IUE by Plavec and Koch (1979); e) both systems present infrared excess, suggesting the presence of an extended envelope (Gehrz et al. 1974; Lee and Nariai, 1967; Humphreys and Ney, 1974; Treffers et al. 1976).


2000 ◽  
Vol 175 ◽  
pp. 668-680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas R. Gies

AbstractModels of close binary evolution predict that mass gainers will be spun up to speeds close to the critical rotational velocity while the mass donors will appear as stripped down He stars, white dwarfs, or neutron stars. I argue here that the mass gainers are closely related to the Be stars. I present a list of the known Be binary systems which consists of those with bright, Roche-filling companions and those with faint or undetected companions. Notably absent are Be + B systems which are expected if the Be phase is a stage in the life of a single star. We now have the first example of a Be + He star system in the binary, ϕ Per, and taken together with the well known Be X-ray binaries, there is clear evidence that some fraction of Be stars are created in binaries; whether all such rapid rotators are so formed remains unknown.


1984 ◽  
Vol 80 ◽  
pp. 335-354
Author(s):  
C. De Loore ◽  
W. Sutantyo

AbstractClose binaries can evolve through various ways of interaction into compact objects (white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes). Massive binary systems (mass of the primary M1 larger than 14 to 15 M0) are expected to leave, after the first stage of mass transfer a compact component orbiting a massive star. These systems evolve during subsequent stages into massive X-ray binaries. Systems with initial large periode evolve into Be X-ray binaries.Low mass X-ray sources are probably descendants of lower mass stars, and various channels for their production are indicated. The evolution of massive close binaries is examined in detail and different X-ray stages are discussed. It is argued that a first X-ray stage is followed by a reverse extensive mass transfer, leading to systems like SS433, CirXl. During further evolution these systems would become Wolf-Rayet runaways. Due to spiral in these system would then further evolve into ultra short X-ray binaries like CygX-3.Finally the explosion of the secondary will in most cases disrupt the system. In an exceptional case the system remains bound, leading to binary pulsars like PSR 1913 +16. In such systems the orbit will shrink due to gravitational radiation and finally the two neutron stars will coalesce. It is argued that the millisecond pulsar PSR 1937 + 214 could be formed in this way.A complete scheme starting from two massive ZAMS stars, ending with a millisecond pulsar is presented.


1980 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 857-857 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Hjellming

Excluding single stars, star systems with very strong X-ray sources, thermally radiating winds and circumstellar envelopes, marginal detections, and binary systems that are far from “normal”, there are about 21 close binary systems that show clear signs of stellar activity in the form of variable radio emission. Sixteen of these are RS CVn binaries. Typical events are smoothly varying with time scales of from a few hours to a few days. In the RS CVn binaries UX Ari and V711 Tau variable circular polarization is sometimes observed, with occasional appearence of components with only one frequency and one circular polarization, part of which shows “oscillations” with “periods” of about 4 minutes. Different stars and different events typically have inferred electron energies of about 5 MeV and inferred magnetic fields of 1 - 30 Gauss. The radiation mechanisms are usually assumed to be synchrotron or gyro-synchrotron; however, radiation from plasma processes cannot be ruled out in some cases, and it will be very important to establish or rule out this possibility. Most radio binary events show clear signs of self-absorption, so the variations appear most strongly at the higher frequencies. Typical rise times of events are about 30% of decay times. Maximum radio luminosities range from 1013 to a few times 1017 ergs s-1 Hz-1. Most radio flares are mainly at cm-wavelenghts and have observable and inferred energies 104 - 106 times those for the largest solar events, a scaling which is similar to that for X-ray emission measures of these stars when compared to solar coronal loop emission measures. Most importantly, VLBI measurements of Algol indicate that the sizes of the radio emitting regions for very strong events are of the order of 2 - 3 stellar radii. Single stars appear to be active at radio wavelengths much less commonly than close binary systems. In many cases this may be due to the way dynamo action and convection near the surface are affected by increased rotation forced by the synchronization induced by the binary system.


Author(s):  
Zhao Guo

The study of stellar oscillations allows us to infer the properties of stellar interiors. Meanwhile, fundamental parameters such as mass and radius can be obtained by studying stars in binary systems. The synergy between binarity and asteroseismology can constrain the parameter space of stellar properties and facilitate the asteroseismic inference. On the other hand, binarity also introduces additional complexities such tides and mass transfer. From an observational perspective, we briefly review the recent advances in the study of tidal effects on stellar oscillations, focusing on upper main sequence stars (F-, A-, or OB- type). The effect can be roughly divided into two categories. The first one concerns the tidally excited oscillations (TEOs) in eccentric binaries where TEOs are mostly due to resonances between dynamical tides and gravity modes of the star. TEOs appear as orbital-harmonic oscillations on top of the eccentric ellipsoidal light curve variations (the “heartbeat” feature). The second category is regarding the self-excited oscillations perturbed by static tides in circularized and synchronized close binaries. It includes the tidal deformation of the propagation cavity and its effect on eigenfrequencies, eigenfunctions, and the pulsation alignment. We list binary systems that show these two types of tidal effect and summarize the orbital and pulsation observables. We also discuss the theoretical approaches used to model these tidal oscillations and relevant complications such as non-linear mode coupling and resonance locking. Further information can be extracted from the observations of these oscillations which will improve our understanding of tides. We also discuss the effect of mass transfer, the extreme result of tides, on stellar oscillations. We bring to the readers' attention: (1) oscillating stars undergoing mass accretion (A-, F-, and OB type pulsators and white dwarfs), for which the pulsation properties may be changed significantly by accretion; (2) post-mass transfer pulsators, which have undergone a stable or unstable Roche-Lobe overflow. These pulsators have great potential in probing detailed physical processes in stellar interiors and mass transfer, as well as in studying the binary star populations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 496 (1) ◽  
pp. 295-308
Author(s):  
J Sikora ◽  
J Rowe ◽  
S B Howell ◽  
E Mason ◽  
G A Wade

ABSTRACT Our understanding of the evolved, rapidly rotating, magnetically active, and apparently single FK Comae stars is significantly hindered by their extreme rarity: only two stars in addition to FK Com itself are currently considered to be members of this class. Recently, a sample of more than 20 candidate FK Comae type stars was identified within the context of the Kepler–Swift Active Galaxies and Stars (KSwAGS) survey. We present an analysis of high-resolution Stokes V observations obtained using ESPaDOnS@CFHT for 8 of these candidates. We found that none of these targets can be considered members of the FK Comae class based primarily on their inferred rotational velocities and on the detection of spectroscopic binary companions. However, 2 targets show evidence of magnetic activity and have anomalously high projected rotational velocities (vsin i) relative to typical values associated with stars of similar evolutionary states. EPIC 210426551 has a $v\sin {i}=209\, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$, an estimated mass of $1.07\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$, and, based in part on its derived metallicity of [M/H] = −0.4, it is either an evolved main sequence (MS) star or a pre-MS star. KIC 7732964 has a mass of $0.84\, \mathrm{ M}_\odot$, lies near the base of the red giant branch, and exhibits a $v\sin {i}=23\, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$. We find that these two objects have similar characteristics to FK Com (albeit less extreme) and that their rapid rotation may be inconsistent with that predicted for a single star evolutionary history. Additional observations are necessary in order to better constrain their evolutionary states and whether they have short-period binary companions.


1995 ◽  
Vol 163 ◽  
pp. 522-522
Author(s):  
Ian R. Stevens ◽  
Andrew M.T. Pollock

The low X-ray temperatures and luminosities of colliding wind binaries compared to theoretical expectations has been a long standing problem. As a potential solution to this problem we present quantitative calculations of the radiation hydrodynamics in colliding wind binary systems, accounting for the effect of two radiation fields on the dynamics of both winds, using a formulation similar to that of Castor et al. (1975, ApJ 195, 157). A more detailed description of this work can be found in Stevens & Pollock (1994, MNRAS in press). Consider only the WR wind being driven under the influence of the WR and O-star radiation fields and motion only on the line-of-centers. Near the WR-star, its own radiation field dominates, and the mass-loss rate will be largely unaffected by the presence of the companion. However, moving towards the O-star, the O-star radiation field becomes a significant fraction of the total flux. As the O-star radiation field is opposed to the WR radiation field the radiative line-force will be diminished and the wind acceleration diminished. This will lead to the WR star wind colliding with the O-star wind at a lower velocity than would be expected from single star models. This mechanism will only be at work in close binary systems. In wide binaries both winds will be at terminal velocity before the other radiation field makes a difference. Results for a sample calculation are shown in Fig 1, using parameters for V444 Cyg from Schmutz et al. (1989, A&A 210, 236). In the absence of any deceleration effects the WR wind velocity at the shock would be ∼ 1300 km s−1, corresponding to kT ∼ 2 keV. The reduction in the WR star velocity at the shock interface caused by the O-star radiation field is predicted to be ∼ x2 leading to kTx ∼ 0.5 keV, in line with X-ray observations.


1976 ◽  
Vol 73 ◽  
pp. 35-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. J. Van Den Heuvel

The expected final evolution of massive close binaries (CB) in case B is reviewed. Primary stars with masses ≳ 12–15 M⊙ are, after loosing most of their envelope by mass exchange, expected to explode as supernovae, leaving behind a neutron star or a black hole.Conservative close binary evolution (i.e. without a major loss of mass and angular momentum from the system during the first stage of mass transfer) is expected to occur if the initial mass ratio q0 = M20/M10 is ≳ 0.3. In this case the primary star will be the less massive component when it explodes, and the system is almost never disrupted by the explosion. The explosion is followed by a long-lasting quiet stage (106–107 yr) when the system consists of a massive main-sequence star and an inactive compact companion. After the secondary has left the main-sequence and becomes a blue supergiant with a strong stellar wind, the system becomes a massive X-ray binary for a short while (2–5 × 104 yr).The numbers of Wolf-Rayet binaries and massive X-ray binaries observed within 3 kpc of the Sun are in reasonable agreement with the numbers expected on the basis of conservative CB evolution, which implies that several thousands of massive main-sequence stars with a quiet compact companion should exist in the Galaxy. About a dozen of these systems must be present among the stars visible to the naked eye. During the second stage of mass exchange, large loss of mass and angular momentum from the system is expected, leading to a rapid shrinking of the orbit. The supernova explosion of the secondary will in most cases disrupt the system. If it remains bound, the final system will consist of two compact stars and may resemble the binary pulsar PSR 1913 + 16.In systems with q0 ≲ 0.2–0.3 large mass loss from the system is expected during the first stage of mass exchange. The exploding primary will then be more massive than its unevolved companion and the first supernova explosion disrupts the system in most cases. In the rare cases that it remains bound, the system will have a large runaway velocity and, after a very long (108–109 yr) inactive stage evolves into a low-mass X-ray binary, possibly resembling Her X-1.


2020 ◽  
Vol 493 (2) ◽  
pp. 1907-1912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuan-Tao Ma ◽  
Yan-Xiang Gong ◽  
Xiao-Mei Wu ◽  
Jianghui Ji

ABSTRACT The distribution of the orbital inclination angles of circumbinary planets (CBPs) is an important scientific issue, and it is of great significance for estimating the occurrence rate of CBPs and studying their formation and evolution. Although the CBPs currently discovered by the transit method are nearly coplanar, the true distribution of the inclinations of CBPs is still unknown. Previous research on CBPs has mostly regarded them as isolated binary-planet systems, without considering the birth environment of their host binaries. It is generally believed that almost all stars are born in clusters. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the effects of the close encounters of stars on CBP systems. In this paper, we discuss how the close encounters of fly-by stars affect the inclinations of CBPs. Based on extensive numerical simulations, we have found that CBPs in a close binary with a spacing of ∼0.2 au are almost unaffected by fly-by stars. Their orbits remain coplanar. However, when the spacing of the binary stars is greater than 1 au, two to three fly-bys of an intruding star can excite a considerable inclination, even for a CBP near the unstable boundary of the binary. For CBPs in the outer region, the fly-by of a single star can excite an inclination to more than 5°. In particular, CBPs in near polar or retrograde orbits can naturally form through binary–star encounters. If close binaries are born in open clusters, our simulations suggest that there may be high-inclination CBPs in binaries with a spacing >1 au.


1973 ◽  
Vol 55 ◽  
pp. 36-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert P. Kraft

The observational properties of Sco X-1, Cyg X-2, and Cen X-3 are reviewed in connection with the hypothesis that X-ray power is derived from gravitational energy released when matter is accreted onto the surface of one component in a mass transfer binary star. Evolutionary mechanisms for producing suitable types of binaries are considered. The following boundary conditions on possible evolutionary models are also treated briefly: (1) a quite significant fraction of hard X-ray sources are associated with the nuclear bulge of the galaxy; (2) mass-transfer binaries such as U Gem stars are not hard X-ray sources; (3) counts of binary stars lead to a considerably larger number of X-ray source candidates than are actually observed.


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