Sign on

SAO/NASA ADS Astronomy Abstract Service


· Find Similar Abstracts (with default settings below)
· Electronic Refereed Journal Article (HTML)
· Full Refereed Journal Article (PDF/Postscript)
· arXiv e-print (arXiv:0810.2023)
· On-line Data
· References in the article
· Citations to the Article (10) (Citation History)
· Refereed Citations to the Article
· SIMBAD Objects (2)
· Also-Read Articles (Reads History)
·
· Translate This Page
Title:
High-Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy of the Evolving Shock in the 2006 Outburst of RS Ophiuchi
Authors:
Ness, J.-U.; Drake, J. J.; Starrfield, S.; Bode, M. F.; O'Brien, T. J.; Evans, A.; Eyres, S. P. S.; Helton, L. A.; Osborne, J. P.; Page, K. L.; Schneider, C.; Woodward, C. E.
Affiliation:
AA(School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1404, USA ), AB(Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA ), AC(School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1404, USA ), AD(Astrophysics Research Institute, Liverpool John Moores University, Birkenhead, CH41 1LD, UK ), AE(Jodrell Bank Observatory, School of Physics & Astronomy, University of Manchester, Macclesfield, SK11 9DL, UK ), AF(Astrophysics Group, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK ), AG(Centre for Astrophysics, School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK ), AH(Department of Astronomy, School of Physics & Astronomy, 116 Church Street S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA ), AI(Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK ), AJ(Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK ), AK(Hamburger Sternwarte, Gojenbergsweg 112, 21029 Hamburg, Germany), AL(Department of Astronomy, School of Physics & Astronomy, 116 Church Street S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA )
Publication:
The Astronomical Journal, Volume 137, Issue 2, pp. 3414-3436 (2009). (AJ Homepage)
Publication Date:
02/2009
Origin:
IOP
AJ Keywords:
binaries: symbiotic, methods: data analysis, novae, cataclysmic variables, shock waves, stars: individual: RSOph, X-rays: stars
DOI:
10.1088/0004-6256/137/2/3414
Bibliographic Code:
2009AJ....137.3414N

Abstract

The evolution of the 2006 outburst of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi was followed with 12 X-ray grating observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton. We present detailed spectral analyses using two independent approaches. From the best data set, taken on day 13.8 after outburst, we reconstruct the temperature distribution and derive elemental abundances. We find evidence for at least two distinct temperature components on day 13.8 and a reduction of temperature with time. The X-ray flux decreases as a power law, and the power-law index changes from -5/3 to -8/3 around day 70 after outburst. This can be explained by different decay mechanisms for the hot and cool components. The decay of the hot component and the decrease in temperature are consistent with radiative cooling, while the decay of the cool component can be explained by the expansion of the ejecta. We find overabundances of N and of α elements, which could either represent the composition of the secondary that provides the accreted material or that of the ejecta. The N overabundance indicates CNO-cycled material. From comparisons to abundances for the secondary taken from the literature, we conclude that 20%-40% of the observed nitrogen could originate from the outburst. The overabundance of the α elements is not typical for stars of the spectral type of the secondary in the RS Oph system, and white dwarf material might have been mixed into the ejecta. However, no direct measurements of the α elements in the secondary are available, and the continuous accretion may have changed the observable surface composition.
Bibtex entry for this abstract   Preferred format for this abstract (see Preferences)

   

Find Similar Abstracts:

Use: Authors
Title
Keywords (in text query field)
Abstract Text
Return: Query Results Return    items starting with number
Query Form
Database: Astronomy
Physics
arXiv e-prints