The accretion environment in Vela X-1 during a flaring period using XMM-Newton

Martinez-Nunez S, Torrejon JM, Kühnel M, Kretschmar P, Stuhlinger M, Rodes-Roca JJ, Fuerst F, Kreykenbohm I, Martin-Carrillo A, Pollock AMT, Wilms J (2014)

Publication Status: Published

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2014

Journal

Astronomy & Astrophysics EDP Sciences

Publisher: EDP SCIENCES S A

Book Volume: 563

Article Number: ARTN A70

DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/201322404

Abstract

We present analysis of 100 ks contiguous XMM-Newton data of the prototypical wind accretor Vela X-1. The observation covered eclipse egress between orbital phases 0.134 and 0.265, during which a giant flare took place, enabling us to study the spectral properties both outside and during the flare. This giant flare with a peak luminosity of 3.92(-0.09)(+0.42) x 10(37) erg s(-1) allows estimates of the physical parameters of the accreted structure with a mass of similar to 10(21) g. We have been able to model several contributions to the observed spectrum with a phenomenological model formed by three absorbed power laws plus three emission lines. After analysing the variations with orbital phase of the column density of each component, as well as those in the Fe and Ni fluorescence lines, we provide a physical interpretation for each spectral component. Meanwhile, the first two components are two aspects of the principal accretion component from the surface of the neutron star, the third component seems to be the X-ray light echo formed in the stellar wind of the companion.

Authors with CRIS profile

Matthias Bissinger Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut Ingo Kreykenbohm Dr.Karl-Remeis-Sternwarte Bamberg, Astronomisches Institut Jörn Wilms Professur für Astronomie und Astrophysik

Involved external institutions

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) US United States (USA) (US) University of Alicante / Universidad de Alicante / Universitat d'Alacant ES Spain (ES) European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) ES Spain (ES) University College Dublin (UCD) IE Ireland (IE)

How to cite

APA:

Martinez-Nunez, S., Torrejon, J.M., Kühnel, M., Kretschmar, P., Stuhlinger, M., Rodes-Roca, J.J.,... Wilms, J. (2014). The accretion environment in Vela X-1 during a flaring period using XMM-Newton. Astronomy & Astrophysics, 563. https://dx.doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/201322404

MLA:

Martinez-Nunez, Silvia, et al. "The accretion environment in Vela X-1 during a flaring period using XMM-Newton." Astronomy & Astrophysics 563 (2014).

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