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A Coordinated X-Ray and Optical Campaign of the Nearest Massive Eclipsing Binary, δ Orionis Aa: II. X-Ray Variability.
The Astrophysical Journal (2015)
  • Joy Nichols, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  • D. P. Huenemoerder, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Michael F. Corcoran, CRESST and X-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory
  • W. Waldron, Universities Space Research Association
  • Y. Nazé, Eureka Scientific, Inc
  • Andy M. T. Pollock, FNRS/Dept. AGO, Univ. of Liège
  • A. F. J. Moffat, European Space Astronomy Centre
  • J. Lauer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  • Tomer Shenar, Université de Montréal
  • C. M. P. Russell, University of Oklahoma
  • N. D. Richardson, European Space Astronomy Centre
  • H. Pablo, European Space Astronomy Centre
  • N. R. Evans, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
  • K. Hamaguchi, CRESST and X-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory
  • T. Gull, University of Maryland - Baltimore
  • W.-R. Hamann, Université de Montréal
  • L. Oskinova, Université de Montréal
  • Richard Ignace, East Tennessee State University
  • Jennifer L. Hoffman, East Tennessee State University
  • K. T. Hole, University of Denver
  • Jamie R. Lomax, Weber State University
Abstract
We present time-resolved and phase-resolved variability studies of an extensive X-ray high-resolution spectral data set of the δ Ori Aa binary system. The four observations, obtained with Chandra ACIS HETGS, have a total exposure time of ≈ 479 ks and provide nearly complete binary phase coverage. Variability of the total X-ray flux in the range of 5–25 Å is confirmed, with a maximum amplitude of about ±15% within a single ≈ 125 ks observation. Periods of 4.76 and 2.04 days are found in the total X-ray flux, as well as an apparent overall increase in the flux level throughout the nine-day observational campaign. Using 40 ks contiguous spectra derived from the original observations, we investigate the variability of emission line parameters and ratios. Several emission lines are shown to be variable, including S xv, Si xiii, and Ne ix. For the first time, variations of the X-ray emission line widths as a function of the binary phase are found in a binary system, with the smallest widths at ϕ = 0.0 when the secondary δ Ori Aa2 is at the inferior conjunction. Using 3D hydrodynamic modeling of the interacting winds, we relate the emission line width variability to the presence of a wind cavity created by a wind–wind collision, which is effectively void of embedded wind shocks and is carved out of the X-ray-producing primary wind, thus producing phase-locked X-ray variability. Based on data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the MOST satellite, a Canadian Space Agency mission, jointly operated by Dynacon Inc., the University of Toronto Institute of Aerospace Studies, and the University of British Columbia, with the assistance of the University of Vienna.
Keywords
  • binaries,
  • close,
  • eclipsing,
  • star,
  • individual,
  • massive,
  • Orionis
Publication Date
August 18, 2015
DOI
10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/133
Publisher Statement
Copyright © 2015. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.
Citation Information
J. Nichols, D. P. Huenemoerder, M. F. Corcoran, W. Waldron, Y. Nazé, A. M. T. Pollock, A. F. J. Moffat, J. Lauer, T. Shenar, C. M. P. Russell, N. D. Richardson, H. Pablo, N. R. Evans, K. Hamaguchi, T. Gull, W.-R. Hamann, L. Oskinova, R. Ignace, Jennifer L. Hoffman, K. T. Hole, and J. R. Lomax. "A Coordinated X-Ray and Optical Campaign of the Nearest Massive Eclipsing Binary, δ Orionis Aa: II. X-Ray Variability." The Astrophysical Journal 809.2 (2015): 133.
doi:10.1088/0004-637X/809/2/133
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/richard_ignace/36