Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2008
Published In
Astrophysical Journal Letters
Abstract
We have studied superionization and X-ray line formation in the spectra of zeta Pup using our new stellar atmosphere code (XCMFGEN) that can be used to simultaneously analyze optical, UV, and X-ray observations. Here, we present results on the formation of the O VI lambda lambda 1032, 1038 doublet. Our simulations, supported by simple theoretical calculations, show that clumped wind models that assume void in the interclump space cannot reproduce the observed O vi profiles. However, enough O vi can be produced if the voids are filled by a low-density gas. The recombination of O vi is very efficient in the dense material, but in the tenuous interclump region an observable amount of O vi can be maintained. We also find that different UV resonance lines are sensitive to different density regimes in z Pup: C IV is almost exclusively formed within the densest regions, while the majority of O vi resides between clumps. N v is an intermediate case, with contributions from both the tenuous gas and clumps.
Recommended Citation
J. Zsargó et al.
(2008).
"On The Importance Of The Interclump Medium For Superionization: O VI Formation In The Wind Of Zeta Puppis".
Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Volume 685,
Issue 2.
L149-L152.
DOI: 10.1086/592568
https://works.swarthmore.edu/fac-physics/31
Comments
This work is freely available courtesy of IOP Publishing and the American Astronomical Society.