SIMBAD references

2002ApJ...579..764S - Astrophys. J., 579, 764-773 (2002/November-2)

XMM-Newton and Very Large Array observations of the variable Wolf-Rayet EZ Canis Majoris: evidence for a close companion.

SKINNER S.L., ZHEKOV S.A., GUDEL M. and SCHMUTZ W.

Abstract (from CDS):

We present new X-ray and radio observations of the Wolf-Rayet star EZ CMa (HD 50896) obtained with XMM-Newton and the Very Large Array (VLA). This WN4 star exhibits optical and UV variability at a period of 3.765 days whose cause is unknown. Binarity may be responsible, but the existence of a companion has not been proven. The radio spectral energy distribution of EZ CMa determined from VLA observations at five frequencies is in excellent agreement with predictions for free-free wind emission, and the ionized mass-loss rate allowing for distance uncertainties is M{dot}=3.8(±2.6)x10–5 M yr–1. The CCD X-ray spectra show prominent Si XIII and S XV emission lines and can be acceptably modeled as an absorbed multitemperature optically thin plasma, confirming earlier ASCA results. Nonsolar abundances are inferred with Fe notably deficient. The X-ray emission is dominated by cooler plasma at a temperature kTcool~0.6 keV, but a harder component is also detected, and the derived temperature is kThot~3.0-4.2 keV if the emission is thermal. This is too high to be explained by radiative wind shock models, and the X-ray luminosity of the hard component is 3 orders of magnitude lower than expected for accretion onto a neutron star companion. We show that the hard emission could be produced by the Wolf-Rayet wind shocking onto a normal (nondegenerate) stellar companion at close separation. Finally, using comparable data sets we demonstrate that the X-ray and radio properties of EZ CMa are strikingly similar to those of the WN5-6 star WR 110. This similarity points to common X-ray and radio emission processes in WN stars and discredits the idea that EZ CMa is anomalous within its class.

Abstract Copyright:

Journal keyword(s): Radio Continuum: Stars - Stars: Individual: Henry Draper Number: HD 50896 - Stars: Mass Loss - Stars: Winds, Outflows - Stars: Wolf-Rayet - X-Rays: Stars

CDS comments: p. 766 Calibrator 0608-223 is J0608-223

Simbad objects: 8

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