We present an XMM-Newton observation of the eclipsing binary Algol which contains an X-ray dark B8V primary and an X-ray bright K2IV secondary. The observation covered the optical secondary eclipse and captured an X-r...We present an XMM-Newton observation of the eclipsing binary Algol which contains an X-ray dark B8V primary and an X-ray bright K2IV secondary. The observation covered the optical secondary eclipse and captured an X-ray flare that was eclipsed by the B star. The XMM-Newton European Photon Imaging Camera and Reflection Grating Spectrometer spectra of Algol in its quiescent state are described by a two-temperature plasma model. The cool component has a temperature around 6.4× 106 K while that of the hot component ranges from 2 to 4.0× 107 K. Coronal abundances of C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si and Fe were obtained for each component for both the quiescent and the flare phases, generally with upper limits for S and Ar, and upper limits for C, N, and O from the hot component. F-tests show that the abundances do not need to be different between the cool and the hot component and between the quiescent and the flare phase with the exception of Fe. Although the Fe abundance of the cool component remains constant at -0.14, the hot component shows an Fe abundance of -0.28, which increases to -0.44 during the flare. This increase is expected from the chromospheric evaporation model. The absorbing column density NH of the quiescent emission is 2.5 - 1020 cm-2, while that of the flare-only emission is significantly lower and consistent with the column density of the interstellar medium. This observation substantiates earlier suggestions of the presence of X-ray absorbing material in the Algol system.展开更多
We present spectral analysis of Algol stellar flare data. The 2-day observation of Algol in our Galaxy was done by Suzaku Satellite. Algol binary system consists of two component stars that eclipse one another periodi...We present spectral analysis of Algol stellar flare data. The 2-day observation of Algol in our Galaxy was done by Suzaku Satellite. Algol binary system consists of two component stars that eclipse one another periodically. The stellar magnetic field activities and Roche Lobe overflow/mass transfer mechanisms during rapid rotation of the component stars generate an X-ray emission. The variation in brightness of the stellar flare from epoch to epoch provides useful information of stellar properties of the component stars. The atomic physics of the Kα line emission process in the vicinities of chromospherically active and X-ray flare stars, and binaries is well understood. The photo ionization/collisional excitation in the Algol’s corona produces 6.7 keV line emission. The accumulated spectra in X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) sensors fitted combined with bremsstrahlung model and Gaussian line show a strong fixed X-ray energy of 6.7 keV.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10903007, 10778716and 10878012)
文摘We present an XMM-Newton observation of the eclipsing binary Algol which contains an X-ray dark B8V primary and an X-ray bright K2IV secondary. The observation covered the optical secondary eclipse and captured an X-ray flare that was eclipsed by the B star. The XMM-Newton European Photon Imaging Camera and Reflection Grating Spectrometer spectra of Algol in its quiescent state are described by a two-temperature plasma model. The cool component has a temperature around 6.4× 106 K while that of the hot component ranges from 2 to 4.0× 107 K. Coronal abundances of C, N, O, Ne, Mg, Si and Fe were obtained for each component for both the quiescent and the flare phases, generally with upper limits for S and Ar, and upper limits for C, N, and O from the hot component. F-tests show that the abundances do not need to be different between the cool and the hot component and between the quiescent and the flare phase with the exception of Fe. Although the Fe abundance of the cool component remains constant at -0.14, the hot component shows an Fe abundance of -0.28, which increases to -0.44 during the flare. This increase is expected from the chromospheric evaporation model. The absorbing column density NH of the quiescent emission is 2.5 - 1020 cm-2, while that of the flare-only emission is significantly lower and consistent with the column density of the interstellar medium. This observation substantiates earlier suggestions of the presence of X-ray absorbing material in the Algol system.
文摘We present spectral analysis of Algol stellar flare data. The 2-day observation of Algol in our Galaxy was done by Suzaku Satellite. Algol binary system consists of two component stars that eclipse one another periodically. The stellar magnetic field activities and Roche Lobe overflow/mass transfer mechanisms during rapid rotation of the component stars generate an X-ray emission. The variation in brightness of the stellar flare from epoch to epoch provides useful information of stellar properties of the component stars. The atomic physics of the Kα line emission process in the vicinities of chromospherically active and X-ray flare stars, and binaries is well understood. The photo ionization/collisional excitation in the Algol’s corona produces 6.7 keV line emission. The accumulated spectra in X-ray Imaging Spectrometer (XIS) sensors fitted combined with bremsstrahlung model and Gaussian line show a strong fixed X-ray energy of 6.7 keV.
