High energy spectrum of spherically accreting black holesSpherically accreting black holes may sustain strong collisionless shocks, downstream of which the fluid approximation is not valid. The proton-electron Coulomb exchange provides for the downstream matter diffusion into the hole. Energy conversion efficiencies upward of 10-30 percent are obtained, with most of the luminosity in hard X-rays and gamma-rays. The whole spectrum and its application for radio-quiet QSO's and galactic X- and gamma-ray sources are discussed.
Document ID
19850049159
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Meszaros, P. (Max-Planck-Institut fuer Physik und Astrophysik, Garching, West Germany; Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory; Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge MA, United States)
Ostriker, J. P. (Princeton University New Observatory, Princeton, NJ, United States)