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High-Resolution X-Ray Spectra of the Symbiotic Star SS73 17SS73 17 was an innocuous Mira-type symbiotic star until the International Gamma-Ray Astrophysics Laboratory and Swift discovered its bright hard X-ray emission, adding it to the small class of "hard X-ray emitting symbiotics." Suzaku observations in 2006 then showed it emits three bright iron lines as well, with little to no emission in the 0.3-2.0 keV bandpass. We present here follow-up observations with the Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating and Suzaku that confirm the earlier detection of strong emission lines of Fe K(alpha) fluorescence, Fe XXV and Fe XXVI but also show significantly more soft X-ray emission. The high-resolution spectrum also shows emission lines of other highly ionized ions as Si xiv and possibly S XVI. In addition, a re-analysis of the 2006 Suzaku data using the latest calibration shows that the hard (15-50 keV) X-ray emission is brighter than previously thought and remains constant in both the 2006 and 2008 data. The G ratio calculated from the Fe xxv lines shows that these lines are thermal, not photoionized, in origin.With the exception of the hard X-ray emission, the spectra from both epochs can be fit using thermal radiation assuming a differential emission measure based on a cooling-flow model combined with a full and partial absorber. We show that acceptable fits can be obtained for all the data in the 1-10 keV band varying only the partial absorber. Based on the temperature and accretion rate, the thermal emission appears to be arising from the boundary layer between the accreting white dwarf and the accretion disk.
Document ID
20100036037
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Eze, R. N. C.
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, MA, United States)
Luna, G. J. M.
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, MA, United States)
Smith, R. K.
(Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Cambridge, MA, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
January 7, 2010
Publication Information
Publication: The Astrophysical Journal
Volume: 709
Issue: 2
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNX09AP01G
CONTRACT_GRANT: GO8-9032X
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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