Related papers: Cygnus X-2: the Descendant of an Intermediate-Mass…
We consider the unusual evolutionary state of the secondary star in Cygnus X-2. Spectroscopic data give a low mass ($M_2 \simeq 0.5 - 0.7\msun$) and yet a large radius ($R_2 \simeq 7\rsun$) and high luminosity ($L_2 \simeq 150\lsun$). We…
Cygnus X-2 appears to be the descendant of an intermediate-mass X-ray binary (IMXB). Using Mazzitelli's (1989) stellar code we compute detailed evolutionary sequences for the system and find that its prehistory is sensitive to stellar input…
We present the results of a systematic study of the evolution of low- and intermediate-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs and IMXBs). Using a standard Henyey-type stellar-evolution code and a standard model for binary interactions, we have…
We present phase resolved optical spectroscopy and Doppler tomography of V1341 Cygni, the optical counterpart to the neutron star low mass X-ray binary Cygnus X-2. We derive a radial velocity curve for the secondary star, finding a…
We study the origin of the ultraluminous X-ray source M82-X1 in the nearby starburst galaxy M82. This X-ray source is of particular interest as it is currently the best candidate intermediate mass black hole; it is associated with a 54mHz…
We give a global analysis of mass transfer variations in low-mass X-ray binaries and cataclysmic variables whose evolution is driven by the nuclear expansion of the secondary star. We show that limit cycles caused by irradiation of the…
This chapter discusses the implications of X-ray binaries on our knowledge of Type Ibc and Type II supernovae. X-ray binaries contain accreting neutron stars and stellar--mass black holes which are the end points of massive star evolution.…
Cygnus X-2 is one of the brightest and longest known X-ray sources. We present high resolution optical spectroscopy of Cyg X-2 obtained over 4 years which gives an improved mass function of 0.69 +/- 0.03 Msun (1 sigma error). In addition,…
We present UES@WHT high-resolution spectra of the low-mass X-ray binary (LMXB) Cygnus X-2. We have derived the stellar parameters of the secondary star using $\chi^{2}$ minimisation procedure, and taking into account any possible veiling…
As has only recently been recognized, X-ray binaries with intermediate-mass secondaries are much more important than previously believed. To assess the relative importance of low- and intermediate-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs and IMXBs), we…
Upsilon Sagittarii is a hydrogen-deficient binary that has been suggested to be in its second stage of mass transfer, after the primary has expanded to become a helium supergiant following core helium exhaustion. A tentative identification…
We present a novel method for interpreting observations of high-mass X-ray binaries (HMXBs) based on a combination of spectroscopic data and numerical results from a radiation hydrodynamic model of stellar winds. We calculate synthetic…
It has been suggested that black-hole low-mass X-ray binaries (BHLMXBs) with short orbital periods may have evolved from BH binaries with an intermediate-mass secondary, but the donor star seems to always have higher effective temperatures…
Aims: The nature of Cygnus X-3 is still not understood well. This binary system might host a black hole or a neutron star. Recent observations by INTEGRAL have shown that Cygnus X-3 was again in an extremely ultrasoft state. Here we present…
The blue hypergiant Cyg OB2-12 (B3Ia+) is a representative member of the class of very massive stars in a poorly understood evolutionary stage. We obtained its high-resolution X-ray spectrum using Chandra observatory. PoWR model atmospheres…
Cygnus X-3 is a strong X-ray source (L_X about 10^38 erg/s) which is thought to consist of a compact object, accreting matter from a helium star. We find analytically that the estimated ranges of mass-loss rate and orbital-period derivative…
We analyze a flux-limited sample of persistent and bright (with 2-10 keV fluxes exceeding 1.4e-10 erg/s/cm2) low-mass X-ray binaries (LMXBs) in our Galaxy. It is demonstrated that the majority of binary systems with X-ray luminosities below…
The aim of this PhD Thesis is to characterize a representative sample of Supergiant X-ray Binaries (SGXBs) formed by 4 sources: XTE J1855-026, a classical SGXB with long-term stable X-ray flux; AX J1841.0-0535 and AX J1845.0-0433, two…
The properties of the early-type binary Cyg OB2 #5 have been debated for many years and spectroscopic and photometric investigations yielded conflicting results. We have attempted to constrain the physical properties of the binary by…
In recent years, accurate observational constraints become available for an increasing number of Galactic X-ray binaries. Together with proper motion measurements, we could reconstruct the full evolutionary history of X-ray binaries back to…