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Summary
Common envelope evolution in SS 433 is avoided when radiation pressure expels super-Eddington accretion flows. This suggests mass transfer rates far exceed jet mass-loss rates, explaining observed luminosities.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Stellar Evolution
- Accretion Physics
Background:
- SS 433 is a unique microquasar exhibiting precessing jets and strong emission lines.
- Understanding its evolutionary path is crucial for comprehending accretion processes in binary systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential evolutionary models for the binary system SS 433.
- To determine the conditions under which common envelope evolution is avoided.
Main Methods:
- Modeling accretion flows and radiation pressure effects.
- Analyzing mass transfer rates and mass ratios (q).
- Comparing mass transfer rates with jet mass-loss rates.
Main Results:
- Common envelope evolution is avoided if radiation pressure expels super-Eddington accretion flows from the Roche lobe.
- This scenario is viable for radiative donors with masses between 4-12 M☉.
- Mass transfer rates (Ṁtr) are significantly larger than jet mass-loss rates (Ṁjet), explaining the stationary Hα line and infrared luminosity, and low X-ray luminosity.
Conclusions:
- The models favor black hole accretors for donors > 5 M☉ due to moderate mass ratios.
- For lower mass donors, both neutron star and black hole accretors are possible.
- The expelled mass explains SS 433's observed spectral and luminosity characteristics.