J. L. Sokoloski

The Chandra X-Ray Survey of Planetary Nebulae (CHANPLANS): Probing Binarity, Magnetic Fields, and Wind Collisions

We present an overview of the initial results from the Chandra Planetary Nebula Survey (CHANPLANS), the first systematic (volume-limited) Chandra X-Ray Observatory survey of planetary nebulae (PNe) in the solar neighborhood. The first phase of CHANPLANS targeted 21 mostly high-excitation PNe within ~1.5 kpc of Earth, yielding four detections of diffuse X-ray emission and nine detections of X-ray-luminous point sources at the central stars (CSPNe) of these objects. Combining these results with those obtained from Chandra archival data for all (14) other PNe within ~1.5 kpc that have been observed to date, we find an overall X-ray detection rate of ~70% for the 35 sample objects. Roughly 50% of the PNe observed by Chandra harbor X-ray-luminous CSPNe, while soft, diffuse X-ray emission tracing shocks—in most cases, hot bubbles—formed by energetic wind collisions is detected in ~30%; five objects display both diffuse and point-like emission components. The presence (or absence) of X-ray sources appears correlated with PN density structure, in that molecule-poor, elliptical nebulae are more likely to display X-ray emission (either point-like or diffuse) than molecule-rich, bipolar, or Ring-like nebulae. All but one of the point-like CSPNe X-ray sources display X-ray spectra that are harder than expected from hot (~100 kK) central stars emitting as simple blackbodies; the lone apparent exception is the central star of the Dumbbell nebula, NGC 6853. These hard X-ray excesses may suggest a high frequency of binary companions to CSPNe. Other potential explanations include self-shocking winds or PN mass fallback. Most PNe detected as diffuse X-ray sources are elliptical nebulae that display a nested shell/halo structure and bright ansae; the diffuse X-ray emission regions are confined within inner, sharp-rimmed shells. All sample PNe that display diffuse X-ray emission have inner shell dynamical ages 5 × 103 yr, placing firm constraints on the timescale for strong shocks due to wind interactions in PNe. The high-energy emission arising in such wind shocks may contribute to the high excitation states of certain archetypical hot bubble nebulae (e.g., NGC 2392, 3242, 6826, and 7009).

Binary orbits as the driver of γ-ray emission and mass ejection in classical novae

Classical novae are the most common astrophysical thermonuclear explosions, occurring on the surfaces of white dwarf stars accreting gas from companions in binary star systems. Novae typically expel about 10−4 solar masses of material at velocities exceeding 1,000xa0kilometres per second. However, the mechanism of mass ejection in novae is poorly understood, and could be dominated by the impulsive flash of thermonuclear energy, prolonged optically thick winds or binary interaction with the nova envelope. Classical novae are now routinely detected at gigaelectronvolt γ-ray wavelengths, suggesting that relativistic particles are accelerated by strong shocks in the ejecta. Here we report high-resolution radio imaging of the γ-ray-emitting nova V959xa0Mon. We find that its ejecta were shaped by the motion of the binary system: some gas was expelled rapidly along the poles as a wind from the white dwarf, while denser material drifted out along the equatorial plane, propelled by orbital motion. At the interface between the equatorial and polar regions, we observe synchrotron emission indicative of shocks and relativistic particle acceleration, thereby pinpointing the location of γ-ray production. Binary shaping of the nova ejecta and associated internal shocks are expected to be widespread among novae, explaining why many novae are γ-ray emitters.

Uncovering the Nature of Nova Jets: A Radio Image of Highly Collimated Outflows from RS Ophiuchi

Novae occur when hydrogen-rich fuel provided by a companion star ignites on the surface of a white dwarf (WD). Although the surface of the WD is nearly spherical, observations indicate that at least some nova explosions can produce bipolar outflows, or jets. The origin and nature of these jets are controversial. Proposed mechanisms for generating the jets include (1) intrinsically asymmetric explosions, (2) ejecta that move into an inhomogeneous environment, and (3) driving by highly collimated outflows such as those from black holes and protostars. Here we present radio images of the symbiotic recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi that strongly support the third option. The images show that the jets associated with the eruption in 2006 consisted of underlying narrow outflows with half-opening angles of just a few degrees that fed extended lobes of relativistic, synchrotron-emitting particles. Assuming a uniform jet velocity, the highly collimated flows persisted for more than a month after the start of the explosion. By revealing highly collimated outflows that begin within days after the eruption, our observations demonstrate that either the explosion did not destroy the accretion disk or an accretion disk is not needed to collimate jets from novae.

A Comparison of the Variability of the Symbiotic X-ray Binaries GX 1+4, 4U 1954+31, and 4U 1700+24 from Swift/BAT and RXTE/ASM Observations

We present an analysis of the X-ray variability of three symbiotic X-ray binaries, GX 1+4, 4U 1700+24, and 4U 1954+31, using observations made with the Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) and the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) All-Sky Monitor (ASM). Observations of 4U 1954+31 with the Swift BAT show modulation at a period near 5 hr. Models to explain this modulation are discussed, including the presence of an exceptionally slow X-ray pulsar in the system and accretion instabilities. We conclude that the most likely interpretation is that 4U 1954+31 contains one of the slowest known X-ray pulsars. Unlike 4U 1954+31, neither GX 1+4 nor 4U 1700+24 show any evidence for modulation on a timescale of hours. An analysis of the RXTE ASM light curves of GX 1+4, 4U 1700+24, and 4U 1954+31 does not show the presence of periodic modulation in any source, with the exception of a possible detection of the 5 hr period in 4U 1954+31, although there is considerable variability on long timescales for all three sources. There is no modulation in GX 1+4 on either the optical 1161 day orbital period or a previously reported 304 day X-ray period. For 4U 1700+24 we do not confirm the 404 day X-ray period previously proposed for this source from a shorter duration ASM light curve. We conclude that all three sources have substantial low-frequency noise in their power spectra that may give the appearance of periodic modulation if this noise is not properly accounted for, particularly if short-duration light curves are examined.

The Nature of the Hard X-Ray-Emitting Symbiotic Star RT Cru

We describe Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer observations of RT Cru, the first of a new subclass of symbiotic stars that appear to contain white dwarfs (WDs) capable of producing hard X-ray emission out to greater than 50 keV. The production of such hard X-ray emission from the objects in this subclass (which also includes CD -57 3057, T CrB, and CH Cyg) challenges our understanding of accreting WDs. We find that the 0.3-8.0 keV X-ray spectrum of RT Cru emanates from an isobaric cooling flow, as in the optically thin accretion disk boundary layers of some dwarf novae. The parameters of the spectral fit confirm that the compact accretor is a WD, and they are consistent with the WD being massive. We detect rapid, stochastic variability from the X-ray emission below 4 keV. The combination of flickering variability and a cooling flow spectrum indicates that RT Cru is likely powered by accretion through a disk. Whereas the cataclysmic variable stars with the hardest X-ray emission are typically magnetic accretors with X-ray flux modulated at the WD spin period, we find that the X-ray emission from RT Cru is not pulsed. RT Cru therefore shows no evidence for magnetically channeled accretion, consistent with our interpretation that the Chandra spectrum arises from an accretion disk boundary layer.

Evidence for the White Dwarf Nature of Mira B

The nature of the accreting companion to Mira?the prototypical pulsating asymptotic giant branch star?has been a matter of debate for more than 25?years. Here, we use a quantitative analysis of the rapid optical brightness variations from this companion, Mira B, which we observed with the Nickel Telescope at Lick Observatory, to show that it is a white dwarf (WD). The amplitude of aperiodic optical variations on timescales of minutes to tens of minutes (0.2?mag) is consistent with that of accreting WDs in cataclysmic variables on these same timescales. It is significantly greater than that expected from an accreting main-sequence star. With Mira B identified as a WD, its ultraviolet (UV) and optical luminosities, along with constraints on the WD effective temperature from the UV, indicate that it accretes at ~10?10 M ? yr-1. This accretion rate is lower than that predicted by Bondi-Hoyle theory. The accretion rate is high enough, however, to explain the weak X-ray emission, since the accretion-disk boundary layer around a low-mass WD accreting at this rate is likely to be optically thick and therefore to emit primarily in the far or extreme UV. Furthermore, the finding that Mira B is a WD means that it has experienced, and will continue to experience, nova explosions, roughly every 106?years. It also highlights the similarity between Mira AB and other jet-producing symbiotic binaries such as R Aquarii, CH Cygni, and MWC 560, and therefore raises the possibility that Mira B launched the recently discovered bipolar streams from this system.

SWIFT OBSERVATIONS OF HARD X-RAY EMITTING WHITE DWARFS IN SYMBIOTIC STARS

The X-ray emission from most accreting white dwarfs (WDs) in symbiotic binary stars is quite soft. Several symbiotic WDs, however, produce strong X-ray emission at energies greater than {approx}20 keV. The Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT) instrument has detected hard X-ray emission from four such accreting WDs in symbiotic stars: RT Cru, T CrB, CD -57 3057, and CH Cyg. In one case (RT Cru), Swift detected X-rays out to greater than 50 keV at >5{sigma} confidence level. Combining data from the X-Ray Telescope (XRT) and BAT detectors, we find that the 0.3-150 keV spectra of RT Cru, T CrB, and CD -57 3057 are well described by emission from a single-temperature, optically thin thermal plasma, plus an unresolved 6.4-6.9 keV Fe line complex. The X-ray spectrum of CH Cyg contains an additional bright soft component. For all four systems, the spectra suffer high levels of absorption from material that both fully and partially covers the source of hard X-rays. The XRT data did not show any of the rapid, periodic variations that one would expect if the X-ray emission were due to accretion onto a rotating, highly magnetized WD. The X-rays were thus more likely from the accretion-disk boundarymorexa0» layer around a massive, non-magnetic WD in each binary. The X-ray emission from RT Cru varied on timescales of a few days. This variability is consistent with being due to changes in the absorber that partially covers the source, suggesting localized absorption from a clumpy medium moving into the line of sight. The X-ray emission from CD -57 3057 and T CrB also varied during the nine months of Swift observations, in a manner that was also consistent with variable absorption.«xa0less

The Chandra Planetary Nebula Survey (CHANPLANS). II. X-Ray Emission from Compact Planetary Nebulae

We present results from the most recent set of observations obtained as part of the Chandra X-ray observatory Planetary Nebula Survey (CHANPLANS), the first comprehensive X-ray survey of planetary nebulae (PNe) in the solar neighborhood (i.e., within ~1.5 kpc of the Sun). The survey is designed to place constraints on the frequency of appearance and range of X-ray spectral characteristics of X-ray-emitting PN central stars and the evolutionary timescales of wind-shock-heated bubbles within PNe. CHANPLANS began with a combined Cycle 12 and archive Chandra survey of 35 PNe. CHANPLANS continued via a Chandra Cycle 14 Large Program which targeted all (24) remaining known compact (R neb 0.4 pc), young PNe that lie within ~1.5 kpc. Results from these Cycle 14 observations include first-time X-ray detections of hot bubbles within NGCxa01501, 3918, 6153, and 6369, and point sources in HbDs 1, NGCxa06337, and Sp 1. The addition of the Cycle 14 results brings the overall CHANPLANS diffuse X-ray detection rate to ~27% and the point source detection rate to ~36%. It has become clearer that diffuse X-ray emission is associated with young ( 5 × 103 yr), and likewise compact (R neb 0.15 pc), PNe with closed structures and high central electron densities (ne 1000 cm–3), and is rarely associated with PNe that show H2 emission and/or pronounced butterfly structures. Hb 5 is one such exception of a PN with a butterfly structure that hosts diffuse X-ray emission. Additionally, two of the five new diffuse X-ray detections (NGC 1501 and NGC 6369) host [WR]-type central stars, supporting the hypothesis that PNe with central stars of [WR]-type are likely to display diffuse X-ray emission.

THE 2011 OUTBURST OF RECURRENT NOVA T PYX: RADIO OBSERVATIONS REVEAL THE EJECTA MASS AND HINT AT COMPLEX MASS LOSS

Despite being the prototype of its class, T Pyx is arguably the most unusual and poorly understood recurrent nova. Here, we use radio observations from the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array to trace the evolution of the ejecta over the course of the 2011 outburst of T Pyx. The radio emission is broadly consistent with thermal emission from the nova ejecta. However, the radio flux began rising surprisingly late in the outburst, indicating that the bulk of the radio-emitting material was either very cold, or expanding very slowly, for the first ∼50 days of the outburst. Considering a plausible range of volume filling factors and geometries for the ejecta, we find that the high peak flux densities of the radio emission require a massive ejection of (1-30) × 10{sup –5} M {sub ☉}. This ejecta mass is much higher than the values normally associated with recurrent novae, and is more consistent with a nova on a white dwarf well below the Chandrasekhar limit.

THE CHANDRA PLANETARY NEBULA SURVEY (ChanPlaNS). III. X-RAY EMISSION FROM THE CENTRAL STARS OF PLANETARY NEBULAE

We present X-ray spectral analysis of 20 point-like X-ray sources detected in Chandra Planetary Nebula Survey observations of 59 planetary nebulae (PNe) in the solar neighborhood. Most of these 20 detections are associated with luminous central stars within relatively young, compact nebulae. The vast majority of these point-like X-ray-emitting sources at PN cores display relatively hard (?0.5?keV) X-ray emission components that are unlikely to be due to photospheric emission from the hot central stars (CSPN). Instead, we demonstrate that these sources are well modeled by optically thin thermal plasmas. From the plasma properties, we identify two classes of CSPN X-ray emission: (1) high-temperature plasmas with X-ray luminosities, L X, that appear uncorrelated with the CSPN bolometric luminosity, L bol and (2) lower-temperature plasmas with L X/L bol ~ 10?7. We suggest these two classes correspond to the physical processes of magnetically active binary companions and self-shocking stellar winds, respectively. In many cases this conclusion is supported by corroborative multiwavelength evidence for the wind and binary properties of the PN central stars. By thus honing in on the origins of X-ray emission from PN central stars, we enhance the ability of CSPN X-ray sources to constrain models of PN shaping that invoke wind interactions and binarity.