The mass and helium discrepancy in massive stars: the case VELA X-1

Vanbeveren, D.; Herrero, A.; Kunze, D.; van Kerkwijk, M.
Bibliographical reference

Space Science Reviews, Volume 66, Issue 1-4, pp. 395-400

Advertised on:
3
1993
Number of authors
4
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
12
Refereed citations
8
Description
A NLTE-analysis is presented of high S/N spectra of the optical component of the standard massive X-ray binary Vela X-1. In combination with the orbital parameters we conclude that the optical star is highly helium enriched and is significantly overluminous compared to standard evolutionary tracks of massive accretion stars. We then propose a new accretion model able to explain these features.