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Early Chandra X-Ray Observations of η Carinae

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F. D. Seward1, Y. M. Butt1, M. Karovska1, A. Prestwich1, E. M. Schlegel1 and M. Corcoran2

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Subarcsecond-resolution Chandra observations of η Carinae reveal a 40'' × 70'' ring or partial shell of X-ray emission surrounding an unresolved bright central source. The spectrum of the central source is strongly absorbed and can be fitted with a high-temperature thermal continuum and emission lines. The surrounding shell is well outside the optical/infrared bipolar nebula and is coincident with the outer shell of η Car. The X-ray spectrum of the shell is much softer than that of the central source. The X-ray shell is irregular and only correlates well with optical features in which a bright X-ray knot coincides with a bright feature of the outer shell. Implications for the binary model of the central source are discussed.


Subject headings

stars: early-type; stars: individual (η Carinae); X-rays: stars


Dates

Issue 2 (2001 June 1)

Received 2000 September 25, accepted for publication 2001 January 23



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