Bondi-Hoyle-Lyttleton Accretion Model for Low-luminosity X-ray Sources in Globular Clusters

Abstract

We present a new model for low-luminosity X-ray sources in globular clusters, with L_x < 10^34 erg/s. The model we propose is that of a single neutron star accreting from cluster gas that has accumulated as a natural product of stellar evolution. An analytic luminosity function is derived under the assumption that the speed distribution of neutron stars in the central region of a cluster is described by a Maxwellian, and that the density and temperature of the gas are uniform. Predictions of the model and implications for the gas content of globular clusters are discussed.

Accepted by ApJ. Minor changes and expanded conclusions section

References in corpus (4)

• Observations of 20 millisecond pulsars in 47 Tucanae at 20 cm
• Formation of Short-Period Binary Pulsars in Globular Clusters
• Ultracompact X-ray Binaries in Globular Clusters: Variability of the Optical Counterpart of X1832-330 in NGC 6652
• Thermal and Dynamical Equilibrium in Two-Component Star Clusters

Cited by in corpus (24)

• Intermediate-Mass Black Holes
• A Review of Bondi--Hoyle--Lyttleton Accretion
• High Resolution X-ray Imaging of a Globular Cluster Core: Compact Binaries in 47Tuc
• Detection of ionized gas in the globular cluster 47 Tucanae
• A Comprehensive Study of Neutron Star Retention in Globular Clusters
• The star ingesting luminosity of intermediate mass black holes in globular clusters
• The MAVERIC Survey: Still No Evidence for Accreting Intermediate-mass Black Holes in Globular Clusters
• No Evidence for Intermediate-Mass Black Holes in Globular Clusters: Strong Constraints from the JVLA
• Identification of A Transient Neutron Star in Quiescence in the Globular Cluster NGC 5139
• X-rays from the Globular Cluster G1: Intermediate Mass Black Hole or Low Mass X-ray Binary?
• Radio observations of NGC 2808 and other globular clusters: constraints on intermediate mass black holes
• A Deep Chandra X-ray Limit on the Putative IMBH in Omega Centauri
• Three Additional Quiescent Low-Mass X-ray Binary Candidates in 47 Tucanae
• [OIII] 5007 Emission from the Black-Hole X-ray Binary in a NGC 4472 Globular Cluster
• Radio Continuum Observations of 47 Tucanae and Omega Centauri: Hints for Intermediate-mass Black Holes?
• XMM-Newton observations of the Galactic globular clusters NGC 2808 and NGC 4372
• Combined Chandra, XMM-Newton and Hubble Space Telescope observations of the Galactic globular cluster NGC 2808
• Neutron Star Planets: Atmospheric processes and habitability
• Compact objects in globular clusters
• The XMM-Newton Slew view of IGRJ17361-4441: a transient in the globular cluster NGC 6388
• Modeling Gas Evacuation Mechanisms in Present-Day Globular Clusters: Stellar Winds from Evolved Stars and Pulsar Heating
• Gas Accretion by Star Clusters and the Formation of Ultraluminous X-ray Sources from Cusps of Compact Remnants
• Evolution of isolated neutron stars in globular clusters: number of Accretors
• Isolated neutron stars: An astrophysical perspective