X-ray Line Emission from the Hot Stellar Wind of theta 1 Ori C

Abstract

We present a first emission line analysis of a high resolution X-ray spectrum of the stellar wind of theta 1 Ori C obtained with the High Energy Transmission grating Spectrometer onboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectra are resolved into a large number of emission lines from H- and He-like O, Ne, Mg, Si, S, Ar and Fe ions. The He-like Fe XXV and Li-like Fe XXIV appear quite strong indicating very hot emitting regions. From H/He flux ratios, as well as from Fe He/Li emission measure ratios we deduce temperatures ranging from 0.5 to 6.1 x 10^7 K. The He-triplets are very sensitive to density as well. At these temperatures the relative strengths of the intercombination and forbidden lines indicate electron densities well above 10^12 cm^-3. The lines appear significantly broadened from which we deduce a mean velocity of 770 km/s with a spread between 400 and 2000 km/s. Along with results of the deduced emission measure we conclude that the X-ray emission could originate in dense and hot regions with a characteristic size of less then 4 x 10^10 cm.

4 pages, 3 figures