Infrared Observations of High-Mass X-Ray Binaries
Waters, L. B. F. M.; van Loon, J. Th.; Kaper, L.; Barr, P.; Trams, N. R.
Germany, Spain, Netherlands
Abstract
We present the first results of our ISO program on High-Mass X-ray Binaries (HMXBs). Infrared photometry, obtained at different aspect angles of the systems, is used to investigate the massive star's disrupted stellar wind and the accretion flow towards the compact X-ray source. Scenarios for massive binary evolution predict that HMXBs receive a large kick velocity during the supernova explosion of the compact star's progenitor. One might, therefore, expect to observe wind bow shocks around these systems such as observed around many OB-runaway stars. Such a wind bow shock has recently been discovered around the system Vela X-1.