A Study of the Evolution of the Close Binaries Cyg X-3, IC 10 X-1, NGC 300 X-1, SS 433, and M33 X-7 Using the "Scenario Machine"

TL;DR

This study models the evolution of several unique X-ray binary systems using the Scenario Machine, revealing their potential to produce gamma-ray bursts, gravitational waves, and Thorne-Zytkow objects, thus providing insights into extreme binary evolution.

Contribution

It applies the Scenario Machine to simulate the evolution of specific X-ray binaries, highlighting their roles in extreme astrophysical phenomena and gravitational wave sources.

Findings

Classical evolutionary scenario aligns with observations

Potential for gamma-ray bursts from hypernova explosions

Predicted gravitational wave signals from binary mergers

Abstract

Evolutionary tracks for the X-ray binaries Cyg X-3, IC 10 X-1, NGC 300 X-1, SS 433, and M33 X-7 are computed using the Scenario Machine code. The compact objects in IC 10 X-1, NGC 300 X-1, and M33 X-7 are the most massive stellar mass black hole candidates. Cyg X-3, IC 10 X-1, and NGC 300 X-1 are the only currently known Wolf-Rayet stars with degenerate companions. SS 433 is the only known superaccretor in the Milky Way. Therefore, the stars studied provide excellent laboratories for testing scenarios for the evolution of binaries under extreme conditions. The classical evolutionary scenario is consistent with modern observational data. During the evolution of these binaries, hypernova explosions accompanied by the collapse of stellar cores with large angular momenta can occur, leading to long gamma-ray bursts. At the end of their evolution, Cyg X-3, IC 10 X-1, NGC 300 X-1, and SS 433 may form binary relativistic objects, which will subsequently merge due to the radiation of gravitational waves. The gravitational waves emitted during mergers of relativistic stars should be detectable by existing and future gravitational-wave antennas. In the course of its future evolution, M33 X-7 will pass through a Thorne-Zytkow stage. The formation of a Thorne-Zytkow object can also be accompanied by gravitational-wave radiation. Figure 2 contains two merging black holes with masses almost identical to the second LIGO event GW151226.