Description
Thermonuclear (type-I) X-ray bursts arise from unstable ignition of accumulated material on the surface of neutron stars in low-mass binary systems. Despite many decades of observations, we still lack a complete explanation of the remarkable diversity of burst properties. One of the key inputs is the composition of the fuel accreted from the binary companion, which along with the accretion rate is the primary determinant of burst behaviour. Here we present the results of a modelling-observation comparison study using the beansp code which for the first time surveys composition for four of the 115 known sources. Even amongst this small sample we find a remarkable range of compositions, from roughly solar down to extremely hydrogen- and metal-poor. We discuss the implications for the wider burst sample and the possible donor evolutionary histories that might result in compositions.
| Talk category | NOVA Network 3 |
|---|---|
| Preference for a talk or poster | Poster |
