The Ionized Stellar Wind in Vela X-1 During Eclipse

Abstract

We present a first analysis of a high resolution X-ray spectrum of the ionized stellar wind of Vela X-1 during eclipse. The data were obtained with the High Energy Transmission Grating Spectrometer onboard the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The spectrum is resolved into emission lines with fluxes between 0.02 and 1.04x10^4 ph/cm^2/s. We identify lines from a variety of charge states, including fluorescence lines from cold material, a warm photoionized wind. We can exclude signatures from collisionally ionized plasmas. For the first time we identify fluorescence lines from L-shell ions from lower Z elements. We also detect radiative recombination continua from a kT = 10 eV (1.2 x 10^5 K) photoionized optically thin gas. The fluorescence line fluxes infer the existence of optically thick and clumped matter within or outside the warm photoionized plasma.