2025ApJ...987..171X -
Astrophys. J., 987, 171 (2025/July-2)
The Secular Periodic Evolution of X-Ray Quasiperiodic Eruptions Driven by Star-Disk Collisions.
XIAN J., ZHANG F., DOU L. and CHEN Z.
Abstract (from CDS):
We study the secular periodic evolution of quasiperiodic eruptions (QPEs) for GSN069 and eRO-QPE2 assuming that they are driven by star-disk collisions. We set up numerical simulations and compared them with the observed periodic decay of ∼-3160 ± 720 s yr–1 in GSN069 and ∼-370 ± 40 s yr–1 in eRO-QPE2. We find the following: (1) Stellar-mass black holes are unlikely to be the orbiters in these two sources, as their periodic decays are on the order of <10 s yr–1. (2) A naked degenerate core (including a white dwarf) is unlikely to be the orbiter in GSN069, as the decay is on the order of <200 s yr–1. However, it is possible in eRO-QPE2, although the required surface density of the accretion disk is relatively high (e.g., Σ ≳ 107-108 g cm–2). (3) Both the orbiters in GSN069 and eRO-QPE2 can be solar-like main-sequence (MS) stars. However, each collision can lead to gradual ablation of the stellar envelope on the order of 10–5 to 10–3M⊙. To reproduce the observed decay while surviving for ≳3 yr, the surface density of the disk needs to be within a certain range. For example, given a 1M⊙ MS orbiter, the surface density of the disk gas should be in the range of 3 × 105 g cm–2 to 2 × 106g cm–2 for GSN069 or 5 × 104 g cm–2 to 106 g cm–2 for eRO-QPE2. In both of these sources, the MS star cannot survive for more than ∼12 yr. We expect that future observations of these two sources can help to distinguish whether the orbiters are degenerated compact objects or gaseous stars.
Abstract Copyright:
© 2025. The Author(s). Published by the American Astronomical Society.
Journal keyword(s):
Accretion - X-ray active galactic nuclei - High energy astrophysics - Supermassive black holes - Compact objects - Main sequence stars
Simbad objects:
10
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