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Zeta Orionis:
Chandra Observes That Massive Stars Are More Sun-Like Than Believed
Chandra Observes That Massive Stars Are More Sun-Like Than Believed
This figure is a composite of the X-ray spectrum and CCD image of Zeta Orionis. The Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS) image (upper right) clearly shows that Zeta Orionis is a binary, or, double, star system. The recent results by Waldron and Cassinelli focused on the larger "A" component of the system. The spatial resolution between the "A" and "B" elements of Zeta Orionis are a mere 2.4 arcseconds away from one another, demonstrating the fantastic resolution capable by the Chandra X-ray Observatory. The color contours in the image are scaled logarithmically in relationship to their X-ray intensities.
The X-ray emission line spectrum (lower left) represents the Chandra High-Energy Transmission Grating Medium Energy Grating observation of Zeta Orionis "A". By determining the wavelength associated with each emission line, scientists can identify the atomic species and their states of ionization, which can be used to determine the temperature range of the plasma. Furthermore, by measuring the relative line strengths of certain ions, scientists can extract densities and specific temperatures of the X-ray emitting plasma. One major difference between this O-star spectrum and that of other stars such as the Sun is that the X-ray emission lines are significantly broader, indicating a larger dispersion in plasma velocities.
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Visual Description:
The image is a Chandra X-ray Observatory image featuring the O-star Zeta Orionis, which is a blue supergiant star in the constellation Orion. The image is dominated by speckled shades of blue and black, with some red and orange at the center. Key structures in the image include a bright red-orange dot with a smaller dot just below at 7 o'clock, as well as a diagonal line that extends from the top right corner to the bottom left corner to show the X-ray spectrum. This figure is therefore a composite of the X-ray spectrum and Chandra image of Zeta Orionis. The image (upper right) clearly shows that Zeta Orionis is a binary, or, double, star system. The spatial resolution between the two stars of Zeta Orionis are a mere 2.4 arcseconds away from one another, demonstrating the fantastic resolution capable by Chandra. The color contours in the image are scaled logarithmically in relationship to their X-ray intensities.
Revised: September 10, 2025