High-mass microquasars from binary to black hole scale

We present a 3D hydrodynamical simulation of a wind-accreting high-mass microquasar, from 30 binary separations ( d ) to 256 black hole (BH) gravitational radii, over one-sixth of a full orbit in time, with system parameters inspired by Cyg X-1. The simulation allows key system components to emerge naturally as inter-dependent quasi-stationary parts of an inherently multi-scale flow. The BH accretion disk is highly eccentric, with spirally shaped accreting and decreting zones. Its flow field is consistent with elliptical orbits confocal at the BH. The disk structure relates to its feeding: a cold 3D accretion cone channels matter from opposite the L1 point and within 2/3 d from the BH toward the disk. Above and below the disk, a polytropic atmosphere establishes, with temperatures one-tenth of the virial temperature. A hot cocoon of shocked wind material engulfs the BH accretion structure on scales of d /10. We hypothesize that the shocks may accelerate particles and the atmosphere may up-scatter photons to GeV energies and beyond. An Archimedian spiral is apparent out to at least 10 d , as the orbiting BH perturbs the homogeneous donor star wind. Our simulation offers a coherent cross-scale perspective that allows us to contextualize observations, interpretations, and specific models.

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Publication Details

Journal
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Published
2025-09-01
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202556402
Primary Topic
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

High-mass microquasars from binary to black hole scale

R. Walder, Doris Folini
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
article

High-mass microquasars from binary to black hole scale

R. Walder, Doris Folini
article en

Abstract

We present a 3D hydrodynamical simulation of a wind-accreting high-mass microquasar, from 30 binary separations ( d ) to 256 black hole (BH) gravitational radii, over one-sixth of a full orbit in time, with system parameters inspired by Cyg X-1. The simulation allows key system components to emerge naturally as inter-dependent quasi-stationary parts of an inherently multi-scale flow. The BH accretion disk is highly eccentric, with spirally shaped accreting and decreting zones. Its flow field is consistent with elliptical orbits confocal at the BH. The disk structure relates to its feeding: a cold 3D accretion cone channels matter from opposite the L1 point and within 2/3 d from the BH toward the disk. Above and below the disk, a polytropic atmosphere establishes, with temperatures one-tenth of the virial temperature. A hot cocoon of shocked wind material engulfs the BH accretion structure on scales of d /10. We hypothesize that the shocks may accelerate particles and the atmosphere may up-scatter photons to GeV energies and beyond. An Archimedian spiral is apparent out to at least 10 d , as the orbiting BH perturbs the homogeneous donor star wind. Our simulation offers a coherent cross-scale perspective that allows us to contextualize observations, interpretations, and specific models.

Astronomy and AstrophysicsVol. 701
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 (FR), École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (FR), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), Centre de Recherche Astrophysique de Lyon (FR)
Grand Équipement National De Calcul Intensif
Openalex Percentile: Top 84%
Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
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High-mass microquasars from binary to black hole scale — R. Walder, Doris Folini · Astronomy and Astrophysics (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS