Grain Formation in Post-Shocked Wind Collisions of Massive Binary Systems

Abstract

Massive binary star systems are not uncommon, and neither the supersonic collision of their winds. In the present work we study these shocks and the further consequences on wind structure. The post-shock gas is a warm and high-density environment, which allows dust to form and grow. We show that this growth is fast, of just a few hours. An application for etaCarinae shows that, probably, the decline of X-rays fluxes observed in its light curve is the consequence of its high absorption in periodic dust formation events, on the periastron passage.