ABSTRACT. We investigate the hydrodynamics of two identical hypersonic stellar winds in a binary system. The interaction of these winds manifests itself in the form of two shocks and a contact surface between them. We neglect the binary rotation and assume that the gas flow ahead of the shocks is spherically symmetric. In this case the contact surface that separates the gas emanating from the different stars coincides with the midplane of the binary components. In the shock the gas is heated and flows away nearly along the contact surface. We find the shock shape and the hot gas parameters in the shock layer between the shock and the contact surface.

Subject headings: plasmas; radiation mechanisms: thermal; radiative transfer; stars: neutron; X-rays: stars

Print publication: Issue 2 (2007 February 1)
Received 2006 June 30, accepted for publication 2006 October 10