AN ANALYTIC SOLUTION TO THE HYPERSONIC, RADIATIVE BLUNT-BODY PROBLEM

We present an analytic model for the thin-shell, radiative interaction between a hypersonic, plane-parallel wind and a rigid, spherical obst acle. This problem has clear applications, e.g., to the interaction of winds from young stars and dense cloudlets, and to the interaction of the wind from a binary partner with the photosphere of the second sta r. We also present a comparison of the analytic model with a full, axi symmetric numerical simulation. We find only a partial agreement betwe en the numerical simulation and the analytic model, apparently as a re sult of the very strong 'thin-shell' instabilities of the post-bow sho ck flow. Our analytic model predicts the surface density, flow velocit y and the energy radiated per unit area, as well as the total luminosi ty of the bow shock. The model can therefore be used directly for carr ying out comparisons with observations of different astrophysical obje cts.