X-ray emission from colliding wind shocks in the Wolf-Rayet binary WR 140

We analyze four ASCA X-ray observations of the Wolf-Rayet binary system WR 140 obtained between 1993 and 1997 by making use of hydrodynamic colliding wind (CW) shock models. The analysis shows that the CW shock models are able to accurately reproduce the X-ray spectra at different orbital phases using mass-loss and orbital parameters that are within the ranges allowed by the uncertainties. However, some adjustment in the currently accepted values of the semimajor axis and time of periastron passage may eventually be required. Models that allow for different electron and ion temperatures provide better fits to the data. Extra absorption is inferred from CW shock models above that expected from the winds and interstellar medium, the origin of which is not yet known. We also report the serendipitous discovery of hot plasma at temperatures in excess of similar to 2 keV and X-ray emission lines in spectra extracted from the diffuse Cygnus superbubble background in the vicinity of WR 140.